The Pros and Cons of Squarespace: Is It the Right Website Builder for You?

Squarespace is a popular website builder known for its sleek designs and user-friendly interface. It’s particularly appealing to creatives, small businesses, and those looking for an all-in-one solution for their online presence. But like any platform, it has its strengths and weaknesses. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the pros and cons of Squarespace to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your website.

The pros…

1. Beautiful, Professional Templates: Squarespace is renowned for its visually stunning templates. These designs are modern, professional, and perfect for showcasing portfolios, blogs, or products. They’re mobile-responsive, ensuring your site looks great on any device.
2. All-in-One Platform: Squarespace simplifies website management by including hosting, security, and updates in its packages. You don’t need to worry about managing multiple accounts or technical details – everything is handled for you.
3. Ease of Use: The drag-and-drop interface makes Squarespace accessible, even for those without technical expertise. While it offers customisation options, it’s much simpler than platforms like WordPress, which often require more technical know-how.
4. Built-In SEO Tools: Squarespace provides basic SEO features like editable meta descriptions, alt text for images, and clean URLs. While not as comprehensive as dedicated SEO tools, these features are sufficient for most small businesses and creatives.
5. E-commerce Capabilities: For small-scale online shops, Squarespace offers integrated e-commerce tools. It supports product listings, inventory management, and payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal, making it easy to sell products or services directly from your site.
6. Customer Support: Squarespace offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. The platform also has a robust knowledge base with tutorials and guides to help users troubleshoot common issues.

The Cons of Squarespace

1. Very Limited Customisation: While Squarespace is user-friendly, its customisation options can feel restrictive (it drives me mad). Advanced users may find the lack of flexibility frustrating, especially when compared to open-source platforms like WordPress.
2. Higher Cost: Squarespace’s pricing is higher than some competitors, particularly for those just starting out. Monthly subscriptions range from £13 to £37 or more, depending on the features you need. For larger or more complex sites, costs can add up quickly.
3. Learning Curve for Some Features: While basic editing is straightforward, some features, such as setting up advanced e-commerce or integrating third-party tools, can be challenging for beginners. The interface isn’t as intuitive for these tasks. Also adding carousels or multiple images can be tricky.
4. SEO Limitations: Although Squarespace offers built-in SEO tools, it’s not as powerful or flexible as WordPress or other specialised SEO platforms. Advanced users may find it harder to implement complex SEO strategies.
5. Lack of Advanced Features: For large-scale websites or highly customised projects, Squarespace may not be suitable. Its capabilities are ideal for small businesses, creatives, or personal sites, but it’s not designed for enterprise-level needs.
6. Dependency on the Platform: Since Squarespace is a proprietary platform, you can’t easily move your website to another host. If you decide to switch platforms, you’ll likely need to rebuild your site from scratch.
7. DNS Settings for Email Delivery: Additionally, while Squarespace simplifies hosting, you may still need to tinker with DNS settings to ensure proper email delivery, especially if your email is hosted externally. This can be a minor technical hurdle for those unfamiliar with domain settings.

Who Is Squarespace Best For?

Squarespace is ideal for:

• Creatives like photographers, artists, and designers who need a portfolio.
• Small businesses looking for a sleek, easy-to-maintain online presence.
• Entrepreneurs setting up an e-commerce shop with a manageable inventory.

BUT… if you are planning to scale your business, thinking ahead to where you want to be is important for choosing the right platform.

Summary

Squarespace is a solid choice for those who value simplicity, aesthetics, and convenience. However, its limitations in customisation and scalability mean it’s not the best fit for every project. Before committing, weigh its pros and cons against your specific needs. If you’re a small business owner or creative looking for a straightforward solution, Squarespace could be the perfect match. However, if you need advanced features or maximum flexibility, you might want to explore other platforms like WordPress or Shopify.