When it comes to building a website that stands out, having the right platform is necessary. If you want your site to attract visitors and rank well on search engines, understanding SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is key. At Wunder Wurks, we want to help you make an informed decision, so let’s break down your options: WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Weebly, and HubSpot COS.
SEO Features Overview
To figure out which platform is the best for SEO, we tested popular website builders and noted their SEO features. We looked closely at Weebly, Wix, and Squarespace, as well as HubSpot COS. Instead of a long review for each, we created a simple comparison table so you can quickly see how they stack up.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | WordPress | Squarespace | Wix | Weebly | HubSpot COS |
| Custom Domain | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SEO Friendly URLs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Manual URL Control | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Content Silo Creation | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Canonical Links | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Breadcrumbs | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| H1 Headers | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Subheader Control (H2, H3) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Set Focused Keyword | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| On-Page Optimization Scoring | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Meta Titles | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Meta Descriptions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No Index, No Follow | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Image Alt Text | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Link Anchor Text | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Social Sharing Buttons | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Integrated Blogging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online Stores | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mailing Lists | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Responsive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| XML Sitemaps | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| SSL Certificates | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Who Comes Out on Top?
After analyzing the data, here’s how the platforms scored in terms of SEO features:
- WordPress: 39/39
- HubSpot COS: 37/39
- Squarespace: 29/39
- Wix: 23/39
- Weebly: 21/39
Bottom line: WordPress is the clear winner when it comes to SEO. Its comprehensive features give you the best chance to improve your website’s visibility.
Why WordPress is a Great Choice
WordPress stands out as a top platform for website development due to its extensive features that empower you to optimize your site for search engines. One of its greatest strengths is its wide range of plugins that streamline crucial SEO practices such as content silos, breadcrumbs, and structured data.
Content silos organize your website’s content into well-structured categories and subcategories, enhancing the user experience by making your site easier to navigate. More importantly, this structure signals search engines about the relevance and hierarchy of your content, improving your chances of ranking higher in search results for key queries.
Breadcrumbs act as a secondary navigation tool, helping visitors track their location within your site’s structure. They also provide search engines with additional context regarding your content, reinforcing its relevance and hierarchy. This can lead to better visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) and higher click-through rates (CTR), as users are more likely to engage with content they can easily understand.
Structured data (or schema markup) is a standardized way of classifying and providing detailed information about your pages. By implementing structured data on your WordPress site, search engines can more easily interpret and display your content in rich snippets—like review stars, product details, or event dates—within SERPs. These enhanced search results increase visibility and improve click-through rates.
In summary, if you’re serious about improving your website’s online presence and search engine performance, WordPress is the perfect platform. Its powerful plugin ecosystem and robust features provide everything you need to optimize your site and achieve your digital marketing goals.
The Limitations of Other Platforms
While Squarespace has many useful features, it misses some critical SEO tools that can affect your site’s performance, such as content silos and breadcrumbs.
Wix and Weebly are user-friendly for beginners, but they lack essential SEO capabilities. For example, Wix doesn’t let you change templates without creating a new site, which can be frustrating if you want a fresh look.
HubSpot COS is a solid choice for businesses willing to invest, but it lacks structured data support, which is surprising given its price.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to create a website that not only looks good but also performs well in search engines, WordPress is your best bet. For those who prioritize ease of use and aesthetic appeal over advanced SEO features, Squarespace, Wix, and Weebly can work. However, if driving traffic and generating leads through search is your goal, investing in a platform with strong SEO capabilities like WordPress or HubSpot COS is wise.
At Wunder Wurks, we’re here to guide you in making the right choice for your business. Let us help you create a website that meets your needs and excels in the competitive online landscape to start building your successful online presence!
