Best web platforms for building your next big idea

27 Oct

Whether you’re launching an eCommerce empire, curating a design-forward portfolio or creating a membership-based business, your digital platform is the foundation of everything that follows. The right choice doesn’t just make things easier - it determines how scalable, profitable and future-proof your idea becomes.

At Gem Media, we’ve helped brands across industries - from startups to enterprise clients - choose the right platforms for growth. Here’s our breakdown of the best tools we recommend and more importantly, why they matter.

For eCommerce: Shopify

When it comes to selling online, Shopify remains the gold standard. It’s built to handle everything from a single product line to a global brand rollout. What makes Shopify our go-to for eCommerce projects is its balance of simplicity for the founder and power for the business as it scales.

Key reasons we recommend Shopify:

Seamless, secure payment processing
Polished, customisable themes that can be elevated to match luxury branding
Built-in marketing, SEO and analytics tools
Access to one of the largest app ecosystems in the world

If your vision involves growth, scalability and integrations with global logistics and marketing tools, Shopify is unmatched.

For Portfolios & Creative Brands: Squarespace

For service providers, creative studios and personal brands, Squarespace is unbeatable for visual impact. It’s designed for those who want their work to shine, without spending months on development.

Why we recommend Squarespace for portfolios:

Sleek, luxury-inspired templates out of the box
Drag-and-drop ease for non-technical teams
Built-in marketing, analytics and SEO tools
Consistent mobile and desktop experience

Squarespace is also ideal for service-based businesses that want a beautiful, functional home online without heavy ongoing tech management.

For Courses & Memberships: Squarespace

With its built-in Member Areas and subscription billing, Squarespace is a solid choice for course creators and membership communities who value design and ease of use.

What you’ll get:

Simple gated content tools for courses, downloads and video libraries
Smooth subscription and billing management
Sleek, branded user experience for members
Secure Stripe/PayPal integration

For creators and educators who want a clean, professional setup without third-party complexity, Squarespace is often the best balance of design and function.

For WordPress Users: VentraIP & GoDaddy

WordPress offers maximum flexibility - but it’s only as strong as the hosting behind it. Our top hosting recommendations are:

VentraIP – An Australian-owned provider with reliable performance, security and local customer support. A strong choice for businesses that value premium service.
GoDaddy – Affordable, accessible and easy to set up, making it a safe entry point for smaller brands or first-time site owners.

If you’re going WordPress, make sure you choose a host that can handle growth - cheap hosting often means slow load times and poor security.

For Domains: GoDaddy, Namecheap, VentraIP

Your domain is your digital identity. Reliability matters here - both for price and for long-term brand stability. Our trusted picks are:

GoDaddy – An industry mainstay with simple domain management.
Namecheap – Affordable with free WHOIS privacy protection.
VentraIP – Best for Australian businesses that value local service and support.

For Professional Email: Google Workspace & VentraIP

A branded email address is non-negotiable for credibility. Our go-tos:

Google Workspace – Best-in-class for businesses that want professional email with the power of Gmail, Google Drive, Google Meet and more.
VentraIP – A reliable local alternative that integrates hosting and email with strong Australian support.

Your platform is the foundation of your brand. The wrong choice can box you in, but the right one can set you up for growth, credibility, and seamless operations.

If you’re unsure which is best for your idea, this is where we come in. At Gem Media, we don’t just build websites - we design digital ecosystems that support your vision for growth. Get in touch.