Who Owns Your Online Store? Comparing Website Platforms for Creative Entrepreneurs

Creating a website can be a straightforward process when you break it down into three essential parts: the domain, hosting, and platform. Think of it like building a house.

1. The Domain – This is like the address of your house. It’s the unique name people type into their browser to find your site, such as “www.yourbusinessname.com.” Just as your home address directs people to your front door, a domain guides visitors directly to your website.
2. The Hosting – Hosting is the land your house sits on. Just as you need a plot of land to build a house, you need a host to “store” all the files that make up your website. Hosting services provide the space and resources so your site can be accessible online, making sure it runs smoothly, loads quickly, and stays secure.
3. The Platform – Finally, the platform is like the blueprint and construction tools you use to build the house. Whether you choose a platform that’s beginner-friendly or one with extensive customization, this is where you design, structure, and add content to your website. Platforms give you the tools to put your unique stamp on your site, just like building and decorating your home to suit your style.

By combining these three elements—the address, the land, and the tools—you’ll have a fully functional website that serves as your online home.

Free Websites: Renting a Space in an Online “Apartment Complex”

Free websites are a great starting point, especially if you’re just beginning to build your online presence. But the way they handle “domains” is different from having a dedicated website address of your own. Think of a free website’s domain like an apartment complex: instead of having a unique address, you’re part of a larger building, sharing space with many others.

For example, when you create a shop on Etsy, your address looks something like “etsy.com/shop/YourStoreName.” In this setup, “etsy.com” is the main domain—the apartment complex—where your store is just one “unit.” You have your own shop within Etsy’s domain, but you’re still part of Etsy’s property. This means you get some independence to customize your space, but you’re sharing that online space with thousands of other businesses.

With a free website, the hosting and platform are all managed by the provider, so there’s no need to handle maintenance or security yourself. However, there are limits on customization, and your website address will always reflect the main domain. Just like an apartment gives you freedom to decorate but restricts major changes, a free website offers a simple setup without giving you full control over the address or design.

While free websites offer affordability and convenience, owning your own domain gives you a unique, professional presence—more like owning a home than renting an apartment.

Free Websites on Platforms Like Wix: Renting Space with an Option to Customize

Free websites on platforms like Wix give you the ease of setting up a site quickly, but they work like renting a unit in a large online “apartment complex.” When you first create a free website with Wix, your address will look something like “username.wixsite.com/YourSiteName.” Here, “wixsite.com” acts as the main domain, similar to the apartment building, and your site is one of the many units within it. You have your own web page, but it’s still part of Wix’s larger property.

However, with Wix, you have the option to upgrade and buy your own domain directly through the platform. Buying a domain in Wix allows you to customize your address so that it becomes “YourSiteName.com” rather than being tied to the “wixsite.com” domain. This is like upgrading from a shared apartment to a townhouse—you’re still using Wix’s “land” for hosting, but you now have your own distinct address.

When you buy a domain with Wix:

• Your site has a unique web address, which looks more professional and is easier for clients to remember.
• Wix continues to handle the hosting and platform support, so you don’t have to worry about technical maintenance.
• You gain more customization options, allowing you to personalize your website while still enjoying the simplicity of the Wix system.

By purchasing a domain with Wix, you get the ease of an all-in-one platform while making your online presence feel more polished and professional. It’s a convenient way to grow your brand with a unique address, even if you’re still “renting” space on Wix’s property.

WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org: Achieving True Ownership of Your Website

When it comes to WordPress, it’s crucial to understand that there are two versions: WordPress.com and WordPress.org. Although they share the same name, they function quite differently, and this distinction can impact your website ownership, flexibility, and control.

WordPress.com: A Managed Platform, Like Renting Space

WordPress.com operates as a managed platform, which means it handles the domain, hosting, and platform for you, much like renting an apartment. With a free or basic WordPress.com account, your website’s address will look like “yourusername.wordpress.com.” This is similar to having a unit in a larger apartment complex, where “wordpress.com” is the main domain.

You can upgrade to a paid plan on WordPress.com to get more customization options, similar to leasing a premium apartment. You can even buy your own domain, like “YourSiteName.com,” to give your site a unique, professional address. But even with these upgrades, you’re still on WordPress.com’s property, which limits certain features and flexibility.

WordPress.org: Full Ownership and Control – Like Owning Your Own Home

WordPress.org is a self-hosted option that provides you with the full, customizable functionality of WordPress but with complete control. It’s like building your own home: you own the domain, the hosting, and the platform. With WordPress.org, you have access to every customization option and plugin without the premium fees associated with WordPress.com upgrades. This makes it ideal for those who want full control over their website and aren’t limited by platform-imposed restrictions.

With a WordPress.org website, you need three components to set up your site:

1. The Domain – You’ll purchase a unique domain, such as “YourSiteName.com.” This is the address people will use to find you, and with WordPress.org, you own it outright.
2. The Hosting – You’ll choose a hosting provider, like www.easybuildawebsite.com WordPress hosting, which provides the land where your website lives. Hosting is your site’s foundation, and with WordPress.org, you can pick a package that meets your needs. Unlike with WordPress.com, you have complete ownership and control over your hosting.
3. The Platform – WordPress.org provides the open-source platform that powers your site. This platform is free to download, and you can install it on your hosting account to access the complete range of themes, plugins, and design tools. You’re free to customize every aspect of your website, with no limitations from a managed platform.

With WordPress.org, You Own It All

By setting up your site through WordPress.org with a host like www.easybuildawebsite.com, you achieve complete ownership and control over every part of your site:

• Domain: You purchase your domain and own it entirely, allowing you to brand your business with a unique web address.
• Hosting: You select the hosting package that best suits your needs, giving you flexibility and ownership over your website’s speed, security, and performance.
• Platform: WordPress.org gives you the full power of WordPress—no restrictions on customization or functionality, no need for premium upgrades to access plugins, and complete creative freedom.

Unlike managed platforms, where you’re essentially renting space, a WordPress.org site on your own domain and hosting means you’re the sole owner. You’re not part of a shared property, so you’re free to design, expand, and scale your website however you like. It’s the best option for entrepreneurs who want true ownership and control over their online presence, now and in the future.

Choosing the Right Platform: Ownership and Control in Building an Online Store

When it comes to building an online store, the platform you choose has a huge impact on how much you truly “own” your site, the level of control you have, and the effort required for upkeep. Let’s take a look at three different platforms—WordPress, Shopify, and Etsy—using examples from real businesses in the book nook and paper crafting space: Booknookly.com, PaperCraftSVG.com, and CricutCraftCorner on Etsy. Each platform offers a unique approach to ownership, control, and traffic, catering to different entrepreneurial needs and goals.

Booknookly.com: Full Ownership with WordPress.org

Booknookly.com is built with WordPress, and is self hosted. That means the busineses purchased the domain and hosting through a provider (like www.easybuildawebsite.com) which gives the business owner full ownership of every aspect of the site. Here, the entrepreneur owns the domain, hosting, and platform—which means they’re in total control. This level of ownership provides unmatched freedom and flexibility, allowing the site owner to customize every feature, from layout and design to functionality and SEO.

Pros:

• Complete ownership: The domain, hosting, and platform are all owned outright by the business.
• Full customization: There are no limitations on plugins, themes, or layout options, which means endless creative freedom.
• Scalability: WordPress.org sites can easily grow as the business expands, supporting a large product range, blog, or even community features.

Cons:

• Maintenance required: The entrepreneur is responsible for logging in and clicking the “update” buttons, as well as keeping products current. This upkeep can feel time-consuming but is essential to keep the site running smoothly and securely.
• Traffic generation: Unlike Etsy, self-hosted sites do not have a built-in audience, so the business owner needs to drive traffic to the site through SEO, social media, or paid ads.

Self-hosted provides full control and ownership, making it ideal for entrepreneurs who want their website to be truly “theirs.” However, it requires a proactive approach to maintenance and marketing.

PaperCraftSVG.com: Shopify for Simple Management with Partial Ownership

PaperCraftSVG.com is built on Shopify, a platform that is similar to WIX designed for ease of use. In this setup, the entrepreneur owns the domain and created the website, but Shopify hosts and manages the platform. This arrangement reduces the responsibility of site upkeep—Shopify handles security, hosting, and technical maintenance—allowing the business owner to focus on product updates and customer experience. However, the website setup is not “done for you” unless you pay more and hire someone. Even purchasing a premium theme requires a time investment and learning curve to get your site setup.

Pros:

• Easy to manage: Shopify takes care of hosting, security, and system updates.
• User-friendly setup: Shopify provides templates and an intuitive interface, making it simple for entrepreneurs to set up and manage their store. (Note: the word “simple” is in the eye of the beholder, this site www.papercraftsvg.com took 2 weeks to setup to get to this point and the store owner is statisfied enough with their effort but it isn’t exactly what they wanted)
• E-commerce features: Shopify includes integrated e-commerce tools for payments, inventory, and order tracking, streamlining the online shopping experience for customers.

Cons:

• Partial ownership: The entrepreneur owns the domain but not the platform or hosting. This means the site’s functionality and storage are subject to Shopify’s control.
• Platform fees: Shopify charges monthly fees, and additional costs may apply for certain plugins or features.
• Limited customization: While Shopify is flexible, it’s not as customizable as WordPress.org. Advanced modifications may require a developer.

Shopify is a great middle-ground option for entrepreneurs who want a professional-looking website with less responsibility for technical maintenance. However, ownership is limited, and the site is still dependent on Shopify’s terms and conditions.

CricutCraftCorner on Etsy: No Ownership with Built-In Traffic

CricutCraftCorner on Etsy is an example of a business that has chosen Etsy as its platform. With Etsy, the entrepreneur doesn’t own the domain, hosting, or platform—they are essentially “renting” space within Etsy’s marketplace. This approach offers little control but comes with the advantage of Etsy’s built-in traffic and search engine, which can help drive customers directly to the shop.

Etsy is like Amazon. You have no control over your products or customers. Etsy (like Amazon) can issue refunds even if you’ve shipped out the product. It’s important to understand the trade-off that may be required, the built in traffic to your store, vs. the complete lack of control.

Pros:

• Built-in audience: Etsy is a marketplace with millions of users, providing exposure and traffic to businesses without extensive marketing efforts.
• No need to manage a website: Since Etsy is a shared platform, the business owner doesn’t have to worry about hosting, security, or website maintenance.
• Easy setup: Setting up an Etsy store is quick and user-friendly, making it a great option for entrepreneurs who prefer simplicity.

Cons:

• Lack of ownership: The business owner does not own any part of the site, including the domain. Etsy retains full control, which means the shop could be affected by Etsy’s changing policies or AI-based decisions.
• Limited customization: Etsy shops have minimal design and layout options, making it hard to create a unique brand experience.
• Transaction fees: Etsy charges listing fees and takes a percentage of each sale, which can add up for high-volume sellers.

Etsy is an excellent choice for entrepreneurs who want to reach a larger audience quickly without managing a website. However, the lack of ownership means relying heavily on Etsy’s ecosystem, with the potential risk of losing the store if policies change.

Choosing the Right Platform for Your Business

Each of these platforms offers a unique blend of ownership, control, and ease of use. When choosing the right platform, consider how much control you want, how comfortable you are with maintenance, and how you plan to attract traffic to your site:

• For full ownership and customization, a self-hosted WordPress.org site, like Booknookly.com, gives you total control over every aspect of your website. However, it requires a commitment to maintenance and driving your own traffic.
• For a balance of ownership and convenience, Shopify, as used by PaperCraftSVG.com, is a great option. You own your domain and handle product updates while Shopify manages the technical side, though you’ll still need to attract customers.
• For simplicity and built-in traffic, Etsy, like CricutCraftCorner, provides access to a large audience without the need for technical upkeep. Just remember, you don’t own the site, so you’re subject to Etsy’s rules and limitations.

Choosing the right platform is about aligning with your business goals and understanding what level of ownership and control works best for you. Whether you’re ready to own every part of your site, want a balance of control and ease, or prefer a platform that drives traffic for you, each option has its strengths and trade-offs.