Short answer: Squarespace if you want it done this month and never want to think about it again, WordPress if you plan to publish seriously, and a custom build once your website is actually generating matters.
But platform is the second question. The first one is which features you have to switch off, because a lot of what builders give you for free is a professional conduct problem for a lawyer.
Your website is a regulated communication. Under the professional conduct rules adopted in most states, "a lawyer shall not make a false or misleading communication about the lawyer or the lawyer's services," and a communication is misleading if it "omits a fact necessary to make the statement considered as a whole not materially misleading" (Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.1).
The commentary is where it gets specific for web design. A communication can violate the rule if it:
Now look at a standard business template. A testimonial carousel. A "$4.2M recovered" counter. A "Best Lawyers in Atlanta" badge. Every one of those is a live question under those provisions.
One important caveat: these rules are adopted state by state and the wording varies. The text quoted here is Indiana's version of the ABA model rule. Check your own state bar's rules and advertising opinions before you publish. That is not a disclaimer for the sake of it — some states are considerably stricter, and a few require specific disclaimers or record-keeping.
Squarespace is the default recommendation for most solos. It looks professional out of the box, the templates don't need a developer, and you will not spend weekends on maintenance. Constraints on the design are a feature when you have no time.
WordPress is right if publishing is part of your plan. If you intend to write practice-area pages and articles continuously, it gives you the most control and the best content tooling. It also gives you plugins, updates, and security to manage. That's a real cost in attention.
Wix is fine and fast. Slightly more design freedom than Squarespace, slightly more clutter to switch off.
Webflow is what we typically build in, but it's genuinely a designer's tool. Solo attorneys who buy Webflow to run themselves usually regret it.
On budget: DIY builds run $0 to $450 upfront, with hosting and apps at $15 to $150 a month, while professional design starts around $1,500 and up. Platform costs run Wix $17 to $159 a month, Squarespace $25 to $139, and WordPress free to $70 (Forbes Advisor). Webflow's Basic site plan is $15 a month billed annually (Webflow).
For what a full professional build costs, we've published our own numbers and the market ranges.
This is the part no builder roundup covers.
Also worth knowing: the advertising rule says "a lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending or advertising the lawyer's services," with narrow exceptions for the reasonable costs of advertising and qualified referral services (Rule 7.2).
So the "leave us a review, get a gift card" tactic is doubly out for lawyers. It's also independently prohibited by Google, which bans reviews posted because of "an incentive offered by a business, such as payment, discounts, or free goods or services," and bans asking only your happy clients (Google Maps contribution policies).
Fewer than you think, done properly:
Four page types. A fifth if you're going to write.
Barely. Platform choice is close to neutral for search. What matters is that your pages are crawlable and indexed, that each practice area has its own page, and that your Google Business Profile is complete.
For AI search specifically, Google states a page needs only to be indexed and eligible to show with a snippet, with no additional technical requirements, and structured data is not required (Google Search Central). Any of these builders clears that bar. Don't let a platform debate delay you.
What is the best website builder for a solo attorney?
Squarespace for most, because it looks credible immediately and needs little maintenance. WordPress if you plan to publish regularly and want full control.
Can I use client testimonials on my law firm website?
It depends on your state. The model rule commentary prohibits testimonials likely to create an unjustified expectation about a lawyer or a person's legal rights, and states implement this differently. Check your bar's rules first.
Can I list case results and settlement amounts?
Cautiously and rarely. The commentary specifically flags references to results that may create an expectation of similar results. Many states require a disclaimer. Some effectively discourage it.
Do I need a custom-designed law firm website?
Not at first. A well-executed template with strong practice-area pages beats a custom site you can't afford to finish. Move to custom when the site is bringing in matters and the constraints start costing you.
Is WordPress or Squarespace better for law firm SEO?
Neither has a meaningful built-in advantage. WordPress is better if you'll publish a lot of content. Otherwise the difference is not what's holding your rankings back.
Buy Squarespace, write one real page per practice area, complete your Google Business Profile, and switch off every widget that makes a claim you can't substantiate. That gets you further than a platform debate will.
Then check your state bar's advertising rules before you publish. Not after.
If you'd rather have it built properly, that's what we do, and you can see how the services fit together.
Book a 30-minute intro call and we'll tell you honestly whether you need a custom build or a good template.