If you’re looking to create a website for your small business, you may be wondering if WordPress or Squarespace is the better option. In this blog post, we will compare the two platforms and discuss the pros and cons of each. We will also provide tips on how to choose the right platform for your business. So, which platform is better? Let’s find out!
Getting to Know WordPress & Squarespace
When it comes to creating a website, there are many different platform options to choose from. WordPress and Squarespace are two of the most popular platforms. Both have their pros and cons, so it’s important to evaluate your needs before choosing one. Here’s a quick overview of each platform:
- WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that enables you to create a website or blog from scratch, or to improve an existing website. WordPress is free and open source software released under the GPL.
- Squarespace is a commercial platform that offers users everything they need to create a professional website. Squarespace is easy to use and comes with many features, but it is not free.
Now let’s look a little closer at how these two platforms are similar and different — and why one might be the better choice for your business.
Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, WordPress is the clear winner. Squarespace is easy to use, but WordPress is even easier. With WordPress, you can create a website or blog in minutes, without having to learn coding or programming. In contrast, Squarespace is a bit more complicated and requires some basic knowledge of web design and development.
Another advantage of WordPress is that there are many plugins and themes available that make it easy to customize your website. There are also thousands of helpful tutorials available online that can teach you how to use WordPress effectively. In contrast, Squarespace has a more limited selection of themes and plugins, and the support options are not as robust as WordPress’.
So, which platform is better for your small business website? If you want a simple and easy-to-use platform with lots of customization options, then WordPress is the best option. If you want a platform with more features and no coding required, then Squarespace is a good choice.
The Editor
When it comes to the editors, both WordPress and Squarespace have their pros and cons. WordPress has a more user-friendly editor that is easy to use. Squarespace, on the other hand, has a more sophisticated editor that offers more options and control.
Another advantage of WordPress is that there are many plugins available that add extra features to the editor, such as spell checker, live word count, and so on. In contrast, Squarespace does not have as many plugins available for its editor.
Setting Up Your Website
When it comes to setup, WordPress is the clear winner. Squarespace is easy to set up, but WordPress is even easier. With WordPress, you can have a website up and running in minutes, without having to learn coding or programming. In contrast, Squarespace is a bit more complicated and requires some basic knowledge of web design and development.
Another advantage of WordPress is that there are many plugins available that add extra features to the setup process, such as spell checker, live word count, and so on. In contrast, Squarespace does not have as many plugins available for its setup process.
Flexibility within the Website Platform
WordPress is more flexible than Squarespace when it comes to website design. With WordPress, you can install plugins and themes that give you more design options, whereas Squarespace has a more limited selection. WordPress is also more customizable, so you can change settings to make your website look and function the way you want.
Squarespace is not as flexible as WordPress when it comes to website design. If you want to install plugins or themes, you’ll have to upgrade to a paid plan. And even then, Squarespace’s selection is more limited than WordPress. When it comes to customization, Squarespace also lags behind WordPress. So if you want full control over your website’s design and functionality, WordPress is the better option.
Templates
WordPress templates are more customizable than Squarespace templates. With WordPress, you can change the font, background color, and other elements of your website without having to hire a developer. Squarespace templates are more limited in terms of customization options.
WordPress has a wider selection of templates than Squarespace, so you’re more likely to find one that fits your needs. And if you can’t find a suitable template, there are plenty of third-party options available. Squarespace, on the other hand, has a smaller selection of templates. And if you want to use a third-party template, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Cost
When it comes to price, WordPress and Squarespace are both fairly affordable. WordPress is free to use, but you’ll need to pay for hosting and a domain name. Squarespace starts at $12 per month, but you get a free domain name and hosting with your subscription.
Plugins
WordPress plugins offer more functionality and flexibility than Squarespace plugins. WordPress is a very popular platform and has a huge plugin library, while Squarespace is a newer platform and has a smaller plugin library. However, many of the top WordPress plugins are not yet available for Squarespace, including Yoast SEO, WPForms, and MonsterInsights.
Squarespace does have some great plugins, such as the SquareSpace Gallery plugin and the SquareSpace SEO plugin. But overall, WordPress offers more options for customization and enhancement of your website. If you want a website that is truly unique and stands out from the rest, WordPress is the better platform.
The Frustration Factor
Both WordPress and Squarespace can be frustrating to use. WordPress is more complex and has more features, which can be overwhelming for beginners. Squarespace is simpler to use, but it has fewer customization options than WordPress.
In addition, both platforms can be slow and buggy. WordPress is often criticized for being insecure and difficult to update, while Squarespace has had its share of glitches and crashes.
SEO
WordPress is the better platform for SEO. It has more options for optimizing your website for search engines, and its plugin library includes many SEO plugins that can help you improve your ranking. Squarespace does offer some SEO options, but they are limited in comparison to WordPress.
If you want your small business website to rank high in search engine results pages, WordPress is the better option. It offers more control over your website’s SEO settings and gives you the ability to use powerful SEO plugins to boost your ranking.
Let’s Review: Squarespace vs WordPress Pros and Cons
WordPress Pros:
– WordPress is free and open source software.
– WordPress is a very versatile platform with a huge range of plugins and themes available.
– WordPress websites are easy to customize.
– WordPress is a widely used platform, so there is a large community of users and developers to support you.
WordPress Cons:
– WordPress can be difficult to use for beginners.
– WordPress websites require regular maintenance and updates.
– WordPress websites are more vulnerable to security threats than other platforms.
Squarespace Pros:
– Squarespace is an easy-to-use platform with a drag-and-drop interface.
– Squarespace offers a wide range of beautiful templates.
– Squarespace websites are mobile responsive and look great on all devices.
Squarespace Cons:
– Squarespace is a closed platform, so you are limited in terms of customization.
– Squarespace websites can be more expensive than other platforms.
– Squarespace does not offer a free plan.
While both WordPress and Squarespace offer a lot of features, WordPress is the clear winner when it comes to flexibility and customization. If you want full control over your website’s design and functionality, WordPress is the better option – even if it does have a bit of a learning curve. And since it’s free to use, WordPress is more affordable than Squarespace in the long run. So if you’re running a small business, WordPress is the best platform for your website.
Still not sure which platform to choose? Schedule a call today to learn how you can work with us here at Wandersoul Co to elevate your online presence with a new WordPress website.
