Using Website Builders like WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace for Journalists

For journalists looking to build a website, WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace each offer distinct advantages depending on their needs and technical skills.

• WordPress is ideal for journalists focused on blogging and large content sites. It offers sophisticated blogging tools, the ability to create unlimited pages, and supports complex site structures. It also provides powerful ecommerce options through WooCommerce if needed. However, WordPress has a steeper learning curve and requires more technical knowledge, especially if using the self-hosted version.

• Wix is a good all-rounder and beginner-friendly platform. It combines content management, ecommerce, and marketing tools with a drag-and-drop editor, making it easy to create and maintain a website without technical expertise. Wix offers a wide range of templates and third-party apps, and it is the only one among the three that allows building and hosting a website entirely for free. It is suitable for journalists who want a simple, customizable platform without dealing with hosting or technical maintenance.

• Squarespace excels in design quality and is perfect for journalists who want to showcase portfolios or creative projects with professional-looking layouts. Its drag-and-drop editor is user-friendly, and it includes features like gated content and paywalls, which can help monetize journalistic work. However, Squarespace is more expensive than Wix and offers less creative freedom and fewer templates.

Additional considerations for journalists:

• Wix and Squarespace include hosting and handle technical maintenance, which reduces the workload for users unfamiliar with web hosting or security management. WordPress, especially the self-hosted version, requires managing hosting and updates but offers greater control and flexibility.

• Cost-wise, Wix tends to be more affordable than Squarespace, especially for ecommerce features, while WordPress hosting costs can vary widely depending on the provider and plugins used.

In summary, journalists who prioritize ease of use and quick setup may prefer Wix or Squarespace, with Squarespace being better for visually rich portfolios and Wix for general content and ecommerce. Those who need advanced blogging capabilities, scalability, and full control should consider WordPress, accepting the need for more technical involvement.