The challenge today is not creating a website. It's creating one that's secure. Cyberattacks continue to rise each year, and even the smallest sites face constant threats. On average, a website is attacked 172 times per day and visited by bots 2,306 times a week, according to a 2022 report by SiteLock.
But how can you create a secure website, especially if you're using a website builder like Wix, WordPress, or Shopify? And more importantly, how can you protect visitors and data even if you’re not technical?
In this guide, we’ll explain why security matters, the role of website builders in security, and the key steps you should take to secure your website.
Why Website Security Matters
Website security involves protecting sensitive data to guarantee a safe experience for visitors and maintain the reputation of your business. Without the right protections in place, every website is vulnerable to attacks. Here are a few statistics that show just how big the problem is for website owners:
- Microsoft customers face 600 million attacks each day.
- 450,000 new malware samples are detected every day.
- There are now more than 1 billion malware samples in circulation.
- In 2021, corporate ransomware attacks took place once every 11 seconds.
- The cost of cybercrime is expected to hit $15.63 trillion annually by 2025.
Small websites often draw attacks because they're easy targets. Automated bots roam the internet, probing login pages, forms, and outdated software for weak points. Brute force login attempts, spam attacks, and malicious scripts are routine threats for sites of all sizes.
Trust is a critical currency online. When security fails, visitors may leave. It can even put your whole reputation at stake. For example, several Shopify merchants lost thousands when hackers gained access, changed payout accounts, and diverted funds. One store owner reported losses exceeding $55,000 after her account was breached. This hurt the store financially and also damaged its reputation.
The Role of Website Builders in Security
If you're new to building websites, your platform choice plays an indispensable role in the security of your site. Website builders like Wix, Shopify, Squarespace, and WordPress.com manage multiple integral security features on the backend and allow you to focus more on your content. However, understanding what these builders do and don’t cover can help you make an informed decision.
Security Features Website Builders Cover
Most website builders come equipped with a range of built-in security features designed to protect both your website and its visitors. These include:
- SSL Certificates: Platforms like Wix, Shopify, and Squarespace automatically issue SSL certificates for every site. This ensures your website displays “https” instead of “http,” which enables encrypted communication and protects data exchanged between your site and users.
- DDoS Protection: Builders such as Wix and Shopify incorporate advanced defenses against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. These measures help your site remain accessible even during malicious traffic surges.
- Automatic Updates: Shopify and Wix handle software updates on the backend. This reduces the risk of security vulnerabilities caused by outdated systems.
- PCI Compliance: Shopify and other ecommerce platforms maintain Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance. This is essential for processing and securing sensitive payment information.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Many platforms, including Wix, offer continuous threat detection and monitoring. This helps identify and address potential security risks in real time.
Security Features Website Builders Don't Cover
While these platforms offer substantial security measures, there are still important aspects that require proactive attention:
- Plugin and Add-on Security: Installing third-party plugins can introduce vulnerabilities if they're poorly coded or outdated. It's important to choose well-reviewed, regularly updated plugins to minimize risk. This is especially relevant for WordPress users.
- Data Backups: Although some website builders, like Webflow, Wix, and Squarespace, offer basic backup functionality, it's advisable to implement a more comprehensive solution to prevent data loss in case of a failure or breach. WordPress users are responsible for setting up their own backup systems.
- Firewall Configuration: A properly configured firewall adds a critical layer of defense against unauthorized access and malicious attacks. Fully managed platforms take care of this. WordPress requires manual firewall setup.
- GDPR Compliance: If your website serves users in the European Union, compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is legally required. Platforms like Wix and Shopify provide some tools to support GDPR compliance, but it's ultimately up to you to configure and apply them correctly.
- User Access Management: When working with a team, it’s important to control who can do what on your site. Limiting access to sensitive areas helps make sure only trusted users can make major changes.
Choosing a Builder for a Secure Website
When it comes to building a website, security should be one of your top priorities. Different platforms offer different strengths, and while most take care of core protections like SSL and hosting security, there are trade-offs in terms of flexibility, control, and responsibility.
Below is a quick overview of some of the most popular website builders and how they compare from a security perspective.
| Builder | Strengths | Weaknesses | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Strong ecommerce security, PCI compliance, SSL included, regular updates | Limited ability to configure advanced security settings (e.g., custom firewalls, server-level access) due to closed ecosystem | Online stores of any size |
| Squarespace | SSL certificates, DDoS protection, and automatic patches | Limited third-party security tools; less transparency over server security measures | Small businesses, portfolios, simple ecommerce |
| Wix | Built-in SSL, 2FA, secure hosting, frequent updates | App ecosystem is less regulated, increasing the risk of vulnerable third-party integrations | Beginners, personal or small business sites |
| Wordpress.com | Automatic updates, SSL, spam filtering with Akismet | Less granular security control | Small to medium websites |
| GoDaddy | SSL included, hosting security, automated backups | Fewer built-in advanced security features; delayed patching | Very small businesses needing a quick site |
In my experience working with small business owners, many feel most confident starting with a platform like Wix or Shopify because the security is mostly hands-off. For clients who want more flexibility and are willing to handle a bit more responsibility, WordPress has been a reliable choice, as long as it’s maintained properly. Some business owners may be able to handle this themselves. Others should hire a professional or opt for a managed WordPress setup. For more details, see our beginner’s guide to the best website builders.
Security Best Practices for Any Website
I’ve worked with websites where a single outdated plugin became the entry point for a major breach. That’s why I always stress the importance of removing anything you’re not using and keeping everything up to date, even if the site seems to be running fine.
Regardless of which website builder or platform you use, the following practices form the foundation of a secure website:
- Enable SSL/HTTPS: SSL encrypts data between your visitors and your server. It changes your site from “http://” to “https://” and prevents interception while information is in transit. (Learn more about what to do when your website says “not secure.”)
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA): Weak or reused passwords are among the easiest ways attackers gain access. Use unique, complex passwords and enable 2FA so that even if a password is compromised, a second verification (such as an app or SMS code) protects access.
- Keep software, themes, plugins, and extensions updated: Updates often include security patches for known vulnerabilities. Running outdated versions is one of the most common reasons websites get compromised.
- Back up your site regularly and store backups securely: Even when you take all the proper precautions, attacks, hardware failures, or other mistakes can take your site down. Regular backups let you restore your site to a safe state. Store them offsite or in a separate environment, and test restoring them occasionally.
- Limit user access and use the principle of least privilege: Only grant admin or high-level permissions to users who absolutely need them. Restrict other users’ access and remove unused accounts promptly when team members leave or roles change.
- Install a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and malware scanner: A WAF filters incoming traffic to block malicious requests like SQL injections or cross-site scripting. Malware scanners monitor your files for unauthorized changes or malicious code.
- Monitor logs and scan for unusual activity: Watch access logs, login attempts, failed logins, and file changes. Early detection of anomalies helps you respond before major damage occurs.
- Avoid installing untrusted or unsupported plugins: Plugins and themes are common attack points. Only use those from trusted sources, make sure they're regularly maintained, and remove anything you no longer use.
Security assessments and maintenance should be a regular part of your website maintenance plan.
Extra Security Tips for WordPress Users
If you're using WordPress, you have some extra responsibility when it comes to maintaining your site’s security. Here are five additional steps you can take:
- Install a trusted security plugin: Tools like Wordfence or Sucuri offer firewalls, malware scanning, login protection, and real-time monitoring.
- Change your default login URL: Avoid using the default /wp-login.php or /wp-admin path. Changing it makes your login page harder to find and reduces brute-force attack attempts.
- Disable XML-RPC if not needed: WordPress includes a feature called XML-RPC that lets other apps and services connect to your website remotely, such as the WordPress mobile app or tools like Jetpack. But most site owners never use it. Because this feature can also be exploited by hackers to attempt logins or overload your server, it’s best to disable it unless you specifically need it. The easiest way to do this is by using a plugin designed for this purpose.
- Restrict file editing in the dashboard: Disable the built-in file editor in WordPress to prevent attackers from modifying theme or plugin code if they gain access. You can do this either via your Wordpress settings, or through your web host.
- Use secure, managed WordPress hosting: Managed hosts often include advanced protections like automatic updates, malware removal, and server-side firewalls, reducing the burden on you. (Learn more about managed hosting in The Different Types of Web Hosting Explained.)
Website Security Checklist
Before launching your website, use this checklist to make sure essential security practices are in place. This applies to all websites, regardless of the platform or builder.
| What to Check | How to Check | |
|---|---|---|
| SSL/HTTPS is active. | Visit your site to confirm it loads with https:// and displays the padlock icon. Use SSL Labs for a full test. | |
| Set strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA). | Ensure all admin accounts use strong, unique passwords and have 2FA enabled. Use a password manager and an authenticator app, if possible. | |
| All software, themes, and plugins are updated. | Log in to your platform and verify that the core system, themes, and plugins are up to date. Apply pending updates. | |
| Backups are configured and tested. | Check that automatic backups are running. Perform a test restore to confirm the backup works as expected. | |
| User access is limited. | Review user roles. Remove unused accounts and restrict admin privileges to only those who require them. | |
| Firewall and malware scanner are active. | Confirm your hosting provider or security plugin has a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and scheduled malware scans are enabled. | |
| Unused plugins or apps are removed. | Deactivate and delete any plugins, apps, or integrations that are not essential to reduce your attack surface. | |
| Security headers are configured. | Use SecurityHeaders.com to scan for headers like Content-Security-Policy, Strict-Transport-Security, and X-Frame-Options. Many platforms handle these automatically; WordPress does not. | |
| Privacy compliance is in place. | Check that your forms, cookies, and data collection practices are compliant with GDPR, CCPA, or other relevant laws. Consent checkboxes and privacy policies should be clearly presented. | |
Final Thoughts
Over the years, I’ve seen that the most secure websites aren’t always the most complex. They’re the ones where someone took the time to set up the basics correctly and kept things updated and maintained. Choosing a builder that fits your technical strengths really does make all the difference.
If you're unsure where to start, Softailed can help you evaluate your options and guide you toward the best website builder that fits your goals, technical ability, and long-term plans. A secure website begins with informed choices, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
FAQ
Can a website be 100% secure?
Can a website be 100% secure?
No. Absolute security is a myth. Even highly protected sites can be exposed to new vulnerabilities, human error, or targeted attacks. The goal is not perfection but strong defenses, regular monitoring, and fast incident response.
How much does it cost to have a secure website?
How much does it cost to have a secure website?
It depends heavily on scope, complexity, and service levels. For example:
- A simple security audit might cost $1,500 to $20,000, depending on size and tools used.
- More comprehensive audits or ongoing security analysis may range from $2,000 up to $100,000+ per year for large, enterprise-level sites.
- Penetration testing (probing your site for vulnerabilities) alone can cost $5,000 to $35,000, depending on whether it’s external or internal.
For a small business site, a reliable security setup might be in the low thousands per year. For large or compliance‑critical sites, costs can escalate significantly.
Which is the most secure website builder?
Which is the most secure website builder?
There’s no universal “most secure” builder. Security depends a lot on how a website builder is configured, maintained, and used. That said, ecosystem builders (where the platform controls hosting, updates, and extensions) tend to offer stronger baseline security because users have less ability to introduce vulnerabilities. For instance, Wix is often noted for its security because it handles infrastructure, updates, and plugin control internally. However, an open platform like WordPress, when properly configured, patched, and monitored, can be very secure and more flexible.
Security is about trade-offs: more control means more responsibility. Less control means you rely more on the platform’s defaults.
Are free websites secure?
Are free websites secure?
They can be secure on a basic level, but there are limits. Free website plans often include SSL and basic protections, but they usually lack advanced security tools, performance isolation, or priority support. Because free sites typically share infrastructure, they may be more exposed to neighboring site vulnerabilities, too. For low-risk or personal sites, free hosting may suffice. For business, ecommerce, or handling sensitive data, paid plans or managed solutions are safer.
