WordPress vs. Squarespace: Which Website Platform Is Right for Your Business?

If you’re building or updating your business website, choosing the right platform can feel overwhelming. Two of the most popular options are WordPress and Squarespace, and while both are strong contenders, they’re built for different needs.

Since I've been building websites with Squarespace for a while now, I’ll share not just the pros and cons but my personal experience using it. Spoiler: I love how easy it is to use and how the pre-made sections speed up the build process. However, editing the mobile view can be frustrating, and the customer support doesn’t always live up to expectations—but the wealth of YouTube tutorials and community forums has saved me more times than I can count.

At Magnolia Marketing, we’re working toward offering WordPress websites soon. But for now, let’s dive into a side-by-side comparison to help you figure out which platform is best for you.

1. Ease of Use: How User-Friendly Are WordPress and Squarespace?

Squarespace: Drag-and-Drop Simplicity

Pros:

• Squarespace’s drag-and-drop interface makes building a site quick and intuitive.

• Pre-designed templates offer sleek layouts that only require minor edits to match your brand.

• Built-in features like galleries, contact forms, and social media integrations are easy to add.

Cons:

• Customization can feel limited, especially if you’re looking to create highly unique layouts.

• Some elements, like mobile-specific views, require extra tweaking which can be frustrating.

WordPress: Endless Flexibility but a Steeper Learning Curve

Pros:

• WordPress is open-source, meaning you can customize practically anything with themes, plugins, and custom code.

• Visual page builders like Elementor and WPBakery bring drag-and-drop capabilities similar to Squarespace but with added flexibility.

• You can easily integrate external APIs, third-party tools, and complex features.

Cons:

• WordPress has a learning curve, particularly if you’re not familiar with hosting, page builders, or plugins.

• Some plugins may conflict with each other, requiring troubleshooting or developer assistance.

Verdict:
If you want a no-hassle experience with minimal technical requirements, Squarespace wins for ease of use. If you want the freedom to build something entirely unique and have time to learn the platform, WordPress is the better option.

2. Design and Templates: Which Platform Looks Better?

Squarespace: Sleek, Modern Designs

Pros:

• Squarespace’s templates are known for their modern, minimalist aesthetic.

• All templates are mobile-responsive and look great on any device.

• Built-in fonts, color palettes, and customizable sections make branding easier.

Cons:

• Template options are limited compared to WordPress.

• You may find it difficult to create complex layouts without relying heavily on pre-set blocks.

WordPress: Unlimited Theme Options

Pros:

• WordPress has thousands of free and premium themes for every industry.

• Themes can be fully customized with advanced settings, from font selection to interactive sliders.

• Premium themes often come with pre-built layouts for portfolios, blogs, and online stores.

Cons:

• Premium themes can be expensive and may require additional plugins to function as advertised.

• Some themes may not be fully mobile-responsive without extra customization.

Verdict:
If you want a polished, professional look out of the box, Squarespace is the way to go. WordPress is unbeatable when it comes to variety and design flexibility.

3. Customization and Functionality: How Much Can You Do?

Squarespace: Built-In Features Only

Pros:

• Squarespace includes built-in e-commerce, blogging, and SEO tools.

• You can add some custom CSS and JavaScript to tweak designs.

• Integrates easily with common tools like Mailchimp and social media platforms.

Cons:

• Advanced customization, such as interactive features or dynamic content, is harder to achieve.

WordPress: Plugins Galore

Pros:

• WordPress offers thousands of plugins that can add features like contact forms, SEO optimization, analytics, and more.

• Custom coding allows for near-unlimited design and functionality enhancements.

Cons:

• Some plugins require frequent updates, and outdated plugins can cause security vulnerabilities.

• Too many plugins can slow down your site if not optimized properly.

Verdict:
For complex websites that require specialized features, WordPress wins hands down. Squarespace is better for simpler sites that don’t need many bells and whistles.

4. SEO Capabilities: Who Wins the Google Race?

Squarespace: Beginner-Friendly SEO Tools

Pros:

• Built-in SEO settings for meta titles, descriptions, and image optimization.

• Automatic XML sitemap generation and SSL security included.

Cons:

• Limited ability to customize advanced SEO elements, like schema markup.

• Mobile site performance can impact page speed scores.

WordPress: Advanced SEO with Plugins

Pros:

• SEO plugins like Yoast and Rank Math allow you to control every aspect of on-page SEO.

• You can optimize for technical SEO, including custom redirects, schema markup, and lazy loading.

• Better flexibility in integrating tools like Google Search Console and PageSpeed Insights.

Cons:

• SEO requires more setup and maintenance.

• You’ll need to ensure your plugins and hosting don’t slow down your site.

Verdict:
If SEO is a key part of your strategy, WordPress offers more control and advanced features. Squarespace is great for beginners but lacks some of the technical flexibility.

5. E-Commerce: Selling Made Simple or Complex?

Squarespace: Simple Online Store Setup

Pros:

• Integrated e-commerce templates and payment gateways make it easy to set up a store.

• Supports inventory tracking, shipping options, and product variants.

Cons:

• Not ideal for large stores with hundreds of products.

• Limited ability to create advanced e-commerce features like subscriptions or dynamic pricing.

WordPress: Powerhouse E-Commerce with WooCommerce

Pros:

• WooCommerce allows for advanced e-commerce features, including custom product pages, discounts, and multiple payment options.

• Supports third-party integrations for shipping, taxes, and customer management.

Cons:

• Requires more setup time and potential coding.

• Some premium WooCommerce extensions come at a cost.

Verdict:
If you’re selling a few products, Squarespace keeps things simple. For larger online stores with complex needs, WordPress + WooCommerce is the superior choice.

6. Pricing: Which Platform Fits Your Budget?

Squarespace: Flat Monthly Fees

Pros:

• Plans start at $16/month and include hosting, security, and updates.

• No surprise costs for maintenance.

Cons:

• You’re locked into monthly or annual plans, which can add up over time.

WordPress: Flexible but Add-On Costs

Pros:

• The platform itself is free, and hosting starts as low as $25/month.

• You only pay for the themes, plugins, and services you need.

Cons:

• Premium themes, plugins, and managed hosting can increase costs quickly.

• You may need to pay for additional security and maintenance services.

Verdict:
Squarespace offers predictable costs, while WordPress is more flexible, which can end up costing more depending on your choices.

7. Maintenance and Security: Who Handles the Tech Stuff?

Squarespace: All-In-One Maintenance

Pros:

• Squarespace takes care of updates, security, and backups for you.

• No need to worry about downtime or manual updates.

Cons:

• You have no control over when updates happen.

WordPress: DIY or Managed Hosting

Pros:

• Managed hosting providers offer automatic updates, backups, and security.

• You can control your security setup with plugins and manual configurations.

Cons:

• Requires more involvement if you don’t use a managed service.

Verdict:
If you prefer hands-off maintenance, Squarespace is perfect. WordPress gives you more control but comes with more responsibility.

8. Support and Community: Who Has Your Back?

Squarespace: Dedicated Customer Support

Pros:

• 24/7 email support and live chat during business hours.

• Support is helpful for general questions and platform-specific issues.

• Squarespace has a global community with countless free tutorials, forums, and videos.

Cons:

• Limited to platform-related issues; you can’t get support for custom code.

WordPress: Community-Driven Help

Pros:

• WordPress has a global community with countless free tutorials, forums, and videos.

• Many hosting providers offer dedicated WordPress support.

Cons:

• No official WordPress support team—help depends on the community or your hosting provider.

Verdict:
Squarespace offers more direct support, but WordPress’s community and third-party resources provide endless solutions if you’re resourceful.

Final Thoughts: Squarespace vs. WordPress

Choosing between Squarespace and WordPress depends on your goals and comfort level with technology:

• Choose Squarespace if you want a user-friendly platform with beautiful templates and minimal maintenance.

• Choose WordPress if you want complete control, advanced SEO options, and scalability.

At Magnolia Marketing, we currently specialize in building stunning Squarespace websites tailored to our clients' needs, and we’re excited to soon offer WordPress solutions. If you’re ready to build a website that supports your business goals, we’d love to work with you!

Ready to Build Your Dream Website?
Schedule a consultation today and let’s create something extraordinary!