One of the most common questions we get from new clients is simple: what platform should my website be on? The answer depends on your business, and we’ve narrowed it down to three platforms we actually trust: Shopify, WordPress, and Squarespace. Here’s how to know which one is right for you.
First, a quick note on how we choose
We don’t build on every platform. We build on the ones that deliver real results for equestrian businesses. Every platform we recommend is reliable, professional, and designed to grow with you. The right choice comes down to what your business does and how hands-on you want to be with your site after it launches.
Shopify — For horse businesses that sell online
If you sell anything online — supplements, apparel, tack, equipment, digital products — Shopify is the only platform we recommend. It is the gold standard for e-commerce, built from the ground up to handle online transactions securely and efficiently.
Best for: Online retailers, product-based equestrian brands, and any business selling physical or digital goods.
What’s included: Full e-commerce store with secure checkout, product listings, inventory management and order tracking, discount codes, gift cards and abandoned cart recovery, contact forms and customer accounts, blog, photo galleries, mobile-optimized design, integration with shipping carriers and payment processors, and an app ecosystem for added features as you grow.
Starting at $3,400
WordPress — For service businesses that need maximum flexibility
WordPress powers more websites than any other platform in the world, and for good reason. It offers virtually unlimited customization in design, functionality, and features. If you have a complex business with specific needs, or you want a website that can scale significantly over time, WordPress delivers.
The tradeoff is complexity. WordPress requires more technical knowledge to maintain, and updates need to be managed carefully to keep your site secure and running smoothly. Many of our WordPress clients pair their build with a monthly maintenance retainer so they never have to think about it.
Best for: Equine vets, large barns, photographers, and service businesses with complex or evolving needs.
What’s included: Fully custom design, service pages and about pages, contact forms and inquiry management, blog, photo galleries and portfolio pages, appointment scheduling integration, online booking and client portals (with the right plugins), SEO tools, and expandability with thousands of plugins for nearly any feature you need.
Starting at $2,200. Monthly maintenance retainers available starting at $300/month.
Squarespace — For service businesses that want to manage things themselves
Squarespace is our most popular platform, and it’s easy to see why. It’s an all-in-one solution that handles your domain, hosting, and website in one clean dashboard. The interface is intuitive enough that most clients feel confident updating their own content after launch with no developer required.
It builds faster than WordPress, which keeps the investment lower, and it still looks completely professional. If you want a beautiful, functional website you can actually own and maintain yourself, this is where we start the conversation.
Best for: Lesson programs, boarding barns, trainers, photographers, equine therapists, and service-based businesses of all sizes.
What’s included: Custom design built on Squarespace’s Fluid Engine, service and about pages, contact forms, blog, photo galleries, appointment scheduling, online booking, email newsletter integration, SEO tools, password-protected pages, and a simple user-friendly backend you can manage on your own.
Starting at $1,400
Not sure which platform fits your business?
All of our projects are available on payment plans, so the investment is more manageable than you might think. The best way to figure out where to start is to get on a call. We’ll ask the right questions and point you in the right direction, no pressure.
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