When building a website, many people want to know if a certain CMS (content management system) will get them ranked higher on Google’s search pages. First of all, Google doesn’t play favorites when it comes to website builders. Whether you use WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, HubSpot or Shopify, Google isn’t looking at your CMS and thinking, “This one’s WordPress!? Let’s boost it!” Instead, Google focuses on the quality of your content, site speed, mobile friendliness and user experience. However, some CMS platforms do make it easier to meet Google’s ranking criteria than others. Let’s look at a few.
WordPress
WordPress is the gold standard for SEO, and for good reason. It gives you full control over every aspect of your website’s optimization, especially when paired with plugins like Yoast SEO. You can tweak technical SEO elements like sitemaps, optimize your site’s speed with caching plugins and customize URLs, titles and meta descriptions with ease. It’s also an excellent platform for content marketing, making it easier to rank with high-quality blog posts.
However, WordPress does have a learning curve. It requires a bit of technical know-how, and you’ll need to install additional plugins for speed, security and other optimizations. If you’re willing to put in the effort, though, it’s hands-down the best CMS for SEO.
Webflow
Webflow is a designer’s dream with powerful customization options. Unlike others, it doesn’t hold you back with limitations, making it a great choice for those who want both creative freedom and strong SEO capabilities. Webflow sites are fast, lightweight and built with clean code, which gives them an edge in search rankings. It also offers full control over metadata, alt tags and indexing.
Webflow’s downside is that it has a steeper learning curve than other platforms, and it can be pricey, especially for users who don’t need all of its advanced design features. But if you’re looking for a CMS that offers both design flexibility and strong SEO, Webflow is worth considering.
Shopify (Best for eCommerce SEO)
Shopify is the #1 choice for online stores, and while it’s not as customizable as WordPress, it has solid built-in SEO features. It automatically generates XML sitemaps, has a clean URL structure and integrates well with Google Shopping, making it easier for your products to appear in search results. Its themes are mobile-friendly and load quickly, both of which are crucial for SEO. Plus, Shopify’s hosting is secure and reliable, which Google favors when ranking websites.
That said, Shopify has some SEO limitations. The URL structure isn’t fully customizable – product pages, for example, will always include “/products/” in the URL. You also have less control over technical SEO compared to WordPress. However, for eCommerce businesses looking for an easy-to-use platform with solid SEO capabilities, Shopify is a great choice.
Wix
Wix has recently stepped up its SEO game. It now allows customizable meta tags, structured data and even has an SEO Wiz tool that walks beginners through best practices. If you’re new to website building and don’t want to worry about the complexities of SEO, Wix makes things simple with its drag-and-drop builder and automatic mobile optimization.
Wix does have some downsides when it comes to SEO though. Sometimes, it’s slower than platforms like WordPress or Shopify, which can impact rankings. It also offers limited control over advanced SEO settings, which may be frustrating for users who want more customization. However, it is a great option for smaller businesses just starting or personal websites that need an easy setup with decent SEO features.
Your CMS is just one piece of the SEO puzzle. No matter which platform you choose, you’ll still need great content, strong backlinks, and technical optimizations to truly dominate Google rankings.
Do you need help optimizing your website for search engines? At JSK Marketing, we specialize in helping businesses get their sites ranked where it matters most. Reach out to us today so we can discuss your SEO goals and learn more about how we can help you!
