Over the past two decades, do-it-yourself tools revolutionized website design, making the process more accessible and affordable than ever. Squarespace, in particular, has emerged as one of the most popular options on the market for nonprofits and small businesses.
Founded in 2003, the company has undergone exceptional growth, as evident by the total number of websites its users have created over the years:
- 2010: 50,000 websites
- 2013: 130,000 websites
- 2016: 1 million websites
- 2019: 2 million websites
- 2023: 3 million websites
But how does Squarespace stack up against other website builder options?
And is it really worth the investment for mission-driven organizations with tight budgets?
Squarespace vs. the Alternatives
From the beginning, CEO Anthony Casalena felt his company filled a niche: “I was immediately frustrated by the lack of polish and the integration work required to build even something simple using the technologies available at the time.” In this way, Squarespace continues to shine: the company is known for its user-friendly interface and award-winning designs.
There are countless website builder options to pick from but Squarespace is in the thick of competition, even if significantly behind industry-leading WordPress:
- WordPress: 63%
- Shopify: 6%
- Wix: 4%
- Squarespace: 3%
Like its competitors, Squarespace offers many basic features that users have come to expect from website builder tools, including:
- Customer service
- Drag-and-drop editing tools
- E-commerce functionality
- Mobile optimization
- Built-in security
Yet, each company takes a different approach, as shown in this comparison of features:
| Hosting/domain included | Starting price | Themes available | Plugins available | Free option | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squarespace | x | $16 | 100+ | 36 | |
| WordPress | $0 (requires separate hosting and domain) | 30,000+ | 58,000+ | ||
| Shopify | x | $29 | 70+ | 8,000+ | |
| Wix | x | $16 | 800+ | 300+ | x |
What Makes Squarespace Unique?
While many website builder tools seem to market to a broader audience, Squarespace has established a brand that is explicitly artistic, cutting-edge, and sophisticated. While the tool works for millions of organizations, it’s not for everybody. In fact, some of Squarespace’s limitations are by design, including:
There is no free or “free-mium” plan: While Squarespace does offer a two-week trial, payment will be required after that time to keep the website live. Most free websites require a non-customized URL, with a “.wordpress.com” or “.wix.com” after the domain name. This is not an aesthetically-pleasing nor marketing-savvy approach for organizations, and Squarespace nips it in the bud.
There are fewer customization options: To be clear, you can use any colors or fonts you’d like within Squarespace. Where the customization becomes more limited is with overall layout and functionality. However, the “guardrails” found within the tool makes it easier for novices to create a professional-looking website (and harder for them to “mess up”).
Proprietary software limits plug-ins: Unlike WordPress, the open-source software that dominates the website design tool industry, Squarespace only allows integration with “extensions” created in-house or by pre-approved partners. Extensions include scheduling, e-commerce, email marketing, social media, bookkeeping, and more. Luckily, these plug-ins are of high quality–even if not your preferred options.
The Bottom Line: Is Squarespace Worth the Investment?
There is a reason that over half of all websites on the internet are built with WordPress, while Squarespace is only scratching the surface. WordPress allows complete control and customization, while only paying for the features you want.
Squarespace, on the other hand, boxes you in (no pun intended). The box is quite roomy and beautifully-decorated, though (okay, maybe the pun was intended).
The bottom line: Yes, Squarespace is worth it.
Besides WordPress, it is the tool we most often recommend. The main caveat is that Squarespace is best for start-up organizations or those who don’t plan to need a robust, customizable website any time soon. Personal blogs, simple e-commerce shops, artists, individual entrepreneurs, and small nonprofits can all find a home within Squarespace. For everyone else: WordPress is best.
But hey, this trend may be changing: Squarespace now counts HBO, National Geographic, and Lyft (among other large companies) as customers. Perhaps Squarespace will continue expanding its customization options to appeal to more established organizations.
Ultimately, Squarespace CEO Casalena sticks to a simple self-reflective motto: “Does this product match what people are doing on the Web today?” So far, the company has consistently come up with some effective answers to that question–and at a quick pace. Continuing to do so will keep it relevant to nonprofits and small businesses for years to come.
Expert Squarespace Support for Nonprofits and Small Businesses
Ready to build your website on Squarespace, but looking for some support? Hoan Marketing has you covered!
Since 2016, Hoan Marketing has empowered mission-driven nonprofits and businesses to reach more supporters online. With full-spectrum website services (among many other offerings), Hoan is your partner in making mission statements come alive. Contact us today to request a complimentary 30-minute consultation.
