Final verdict
WordPress and Network Solutions cater to different needs, with WordPress emerging as the more versatile and powerful option overall.
-
WordPress (Overall Grade: 7.1/10)
excels in customization, design functionalities, and a vast ecosystem of plugins and themes. It’s particularly strong for users who require extensive customization and control over their website’s design and functionality. The platform’s open-source nature and large community support make it a top choice for a wide range of websites, from blogs to complex ecommerce sites. -
Network Solutions (Overall Grade: 5.4/10)
, while offering a more streamlined experience and integrated hosting solutions, falls short in terms of flexibility and modern features. It is best suited for small businesses and individuals looking for a straightforward way to establish an online presence without the need for extensive customization or technical knowledge.
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Design functionalities & templates |
9.0 |
7.2 |
|
Ease of use |
7.2 |
6.8 |
|
Ecommerce |
8.4 |
6.3 |
|
Website Editors |
8.5 |
6.3 |
|
Product testing options |
8.1 |
0.5 |
|
Price |
5.9 |
6.4 |
|
Hosting quality |
0 |
7.8 |
|
Website speed optimization |
6.5 |
6.7 |
|
Plugins and integrations |
8.8 |
4.8 |
|
Marketing features |
8.0 |
7.2 |
|
Customer support |
5.0 |
6.6 |
|
Security |
6.7 |
7.5 |
|
AI capabilities |
6.1 |
1.1 |
|
User Management |
8.8 |
3.2 |
| Overall |
7.1 |
5.4 |
Best for ecommerce
8.4
6.3
Verdict
: WordPress is superior for those seeking extensive customization and scalability in their ecommerce solution, while Network Solutions caters well to small and medium-sized businesses looking for simplicity and ease of use.
-
WordPress
: Offers a comprehensive ecommerce platform through WooCommerce, with extensive customization options, multiple payment gateway support, and a vast ecosystem of plugins. Ideal for businesses of all sizes looking to scale. -
Network Solutions
: Provides a straightforward ecommerce solution with essential features like customizable templates, secure payment processing, and inventory management. Best suited for small to medium-sized businesses prioritizing ease of use over extensive customization.
Best for informational & business websites
9.2
7.4
Verdict
: WordPress stands out as the superior choice for informational and business websites, offering unmatched customization and a vast array of design options.
-
WordPress
: With a score of 9.2, WordPress excels in providing extensive customization options through themes and plugins, making it ideal for a wide range of website types. Its open-source nature allows for high customization and creative freedom, appealing to diverse user needs. -
Network Solutions
: Scoring 7.4, Network Solutions offers a user-friendly platform with a variety of templates and tools for creating professional-looking websites. However, it lacks the customization depth and design variety that WordPress offers, making it less suitable for those seeking to create highly customized informational sites.
Detailed comparison
Design functionalities & templates
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
9.0
7.2
🏆
Winner: WordPress.
If you’re looking for a platform that offers more creative control and a wide array of design features, WordPress is the preferred choice.
WordPress offers an extensive variety of templates and designs, catering to a wide range of website types beyond just blogs or ecommerce. Its open-source nature allows for high customization and creative freedom, appealing to diverse user needs. While WordPress itself doesn’t sell premium templates, numerous third-party theme shops offer sophisticated and specialized design choices, expanding the possibilities for users.
Compared to WordPress, Network Solutions offers a wide variety of templates and designs tailored to meet the diverse needs of its users. Whether you’re setting up a website for a small business, a personal blog, or a large e-commerce platform, you’ll find an extensive selection of options to choose from. With hundreds of professionally designed templates, users can easily find a style that perfectly matches their vision and brand identity. However, Network Solutions does not provide a link to their themes page or any screenshots of their templates.
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Ease of use
Ease of useReflects the platform’s overall user-friendliness.Score
Components:
- Learning curve (40%): Quickness and ease of getting started.
- Interface design (30%): Simplicity and intuitiveness of layout.
- User guidance (20%): Quality of tutorials and support.
- Flexibility (10%): Adaptability to various user skills.
7.2
6.8
🏆 Winner: WordPress
. Scoring 7.2, WordPress offers great flexibility and power, but it can be less intuitive for beginners compared to simpler website builders. Network Solutions, with a score of 6.8, is designed with simplicity in mind, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise. However, some users may find the interface a bit outdated compared to more modern competitors, and the customization options can be limited for those seeking advanced features.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: WordPress
. WordPress is supported by a vast array of learning resources, known for both their availability and quality. These include detailed documentation, community forums, online tutorials, and courses offered by both WordPress and third-party providers. Network Solutions offers a variety of learning resources, including tutorials, FAQs, and customer support. However, the availability of in-depth resources for highly advanced or specific customization options might be limited compared to more specialized platforms.
For ecommerce
EcommerceMeasures the platform’s effectiveness in supporting online business activities.Score Components:
- Ecommerce themes and templates (20%): Variety and design of templates.
- Product management (25%): Ease of managing and organizing products.
- Payment options (25%): Variety and convenience of payment methods.
- Ecommerce features (20%): Features for managing an ecommerce store.
- Integration (10%): Compatibility with external e-commerce tools and services.
8.4
6.3
WordPress, with its WooCommerce plugin, offers a robust ecommerce solution with extensive customization options, multiple payment gateway support, and a vast ecosystem of plugins. On the other hand, Network Solutions provides a more straightforward ecommerce solution with a focus on small to medium-sized businesses. It offers customizable templates, an easy-to-use shopping cart, secure payment processing, and inventory management tools.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
9.2 |
6.5 |
|
Product page customization |
9.0 |
6.8 |
|
Payment processing and commissions |
7.5 |
6.0 |
|
POS capabilities |
6.5 |
5.0 |
|
Payment gateways |
8.5 |
7.0 |
|
Product numbers |
7.0 |
6.0 |
|
Additional ecommerce features |
8.0 |
5.5 |
WordPress ecommerce features:
- WooCommerce Integration
- Multiple Payment Gateway Support
- Abandoned Cart Recovery
- Ecommerce Analytics
- SEO Optimization Tools
- Extensive Plugin Ecosystem
Network Solutions ecommerce features:
- Marketing Tools
- Personalized Email
- Product Listings
Ecommerce themes & templates
WordPress offers hundreds to potentially thousands of ecommerce and WooCommerce specific themes and templates, both free and premium. Network Solutions, on the other hand, offers a variety of ecommerce templates designed to cater to businesses of different sizes and industries. Their templates are responsive, ensuring a seamless shopping experience across various devices.
Product page customization
WooCommerce on WordPress offers extensive customization for eCommerce product pages, balancing plugins, page builders, and custom coding. Network Solutions offers a range of ecommerce product page customization options to enhance the online shopping experience. Users can personalize product descriptions, images, and videos to showcase their items effectively.
Payment processing
WordPress doesn’t handle payments directly but offers plugin options for payment processing. Popular gateways include PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.Net, and Square. Network Solutions’ website builder offers essential e-commerce features including a built-in shopping cart and support for a wide range of payment options such as PayPal, PayFlow, USA ePay, CyberSource, PlugNPay.
Website Editors
Website EditorsEvaluates the platforms’ website building and editing capabilities.Score Components:
- Customization tools (40%): Range and power of editing features.
- Editor usability (30%): User experience within the editor.
- Design flexibility (20%): Freedom in layout and design changes.
- Update and maintenance ease (10%): Simplicity of updating and maintaining the site.
8.5
6.3
🏆
Winner: WordPress
. WordPress, with a score of 8.5, offers a user-friendly interface with block-based editing, extensive styles customization, template management, page editing/creation, distraction-free modes, versatile saving options, and accessibility for users of varying skill levels. It provides a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) interface, and changes can be applied globally, including Header and Footer templates. The editor also offers features like undo/redo, List View, Command Palette, and customization tools.
Network Solutions’ editor, scoring 6.3, offers a comprehensive suite of tools for website creation and management. It provides an intuitive website editor that allows users to design, edit, and publish their websites without needing advanced technical skills. With a wide array of templates and customization options, users can create professional-looking websites that are responsive and optimized for search engines. However, some users may find the interface a bit outdated and less intuitive compared to more modern website builders.
Mobile editor/app
8.1
0
🏆
Winner: WordPress
. WordPress offers a mobile editor app that allows users to manage their website on the go. You can create and edit posts, manage comments, schedule content, and analyze website traffic from your phone or tablet. While it offers convenience and basic functionality, it has some limitations compared to the web-based editor, including fewer advanced options, restricted code access, and limited design customization.
On the other hand, Network Solutions does not have a dedicated mobile editor app. Therefore, if you’re looking for a website builder that allows you to manage your website from your mobile device, WordPress is the clear choice.
Product testing options
Product Testing OptionsAssesses the options for trying out platform features before commitment.Score Components:
- Trial quality (40%): Extent and usefulness of the trial or free version.
- Feature accessibility (30%): How many features are available to test.
- Trial duration (20%): Length of the trial period.
- Ease of transition (10%): Smoothness of moving from trial to paid plans.
8.1
0.5
Overall Result
:
WordPress wins
. WordPress scores 8.1, significantly higher than Network Solutions’ 0.5. WordPress, being an open-source CMS, offers a free version, but lacks a trial version or the possibility to test premium features. Network Solutions, on the other hand, does not offer a free or trial version, and premium features can only be accessed after purchasing a plan. However, they do offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, albeit with some potential difficulties in obtaining refunds.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free Plan |
Yes (open source software) |
No |
|
Trial Duration |
No | No |
|
Testing Premium Features |
No | Only after purchasing a plan |
|
Money Back Guarantee |
No payments required | 30 days (may be difficult to get refunds) |
Price
PriceLooks at the cost-effectiveness and value for money of each platform.Score Components:
- Plan value (40%): What each pricing tier offers.
- Transparency and clarity (30%): Clearness of pricing structures.
- Flexibility of plans (20%): Range of options to suit different budgets.
- Hidden costs (10%): Additional expenses not included in the plan.
5.9
6.4
WordPress is a free open-source platform, but requires separate purchases for domain, hosting, and website builder subscriptions. Network Solutions offers a variety of plans with different features, starting from $4.95 per month. Neither platform offers discounts for annual subscriptions.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free |
Free Plan ($0/month): WordPress is open source software that is free. WordPress does not provide hosting services; so, it is necessary to purchase a domain, web hosting, and website builder subscriptions separately. While WordPress lacks built-in ecommerce, plugins like WooCommerce offer a solution. WordPress offers an extensive variety of templates and designs. WordPress lacks a built-in AI-assisted builder, but its open-source nature allows for an ecosystem of plugins and themes incorporating AI for website building. |
No offering at this amount. |
|
$0-$5 |
No offering at this amount. |
Website ($4.95/month): Easy-to-use website builder, Domain & Domain Privacy: 1 Year Free, Professional Email: 3 Months Free, SSL Certificate: 1 Month Free, 1-hour expert design support. Value for price: 6.5 |
|
$5-$9 |
No offering at this amount. |
Website + Marketing ($7.95/month): Includes all features from the Website plan, Sell services, Appointment scheduling, Social and email marketing, AI copywriting tool (NEW). Value for price: 7.5 |
|
$9-$10 |
No offering at this amount. |
Online Store ($9.95/month): Includes all features from the Website + Marketing plan, Sell products and services, Sell on Facebook & Instagram. Value for price: 8.0 |
|
$10+ |
No offering at this amount. |
Online Marketplaces ($19.95/month): Includes all features from the Online Store plan, Sell on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, & more. Value for Price: 8.5 |
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.
Hosting quality
Hosting
qualityExamines the reliability and performance of the hosting solutions.Score Components:
- Uptime (40%): Consistency and reliability of website availability.
- Speed (30%): Loading times and performance.
- Bandwidth and storage (20%): Sufficiency of resources provided.
- Data centers (10%): Quality and distribution of hosting infrastructure.
0
7.8
🏆
Winner: Network Solutions
Network Solutions offers a variety of hosting options with a 99.99% uptime guarantee, making it a more reliable choice for hosting services. WordPress, while a powerful platform for building websites, does not directly provide hosting services, so its hosting quality is dependent on the chosen hosting provider.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Do they offer hosting? |
No, WordPress itself does not directly provide hosting services. |
Yes, Network Solutions offers a variety of hosting options including shared, VPS, and WordPress hosting. |
|
Data Centers: |
Data centers depend on hosting providers | Network Solutions doesn’t publicly disclose any information about its data centers. |
|
Type of hosting: |
WordPress itself isn’t a hosting platform, there are various options when choosing the type of hosting for websites built with WordPress, such as: Shared Hosting, VPS Hosting, Dedicated Server Hosting, Managed WordPress Hosting, Cloud Hosting |
Shared Hosting, VPS hosting, WordPress Hosting |
|
Uptime: |
Uptime & uptime guarantee depends on hosting provider. |
99.99% |
|
Uptime Guarantee: |
Uptime & uptime guarantee depends on hosting provider. |
Yes, 99.99% |
Website Speed Optimization
Website Speed OptimizationEvaluates optimization of website loading timesScore Components:
- PageSpeed Score (30%): Google’s score indicating performance optimization.
- Loading Time (30%): The average time until a website is fully interactive.
- Mobile Optimization (15%): Optimization effectiveness for mobile devices.
- Resource Optimization (15%): Optimizing images, scripts, and other heavy resources.
- CDN Usage (10%): Use of CDN to enhance speed across geolocations.
6.5
6.7
🏆 Winner: Network Solutions
Both WordPress and Network Solutions prioritize website performance and page speed, but Network Solutions edges out WordPress with a slightly higher website speed optimization score.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
Extensive customization options |
Comprehensive solution for website creation |
|
Performance Tools |
Core Web Vitals, WP Rocket, Hummingbird |
CDN, Web Caching, Image Optimization |
|
Key Strategies |
No specific strategy, relies on resources |
CDN, Web Caching, Image Optimization, SEO |
|
Load Times |
Varies widely, dependent on optimization |
Varies widely, dependent on optimization |
|
Page Speed Scores Range |
Scores vary; influenced by apps, images |
Varies widely, dependent on optimization |
|
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Analyze CWV, optimize images, use CDN |
Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements |
WordPress, an open-source content management system, offers extensive customization options through themes and plugins. However, it does not have a specific strategy for website speed optimization. Instead, it provides valuable resources for enhancing your website’s Core Web Vitals (CWV), such as analyzing CWV, choosing a reliable host, optimizing images, minimizing plugins, using lazy loading, and employing a CDN. Tools like Core Web Vitals, WP Rocket, and Hummingbird are recommended, and AMP is considered for mobile speed.
On the other hand, Network Solutions, a website builder and hosting service, offers a comprehensive solution for website creation. It focuses on CDN, Web Caching, Image Optimization, and SEO optimization for website speed optimization. Both load times and Page speed scores vary widely, depending on the optimization hosting type and website complexity. Network Solutions also emphasizes on LCP, FID, CLS improvements for Core Web Vitals.
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Plugins and integrations
Plugins and integrationsMeasures the range and effectiveness of additional plugins and integrations.Score Components:
- Variety of options (40%): Range of available add-ons.
- Integration smoothness (30%): Ease of integrating plugins into the site.
- Quality of plugins (20%): Functionality and reliability of the options.
- Custom integration capabilities (10%): Support for custom or third-party integrations.
8.8
4.8
🏆 Winner: WordPress.
With a score of 8.8, WordPress outperforms Network Solutions, which scores 4.8. WordPress offers over 60,000 free plugins, providing extensive customization options across various domains. Network Solutions, on the other hand, focuses more on providing an all-in-one solution with built-in features rather than a wide range of third-party plugins or extensions. Therefore, if you’re looking for a platform with a vast array of plugins and integrations, WordPress is the clear winner.
Marketing Features
Marketing featuresAssesses tools and options available for marketing.Score Components:
- SEO tools (40%): Effectiveness of SEO features.
- Marketing automation (30%): Availability and quality of marketing tools.
- Social Media integration (20%): Ease and depth of social media connectivity.
- Email marketing (10%): Quality and usability of email marketing tools.
8.0
7.2
🏆
Overall Winner: WordPress
. WordPress stands out for its extensive plugin ecosystem, which allows for a wide range of marketing tools and functionalities. Network Solutions, while scoring lower, still offers a comprehensive suite of tools and is known for its customer support.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SEO Tools |
|
|
|
Email Marketing |
Via plugins |
|
|
Blogging |
|
|
|
Social Media Integration |
Via plugins |
|
|
Analytics and Reporting |
Via plugins |
|
|
Ads and Promotions |
Via plugins |
|
Customer Support
Customer supportEvaluates the quality and availability of support options.Score Components:
- Response time (40%): Speed of support responses.
- Support quality (30%): Effectiveness and helpfulness of the support.
- Availability (20%): Range of support channels (phone, chat, email).
- Resource richness (10%): Quality of self-help and educational materials.
5.0
6.6
🏆 Winner: Network Solutions
. Network Solutions takes the lead in this category with its 24/7 live chat support. This feature is a significant advantage for users who need immediate assistance.
On the other hand, WordPress, being an open-source platform, does not have a dedicated support team. Users have to rely on community forums, the WordPress codex, hosting provider support, and plugin and theme support for assistance. While these resources can be helpful, they may not provide the immediate and direct support that some users may need.
Security
SecurityLooks at the platforms’ security measures and data protection.Score Components:
- Data protection (40%): Safeguards for user and customer data.
- SSL and encryption (30%): Implementation of secure connections.
- Compliance (20%): Adherence to industry security standards.
- Regular updates (10%): Frequency of security updates and patches.
6.7
7.5
🏆
Winner: Network Solutions
. Network Solutions takes a comprehensive approach to security, offering encryption, strict access controls, regular security checks, data recovery plans, malware protection, and SSL/TLS certificates. This ensures that customer data is well-protected and that websites are secure from threats.
On the other hand, WordPress’s security largely depends on the hosting provider and the plugins used. While it offers numerous functionalities and resources to enhance website security, such as site backups, monitoring, malware scanning, user activity tracking, permission control, and spam protection tools, the level of security can vary greatly depending on the specific setup. This makes Network Solutions a more reliable choice for those who prioritize security.
AI Capabilities
AI capabilitiesMeasures the effectiveness of AI-driven features and tools.Score Components:
- Automation efficiency (40%): Impact of AI on streamlining processes.
- Personalization (30%): AI-driven customization for users or customers.
- AI-Assisted design (20%): Role of AI in website design and functionality.
- Data analysis (10%): Use of AI in interpreting user data and analytics.
6.1
1.1
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
AI Builder |
Lacks built-in AI builder but allows integration of AI plugins |
Does not have AI powered website builder |
|
AI Ecommerce Features |
Lacks built-in AI ecommerce features but allows integration of AI plugins |
Does not have any AI powered ecommerce features |
|
AI Content Generation |
Lacks built-in AI content generation but allows integration of AI plugins |
Provides AI copywriting tool on higher plans |
|
Additional AI Features |
Wide range of AI powered plugins and tools |
|
🏆 Winner: WordPress
. WordPress, with a score of 6.1, allows for integration of various AI plugins for tasks like website building, ecommerce, content generation, and more. This open-source nature of WordPress makes it more flexible and adaptable to AI capabilities compared to Network Solutions, which lacks AI capabilities, except for an AI copywriting tool provided on higher plans.
User Management
User ManagementAssesses the platforms’ capabilities in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility.Score Components:
- Role Customization (40%): Flexibility in creating and defining user roles and
permissions. - Ease of Management (30%): User interface and tools for managing users.
- Access Control (20%): Effectiveness of access control measures for different user
levels. - Scalability (10%): Ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently.
8.8
3.2
🏆 Winner: WordPress
. WordPress offers a more comprehensive user management system compared to Network Solutions.
- WordPress provides a range of user roles from Super Admin to Subscriber, each with different levels of permissions. Additional controls such as role management plugins and revision control offer further customization for specific editing rights and collaboration.
- Network Solutions’ website builder offers very limited multi-user functionality and access levels compared to other platforms.
WordPress User Roles and Access Levels:
| Role | Description | Access Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Super Admin | Manages the entire network in WordPress Multisite. | Network admin, manage sites, users, plugins, themes. |
| Administrator | Full access within a single site. | Manage plugins, themes, users, all posts/pages. |
| Editor | Manages and publishes content, including others’ posts. | Edit/publish all posts, manage comments, categories. |
| Author | Publishes and manages their own posts. | Write, edit, publish own posts, upload files. |
| Contributor | Writes and edits their own posts but cannot publish. | Write, edit own posts (no file uploads or publishing). |
Network Solutions does not provide detailed information about user roles and access levels.
Additional Features
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SSL Certificate |
|
|
|
Custom Domain |
|
|
|
Free Custom Domain Included |
|
|
|
International Domains |
|
|
|
Mobile Responsive |
|
|
|
Page Speed |
|
|
|
Website Builder Mobile App |
|
|
|
Convert a Website To An App |
|
|
|
Website Analytics |
|
|
|
Multilingual Sites |
|
|
|
Multiple Users |
|
|
User Feedback
WordPress is highly praised for its user-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, extensive themes and plugins, customization options, and supportive community. However, users have mentioned technical challenges, security concerns, a learning curve, and a lack of direct support. Despite these challenges, it remains a widely used and versatile platform, especially beneficial for startups and small businesses.
On the other hand, user reviews of Network Solutions are mixed. Some users appreciate its prompt customer support and variety of domain management options. However, there are widespread complaints about the platform’s outdated business practices, high costs, and poor customer service. Users often find the website’s layout confusing and report instances of misleading promises regarding refunds. Overall, while Network Solutions has some positive attributes, its drawbacks suggest that users may want to consider alternatives.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
FAQ
Which platform is better for beginners, WordPress or Network Solutions?
Can I use both WordPress and Network Solutions for ecommerce?
How do WordPress and Network Solutions differ in terms of customization and design flexibility?
What are the major differences in pricing and value between WordPress and Network Solutions?
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