When it comes to choosing a website platform for your medspa, it is easy to get overwhelmed with all the of choices and if you aren’t the techy type you may just lean towards the easiest option. But, as we know if life and business, easy is not always best.
There are 2 different kindso of website builders – open-sourced and closed-source. Both options can get the job done, but they differ in flexibility, cost, and long-term potential. Let’s break it down simply so you can choose the best fit for your business.
What Is an Open Source Website Platform?
An open source platform is free to use and allows you to fully customize your website. Popular examples include:
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WordPress.org: The most widely used CMS, perfect for blogs, e-commerce, and more. Learn more about WordPress.org
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Joomla: Flexible and good for complex websites. Learn more about Joomla
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Drupal: Great for large-scale, high-performance sites. Learn more about Drupal
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Magento Open Source: Ideal for e-commerce stores. Learn more about Magento Open Source
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Ghost: Modern platform focused on blogging and publishing. Learn more about Ghost
Benefits of Open Source Platforms
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Unlimited Customization: You can tweak every detail of your website to reflect your medspa’s brand and offerings.
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Cost-Effective: The platform itself is free; you only pay for hosting, premium plugins, and any developer help you may need.
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Ownership: With open source, you truly own your site. You’re not locked into any one provider.
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Scalability: Whether you’re running a simple blog or an e-commerce store, open source platforms can grow with you.
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Community Support: A huge network of developers is constantly updating these platforms and offering free advice.
Drawbacks of Open Source Platforms
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Technical Skills Required: If you’re not tech-savvy, you might need to hire someone to set it up and maintain it.
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DIY Security: You’ll need to handle updates, backups, and security measures to keep your site safe.
What Is a Closed Source Website Platform?
A closed source platform is managed entirely by the company that owns it. Examples include:
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Squarespace: All-in-one platform with beautiful templates. Learn more about Squarespace
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Wix: Drag-and-drop website builder for beginners. Learn more about Wix
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Shopify: Designed specifically for e-commerce stores. Learn more about Shopify
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Weebly: Simple and affordable for small businesses. Learn more about Weebly
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Webflow: Advanced design platform for designers and developers. Learn more about Webflow
Benefits of Closed Source Platforms
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Beginner-Friendly: Perfect for non-tech-savvy users, with drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-designed templates.
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All-in-One Solutions: Hosting, security, and updates are handled for you.
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Fast Setup: You can have a professional-looking site up and running in hours.
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Customer Support: Dedicated teams are available to help when issues arise.
Limits of Closed Source Platforms
- Limited Customization: You’re confined to the features and templates the platform offers. Want a custom booking system or an advanced SEO feature? You may be out of luck.
- Higher Long-Term Costs: You’ll pay monthly fees that can add up over time, and some platforms, like Shopify, take a percentage of your sales on top of monthly fees.
- Ownership Restrictions: If you ever want to move your site to another platform, your options may be limited—you don’t fully own your website.
- Scalability Issues: As your medspa grows, you might find closed source platforms too restrictive for your evolving needs.
Growth Considerations:
E-Commerce and Revenue
If your medspa plans to add an online shop for products or services, this decision becomes even more important. Here’s a key difference to consider:
- Open Source Platforms (e.g., WooCommerce on WordPress): You keep 100% of your sales revenue. Platforms like WooCommerce are free to use, and there are no additional transaction fees beyond what your payment processor charges.
- Closed Source Platforms (e.g., Shopify): While Shopify makes it easy to set up a store, it charges monthly fees and takes a percentage of your sales unless you use their in-house payment processor. Over time, these costs can add up significantly for a high-volume store.
For medspas with ambitious growth plans or high-volume sales, an open source platform like WooCommerce is often the better choice for profitability.
SEO
When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), the choice between open and closed source platforms can significantly impact your visibility and growth.
- Open Source Platforms: Platforms like WordPress.org are inherently better for SEO. They allow you to install advanced SEO plugins (like Yoast SEO or Rank Math) and customize key elements like meta tags, schema markup, and site structure. With open source, you have full control over performance optimization, such as improving page load times—a critical factor for SEO.
- Closed Source Platforms: Platforms like Wix and Squarespace include basic SEO tools, but they limit advanced customizations. Some closed platforms may not allow full control over URL structure or technical SEO elements like robots.txt or sitemap generation, which can hinder your growth. Additionally, page load speeds on closed platforms are often less competitive.
For medspas aiming to grow their online presence through organic traffic, an open source platform offers the flexibility and tools needed to rank higher in search engine results and attract more clients.
Which One Is Best for Your Medspa?
If you’re looking for flexibility and long-term growth, an open source platform like WordPress.org is the way to go. It’s perfect if you want to:
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Build a site that reflects your brand’s unique personality.
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Add advanced features like online booking, client reviews, or e-commerce.
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Avoid losing revenue to platform fees.
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Take full advantage of advanced SEO capabilities.
However, if you need something quick and easy—and don’t mind the limitations—a closed source platform like Squarespace might work for now.
Choosing between open and closed source platforms depends on your medspa’s needs, technical skills, and long-term goals. While closed source platforms offer convenience, open source platforms provide the freedom to create a truly unique and scalable website.
If you’re serious about standing out in the competitive medspa industry, investing in an open source platform is a smart move—it’s like getting a customizable skincare regimen tailored just for you.
Need more help building? After a lengthy vetting process we refer only those companies or individuals we feel understand the aesthetic’s industry, are up on the latest digital developments and are clear, honest, and have the integrity we expect out of partnerships. Boutique COO run by Makena Zannini has our seal of Mastery.
