Squarespace vs. Wordpress
I’ve been designing websites for 10+ years and over this time I’ve learnt a few things … for example, what is easier from a clients perspective, and what is easier to manage and maintain from my perspective. I love WordPress, and it has earnt its place at the top of the web-dev food chain – BUT for the small to medium-sized businesses who don’t need unique functionality, who don’t have a dedicated staff member to maintain their website, and most importantly a budget to stick to, Squarespace may be the best solution for you.
Squarespace and WordPress are two of the most popular website building platforms available today, however, they are very different. Squarespace is like an app or software you subscribe to where everything is included. WordPress on the other hand is an open-source CMS, which means it’s open for anyone to contribute to. This is both good and bad, as there are thousands of themes and plugins to choose from, but they can become outdated and buggy quickly if the author abandons ship. It does, however, mean that there are far more customisable options you can add to your website if you require that.
Squarespace in the last few years has stepped up its game and has got a solution for most of your business's basic needs. The Squarespace platform now has scheduling systems, email marketing, social media integration, e-commerce functionality built-in, as well as a blog, portfolio, accordion panels, detailed forms features at the click of a mouse. Best of all, you’ll be able to do all of this yourself. Squarespace SEO integration has also improved and can match it with the best of them. WordPress is always going to be superior in terms of SEO capabilities, but Squarespace has improved tremendously.
While Squarespace markets itself as a DIY website building platform, there’s so much more involved in understanding and launching an effective website. An out-of-the-box template is never going to fit your websites needs or content perfectly, so there’s always going to be an element of design involved. Building a website shouldn’t simply be about clicking ‘add section’ and adding your text – there’s lots of thought that need to be considered such as user experience, site structure, call-to-actions, heading hierarchy, SEO optimisation, etc.
DIYing will get you a website that works, but it probably won’t get you a website that converts.
The benefit I see to offering Squarespace website design is the ease of use and the ability you have to edit bits of text, update photos, manage payment plans, etc. after the website launches. Unlike Wordpress, where having coding knowledge, plug-in experience, and time to burn is a necessity, Squarespace works seamlessly, and if you have an issue, you can contact their support with your questions or visit the various forums for unique guidance. Squarespace also has no need to update apps or plug-ins and you’ll never need to implement external backups.
Squarespace is DIY site that can definitely be designed to fit your company’s brand and it’ll be the easiest platform for you to manage moving forward.
Squarespace PROs:
Yes Squarespace is for DIYers but that is the reason why this works great for some of my clients. I always handover my websites to the client and give them full access – and Squarespace is so so easy for you to use, edit, and update yourself.
Apps for your phone to track your analytics
Self-hosted with everything in one place
Social Media integration
Email marketing integration
It’s easy for the client to add in their own Google and FB Pixel codes
The CMS is super simple to use and has a dedicated help team
Compatible across everything (devices and browsers)
Website Security is taken care of (WordPress sites are often hacked if they aren’t maintained)
Support from real humans
Cheaper to design and build (full sites)
Squarespace CONs:
You’re limited to their template from a features point-of-view (but can still produce beautiful layouts and designs).
It has its limits with plugins and 3rd party apps.
Some reason you may need to stick with Wordpress:
You require unlimited flexibility
It’s the largest and free, open-source content management system in the world. Which means many developers will be able to use this platform if you’d like to handle the site yourself moving forward.
Almost zero restrictions for plugins and 3rd party apps
No template restrictions
You require really customised features (e.g. client log in portal, have a huge e-com store, real estate listings connected to external sales programs, etc)
You plan on growing to require these custom features in future
You’re happy to pay for a totally custom design and build from scratch
SEO is of paramount importance and you want to throw money to optimise this.