Why WordPress May Be a Bad Fit for Small Business Websites (And What to Use Instead)

We know, WordPress is very powerful—but is it right for your business?

Many small business owners choose WordPress because it’s what everyone uses—or because someone told them to. It feels like the safe choice, but it often turns into a second job filled with updates, plugin issues, and hidden costs.

What you think starts out as a “smart” move quickly turns into a nightmare and another full-time job.

In this article, we’ll break down why WordPress often isn’t the best platform for small businesses, what to look for instead, and how to choose a website solution that works with you—not against you.

WordPress Is a Good Platform (Just Not for Everyone)

To clarify, WordPress isn’t inherently “bad.” There’s a reason it powers over 40% of the internet. Its strengths include:

• Flexibility and Power  With WordPress, the possibilities are endless. Whether you need custom plugins, unique functionality, or a complex e-commerce solution, WordPress can do it all.

• Full Design and Code Control  For those with coding knowledge (or a developer on speed dial), WordPress offers complete freedom to design your site exactly how you want it.

• Perfect for Complex, Content-Heavy Sites  WordPress is particularly useful for large-scale publishing platforms, major e-commerce businesses, or organizations with intricate backend systems.

  
  

But here’s the catch—most small businesses don’t need (or want) that level of complexity. What might be a dream for developers often becomes a nightmare for people without technical expertise.

5 Reasons WordPress Frustrates Small Business Owners

Here’s why the very features that make WordPress so powerful can also make it overwhelming, especially for small businesses.

The same features that make WordPress powerful also make it time-consuming, unpredictable, and expensive—especially for non-technical users. Here’s why WordPress often becomes more of a burden than a benefit for small businesses:

1. Plugin Problems and Breakages

Plugins help you add functionality—but every one you install increases the chance of conflicts or crashes. Even a routine update can break something, and fixing it usually requires technical know-how or developer support. The more plugins you rely on, the more vulnerable your site becomes.

2. You’re on Your Own

With WordPress, you’re responsible for everything behind the scenes. That includes:

• Web hosting

• SSL certificates

• Manual backups

• Performance monitoring

• Security setup

If your site crashes, gets hacked, or runs slowly, there’s no built-in support. You’re left to figure it out—or pay someone who can.

3. Constant Maintenance Required

WordPress sites require frequent updates—for the core system, your theme, and every plugin you use. Skip updates and you risk security issues. Run updates and you risk breaking something. Either way, maintenance isn’t optional—and it eats up your time.

4. Not Beginner-Friendly

WordPress isn’t built with non-tech users in mind. Even basic edits can feel confusing without experience. Unless you’re comfortable managing plugins, code, and backend settings, you’ll likely need ongoing developer help—which adds to the cost.

5. Hidden Long-Term Costs

WordPress is free to install—but running it isn’t. Most small business websites end up paying for:

• Premium plugins and themes

• Secure hosting

• Ongoing security tools

• Developer support for fixes and updates

That “free” site? It can easily turn into hundreds or thousands of dollars a year—plus hours of time you didn’t plan to spend managing it.

Wix vs WordPress for Small Business Websites

Comparing WordPress to Wix is like comparing a custom-built house to renting a fully-furnished apartment.

Yes, they both give you a website—but what you get and what you’re responsible for is completely different.

Feature	WordPress	Wix
Ownership	Fully owned (self-hosted)	Rented (hosted by Wix)
Customization	Unlimited, but complex (req's plugins)	Very customizable
SEO Control	Full (best with expertise)	Full (SEO assistant)
Ease of Use	Complex. Steep learning curve	Beginner-friendly
Maintenance	Your responsibility	Managed by Wix
Security & Backup	Your responsibility	Managed by Wix
Cost	Free (high with add-ons and services)	Flat monthly fee
Portability	Highly portable	Site Locked into Wix. Domain is open

Here’s the bottom line:

• WordPress gives you unlimited ownership and control, but at the high cost of complexity.

• Wix is affordable, offers simplicity, and an all-inclusive package, which is often a better fit for small businesses.

Or as one Reddit user put it perfectly, “Page builders like Wix are for people who need a nice, clean marketing website… WordPress is for people who need a complex, deeply customized, high-maintenance website and have the developer resources to maintain it.”

What Small Businesses Truly Need

Most small businesses aren’t looking for complicated code, unlimited plugins, or enterprise-level customizations. They just want a website that looks good, works reliably, and helps them grow—without all the hassle.

Here’s what actually matters for small business websites:

• Speed & Security A fast, stable site that loads quickly, protects customer data, and doesn’t break when you update it.

• Ease of Use A simple editor that lets you easily update content, images, or products—without needing a developer.

• Hands-Off Maintenance Hosting, software updates, backups, and security should be built in, not something you manage manually.

• Built-In SEO Tools Clear fields for meta titles, descriptions, alt text, and sitemaps—so you can improve rankings even without being an SEO expert.

• Essential Marketing Tools Built-in tools or easy integrations for email signups, lead capture forms, popups, and basic automations that help turn visitors into customers.

• Affordable, Predictable Pricing No hidden fees. Just a flat monthly cost that fits within a small business budget.

• Reliable Support When something goes wrong, you shouldn’t have to Google it. Responsive support or a trusted partner should have your back.

Platforms like Wix check all these boxes, while WordPress often over-complicates them.

When WordPress Makes Sense

That said, there are situations where WordPress is absolutely the better choice. Consider it if your business:

• Needs custom backend systems or integrations

• Runs a content-heavy publishing site

• Has an in-house developer or IT team to manage upkeep

• Relies heavily on advanced SEO customizations for competitive rankings

Even in these cases, you’ll want to account for ongoing costs and challenges involved in maintaining a WordPress site.

What We Recommend (And Why)

At Winnicki Digital, we’ve built and managed websites across every major platform—from WordPress to Squarespace to Wix. We’re not anti-WordPress—we’re pro-fit. The best platform is the one that aligns with your goals, capacity, and growth stage.

For 90% of the small business websites we support, Wix is the better choice—not because it’s DIY, but because it offers a smarter, more sustainable foundation with the right expert by your side.

Here’s why we recommend it:

• Wix is simpler to use—so you’re not locked out of your own site

• Wix is faster to launch—meaning you get results sooner

• Wix is easier to maintain—but only when it’s set up strategically

• Wix reduces risk and ongoing costs—when managed by someone who knows how to optimize it

The truth is, a platform alone doesn’t make a great website. Strategy, structure, and ongoing care do. Our goal isn’t just to build your website—it’s to make sure it grows with your business, saves you time, and works harder on your behalf every single day.

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Tired of Managing WordPress on Your Own?

You shouldn’t have to wrestle with your website to keep your business running.

Let’s help you choose a platform that fits your goals, saves you time, and gives you back control—without the technical headaches.

📞 Book a Free Website Strategy Call today, and we’ll help you find the platform that fits your goals and workflow.

Your website can be easy—we promise.