Squarespace vs. Other Platforms: Pros and Cons for Web Designers

In this post, Elwyn compares Squarespace with other top website platforms, providing web designers with the pros and cons to make the best choice for their clients.

Choosing the Right Platform: A Detailed Comparison for Web Designers

So, you’re a web designer looking to decide between Squarespace and other platforms for your projects. I can understand where you’re coming from.

There are so many options, and each has its features and benefits. Knowing which one to pick can be confusing, especially when each platform has its strengths and weaknesses.

I remember moving from running an agency building bespoke systems to a website-builder-oriented studio. I was like a kid in a sweet shop with all these different platforms to choose from. Squarespace looked to have the best templates for designers. Wix seemed like a Swiss army knife with a huge range of features, and I had experience with WordPress. So I tried them all, and each had its pros and cons. If you don’t get it quite right, it’s a bit like using the handle of a screwdriver as a hammer. It might work okay and get you out of a bind, but it is far from optimal.

So, in this post, I want to help you make an informed decision by comparing Squarespace with some of its main competitors: Wix and WordPress. We’ll look at what each platform offers, their pros and cons from a web designer’s perspective, and see which one might be the best fit for different types of projects. Let’s crack on.

Ease of Use

Squarespace is easy to learn but challenging to master. The drag-and-drop editor gets you going quickly enough, and the templates are tidy, so you’re not starting from nothing. It’s straightforward to pick up, but getting every detail spot on takes time and patience.

Wix tries to keep it simple with a drag-and-drop editor, too, but it chucks everything at you from the start. It’s not hard to get the basics, but all those options can become a mess if you’re not careful. It’s like a buffet with too many choices. You might end up with a plate of odds and ends.

WordPress needs a bit more effort to get started. It’s not impossible, but you’ve got themes, plugins, and a dashboard that looks like it’s running a small factory. It's okay once you’ve got it sussed, but it won’t spoon-feed you the answers.

Design Flexibility and Customisation

Squarespace gives you solid templates that look smart and modern, but it’s like painting by numbers. You can tweak plenty within the lines, but it’ll throw a spanner in the works if you want to go completely off-script. It’s perfect for most client jobs, just not the wild ones.

Wix hands you a blank slate and every colour in the box. You can drag anything anywhere, which is great if you have a big idea. Mind you, it’s easy to end up with a site that looks like it’s been knitted together after a late night.

WordPress is the one for flexibility. With thousands of themes and plugins, you can build whatever you fancy. It’s like having a full workshop at your disposal. It takes some know-how to use the tools properly, but there’s no limit once you do.

Pricing and Value for Money

Squarespace starts at £12 (roughly $15) a month for the basics/personal plan. That’s fine for a portfolio or small site. If you need e-commerce or more features, you’re looking at £20 or up. It’s not cheap, but it’s like buying a decent pair of boots that’ll last you.

Wix begins lower, around £8 a mocnth for a basic plan, and there’s a free version if you don’t mind their logo slapped on it. Higher plans creep up to £20, but it’s a good deal if you like having options. You get loads for your money if you pick wisely.

WordPress itself costs nothing, but you’ll need hosting, say £3 to £10 a month, a domain at about £10 a year, and maybe a premium theme or plugin. It can be cheap or stack up depending on what you add.

Support and Reliability

Squarespace has solid support (although it has deteriorated considerably since Squarespace purchased Google Domains - so we recommend joining our free community to get faster, more helpful support). Live chat, email, and a help centre that’s actually useful. They’re there when you need them.

Wix keeps up with 24/7 support via chat and email, plus a hefty help library. They’re quick to sort you out, though it’s not quite as personal as Squarespace’s setup.

WordPress leaves you to figure it out a bit unless you’ve got a decent hosting provider. There’s a huge community out there, so you’re not totally stuck. Just don’t expect a hotline to ring when you hit a snag.

Integration with Other Tools or Services

Squarespace gets on well with a decent range of third-party tools. Email marketing, analytics, and a neat app store. It’s not over the top, but it covers what most clients need.

Wix goes big with its app market. Thousands of integrations for anything you can think of. It’s like walking into a hardware shop with every gadget going, perfect if your client wants all the extras.

WordPress takes the top spot here. With plugins galore, you can weave in just about anything. SEO, e-commerce, whatever you need. Too many, though, and your site might start to chug.

Scalability

Squarespace is fine for small to medium sites. Portfolios, blogs, or little shops. If your client’s aiming for something massive with heaps of traffic, it might not keep up as well as the others.

Wix can stretch further, especially with its VIP plans throwing in more resources. It’s a decent pick if you think the site’s going to grow over time, though it’s not the biggest hitter.

WordPress is built for scale. From a simple blog to a full-on corporate setup, it’ll handle it all with the right hosting. It’s like laying a proper foundation. Build as big as you like if you’ve got it sorted.

"Picking a platform’s no picnic. Squarespace is the designer’s pick with stunning templates but fewer features, Wix throws in every tool under the sun and can get messy, and WordPress hands you the lot if you’re up for the faff."

- Elwyn Davies, Pixelhaze Academy

Takeaway Notes

• Squarespace is great for smart templates and a steady start. Ideal for most client jobs, especially blogs or e-commerce.

• Wix is top if you want loads of freedom and features. Perfect for big ideas, but it takes a bit of wrangling.

• WordPress shines for flexibility and scale. Best for big projects, though it’s not one to spoon-feed you.

Wrap-up

Picking the right platform is a big call. It’s got to work for you as a designer and keep your clients happy with the result. Each one’s got its own strengths, so it’s worth a think about what you and your clients need before you jump in. No point trying to force a square peg into a round hole, right?

It really helps to have a clear picture of what each platform brings to the table. For more tips on sharpening up your web design game, pop over to Pixelhaze Academy and join us for free.

Cheers,
Elwyn