Last Updated: 25 May 2025
Blueprint Step 2.4 – Stage 2: Get Online
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You've secured your domain. You've set up your professional email. Now comes the decision that makes most micro-business owners freeze: which website platform should I actually use?
This isn't a small choice. Pick wrong, and you'll face migration headaches, hidden costs, or a platform that can't grow with you. Pick right, and you'll have a foundation that serves your business for years.
The good news? You don't need to understand every technical detail. You just need to match your specific business needs to the right platform category. That's exactly what this guide does.
We're cutting through the noise of 50+ options to help you make one clear decision: the platform you'll build on. No more comparison paralysis. No more "maybe I should research one more option." Just a straightforward path from confusion to commitment.
By the end of this article, you'll have chosen your platform and created your trial account, ready to start building.
On this page:
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What You'll Have When Done:
A finalized platform choice and a signed-up trial or installed account.
Time Needed: 45 minutes
Difficulty: Beginner
Prerequisites:
Domain registered and professional email setup. (Complete this first)
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Before You Start:
Make sure you have:
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Step 1: Define Your Core Requirement
Ask yourself one question: What is the PRIMARY thing my website must do?
Write down your answer. This single decision eliminates half your options immediately.
Step 2: Apply the E-commerce Filter
If you selected "Sell products":
If you selected "Services" or "Content":
Step 3: Choose Your Management Style
For service and content sites, you have two paths:
Path A: All-in-One Simplicity (SaaS Builders)
Path B: Maximum Control (Self-Hosted)
Not sure which management style fits? Read about the website builder vs. self-hosted platform trade-offs.
Step 4: Apply Your Technical Confidence
Be honest about your comfort level:
Beginner (Never built a website):
Confident (Comfortable learning new tools):
Step 5: Sign Up for Your Trial
Don't overthink this. Choose your platform and create your account right now:
Save your login credentials in a secure location.
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NetNav Integration Point: Not sure which features your website will actually need to perform well? Before committing, NetNav can run an audit on a comparable competitor site, helping you define the critical features (like speed, mobile UX, and security) you must demand from your platform choice.
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You've Completed Quick Start If...
✅ Completed the quick version? Move on to Plan Your Website Structure in 30 Minutes or continue below for the detailed walkthrough.
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This section walks you through the decision with full context, helping you understand why each choice matters for your specific business model.
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The biggest mistake micro-business owners make is choosing a platform based on design templates rather than core functionality. Your platform must support what your business actually does.
Let's break down the three primary website functions:
Function 1: Lead Generation (Service Businesses)
Your website's job is to convince visitors to contact you. You need:
Platform requirements: Basic content management, form integration, mobile responsiveness.
Function 2: E-commerce (Product Businesses)
Your website must handle transactions securely. You need:
Platform requirements: Dedicated e-commerce features, payment gateway integration, security compliance.
Still deciding if you need a full website or could start with a marketplace? Read Website vs Marketplace: Where Should You Sell?
Function 3: Content Publishing (Blogs, Portfolios, Resources)
Your website regularly publishes new content. You need:
Platform requirements: Robust content management system, SEO tools, media library.
[MEDIA:INFOGRAPHIC:function-to-platform-funnel]
Caption: Use Case Funnel: Matching your business function (Service/Ecomm/Content) to the appropriate platform category.
Action: Write down which function describes your primary need. If you need specific requirements for basic e-commerce, that becomes your non-negotiable filter.
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Once you know your functionality requirement, you face the fundamental platform choice: all-in-one simplicity or maximum control?
Understanding SaaS Builders (Squarespace, Wix, Shopify)
"SaaS" means Software as a Service. You pay a monthly subscription, and the platform handles:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Understanding Open Source / Self-Hosted (WordPress)
WordPress is free software, but you need to arrange your own hosting. You're responsible for:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
The Honest Truth: SaaS builders trade money for time. WordPress trades time for money. Neither is "better"—they serve different priorities.
Action: Decide which resource you have more of: money (choose SaaS) or time (choose WordPress).
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Let's compare the platforms most micro-businesses choose, with 2025 pricing and feature reality.
[MEDIA:TABLE:platform-comparison]
Caption: Quick Feature Comparison of Top Small Business Platforms (2025 Pricing snapshot).
| Platform | Best For | Starting Cost | E-commerce | Customization | Learning Curve | Transaction Fees |
|----------|----------|---------------|------------|---------------|----------------|------------------|
| Squarespace | Service businesses, portfolios | £11/month | Basic (£15/month plan) | Medium | Easy | 3% (basic plan) |
| Wix | Beginners, simple sites | £0 (ads) / £10/month | Add-on (£17/month) | Medium | Very Easy | 0% (business plans) |
| WordPress | Content-heavy, full control | £3-10/month hosting | Via WooCommerce (free plugin) | Unlimited | Moderate | 0% (platform) |
| Shopify | Dedicated e-commerce | £25/month | Excellent | Medium | Easy | 2% (basic plan) |
Detailed Breakdown:
Squarespace:
Wix:
WordPress:
Shopify:
NetNav Integration Point: While a builder might seem easier now, remember that security and speed are often compromised. NetNav runs continuous checks on your site's core health once launched, minimizing the technical maintenance burden of platforms like WordPress and ensuring your builder site remains fast.
Action: Based on your function (Step 1) and management preference (Step 2), eliminate platforms that don't fit. You should now have 1-2 finalists.
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Your final decision comes down to honest self-assessment: How much time will you realistically dedicate to your website?
The "Set and Forget" Reality Check
If you want to build your site and rarely touch it:
The "Active Manager" Reality Check
If you're comfortable learning and plan to regularly update content:
The "I'll Hire Help" Reality Check
If you plan to eventually hire a developer or designer:
Read more about the DIY approach vs hiring a developer to understand the full cost picture.
[MEDIA:SCREENSHOT:wordpress-dashboard-vs-squarespace]
Caption: Technical Commitment: The WordPress dashboard complexity versus the clean simplicity of a SaaS builder editor.
The Template Reality
Regardless of platform, you'll likely start with a pre-made template. Understand the difference between working with pre-made themes or templates before you commit.
Action: Make your final decision based on your honest technical confidence and time availability. Write it down: "I am building on [PLATFORM]."
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Decision made? Excellent. Now make it real by creating your account before you close this page.
For Squarespace:
For Wix:
For WordPress:
For Shopify:
Critical: Save your login credentials in a secure location (password manager, encrypted document, or secure note). You'll need these constantly over the next few weeks.
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You've Completed This Step If...
🎉 Completed? You've crossed the hardest technical hurdle. You're ready for Plan Your Website Structure in 30 Minutes.
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Common Problems and Fixes
Problem 1: Analysis Paralysis (Too Many Options, Fear of Picking Wrong)
Symptoms: You've read 15 comparison articles, watched 20 YouTube videos, and still can't decide. You're terrified of making the "wrong" choice.
Fix: Use the core requirements filter to eliminate options immediately:
Apply these filters ruthlessly. You should have 2 options maximum. Flip a coin if you must—both remaining options will work. The cost of delay (not having a website) is higher than the cost of switching later.
Problem 2: WordPress Feels Too Complicated/Overwhelming
Symptoms: You've logged into WordPress, seen the dashboard, and immediately felt lost. The menu options, plugins, and settings feel like a foreign language.
Fix: Recognize that complexity is traded for flexibility and lower long-term cost. But if you value low maintenance above all else, it's okay to choose simplicity.
Go back and commit to Squarespace or Wix. You're not "giving up"—you're making a strategic choice to trade money for time. There's no shame in choosing the tool that matches your comfort level.
Alternatively, if you want to persist with WordPress, commit to one beginner tutorial series (YouTube has hundreds) and follow it completely before judging. The learning curve is steep initially but plateaus quickly.
Problem 3: Fear of Future Platform Switching Costs
Symptoms: You're paralyzed by stories of expensive, painful website migrations. You're worried you'll be "locked in" forever.
Fix: Focus on content portability, not platform permanence.
The truth: Migration is never free (in time or money), but it's also not impossible. The real cost is in redesign and rebuilding, not in moving content. If you focus on creating quality content (which you'll do in the next Blueprint steps), that content can move to any platform.
What actually locks you in:
What doesn't lock you in:
Make the best decision with current information. If your business grows beyond your platform's capabilities in 3 years, that's a success problem worth having. Don't let fear of a future problem prevent solving today's problem (not having a website).
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Immediate Next Step:
You've chosen your platform and created your account. Now you need to plan what actually goes on your website.
→ Continue to: Plan Your Website Structure in 30 Minutes
In the next step, you'll define your essential pages, navigation, and user flow for your chosen platform. This planning prevents the "blank canvas paralysis" that stops most people from actually building.
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Want to explore related topics in more detail?
For a detailed breakdown of the true costs and limitations of "free" builders.
If you want to know the 25 criteria a good website must satisfy, use this checklist before choosing.
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You have selected your platform! This is a massive commitment made. Before you start building, run a quick NetNav audit on a comparable site. We identify over 50 technical issues that even the best platforms overlook, ensuring your build is optimized from Day 1.
Start Your Free NetNav Audit →
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Part of the NetNav Academy Blueprint: Your step-by-step path from idea to sustainable micro-business.
Previous Step: Set Up Your Business Email
Next Step: Plan Your Website Structure in 30 Minutes
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