If our recent post detailing the reasons businesses should choose WordPress over Squarespace is any indication, we’re pretty biased towards the former. For most businesses, we firmly believe that WordPress is a more flexible, robust, and scalable platform. Not to mention our the thing we hold most dear: Full ownership and independence.

But… I did mention that Squarespace isn’t a bad service and that there are even times when it would be a good choice. I’m going to try really hard to make this objective and avoid anything ironic or snarky 😉

Big big big caveat to all of this… Design and development are two important phases when building a website, and choosing a web platform is directly related. But arguably the hardest aspect of building a website is in wrangling a grasp over the site content strategy. This includes understanding business goals and creating a clear sales funnel, organizing and laying out the content, and establishing a clear content hierarchy on every page. Amongst other things. Content strategy is the most valuable step you get when you hire a good web team – regardless of which platform a site is built on.

When It’s Appropriate to Choose Squarespace Over WordPress

1. Businesses with a small budget, and willing to DIY
2. People without design or development skills, but wanting to DIY
3. Graphic Designers without coding skills, building clients sites
4. Side-hustle startups willing to DIY

Budget-Constrained Businesses Willing to DIY

Not every business has sufficient budgets set aside for a professionally built website. Some businesses are just starting up and looking to test an idea. Squarespace has made everything drag and drop and comes with prebuilt themes. It’s a good way to get started quickly without busting a budget. Do your research on content strategy and start a plan for budgeting a professional site.

Ready, Willing, and Able to Do It Yourself

There is something very admirable about the can-do spirit that many of us have. Kari and I remodeled our kitchen without a ton of construction skills. It was rewarding, we love it, and I know intimately all the nicks, scratches, and mistakes. Building a website can on your own can be equally rewarding. Squarespace has the system set up to build a site without needing a ton of development skills, or design skills.

Graphic Designers

Most graphic designers who build client websites have taught themselves to code – but certainly not all (this was my path). Truly exceptional designers don’t always want to spread their skillset thin, and Squarespace can be a great platform for designers with little interest in working with a developer to ‘attempt’ to recreate a design in pixel-perfect fashion. I’d argue the ethics of consigning clients to the Squarespace ‘lock-in’ – but I promised not to snark or be ironic.

Ye Olde Side Hustle

There are many businesses that are part-time or a side gig and really don’t warrant the expense of hiring a pro design team. Businesses that make a little extra cash or are done for pure joy can easily choose Squarespace and whip out a decent site in not much time. Not every side hustle turns into a main gig – it’s often a good idea to test an idea out quickly and iterate rather than go all in.

Let me explain… No, there is too much. Let me sum up…

For businesses looking for a complete, robust website, WordPress is the better choice. But Squarespace has it’s place as well. I’m sure there are more examples of times when it’s the better choice. I will happily add them to the list (with discretion) if you leave a comment.

And if I’ve convinced you that hiring a pro is the way to go – reach out – we’d love to hear about your project.