'Should I use a website builder or WordPress?' It is the first decision of every website project - and getting it wrong is expensive. Both work; they serve different needs. Here is the honest, up-to-date comparison to help you choose.

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What Website Builders Offer

Builders like Wix, Squarespace and GoDaddy promise 'no code needed' - pick a template, drag elements, publish. They handle hosting, security and updates. Perfect for simple sites fast, but you are renting their platform: limited control, and moving away later is hard.

What WordPress Offers

WordPress powers over 40% of the web. You own everything - design, plugins, content and data. It scales from a one-page site to a full online store, with themes and plugins for every need. The trade-off: you manage your own hosting, updates and security.

Side-by-Side

  • Ease of start: builder wins.
  • Cost over time: WordPress wins - domain + hosting only.
  • Ownership: WordPress wins - your data is yours.
  • Flexibility: WordPress wins - plugins for everything.
  • SEO control: WordPress wins.
  • Maintenance: builder handles it; you handle WordPress.

Cost Over Time

Builders charge monthly subscriptions that climb as you grow - adding e-commerce, more pages, more visitors all cost more. WordPress costs a domain (~৳800/yr) and hosting (from ~৳100/month). A few years in, WordPress is dramatically cheaper and does more.

How to Choose

  • Need a simple site this week, zero maintenance? A builder is fine.
  • Planning to grow, sell online, or invest in SEO? Choose WordPress.
  • Building for a client who must own their site? WordPress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WordPress free?

WordPress software is free - you pay only for domain and hosting. Premium themes and plugins are optional extras, not requirements.

Is WordPress hard to learn?

The basics are simple - add pages, posts, media, change themes. You can start with a managed WordPress hosting plan and grow your skills as your site grows.

Choose based on ownership and goals, not just the first month's effort. For a site you plan to keep and grow, WordPress with your own hosting is the platform that pays off.