From Hand-Coded HTML to Modern Content Management Systems
Let’s get my credentials out of the way. I built my first website in 1999 using pure HTML. Since then, I’ve worked with various early web platforms and CMSs, from Angelfire and GeoCities to Dreamweaver, which became a close friend.
The main part of my last “real” job—the one I retired from in February—was building, maintaining, and managing the website for the College of Engineering at Tennessee Tech University. During my time there, Tennessee Tech went through three CMS migrations, and I spent my final years working in Omni CMS.
If you’ve never been through a CMS migration, imagine all the logistics and coordination required to move your entire neighborhood to a new country. Spreadsheets, endless checklists, and hours upon hours of meetings—you name it. I had one checklist that literally covered an entire wall of my office, and that was just for the College of Engineering.
Why Platform Selection Matters
The biggest lesson I’ve learned over the years is that there is no perfect website platform. Every CMS and hosting solution has strengths and weaknesses. The key is understanding what you need your website to do and choosing the tools that support those goals.
Currently, makersip.com runs on WordPress with the GeneratePress theme and is hosted on WPMU DEV. The customer service from both companies has been fantastic.
One thing worth mentioning: WordPress isn’t just for blogs. With the right setup and plugins, it can power everything from a simple informational site to a complex business website or online store.
Best Use Case: GeneratePress for Flexible Content Websites
GeneratePress is a lightweight WordPress theme that works particularly well for content-driven websites that need flexibility and performance.
I never know what kind of content I’ll be asked to post, so layout often feels like a game of Tetris as I work to present information in the best possible way.
GeneratePress May Be a Good Fit If You Need:
- Fast page-loading speeds
- Flexible page layouts
- Clean design without heavy custom code
- Strong SEO performance
- A website that handles everything from blog posts to documentation and research content
If your priorities are performance, customization, and keeping the focus on your content, this type of setup is worth considering.
Best Use Case: WPMU DEV for Managing Multiple Websites
WPMU DEV is best suited for developers, agencies, and anyone managing multiple WordPress websites.
One of the biggest advantages of an all-in-one platform is having hosting, plugins, site management tools, and support under one roof.
WPMU DEV May Be a Good Fit If You Need:
- Centralized management for multiple websites
- Easy site migrations
- Integrated backups and security tools
- Performance optimization tools
- A single dashboard for updates and maintenance
- Shout-out to Smush—their image optimization plugin has been a game-changer for a photo-heavy site like makersip.
I chose this approach because I can manage multiple websites from one place. For photo-heavy websites like makersip.com, image optimization tools have also made a noticeable difference in site performance.
Single-Domain Hosting: You Get What You Pay For
When it comes to single-domain hosting, you generally get what you pay for.
These days, most hosting providers offer drag-and-drop site builders that remove much of the confusion from the process. I’ve had great experiences with SiteGround and have set up several websites that clients have gone on to manage easily themselves.
For many small businesses and organizations, simplicity and reliability often matter more than having every possible feature.
Why We Chose Shopify for Our Online Store
As for our storefront, sinnersselect.com, we use Shopify. It was the fastest and easiest way for me to get an online store up and running.
Yes, WordPress has WooCommerce, and there are platforms like Squarespace and Wix. We made a list of pros and cons for each option and decided that Shopify best fit our needs.
The Features That Made Shopify Stand Out
Our decision came down to several factors:
- Ease of use
- Built-in e-commerce functionality
- Hosting and security
- Inventory management
- Extensive app integrations
- Shipping integrations
- Omnichannel sales capabilities
Their AI assistant, Sidekick, has also proven to be a practical tool. Because it has access to Shopify data, it can help with theme customizations, SEO tasks, product descriptions, and many other store-management functions.
Shopify also offers an omnichannel point-of-sale system, with or without hardware, that connects our online store with in-person sales at farmers markets and popup events.
How to Choose the Right CMS and Website Platform
When it comes to your website, start by making a list of:
Things You Need
- Required features and functionality
- Budget limitations
- Security requirements
- Hosting requirements
- Ease of maintenance
Things You Want
- Design preferences
- Automation tools
- Advanced integrations
- Growth opportunities
- Additional convenience features
Once you have that list, choose the CMS and hosting platform that best fit your needs, your wants, and your budget.
At the end of the day, the best website platform isn’t necessarily the newest or the most popular. It’s the one that helps you accomplish your goals while remaining manageable for you or your team.
Comparison Table as of July 2026
| Feature | Shopify | Squarespace | Wix | WordPress + WooCommerce |
| Strating Pirce (e-commerce capable) | Basic: $39/month ($29 annual) | Core/ Business: ~$23–$36/ month (varies by plan; Basic has fees) | Core: $29/ month (Business: $39/ month) | Free software + hosting ~$10–$50+/ month (often $25–$80 total) |
| Higher Tiers | Grow: $105, Advanced: $399, Plus: $2,300+ | Advanced: higher (~$49–$56+) | Business Elite: $159+ | Scales with hosting/plugins (can be $100s for managed/high traffic) |
| Transaction Fees (platform) | 0% with Shopify Payments (extra 0.6–2% for third-party gateways) | 0–2% on lower plans (0% on Core+) | None (only gateway fees) | None (only gateway/hosting) |
| Ease of Use | Very beginner-friendly, all-in-one | Beginner-friendly drag-and-drop | Very easy drag-and-drop | Steeper learning curve (requires WP knowledge) |
| Design Flexibility | Good templates + app customizations | Excellent templates, strong design focus | Highly flexible drag-and-drop | Highest (full code/themes/plugins) |
| E-commerce Features | Excellent (inventory, multi-channel, abandoned carts, POS, international) | Solid built-in (products, subscriptions memberships); strong for smaller stores | Good (basic to advanced on higher plans: abandoned carts, multi-currency) | Very strong/flexible with plugins (can match or exceed Shopify) |
| Hosting & Security | Included, fully managed, PCI compliant | Included, managed | Included, managed | Self-managed (choose host; security/plugins needed) |
| SEO | Strong | Very strong | Good | Excellent (with plugins like Yoast) |
| Scalability | Best for growing/medium-large stores | Good for small-medium | Good for small-medium | Highly scalable but requires more management |
| Integrations/ Apps | 1,000s in App Store | Solid built-in + some integrations | App Market | Thousands of plugins (very extensible) |
| Support | 24/7 chat/phone (varies by plan) | 24/7 | 24/7 | Community + host support |
| Best For | Dedicated online stores, scaling businesses, multi-channel sales | Design-focused small businesses, creatives, simpler stores | Beginners wanting quick, visual builds | Tech-savvy users, content-heavy sites, maximum customization/control |
| Ownership/ Control | Can get expensive with apps/fees | Less flexible for very complex e-comm; fees on lower plans | Limits on advanced customization/ scalability | Maintenance, security, and hosting responsibility |