You might have guessed—we’re huge fans of Squarespace! Our enthusiasm comes from years working in tech, seeing the hurdles small businesses face when trying to build a website: costs, lack of knowledge in a daunting industry, and the need for reliable support. Being an entrepreneur is no small feat, and the last thing you need is the stress of building a website.

Our goal is to ensure that getting your website launched is the least stressful part of your day. In this article, we will discuss why we picked Squarespace to work with for the benefit of small businesses and entrepreneurs like you. So, let’s dive into why Squarespace is so amazing at what it does and how it stacks up against other platforms.

1. It’s user-friendly for non-designers

One of the biggest headaches for small business owners is trying to navigate a complicated website builder. If you’re not a tech guru or a professional designer, this can be a real challenge. Squarespace shines here with its incredibly user-friendly interface. You don’t need any prior experience or coding knowledge to create a beautiful, functional website. The drag-and-drop editor lets you customize your site effortlessly, making it a breeze to get your site up and running.

Compared to Showit, which offers a lot of design flexibility but comes with a steeper learning curve, Squarespace is a walk in the park. Showit is great for professional designers who want complete control over their site's look, but for the average small business owner who just wants a simple, effective website, Squarespace is the way to go.

2. It’s affordable, offering great options for a lower cost

Every penny counts when you're running a small business. Squarespace understands this and offers pricing plans that give you great bang for your buck. With Squarespace, you get hosting, SSL security, and a custom domain all bundled into your plan, which simplifies your budgeting and saves you from unexpected costs.

Other platforms, like WordPress, might seem cheaper at first glance, but the costs can quickly add up. You have to pay for hosting, premium themes, plugins, and security features separately, which can be a hassle and more expensive in the long run. Showit, while offering powerful features, tends to have higher costs, especially if you need to integrate with WordPress for blogging.

3. Low-cost, high-quality & user-friendly templates

Squarespace is known for its variety of out-of-the-box templates. These come free with your subscription, ready to add your content, and optimized for mobile devices, ensuring your site performs well on any device. With a wide variety of templates tailored to different industries, you can easily find one that works for your business without hiring a designer, making them a great option for businesses working with a very tight budget.

Naturally, these free templates can be limited in functionality and lack that designer touch that gives a website that high-end quality that can really set a business apart. Fortunately, there are many amazing companies (including us) that build their own strategically designed templates for a low-cost solution that gives you that competitive edge. Be sure to look for templates that are user-friendly and optimized for mobile, SEO and offer great customer support.

If you are still curious about other platforms, most offer templates for purchase. Wix is a popular platform for templates, offering over 900+ template options! However, Squarespace effortlessly outshines Wix with its intuitive interface. Despite offering fewer choices, Squarespace sets itself apart with its exquisite templates and layouts—all fully optimized for mobile devices, unlike Wix’s offerings. This makes Squarespace an exceptional choice, especially for creative professionals aiming to craft visually striking portfolio websites. Showit also provides highly customizable designs, but the level of customization can be overwhelming if you’re not a design expert.

4. Popularity and community support

Squarespace's popularity has skyrocketed, making it one of the most trusted website-building platforms out there. They offer robust support, including 24/7 customer service, a comprehensive help center, and a community forum. This means you can get help whenever you need it, which is a huge relief when you’re juggling a million other things as a small business owner.

In contrast, platforms like WordPress have vast communities and resources, but managing hosting, updates, and security can be daunting if you’re not tech-savvy. Showit, while supportive, has a smaller user base, which can limit the availability of peer support and tutorials.

5. Powerful features for blogging, courses, and e-commerce

Beyond its user-friendly interface and stunning templates, Squarespace excels in empowering small businesses with robust features for blogging, creating courses, selling products, and monetizing content. Squarespace’s integrated blogging tools are intuitive and allow you to publish content effortlessly, enhancing your SEO and engaging your audience effectively. For small businesses offering courses or classes, Squarespace’s membership features and integrations with platforms like Acuity Scheduling make it easy to manage and sell digital products or services.

Moreover, Squarespace’s e-commerce capabilities enable seamless online transactions, from showcasing products beautifully to managing orders and inventory. Whether you're selling physical goods, digital downloads, or services, Squarespace provides the tools to set up a secure and professional online store without the need for complex third-party integrations.

6. Robust Security Features

Security is often an overlooked aspect of website building, but it’s crucial to keep your site safe from hackers and bugs. Squarespace excels in this area with its “closed source” platform, meaning only the developers at Squarespace HQ can access and modify the backend. This approach ensures your website remains secure and protected from unauthorized access and potential threats.

All updates and security measures are handled by Squarespace, so you don’t have to worry about maintaining or securing your site manually. This low-maintenance approach is perfect for small business owners who don’t have the time or resources to deal with constant security updates. In comparison, open-source platforms like WordPress require you to manage plugins, updates, and security patches yourself, which can be time-consuming and risky if not handled properly. For small businesses, the peace of mind that comes with Squarespace’s robust security features is invaluable.

Conclusion

Running a small business is stressful enough without having to worry about building a website. Squarespace offers an easy-to-use, affordable, and visually stunning solution that helps you create a professional online presence without the headache. Its user-friendly interface, competitive pricing, high-quality templates, and excellent support make it a standout choice compared to other platforms. If you want to focus on what you do best—growing your business—Squarespace is the perfect partner to help you succeed.

If you are still trying to decide if Squarespace is right for you, send your questions our way! We are always here to help!

If you’re sold on Squarespace but lack the time or design skills to create your dream website, check out our services. You can also contact us to learn about our DIY templates (coming to the website soon).