The short answer
Renting a website (from a builder such as Wix or Framer) is quick and simple, which suits testing an idea. Owning a website (WordPress is the most popular choice) takes more effort but gives you control, flexibility and the freedom to move. For most established small businesses we recommend owning.
Renting or owning, side by side
| Renting (Wix, Framer) | Owning (WordPress) | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting started | Can be live in a couple of days if you know what you are doing | Takes longer and needs more set-up |
| How you pay | A fee to the provider, set by the provider | Hosting, plus any help you pay for. You can change hosting companies |
| Ownership and moving | You cannot take the site with you. If you leave, you rebuild | The site is yours. Back it up and move it to another host |
| Look and features | Shared templates and the features the provider offers | Hundreds of themes and thousands of plugins, or a developer can build something just for you |
| Maintenance and security | Handled by the provider | Hosting usually includes backups and some security. Updates are up to you or a provider |
| Best for | Testing an idea quickly | A business that wants control and plans to grow |
Why we prefer owning
Price and portability
If the provider doubles the price, you pay or lose your site. If you own it and your host raises prices, you back it up and move.
Functionality
When everyone uses the same templates, sites look alike and features are limited to what the provider offers. An open platform lets you stand out.
Trust
You are the only one looking out for your business. If a provider changes its terms, you are stuck. With your own site you stay in control.
Read the full story in our guide: Rent vs Own (for your small business website).