Astro vs WordPress vs Wix vs Squarespace for Small Businesses in Katy & Fulshear
If your goal is to win searches like “web design Katy” and turn visitors into calls, the platform you choose matters. Here’s a pragmatic, local-biz comparison.
TL;DR (Verdict First)
- Astro → Best for ≤10–20 page service sites that demand speed, SEO control, and low bloat. Easy to host cheaply, A+ Core Web Vitals.
- WordPress → Best when you need plugins (bookings, memberships, editorial workflows) and a familiar CMS; keep it lean to avoid performance hits.
- Wix / Squarespace → Fast DIY with attractive templates and built-ins; limited technical SEO control and portability. Great to get online quickly, but expect trade-offs.
Speed & Core Web Vitals
- Astro: Ships minimal JS by default; image pipelines and partial hydration keep LCP/FID excellent.
- WordPress: Can be fast with careful theming, caching, and image/CDN setup—many sites aren’t.
- Wix/Squarespace: Good starter performance, but less control for deep optimization.
SEO & Content Structure
- Astro: Total control over URLs, titles/meta, schema, and H1/H2/H3 structure.
- WordPress: Full control with the right theme/plugins (Yoast/RankMath), but plugins can conflict.
- Wix/Squarespace: Basic SEO is fine; advanced schema/internal-linking control is limited.
Ownership & Portability
- Astro / WordPress (self-hosted): You own the code and can take it anywhere.
- Wix/Squarespace: Proprietary platforms—easy to start, harder to migrate.
Cost Over 2–3 Years (Typical)
- Astro: Low hosting + maintenance; pay for content/SEO when needed.
- WordPress: Hosting + update/care plan recommended; plugin licensing varies.
- Wix/Squarespace: Monthly plan fees; upsells for forms, analytics, or ecommerce.
When We Recommend Each
- Pick Astro for fast, SEO-focused local service sites with simple editing needs.
- Pick WordPress if you need plugin-heavy features or multi-author blogging.
- Pick Wix/Squarespace if you need a DIY site this week and accept limitations.
Want help deciding? We’ll map your requirements to a platform and provide a fixed-scope quote.