Squarespace
Basics to Understand
Squarespace, like Wix (which we’ll talk about later), is a service and platform meant to help people build websites of any kind.
This includes online stores, portfolios, wedding websites, business websites and – yes – blogs.
It takes a very user-friendly approach, allowing you to choose from several pre-existing website templates, all of which are modern and aesthetically pleasing.
You can customize your Squarespace website by changing your template, adjusting design details like logos, colors, and fonts, and adding pages, images, and links.
Notable Features
One of the main advantages of Squarespace is that it is so easy to use for newbie beginners.
Even if you have done nothing markedly close to web design, you’ll be able to walk away with a site that looks beautiful, reflects your brand, and functions easily with little effort and no technical skills on your part.
When you sign up for Squarespace, you’ll get access to:
- A vast library of templates and stock photos
- Branding tools and options
- Free custom domain with all plans
- eCommerce tools
- 24/7 customer support
- No transaction fees for eCommerce
That being said, this ease of use is a tradeoff – there’s a certain amount of limitation in design options. You won’t always be able to make the exact design choices that you want to, as you’ll be working within the limits of what is adjustable for each template.
The “pro” side for Squarespace includes
- that it allows you to purchase and use your own domain name (meaning that your blog can be found at www.thisismycoolblog.com instead of www.thisismycoolblog.squarespace.com)
- that the pricing is mid-tier and reasonable
- and that you can easily find coupon codes online.
I have several of my clients on Squarespace and they have impressed me with the quality of their sites.
Pricing & Cost
Squarespace offers four paid plans.
Users will receive discounts on all paid plans when they pay annually instead of monthly.
- Personal: $16 per month
- Business: $23 per month
- Commerce (Basic): $27 per month
- Commerce (Advanced): $49 per month
All plans come with a custom domain and hosting services included.
The personal and business plans receive a 30% discount for annual purchases, while both commerce plans receive a 25% discount.
Can You Try Squarespace for Free?
Unfortunately, you won’t have access to a free plan with Squarespace.
However, Squarespace offers a free trial for their paid plans.
For two weeks, you can test drive all of Squarespace’s best features to determine if the builder suits your needs.
The best part is that you don’t have to submit credit card information during your trial, so it’s completely risk-free.
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My Honest Thoughts
Pros of Squarespace
Squarespace offers a ton of useful features for site designers.
As a website builder, you’ll get:
- Features To Increase Traffic: Detailed analytics, SEO tools, and mobile site optimization provide increased traffic and visibility.
- High-quality Support: Squarespace has award-winning tech support.
- Optional Access To Contractors: Access to independent contractors and Squarespace’s portfolio of third-party extensions for added functionality.
The higher tier plans offer more features, but everything above is included with all paid plans.
Cons of Squarespace
Squarespace is an excellent platform, but there are a few downsides worth considering, including:
- Difficult Customization: Structured editor makes customized layouts difficult.
- No Free Plan: No free plan to test out services.
- Slow Load Times: Low page speed causes decreased load times.
Of these drawbacks, the low page speed could be your biggest problem.
If you have graphic-heavy content, including photos and videos, Squarespace might not be for you.
Squarespace vs. Other Top Recommendations: How They Compare
Squarespace is a top competitor of Wix for a good reason.
Its prices are comparable, it offers plenty of branding options, and its plans are comprehensive.
In addition, its user-friendly interface minimizes the learning curve.
However, Squarespace tends to have lower page speeds than Wix, which can lead to a poor user experience.
It also offers less flexibility, with a highly structured editor that limits where you can place elements on each page.
It also doesn’t offer a free plan.
Conclusion: Should You Choose Squarespace?
Site owners who want to build perfectly branded sites with few limitations will love Squarespace’s options.
If you don’t need highly-customized layouts or a free plan, Squarespace will be a great option.
However, if you’re building on a budget or want to control every aspect of your site, Wix will be a better choice.
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