How do you know Squarespace is the right website platform for your business?

I’m a huge Squarespace fan. It’s why this website is built using the platform and it’s why I specialise in Squarespace websites. I think it’s such a great platform for new and small businesses because it has so much to offer. However, I’m under no elusion that it’s the right platform for everyone, and as someone who has been building websites for over 20 years (yikes!), I know that choosing the right platform is crucial.

So let’s deep dive into the nitty-gritty of Squarespace and see if it’s the right match for your business.

What you’ll love about Squarespace.

There’s so much to love about Squarespace. Here are a few of my favourite features.

1. It’s got a really easy, user-friendly interface

Squarespace is known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. Even if you’re not a tech wizard, you’ll find it easy enough to create and manage your site. This platform is perfect for those who want to get a professional-looking website up and running without getting bogged down by complex coding (it’s important to mention that although you can create a nice looking website with limited know-how, it will not compare to a professionally designed website).

2. You can utilise templates

With the help of a well designed Squarespace template, you can create a really perfect website for your business. There are loads of Squarespace templates out there, but I’m about to launch a collection of pre-built websites that I think you’ll love. These are a little bit like templates, but instead of you choosing a design and then having to figure out how to adjust the template to match your branding and replace all of the content (running the risk of ruining the layout entirely), I will do the legwork for you. All you need to do it choose your favourite design and send me all of the content.

3. It’s an all-in-one platform

This means that everything you’ll need to setup your website can be found within Squarespace and paid for in one place. This covers your hosting, your domain and even your email, which can be setup through Squarespace and connected to G-suite. This makes managing your website and monthly/years fees loads easier.

4. It’s got loads of really useful built-in features

Squarespace has loads of great built-in features that are perfect for new and small businesses. Firstly, you can setup a mailing list and send regular emails (no, it doesn’t have anywhere near the power that a specialised email marketing platform like Mailchimp has, but as a starting point, it’s perfect). You can setup a video library, with a paywall, if required. You can monitor basic website analytics (again, nowhere near the power of a specialised analytics platform like Google Analytics, but for a really basic overview, it’s there). You can sell products (more on that below) and you can schedule appointments with clients. It’s also really easy to get your core SEO setup properly.

5. You can sell physical and digital products

Squarespace has a built-in e-commerce platform that allows you to sell both physical and digital products. For smaller shops with limited products, it can be a really easy, straightforward way to start selling (I used Squarespace for my product based business and it was perfect for what I needed).

Why Squarespace might not be right for you.

If you’ve got this far and you’re thinking, “Squarespace sounds amazing, how could it not be right for me?”, then you’d be right, it is amazing, but it still might not be for you. Let’s take a look at the reasons why.

1. Limited customisation

If you’re looking for highly specific customisations or need a lot of backend control, Squarespace might feel a bit restrictive. While the platform does offer CSS customisation, it doesn’t provide the same level of flexibility as platforms like WordPress. So take some time to think about what you actually need your website to do, now and in the future.

2. It’s not an e-commerce platform

Although you can sell on Squarespace, and lots of people do quite happily, it wasn’t built as an e-commerce platform. So if you’re a product based business and you have a large inventory of products with lots of variations, Squarespace might not pack enough punch for you. You might be better off with a platform like Shopify, that was built specifically for e-commerce and where the sky is the limited in terms of selling online.

3. Lack of third-party integrations

While Squarespace integrates with many popular services, it doesn’t offer the same extensive library of plugins and extensions as other platforms, such as Wordpress. If your business relies heavily on specific third-party tools, you’ll want to ensure they’re supported before you commit.

So, with all this in mind, should you choose Squarespace?

Squarespace is an excellent choice for businesses that value simplicity, beautiful design and integrated features. It’s ideal for service based businesses and smaller online shops that want a professional online presence without the hassle of extensive customisation.

However, if you need a highly flexible platform with extensive third-party integrations and deep customisation options, or you’re a large e-commerce business, you might want to explore other options such as WordPress or Shopify.

In the end, the best platform for your business depends on your unique needs and goals. If you’re still unsure, feel free to get in touch and I can offer some advice.

Already falling for Squarespace?

If you think Squarespace is the right fit for you and you want to have a chat about your next website, let’s make it happen. You can read more about my services or you can book a 20 minute discovery call via the home page. Alternatively, send me a DM on Instagram.

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I hope this gives you a clear picture of what Squarespace has to offer and helps you make an informed decision. Remember, your website is a crucial part of your business, and choosing the right platform is the first step toward online success.