Why Small Businesses Are Switching to Framer in 2025: A Cost-Benefit Analysis

Small businesses are choosing Framer in 2025 because it’s simpler, cheaper, and more secure than traditional platforms like WordPress.

• Cost: Framer costs as little as $5/month for basic plans, compared to $1,500–$3,000/month for maintaining WordPress sites.

• Maintenance: Framer requires zero manual updates, while WordPress demands constant oversight and plugin management.

• Security: Framer provides automatic SSL certificates and built-in security, whereas 70% of WordPress sites are vulnerable due to outdated components.

• Performance: Framer optimizes images and uses a global CDN for faster load times, ensuring Lighthouse scores above 90.

Quick Comparison

Framer is ideal for businesses that want a low-maintenance, cost-effective solution with strong performance and scalability. Upfront costs are slightly higher for complex sites, but long-term savings make it a smart choice for small businesses.

1. Framer: Core Features and Costs

Framer offers a pricing structure designed to cater to various user needs, with six tiers: Mini, Basic, Pro, Startup, Scaleup, and Enterprise. Pricing includes three components: setup fees, monthly charges, and optional add-ons.

*Pricing reflects annual billing.

For a basic setup, like a landing page, expect around $540 upfront. This includes 10 hours of development at $50/hour, $30 for domain registration, and the Mini Plan at $10/month. Ongoing monthly costs are $10.

For more complex sites, such as a business website with a blog, the upfront cost rises to $2,575. This includes 50 hours of development ($2,500), domain registration, and workspace fees for the Basic Plan ($75). Monthly fees settle at $45.

"We're making Framer better for everyone. Whether you need a simple personal website or run a complex business with millions of monthly visitors, our website builder is here to help. Today, we're updating our pricing to better serve all our customers." – Andreas van der Griendt, Framer Blog

Framer also includes performance-focused features. Automated image optimization reduces file sizes by 25–34%, while its built-in CDN cuts latency by up to 50%. Server-side rendering further improves initial load times.

The Basic Plan supports up to 10,000 visitors per month, while the Pro Plan scales to 200,000 visitors. Additional costs can include:

• Localization: $15/month per locale (Mini to Pro plans)

• Multiple editors: Billed per editor, depending on the plan

• Enhanced storage: Included in higher-tier plans

Framer’s automation reduces traditional website maintenance costs, offering a streamlined solution that saves time and money. Its pricing and features set the stage for a detailed comparison with WordPress in the next section.

Next, we’ll dive into how WordPress stacks up in both features and costs.

2. WordPress: Features and Expenses

While WordPress itself is free, running a WordPress site comes with ongoing costs. Here's a closer look at the typical expenses involved in maintaining a WordPress site in 2025:

A significant concern is security. Data shows that 70% of WordPress sites are vulnerable due to outdated components, and 43% of cyberattacks target small and midsized businesses.

Maintenance costs vary depending on the complexity of the site:

• Standard sites: $50–200/month

• E-commerce sites: $300–5,000/month

• Complex sites: $150–500+/month

Performance is another critical factor. Sites that load in under 2 seconds can achieve 30% higher conversion rates. Without proper hosting and optimization, WordPress sites risk slower load times, lower search rankings, higher bounce rates, and reduced conversions.

Key Maintenance Tasks

Maintaining a WordPress site involves several ongoing tasks:

• Updating the WordPress core

• Ensuring plugin compatibility

• Monitoring security

• Optimizing performance

• Managing backups

• Updating content

Professional support can be expensive. Freelancers typically charge $25–$100+ per hour, while agencies may charge $60–$1,000+ monthly for maintenance services.

Unlike platforms like Framer, which handle updates automatically, WordPress demands consistent manual oversight. Up next, we'll compare WordPress with other platforms to explore more cost-effective, low-maintenance options.

3. Squarespace: Platform Overview

Squarespace stands out as a simpler option compared to WordPress, offering an all-in-one platform. With over 3 million active websites hosted, it’s worth evaluating whether it fits the needs of small businesses.

Pricing Structure

Here’s a breakdown of Squarespace’s pricing plans:

All plans include SSL security, and annual subscriptions come with a free custom domain.

Performance and Technical Considerations

Squarespace websites are built for speed, often loading in less than a second. To maintain this performance, it’s recommended to:

• Compress images to under 500KB

• Minimize the use of custom code and fonts

• Use optimized video thumbnails

Maintenance Requirements

Unlike WordPress, Squarespace handles updates automatically, reducing the need for manual maintenance. While this simplifies upkeep, it does come at the cost of some customization flexibility compared to platforms like Framer.

Growth Limitations

For small businesses, the platform has some scalability challenges:

• Limited third-party integrations

• Basic SEO tools

• Fewer marketing features

• No phone support

E-commerce Capabilities

The Basic Commerce plan, priced at $28/month (when billed annually), includes essential selling tools. However, businesses needing advanced e-commerce features, such as complex product variations or membership systems, may find Squarespace restrictive.

While service-based or brick-and-mortar businesses will likely find Squarespace sufficient, online-first businesses requiring features like alternative payment options or advanced marketing tools might need a more robust platform. These considerations highlight the need to compare Squarespace with other platforms based on scalability and cost.

4. Wix: Platform Assessment

Cost Structure

Wix provides several pricing options to cater to different needs:

Additional costs include domain renewal, priced at $15.95 annually after the first free year.

Performance Metrics

Wix websites are optimized for competitive loading speeds. As Dan Shappir, Performance Tech Lead at Wix.com, explains, "One of the easiest ways to improve your website performance is to reduce your site's complexity".

To achieve this, Wix uses several automated optimizations, such as:

• WebP image conversion for better compression

• Lazy loading for media content

• Browser caching to improve repeat visit speeds

• Optimized CSS and JavaScript delivery

These features minimize the need for manual adjustments, making performance management simpler.

Maintenance Requirements

Wix includes built-in tools that simplify ongoing maintenance and monitoring. Yoav Weiss, Senior Software Engineer and Developer Advocate at Google, highlights, "Wix always makes performance their priority and it definitely shows, both in monitoring tools and in their user's experience".

Business Scaling Capabilities

Wix holds a 4.6% market share, far surpassing Framer's 0.1%, and offers a variety of features for scaling businesses:

• Over 1,500 templates

• Integrated SEO and marketing tools

• A robust CMS with advanced filtering options

• Detailed team collaboration controls

• AI-powered features to streamline workflows

While Wix offers strong scaling capabilities, there are certain limitations to consider.

Platform Limitations

Wix does have some drawbacks that may impact its appeal:

• A higher starting price of $17/month compared to Framer's $5/month

• A less intuitive editor interface

• Limited options for customizing animations

• A more complex setup process for simple static sites

For businesses needing web applications or complex site setups, Wix’s platform provides a wide range of solutions. However, for those focused on creating cost-effective static sites, alternatives like Framer may be a better fit. This analysis leads into the broader platform comparison in the following section.

Platform Comparison Results

Based on the detailed breakdown of Framer, WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix, here's a summary of what each platform brings to the table for small businesses in 2025.

Cost-Performance Analysis

The table below highlights key takeaways for each platform:

*Pricing based on Framer's Startup plan.

Performance and Maintenance

Framer stands out with Lighthouse scores consistently above 90, requiring no extra effort for optimization. Its hands-off maintenance model contrasts sharply with WordPress, which demands regular updates and manual oversight. For small businesses focused on saving time, Framer's approach is a clear advantage.

Scalability Assessment

Framer supports growth with built-in tools like CMS collections and staging environments, as well as seamless integration with design platforms like Figma. This setup simplifies scaling, eliminating much of the complexity seen with more traditional platforms.

Cost Efficiency

While Framer may have a higher upfront cost, its all-inclusive features and automated processes reduce overall expenses. Businesses save on developer fees, maintenance, and additional tools, making it a cost-effective choice in the long run.

"Framer delivers automatic image optimization, server-side rendering, and fast global hosting - ensuring top-tier performance without extra effort." – Framer

Framer's growing appeal among small businesses in 2025 comes from its focus on automation, performance, and ease of scaling. It's an attractive option for organizations prioritizing efficiency and long-term growth.

Key Findings and Recommendations

After analyzing the comparisons, it's clear why Framer stands out as a top choice for small businesses in 2025. Framer combines design, prototyping, and development into one platform, cutting down on technical complexities while boosting efficiency.

Ideal Business Profiles for Framer

Framer works best for:

• Businesses that prioritize strong visual design

• Companies with limited technical staff or resources

• Organizations needing quick marketing campaign rollouts

• Businesses looking to lower development expenses

For instance, a pet store in Michigan reported a 40% jump in daily traffic and a 30% increase in sales after switching to Framer. The improvement was largely due to better page load speeds.

Cost and Performance Benefits

Framer's pricing is straightforward. For $75/month under the Startup plan, businesses get essential services like automated image and font optimization, which significantly speeds up website performance. Unlike traditional platforms, there are no hidden setup or maintenance fees.

Decision Framework

When deciding if Framer is the right fit, consider these factors:

1. Technical Resources: With no maintenance required, Framer reduces the need for dedicated tech staff.

2. Growth Plans: Framer maintains consistent performance, even as your content expands.

3. Budget: The $75/month fee eliminates many of the extra costs associated with other platforms.

Studios like Striking Alchemy can assist with migration, making the transition smooth and hassle-free.

"Framer delivers automatic image optimization, server-side rendering, and fast global hosting - ensuring top-tier performance without extra effort." – Framer