If you’ve ever taken a closer look into a website platform or had your website built in one, you may have noticed that WordPress requires frequent updates, and many web designers emphasize security maintenance as part of their services. This raises an important question:

Is WordPress more vulnerable to hacking than platforms like Wix and Showit? And do website platforms automatically keep websites secure?

Let’s break down the key differences in security between WordPress, Wix, and Showit so you can make an informed decision for your business.

WordPress Security: Customization Comes with Responsibility

WordPress is a highly customizable, open-source platform, meaning anyone can access, modify, and contribute to its code. This openness allows for endless flexibility—but it also comes with security responsibilities.

• Frequent Updates: Since WordPress is constantly evolving, regular updates are necessary to keep your site secure.
• Plugin & Theme Risks: Many sites rely on third-party plugins and themes. If these aren’t properly maintained, they can become security vulnerabilities.
• Manual Security Management: WordPress doesn’t come with built-in security the way other platforms do, so things like firewalls, malware scans, and backups must be handled separately.

Despite these risks, a well-maintained WordPress site can be secure but comes at a cost. The only question remains: how often do these updates need to happen, and how long does it take? In my experience, it happens pretty frequently—sometimes more than you’d expect. But let me be clear: it’s not just about updating a plugin here and there. It’s also about finding the right plugins that are reliable, actively maintained, and don’t pose security risks. That alone can feel like a moving target.

For someone like me with a background and experience in digital marketing but whose primary focus is on design, constantly navigating security concerns can be a challenge. To a small business owner, it can seem impossible. For an agency with a dedicated team, managing this might be a dream setup that guarantees regular work, but it could come with a more significant price tag, one that might be overwhelming and costly for small business owners.

The bottom line is that if you have a website built in WordPress, securing it could take longer than other website platforms.

More on WordPress Security

Wix & Showit: Built-In Security for Hassle-Free Maintenance

For those who don’t want to manage security updates, platforms like Wix and Showit offer automated protection with security features built into the system.

Wix Security Features:

• Real-time, around-the-clock monitoring to detect and respond to security threats.
• Account & Content Protection with enhanced login security with 2-step verification and custom role permissions.
• SSL certificates and encrypted data ensure secure connections and privacy.
• Payment security with PCI DSS Level 1 certification and machine learning prevent fraud and protect transactions.
• A dedicated security team of experts continuously monitors and improves security measures.

More on Wix Security

Showit Security Features:

Sidenote: Showit integrates with WordPress by using WordPress as its content management system (CMS), while Showit handles the design and layout aspects of the website.

• SSL Encryption for secure data transmission
• Discwrite protection to safeguard against unauthorized changes
• Robust firewall protection to prevent security breaches
• 30-day daily backups, ensuring your site’s data is always protected
• Automatic updates for PHP, MySQL, and WordPress Core as soon as new versions are released
• Access logs for advanced blogs
• Plugin and WordPress core updates are maintained by them (included with the Basic Starter Blog subscription)
• Hacked Site Support: In the rare event your site is compromised, their team will help to restore it at no additional cost

Showit is nailing it, IMO. It’s one of my favorite platforms and has been my go-to. It allows someone like me to do what I do best, but you pay for these things in a subscription with them, which is much more affordable. It also allows us to focus on things like content.

More on Showit Security

So, Which Website Platform is More Secure?

It depends on your needs.

• If you want full control and customization, WordPress is a great option—but you’ll need to stay on top of security updates or work with a professional to manage them.
• If you prefer a hands-off approach where security is handled for you, Wix or Showit may be the better choice.

Ultimately, it comes down to your budget, which areas of your business you’ve seen the most impact from, and how you plan to market yourself. Where are you getting the most value for your investment? No disrespect to agencies—I’ve worked with some great ones—but I recognize they had entire teams of developers specializing in website security. Choosing a platform with an integrated team and security features built into the monthly cost can be a hard offer to beat.

Why Every Website Platform Has Its Vulnerabilities—and How to Protect Your Site

While platforms like Wix offer a lot of built-in security, it’s important to note that no system is entirely immune to breaches. Recently, Wix experienced a security vulnerability that affected some user data, highlighting that even highly protected systems can have weaknesses.

That said, it’s essential to understand that every platform—whether WordPress, Wix, or Showit—has its own security risks and potential vulnerabilities. The key is staying proactive and implementing best practices to protect your site, including using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping backups, and staying informed about platform updates.

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A well-maintained website and engaging design materials can help build trust and attract new clients. Whether you’re using WordPress, Wix, or Showit, I’m here to ensure your site is up-to-date and optimized for your business’s growth.

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