Choosing a website platform can quickly become confusing. WordPress, Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, DNN, custom builds and other systems all have a place, but none of them is automatically right for every business.
Start with what the website needs to do
A brochure website, ecommerce store, membership platform and client portal all have different requirements. Before choosing technology, define the role of the website, the people who will use it and the processes it needs to support.
For specialist B2B companies, the website often has to explain complex services, support lead generation and integrate with other systems.
Consider who will manage the website
The best platform for developers is not always the best platform for content teams. Consider how often pages will be updated, who will add content and whether the business needs approval workflows, multilingual content or restricted access.
Think about technical requirements
Security, hosting, integrations, performance, scalability and support all influence platform choice. A platform that seems cheap at launch can become expensive if it is difficult to maintain or unsuitable for future needs.
Questions to ask before choosing
- What content will the site hold?
- Who will manage it?
- Does it need ecommerce or membership features?
- Will it integrate with CRM or ERP systems?
- What level of support is needed?
- How will it grow over the next three years?
Choose the platform that fits the job
There is no prize for choosing the most fashionable platform. A good decision balances capability, cost, usability and long-term support. The goal is a website that works for the business, not a technology decision that creates unnecessary constraints.
Platform decisions should be commercial decisions.
BBI helps clients choose website platforms by looking at what the site needs to achieve, how it will be managed and what future requirements are likely to follow.
Final thoughts
The right platform should make the website easier to manage, improve and extend. The wrong one can create unnecessary cost and frustration.
A little planning before choosing technology can save a great deal of effort later.