While the Patriots and Seahawks were having it out on the field in Arizona, another battle was taking place in the ad world during TV time outs at this year’s Super Bowl.

Two opposing website builders, Squarespace and Wix, purchased airtime during the game, each hoping to gain valuable market share and claim the trophy in the somewhat crowded, confusing space.

The Ad Winner

Jeff Bridges, a.k.a. “The Dude,” was drafted by Squarespace for its ad, while Wix recruited Brett Favre, Franco Harris, and a cadre of other NFL superstars.

The competition was fierce, and Squarespace struck first with an amazingly creative yet head-scratching piece. It was designed to push viewers to the Squarespace website where it would hope to convert. Successful in that mission, the website and follow-up conversion mechanisms proved to be a bit confusing, and on a few visits the website failed to load properly. That being said, its ad would be tough to beat.

Wix followed up with a late-in-the-game comeback. Its ad featured popular NFL figures, which may have alienated some segments of the market. But for those who recognized the celebrities, the commercial was funny and memorable. Not as sleek as Squarespace, but good enough to be memorable.

Where Wix really shined was in the conversion department. Its website integrated the commercial, creating a connection the viewer would expect, and built on the initial commercial with contests as well.

The game goes to Wix.

The Platform Winner

What’s most important is determining the better platform. Neither platform is a fit for every website, so determining where your needs fit into each offering is important.

The first consideration is whether you’re a true small business or a company that will have significant website needs. If you’re the latter, a website builder such as Squarespace or Wix may not be the best option, as there are significant hurdles to jump regarding certain custom development requirements or anything that requires full control over the web server.

The second consideration is whether you’ll be hiring a professional to design your website of if you’re a do-it-yourselfer. If you’re hiring a professional, you can stop here and defer to their best judgment. Trust your vendor of choice to select the best platform for your needs. Squarespace and Wix aren’t the only games in town. If you’re on your own, read on.

Both platforms are usable for novice users. Wix tends to provide a better documented system and easier to use documentation, but Squarespace provides live chat and tutorial videos that really shine. If you need the high-touch service, the nod goes to Squarespace.

Design templates are provided within each platform. Squarespace has a much smaller variety, but what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality. Its design templates are quite flexible and are responsive so that they’ll scale to fit virtually any browser, from a smartphone to a tablet to a desktop. Another win for Squarespace.

Pricing plans are similar, with Wix offering a free version. But beware: The free version does have some domain name limitations and Wix advertising, so it’s not a good option for any truly viable business.

Wix pricing plans are less expensive, but both are easily affordable.

E-commerce and SEO offerings are a bit more mature with Squarespace. If those are considerations Squarespace should be your front-runner.

If you’re a small business with modest needs, a modest budget, and want to do it yourself, both platforms represent viable options. Keep in mind Squarespace has a free trial and Wix a free option, so don’t take anyone’s word for it — try each platform and you’ll quickly recognize which is right for you.