Today, Squarespace is one of the most popular website builders. Over 2 million people have used Squarespace to create their websites, including major brands like Lyft, Martha Stewart, and Vogue.
What Is Squarespace?
Squarespace is a website builder that allows you to create a website without coding knowledge. You can use one of their pre-made templates or build your own from scratch.
There are two ways to use Squarespace: with a drag-and-drop editor or by code. The drag-and-drop editor is the easier of the two and doesn’t require any coding knowledge.
How Does Squarespace Work?
Squarespace works by giving you access to a drag-and-drop editor. This editor makes it easy to create a website without any coding knowledge.
You can start with one of their pre-made templates or build your own from scratch. Once you’ve chosen a template, you can use the drag-and-drop editor to add your content and customize your website.
You can use code to build your website if you’re a developer. Squarespace’s platform is built on top of Amazon Web Services, so it’s robust and scalable.
Why Use Squarespace?
There are many reasons why you should use Squarespace to build your website. Here are some of the most popular reasons:
01. Easy to Use Platform
One of the reasons Squarespace is so popular is that it’s an easy-to-use platform. You can create a beautiful website without any coding knowledge required.
The platform is simple to navigate, and there are plenty of resources available if you need help. You can also take advantage of the free trial to see if Squarespace is the right fit for you.
02. Customizable Templates
Squarespace offers over 100 professional, customizable templates. This means you can create a website that looks unique and reflects your brand.
03. Affordable Pricing Plans
Squarespace has four pricing plans that start at $12 per month. This makes it an affordable option for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
04. No Hidden Fees
Unlike other website builders, Squarespace doesn’t have any hidden fees. You will know exactly how much you’re paying each month, and there are no surprises.
05. E-commerce Functionality
If you’re looking to sell products or services online, Squarespace has you covered. The platform offers e-commerce functionality and lets you accept payments through Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay.
06. Mobile Optimized Websites
In today’s world, it’s essential to have a mobile-optimized website. Squarespace websites are automatically optimized for mobile devices, so you don’t have to worry about it.
07. Integrated Marketing Tools
Squarespace offers integrated marketing tools to help you grow your business. These tools include email marketing, social media integration, and search engine optimization (SEO).
08. 24/7 Customer Support
If you need help, Squarespace offers 24/7 customer support. You can contact them by phone, email, or live chat. They also have a comprehensive help center with articles and tutorials.
09. Free SSL Certificate
An SSL certificate is crucial if you want to protect your website from hackers. Squarespace automatically provides a free SSL certificate for all websites.
10. Regular Software Updates
Squarespace regularly releases software updates with new features and improvements. This ensures that your website is always up-to-date and running smoothly.
11. Security Features
Squarespace takes website security seriously and offers several features to keep your site safe. These features include two-factor authentication, password protection, and automatic backups.
Is The Squarespace Shop Free?
No. The Squarespace Shop is a feature that lets you sell products on your website. It’s available on the Business and Commerce plans, which start at $14 per month.
The Shop features include inventory management, order processing, discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery. There are no transaction fees so you can keep all of the profits.
Squarespace also offers a point-of-sale (POS) system that lets you sell products in person. The POS system is available on the Commerce plan, starting at $27 per month.
How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Squarespace Website?
The cost of setting up a Squarespace website depends on the pricing plan you choose. The Personal plan starts at $14 per month, the Business plan starts at $23 per month, and the Commerce plan starts at $27 per month.
Once you’ve chosen a plan, you’ll need to select a domain name and add it to your Squarespace account. Domain names start at $20 per year.
If you don’t already have a domain name, SquareSpace offers a free one for the first year when you sign up for an annual plan.
Advantages of Using Squarespace Websites
There are many reasons why Squarespace websites are becoming more and more popular for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Here are some of the top advantages of using Squarespace:
01. Affordability
One of the main reasons small businesses and entrepreneurs turn to Squarespace websites is that they are very affordable. There are four different pricing plans to choose from, starting at just $14 per month. And if you sign up for a yearly plan, you’ll get two months free. That’s a great deal!
02. Easy-to-use platform
Another significant advantage of Squarespace websites is that they are effortless to use. Their platform is very user-friendly and intuitive. Even if you don’t have any experience with website design, you’ll be able to create a beautiful and professional site using Squarespace.
03. Customizable templates
Squarespace offers a wide variety of customizable templates, so you can create a site that looks exactly the way you want it to. And if you need help with anything, their customer support team is always available to assist you.
04. Powerful features
Despite being very easy to use, Squarespace websites are packed with powerful features. Some of the features included are e-commerce capabilities, social media integrations, email marketing, and more.
05. Mobile-friendly
In today’s world, websites need to be mobile-friendly. Squarespace websites are automatically optimized for mobile devices, so your site will look great no matter what device your visitors are using.
06. Search engine optimization
Squarespace websites are designed with search engine optimization (SEO) in mind to ensure that your site will rank high in search results. They offer a variety of tools to help you optimize your site for the best results.
07. Excellent customer support
If you ever need help with anything, Squarespace’s customer support team is always available to assist you. They offer 24/7 phone and email support, as well as live chat.
08. Secure and reliable
Squarespace websites are very secure and reliable. Your site will always be up and running, and you don’t have to worry about any technical issues.
09. Scalability
As your business grows, your website can grow with you. Squarespace websites are very scalable, so you can add new features and capabilities as needed.
10. Built-in tools
Squarespace websites come with various built-in tools, such as e-commerce, social media integrations, email marketing, and more. This makes it easy to add new features to your site without installing any third-party plugins.
11. Easy to migrate
Migrating to Squarespace is very easy if you’re not happy with your current website platform. They offer a variety of tools to help you migrate your site with ease.
Disadvantages of Using Squarespace Websites
While there are many advantages of using Squarespace websites, there are also some disadvantages. Here are the top 5 disadvantages:
01. Limited control
Because Squarespace websites are so easy to use, you have limited control over the design and functionality of your site. If you want complete control, you’ll need to use a different platform.
02. Limited features
While Squarespace websites do come with a lot of features, there are some features that are missing. For example, there is no built-in blog or forum. If you need these features, you’ll need to add them yourself or use a different platform.
03. No free plan
Unlike some other website platforms, Squarespace does not offer a free plan. Their cheapest plan is $14 per month. If you’re on a tight budget, this may not be the best platform for you.
What Type of Business Is Squarespace Good For?
Squarespace websites are perfect for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Their easy-to-use platform, customizable templates, and powerful features make it an excellent option for those who want to create a professional website without any experience.
Some of the businesses that would benefit most from using Squarespace websites include:
- Retail businesses: Create an online store to reach a wider audience and boost sales. When customers can’t come to your store, bring your store to them!
- Service businesses: Use Squarespace websites to showcase your services, prices, and contact information. Make it easy for potential customers to find everything they need in one place.
- Restaurants: Use Squarespace websites to create an online menu, post updates and special offers, and take online reservations.
- Personal brands: Use Squarespace websites to build your personal brand and connect with your audience. Share your story, post blog articles, and showcase your work.
If you’re thinking of starting a website for your small business or entrepreneur, Squarespace is worth considering!
How Can Squarespace Help Your Business?
There are several ways that Squarespace can help your business. Some of the ways include:
- Creating a professional website: A website is essential for any business, especially if you want to sell products or services online. SquareSpace makes it easy to create a beautiful and modern website without coding skills.
- Setting up an online store: If you want to sell products or services online, Squarespace makes it easy to set up an online store. You can add products, set up shipping and taxes, and accept payments using Squarespace’s built-in eCommerce features.
- Creating a blog: A blog is a great way to share your thoughts and ideas with the world and attract new customers and clients. SquareSpace makes it easy to set up and customize a blog and integrate it with your website.
- Managing your online presence: Besides creating a website, Squarespace also provides tools for managing your online presence. For example, you can use Squarespace’s social media integration features to post updates and connect with customers on social media. You can also use Squarespace’s email marketing features to communicate with your customers and subscribers.
- Getting support: If you need help using SquareSpace, or have any questions about your account, the Squarespace support team is always happy to help. You can contact them via phone, email, or live chat.
Does Squarespace Take a Percentage of Sales?
Yes, Squarespace charges 3% in the business plan, which is their standard rate for all eCommerce stores. If you decide to use a different plan, the fees will be higher.
Conclusion
Squarespace is definitely a platform you should consider if you’re thinking of starting a website! Squarespace is a popular website builder for small businesses and entrepreneurs. There are many reasons why these websites are worth it, including the easy-to-use platform, customizable templates, affordable pricing plans, and more.
Need Help with Your Squarespace Website?
If you need help creating or managing your Squarespace website, I’m here to help! I’m a Squarespace Expert. I can help you with everything from website design to eCommerce setup. Contact me today to learn more about how I can help you with your Squarespace website.
FAQs
Can you edit a website after you publish it on Squarespace?
Yes, you can edit your website after you publish it on Squarespace. Log in to your account, click on the “Edit” button and make the necessary changes. You can also use the “Revisions” feature to revert back to a previous version of your website if needed.
Is Squarespace good for small businesses?
Yes, Squarespace is an excellent option for small businesses. It offers an easy-to-use platform, a wide range of templates and designs, and powerful tools to help you grow your business online.
Is a Squarespace website worth it?
A Squarespace website is definitely worth it! It’s a great way to quickly build a professional website without learning to code or hiring a web designer. Plus, you’ll get access to all the features you need to grow your business online, such as eCommerce, SEO, and social media integrations.
Is Squarespace better than making your own website?
It depends on your needs and preferences. Suppose you’re looking for an easy-to-use platform with everything you need to grow your business online. In that case, Squarespace is a great option. However, suppose you’re more interested in having complete control over the design and development of your website. In that case, you may prefer to build your own.
Why should you not use Squarespace?
There are a few reasons why someone might not want to use Squarespace. Firstly, it’s not free – you’ll need to sign up for a paid plan to use it. Secondly, some alternatives may better suit your needs (such as WordPress). Finally, some people simply prefer not to use a drag-and-drop website builder – they may find it more intuitive and satisfying to build their website from scratch using HTML/CSS code.
What are the cons of Squarespace?
Some potential cons of Squarespace include:
- It’s not free – you’ll need to sign up for a paid plan to use it.
- Some alternatives may better suit your needs (such as WordPress).
- Some people prefer not to use a drag-and-drop website builder – they may find it more intuitive and satisfying to build their website from scratch using HTML/CSS code.
Is Squarespace good for selling things?
Yes, Squarespace is an excellent platform for selling products and services online. It offers powerful eCommerce features, such as accepting payments, creating discount codes, and tracking inventory. You can easily integrate your Squarespace website with popular shipping and fulfillment services.
What is better than Squarespace?
A few platforms could be considered “better” than Squarespace, depending on your needs and preferences. For example, WordPress is a popular content management system that offers more flexibility and control than Squarespace. However, it is also more complex and requires more technical knowledge to use.
Is Squarespace a good domain host?
Yes, Squarespace is an excellent option for hosting your website domain. It offers an easy-to-use interface, competitive pricing, and a wide range of features. You can quickly transfer your domain to Squarespace if you’re using another provider.
Is Squarespace good for SEO?
Yes, Squarespace is an excellent platform for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). It offers built-in tools to help you optimize your website for the search engines, such as customizable title tags and metatags, sitemaps, and Google Analytics integration.
Does Squarespace own your content?
No, Squarespace does not own your content. You retain full ownership and copyright of all the content you create and publish on your Squarespace website.
Do people like Squarespace?
Yes, people generally like using Squarespace. It’s an easy-to-use platform that helps you create a professional website quickly and easily. Plus, it offers a wide range of features to help you grow your business online. However, there are some people who prefer not to use a drag-and-drop website builder – they may find it more intuitive and satisfying to build their website from scratch using HTML/CSS code.
