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While WordPress powers over 43% of all websites, it's not always the best choice for businesses. From security vulnerabilities and plugin conflicts to maintenance headaches and hidden costs, many organisations are looking for more robust, secure, and user-friendly alternatives.
In this blog, we'll explore the five best WordPress alternatives, with detailed insights on features, benefits, migration approaches, and cost considerations to help you make an informed decision.
You'll find everything you need to manage and grow your website in HubSpot's Content Hub. It brings together your website, marketing tools, and customer data in one place, making it easier to create engaging experiences for your visitors.
What makes HubSpot different? It's all about simplicity. While WordPress often leaves you wrestling with technical challenges, when build effectively, HubSpot's editor lets you create and edit content without touching a line of code. You can build pages, modify layouts, and update content without worrying about breaking your site or calling a developer.
HubSpot's particularly great if you're looking to align your website with your marketing and sales efforts. If you're in B2B or professional services, you'll love how it connects your website activity directly to your CRM, giving you a clear view of how visitors interact with your content.
Unlike WordPress, where you're responsible for updates and security, HubSpot takes care of all the technical elements. You'll get automatic updates, security patches, and performance optimisations without lifting a finger. If you need bespoke technical work done, an accredited HubSpot website developer will find all the tools they need to create custom solutions.
You'll get several advantages when you move from WordPress to HubSpot:
There are four main approaches to migrating from WordPress to HubSpot:
Webflow is a visual development platform that bridges the gap between traditional web development and no-code solutions. As a proprietary platform, it offers reliable hosting and security while giving users control over design and functionality.
The platform excels in providing designers and agencies with the tools to create custom, responsive websites without writing code from scratch. However, it's not just for designers – its visual canvas makes it accessible to marketing teams who want more design control than traditional CMS platforms offer.
Webflow is particularly suited for design-focused businesses, creative agencies, and organisations that need custom designs without the complexity of traditional development.
While not open-source, Webflow provides extensive customisation options through its Designer tool. Content editors can easily update site content through the Editor interface, though more complex design changes typically require familiarity with Webflow's tools and web design principles.
There are several ways to move from WordPress to Webflow:
Craft CMS is a flexible, developer-focused content management system that prioritises content modelling and customisation. Unlike WordPress's one-size-fits-all approach, Craft provides a blank canvas for developers to build exactly what their clients need.
The platform is open-source, similar to WordPress, but takes a more modern approach to development and content management. It's built on robust technical foundations using PHP's Yii2 framework, making it a favourite among developers who value clean code and modern development practices.
Craft is ideal for medium to large organisations that need precise control over their content structure and presentation. It's particularly popular among agencies and businesses in technology, education, and media sectors where content customisation is crucial.
However, it's important to note that while content editors can easily update content once the site is built, the initial setup and any significant changes typically require developer involvement.
The platform separates content from presentation, allowing for true omnichannel content management. This makes it an excellent choice for organisations that need to publish content across multiple channels or build headless architectures.
Moving to Craft CMS typically involves these approaches:
Wix is a proprietary website builder that emphasises ease of use and quick deployment. It's designed to make website creation accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise, through its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and extensive template library.
The platform is particularly well-suited for small businesses, freelancers, and organisations that need a professional website without technical complexity. It's especially popular among retailers, restaurants, and service-based businesses that need basic e-commerce functionality or booking systems.
Content management in Wix is straightforward, with an intuitive editor that makes it easy for non-technical users to update content, add pages, and modify designs. The platform handles all technical aspects including hosting, security, and updates, making it a truly managed solution.
While not open-source, Wix offers extensive customisation through its App Market and development tools. However, it's important to note that unlike WordPress or Craft, you're working within Wix's ecosystem and constraints – which prioritises ease of use over complete technical flexibility.
Wix offers several paths for migration:
Shopify is a specialised e-commerce platform that has evolved to include robust content management capabilities. As a proprietary, cloud-based platform, it provides a complete solution for online retailers, handling everything from inventory and payments to content management and marketing.
The platform is particularly appealing if you're currently running an e-commerce store on WordPress with WooCommerce or similar plugins. While these plugins can be powerful, they often require significant maintenance, regular updates, and careful management to ensure security and performance. Shopify removes these headaches by handling all the technical aspects of running an e-commerce site.
The platform is designed for e-commerce businesses of all sizes, from small start-ups to enterprise-level retailers. It's particularly effective for businesses that need a reliable, scalable e-commerce solution with integrated content marketing capabilities. While it can be used for content-only sites, its real strength lies in combining commerce with content.
For marketers and content editors, Shopify provides an intuitive interface that makes it easy to manage both products and content. The platform's section-based editor allows for flexible page layouts without requiring technical knowledge, though the content management capabilities aren't as extensive as traditional CMS platforms.
Unlike WordPress and WooCommerce, where you're responsible for maintaining your e-commerce functionality through multiple plugins and extensions, Shopify handles all technical aspects including hosting, security, and PCI compliance. This makes it an attractive option for businesses that want to focus on selling rather than managing technical infrastructure.
Shopify provides several options for migration:
When evaluating WordPress alternatives, there are several critical aspects to consider. Security and maintenance should be at the top of your list – understanding how updates are handled, what security measures are included, and who's responsible for ongoing maintenance will help you gauge the long-term viability of each platform.
The total cost of ownership is another crucial factor. Look beyond the initial subscription costs and consider additional expenses like plugins, development work, and maintenance. Some platforms might seem more expensive upfront but could save you money in the long run by including features that you'd need to pay extra for with other solutions.
Scalability is equally important for growing businesses. Consider how each platform handles increased traffic, content growth, and user management. The best solution will grow with your business without requiring significant platform changes down the line.
Finally, think about how the platform will integrate with your existing tools. Whether it's your CRM, marketing automation platform, or other business systems, smooth integration capabilities can save you considerable time and resources.
WordPress' apparent "free" price tag often misleads organisations about the true cost of ownership. Consider these often-overlooked expenses:
When comparing alternatives, factor in these costs against the all-inclusive pricing of other platforms.
Before making your final decision, take time to thoroughly evaluate each platform you're considering. Start by requesting demos to see the platform in action and ask specific questions about your unique needs. This is your chance to understand how the platform would work in your specific context.
Some platforms offer trial periods – use these to test key functionality and assess the learning curve for your team. Pay particular attention to the features you use most frequently and how easy or difficult they are to implement.
Having detailed conversations with sales teams can provide valuable insights. Beyond understanding pricing structures, these discussions can reveal important details about support options and implementation processes. Be sure to ask about onboarding support and ongoing assistance.
Finally, don't skip the research phase. Read customer testimonials, review case studies, and look for common issues or complaints. Pay special attention to reviews from businesses similar to yours, as their experiences are likely to be most relevant to your situation.
Moving from WordPress to a new platform is a significant decision that requires careful planning. The right choice depends on your specific needs, resources, and goals. While WordPress has served many organisations well, modern alternatives like HubSpot Content Hub offer more integrated, secure, and scalable solutions that can significantly reduce total cost of ownership while providing superior functionality.
HubSpot Content Hub stands out as one of the best WordPress alternatives on the market. By combining powerful content management capabilities with built-in marketing tools and CRM integration, it offers everything growing businesses need to succeed online – all without the complexity and hidden costs of WordPress.
