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Creating a Website with a CMS: Practical guide and honest reflections from someone who does it every day. Creating a website in 2025 is easier than ever thanks to CMS platforms like WordPress, Wix, and Webflow. This guide compares their pros, cons, and real costs — with honest insights from hands-on experience. Whether you're a student or a professional, having a personal website is no longer optional — it's essential. From digital portfolios to e-commerce shops, the right CMS depends on your goals.
Building a website today is no longer a mission reserved for code wizards. On the contrary, it’s a conscious choice that many individuals, professionals, and businesses face regularly. With an ever-growing number of tools available, the question often becomes: “Which CMS is right for me?” As always, the answer is: it depends. But let’s start with the basics.
CMS stands for Content Management System — a platform that allows you to manage online content (texts, images, products, articles) without having to write code.
In simple terms? It’s the difference between building a house brick by brick (pure code) and furnishing a ready-to-use apartment, maybe with some nice custom touches.
Today, even a university student can build a personal website to present their CV. And let me tell you: a well-crafted webpage that lists your skills, experiences, certifications, and maybe a few personal projects makes a much better impression than a basic PDF. If you're job hunting, it's your digital handshake.
And if you're a lawyer, architect, entrepreneur, or freelancer? Even better. Having a personal website today is essential. It’s your digital storefront, your business card, your online home. And the best part? You can create one without writing a single line of code. And yes, even for free — if you're okay with a few limitations.
Over the years, I’ve experimented with several CMSs, building sites with WordPress, Wix, and Webflow. Each has its strengths, but I’ll be honest: WordPress is where I felt most at home. Its massive library of plugins lets you customize nearly every aspect of your site. It’s like having an endless toolbox — you can build almost anything with it.
Of course, everything depends on your goals. Want a simple portfolio? A landing page for a campaign? A full e-commerce shop? Your choice of CMS will vary. If you're planning to sell online, my personal recommendation is Shopify or WordPress with e-commerce plugins. But I’ll dive deeper into that in another dedicated article.
Let’s now take a closer look at the three most widely used platforms.
The veteran — solid, flexible, and constantly evolving. WordPress powers over 40% of all websites globally.
Think of it as that colleague who’s a bit gruff but extremely competent: if you treat them right, they'll take you far.
Pros:
Cons:
Estimated Costs:
My take: WordPress demands more commitment but offers maximum control. It’s like a racing bike — great, but you need to know how to ride it.
The fast, visual, and hassle-free CMS. Designed for those with limited time and technical knowledge, who want results fast.
It’s kind of like the microwave oven of website creation: not gourmet, but it gets the job done.
Pros:
Cons:
Estimated Costs:
My take: Wix is perfect for launching quickly, but long-term it may feel too limiting. Best suited for landing pages, personal sites, or basic portfolios.
The CMS for design lovers and control freaks. Webflow blends the ease of a visual builder with the power of code. It’s not for everyone, but once you master it, it’s a dream.
Pros:
Cons:
Estimated Costs:
My take: Webflow is a dream tool for creative minds and digital architects. It’s not plug-and-play, but with a little effort, you can produce stunning, tailor-made results.
Building a website can become overwhelming if you lack time, technical knowledge, or simply the desire to learn. That’s where I come in. As a web project manager, I specialize in creating custom websites and tailored e-commerce solutions, built around your goals — with attention to design, SEO, and user experience. Whether you're in Switzerland or anywhere else, I can help.
Every CMS has its personality. The “best” choice isn’t necessarily the most popular, but the one that fits your needs, skills, and vision.
My advice? Try them out, explore, experiment. CMSs aren’t religions — you can switch. And each one teaches you something new.
What really matters is starting with a clear purpose, authentic content, and a desire to grow. Because today, success doesn’t come from having the prettiest site — it comes from using tech to tell a real story. With passion, consistency, and maybe a touch of style 😉
