Why Squarespace Is the Best Website Builder for Small Business
As a small business, finding the right web design platform that fits your needs (and budget) can be overwhelming. One quick Google search will return a billion different opinions on the best web builder for small businesses: Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, Showit…the list is endless.
But have no fear!
In this blog, I won’t list the pros and cons of every website builder available. (Too many options are just as unhelpful as too few options.)
As a creative studio that provides web design for small businesses and individuals, I want to lay out the foundational reasons why I exclusively design on Squarespace.
5 reasons why I exclusively design Squarespace websites
Over the years, I’ve used various website builders aside from Squarespace, such as WordPress (WP), Wix, and Showit. Each platform has its benefits, but I kept running into two main problems:
The backend usability was too complicated, forcing small businesses to rely on an agency to manage everything from minor web edits to posting blogs and designing new web pages.
The backend usability was too easy, making business owners too comfortable making edits themselves, or contacting “a friend” to help out. As a result, the website’s design and functionality got destroyed because the owner didn’t consult a professional web designer for small businesses.
Learn the five main reasons why I use Squarespace exclusively to design websites for small businesses and entrepreneurs. I could list plenty more, but these are some of the primary benefits of using Squarespace’s web platform.
01. Squarespace is a user-friendly web builder
One of the primary reasons I love Squarespace is because it empowers small business owners to control their websites.
You’re probably thinking, “Wait, what? Did she just say that I should be able to edit and manage my business’s website?”
In part, yes! You shouldn’t have to contact a web administrator to edit that typo on your “Contact Us” page that’s currently impairing your business. If you see an on-page error (e.g., misspelled word, incorrect email), you should have the ability to jump on your website and fix it immediately.
Contacting your web designer or web admin can add up quickly in terms of time and money spent. Having the authority to make quick website edits without it being a daunting task is a total asset for small business owners.
You don’t want to add “website administrator” to your already long list of job duties. As a business owner, you have plenty of other responsibilities to manage and prioritize. So, if you want the power, you have it – but, if you want to delegate, you can!
Squarespace offers small business owners the option to make simple edits and lean on a web designer for more complicated changes and site additions.
02. Squarespace comes with built-in security and SEO
Website security isn’t something you should have to worry about; a secure site should be a given, not an add-on.
For example, WordPress is an “open-source” platform, meaning anyone can create plugins or add-ons that you can download and implement on your website. To customize a WordPress site’s design and functionality, you have to download countless plugins created by random developers.
The problem is that each plugin is a loophole that hackers can use to breach your website. As a result, WP websites require significantly more maintenance and oversight than a WYSIWYG web builder (What You See Is What You Get) like Squarespace.
Squarespace is a “closed-source” platform, meaning only you and the Squarespace team can access your website. Otherwise, you have total control over who else has permission to enter your website (e.g., billing admin, blog contributor, editor, etc.).
Everything you need to design and launch a small business website is fully integrated into the Squarespace platform. No plugins needed.
Note: Useful Squarespace plugins exist by third parties if you want to get real fancy with customizations without all of the “open site” worries that WordPress plugins pose.
Squarespace also provides built-in SSL certificates for all Squarespace Domains and connected third-party domains (e.g., GoDaddy). What’s an SSL? It’s the little green or grey lock icon at the beginning of your search bar that lets you know if a website is safe and secure.
Every Squarespace site also has the necessary elements for a strong search engine optimization (SEO) strategy. Again, unlike WP, no SEO plugin is needed. Without getting too technical in this blog, SEO is how people find your website on search engines like Google and Bing – more on that topic at a later date.
03. Squarespace is an all-in-one content management system (CMS)
A content management system (CMS) like Squarespace allows you to create, manage, and modify content without prior experience in web design or development. (Further supporting the user-friendly point above.)
Squarespace websites give you the total package: website hosting, custom domain name, free year of GSuite + custom email (optional), SSL certificate, eCommerce, online scheduling, blogging capabilities, and more!
No more paying for separate website hosting + domain renewal + security software + website administrator + who-knows-what-else.
Being a “closed source” platform means Squarespace keeps the bad guys out, and insiders benefit from all of the perks. Launch an e-commerce store, accept donations, write searchable blog posts, create photo galleries, embed videos, add social media feeds, etc.
Most of the time, a website is the first interaction a potential client has with a business. And everyone knows first impressions matter most.
“Your website is a living machine that can help your business run more efficiently and convert the right customers when it’s set up properly.”
Squarespace makes it possible to easily integrate your sales process at the click of a button (i.e., connect newsletter form submissions to your email marketing platform). For features that you want, but might be missing on Squarespace, a bit of custom CSS coding can achieve your heart’s web design desires!
04. Squarespace enables highly customizable web designs
Speaking of design, do you want your Squarespace website to look cookie-cutter or custom? Work with a web designer who can write custom CSS code, and voilà! Wish come true.
Don’t settle for a template. Build a unique, on-brand site with parallax scrolling images, content animations, back to top arrows, interactive FAQs, custom font files, and colors to match your branding.
The customizations are endless.
For example, I built Selah Creative Co.’s website from the ground up; white page, no template, just a creative mind, and some custom CSS. Squarespace offers so many features already that it’s not entirely necessary to add additional code to your website, but it’s quite useful.
Pro tip: When searching for a Squarespace web designer, ask if a skill set they have is writing custom CSS code. If not, your website will probably end up looking like a generic Squarespace template. Save yourself the frustration of being answered with “no” whenever you ask for specific customizations.
A touch of CSS can make all of the difference between a standard site, and a stellar site.
Contracting with a Squarespace Circle Member or skilled web designer will get you the aesthetic you want and the functionality you need.
05. Squarespace websites are affordable for small businesses
Squarespace plans range from $16-$49/month when you pay annually, depending on the features you need and want. Plus, every plan comes with 24/7 award-winning support from the Squarespace team, which I consider invaluable.
Instead of your support ticket being “more important” than others based on how much you pay for your plan, everyone is on the same level of customer support.
Bonus: When you work with a Squarespace Circle Member, like Selah Creative Co., new Squarespace websites can snag 20% off their first year of hosting!
Your all-in cost for a Squarespace domain (~$20) and one year of web hosting on the Business plan ($23/mo) totals $296/year. Done. Deal. No additional fees for SEO plugins, SSL certificates, form integrations, software updates, etc.
Your website, your way.
Of course, that total doesn’t include the design or build-out of your Squarespace website, but that comes next! Squarespace small business websites happen to be my specialty.
Custom Squarespace web design for entrepreneurs
Only listing five reasons Squarespace is the best web design platform was difficult because I could list so many more. As a small business web designer, I get a front-row seat at how Squarespace benefits both web designers and business owners.
On a personal note, I love the website aesthetics I can achieve for various brands using Squarespace. I don’t have to worry about any Squarespace website design being “cookie-cutter,” especially my own.
Plus, I can design a Squarespace site in as little as two weeks! Total win for everyone.
Every website should be one-of-a-kind.
Is your website everything you dreamed it would be? Or does it look like everyone else’s in your industry?
Do you currently have a website hosted on a different platform, but you’re interested in switching over to Squarespace?
Is your website on Squarespace but in need of a redesign?
Are you ready to launch your brand new business online with a website that works for you?
I’d love to help you figure out if Squarespace is the next best step for your small business website. Are you ready to design outside of the box? Cue the creativity!
If you’re wondering what’s included in a small biz web design, check out my website packages for small businesses.
Selah.
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