WordPress needs regular maintenance to stay secure and up-to-date—here’s why it’s worth it.
If you’re comparing website platforms like WordPress.org, Wix, and Squarespace, one of the biggest differences you’ll notice is how each one is maintained. Wix and Squarespace handle most of the behind-the-scenes work for you, while WordPress gives you more control—but also more responsibility.
Let’s break down what that really means, and why WordPress is still worth considering for many businesses.
WordPress is Self-Hosted and Open Source
Unlike Wix and Squarespace, which are closed systems, WordPress.org is self-hosted and open source. This means:
- You choose your hosting company and control where your website lives.
- The software itself is free and supported by a worldwide community of developers.
- Thousands of plugins and themes are available to add features and customize your site.
This freedom and flexibility is one of WordPress’s biggest advantages—but it also means that you are responsible for keeping your site healthy.
Why WordPress Needs Maintenance
Think of WordPress like owning a car. It gives you the freedom to go anywhere, but it needs regular oil changes and tune-ups to run smoothly. If you skip those, problems eventually pop up.
For WordPress, those “oil changes” are:
- Security updates that protect against hackers.
- Theme and plugin updates that make sure everything keeps working together.
- WordPress core updates that improve speed, features, and stability.
It can be tempting to switch on automatic updates, but just like putting the wrong oil in your car, this can sometimes cause problems—especially if a plugin or theme isn’t fully compatible with the latest version. That’s why updates are best done carefully, with a quick backup in place first.
Wix and Squarespace: Updates Behind the Curtain
It’s worth noting that Wix and Squarespace also require updates, but their teams handle everything for you on a large scale, behind the scenes. This makes them feel more “hands-off,” but it also comes with some trade-offs:
- Limited customization – You’re restricted to the features and design options the platform provides.
- Harder to scale – As your business grows, you may outgrow what these platforms can do.
- Less SEO flexibility – WordPress gives more control over search engine optimization.
- No true ownership – Your site lives on their servers; you can’t easily move it if policies or pricing change.
- Migration challenges – Moving a Wix or Squarespace site to another platform is difficult and often requires rebuilding.
- Higher long-term costs – Advanced features and e-commerce require higher-tier subscriptions.
- Fewer integrations – Connecting third-party tools may be limited or unavailable.
- Template similarities – Many sites end up looking alike due to rigid template structures.
In short, Wix and Squarespace are convenient for small or very simple sites, but they trade flexibility, scalability, and ownership for ease of use.
The Benefits of WordPress
So why choose WordPress if it comes with maintenance? Because the long-term benefits often outweigh the extra responsibility (or cost, if you’re hiring a developer to maintain the website for you):
- Lower monthly costs for larger sites – You pay for hosting and occasional maintenance, but you’re not locked into higher subscription tiers as your site grows.
- Thousands of plugins and design options – From advanced SEO tools to e-commerce features, WordPress offers unmatched customization.
- Scalability – WordPress can grow with your business, from a simple starter site to a full e-commerce shop, membership platform, or resource library.
- Ownership of your content – You fully own your website files and data. With Wix or Squarespace, your content is tied to their platform.
- SEO flexibility – WordPress gives you more control over search engine optimization, which can make a big difference in how easily people find your site online.
- Integration options – Need to connect with your CRM, email marketing, or payment processor? WordPress works with almost anything.
- Freedom to move web hosts – If your hosting company isn’t a good fit, you can move your site elsewhere.
- Freedom to switch designers or agencies – You’re not tied to one provider. Any WordPress professional can step in to manage or redesign your site.
- Community and resources – With such a large global community, it’s easy to find tutorials, support, and professionals who can help.
Final Thoughts: Why Maintenance Matters
Yes, WordPress requires regular updates and some maintenance costs, but that’s the trade-off for flexibility, independence, and scalability. For many businesses, that freedom is well worth it.
And just like many people bring their car to a mechanic rather than changing the oil themselves, many WordPress site owners choose to hire a professional to handle updates, security checks, and backups. It saves time, prevents frustration, and keeps your site running smoothly.
If you’d rather not worry about the “under the hood” stuff, I offer WordPress maintenance support so you can focus on running your business while knowing your website is in good hands.
