Want to create a website or blog, but not sure which platform is best for you?
In this video, we’ll compare Squarespace Vs WordPress to enable you to pick the right
option for you.
We’ll look at getting started, pricing, design and customization options, and review
the features offered by each platform.
Squarespace and WordPress are both Content Management Systems (or CMS for short).
They allow users to easily publish content online without needing to know web design
or development.
Whether you want to start a blog, create a business website, or launch an online store,
we’ll give you the tools to help you make an informed decision on which platform will
best suit your needs.
So let’s get to it, and compare Squarespace Vs WordPress.
We’ve created an article that accompanies this video, and goes into a little more detail.
You can access this on the OHKLYN blog, at OHKLYN o-h-k-l-y-n.com/blog (we’ll add a
direct link to the article in the description below).
We’ll also include a link to each platform, so you can learn more about each option.
Firstly, let’s take a look at Squarespace.
Squarespace is a for-profit Software as a Service (or SaaS) company based in New York
City.
To use their service, you’ll need to purchase a monthly subscription that will give you
access to the online web building platform via your browser.
Everything you use to build your site is made by the Squarespace team of developers, and
no outside ‘stuff’ is allowed.
Hosting and other resources needed to keep your site online, is all taken care of by
them.
The pro’s and con’s of this approach will become clearer as we go through the considerations
and differences.
What about WordPress?
WordPress is an open-source piece of software.
This means that no one owns the framework, and as such, anyone is free to download, use,
repurpose, and sell their creations as they see fit.
While this gives you a tremendous amount of freedom and flexibility, it also comes with
some responsibilities.
We’ll explore the pro’s and con’s of this as we go through the analysis.
As outlined above, the obvious difference between these two platforms is that one is
owned by a company, and the other is open-source.
What this translates to is the amount of control the user has over design and functionality,
as well as the aspects of the website or blog that the user is ultimately responsible for.
To help illustrate this further, we’ll examine the process of getting started, pricing, design
and customization options, and features for each platform.
We’ll provide a summary towards the end of this video, and outline when Squarespace
is a better option than WordPress, and vice-versa.
Let’s start by comparing Squarespace Vs WordPress in terms of getting started
Getting started with Squarespace is extremely easy.
Unfortunately, there is no free subscription, but they do offer a free 14-day trial (no
credit card needed).
This lets you go through the complete setup process, and allows you to see exactly what
you’re in for.
Before you even give them your details you can browse through the themes available to
see what your potential site can look like.
Only after you select a theme, do they ask for your basic subscription information, like
your name and email.
You are then guided through a straightforward process, which includes:
Site content – This is the topic of your site like Fashion, travel, photography, etc.
Site Goals – What do you want to achieve?
Do you want high traffic, showcase your work, run a store, or collect donations?
Bio – Just a simple description of your site.
Some templates will highlight this.
And, Site title – This is basically your site’s
‘name’.
Once you have run through the setup process, you can immediately start editing your site
through the simple drag and drop interface.
There is almost no learning curve to climb!
Any changes you make, you see in real time, and is exactly how your site will look once
you publish it.
Once you start editing a helpful video pops up showing you the basics of the drag and
drop interface.
By comparison, WordPress takes a little more work to get up and running.
It’s quite straightforward, but there are a few more steps (and choices) involved.
You will need to purchase your desired domain, and secure your hosting account.
For quality basic hosting, we would recommend Bluehost, who will include a free domain.
There is a link to this in the description below.
For an eCommerce store, or if you want faster hosting, we can provide access to a discount
with Wp Engine - also in the description below.
We have put together a number of free WordPress tutorials for beginners to help you through
these steps.
You can either install WordPress via your hosting provider’s one-click WordPress installation
tool.
Or if you’re a little more savvy, you can install WordPress manually on your domain,
or in your local environment, by downloading the WordPress software from WordPress.org
– downloads, and following the instructions in the readme.html file.
The verdict?
Well the first round goes to Squarespace.
There is no real learning curve, more of a settling in period.
Next, we’ll analyze Squarespace Vs WordPress from a pricing perspective
Unfortunately, Squarespace doesn’t offer a free subscription option, however, all four
of the paid subscription plans come with the tools and support you’ll need to be successful.
Their plans can be divided into two categories: Websites and Online Stores.
Note that all plans come with a free domain for a year if you haven’t already registered
one.
After that, you will need to purchase a domain from them on a yearly basis.
As you can see, even with the most basic plan, you get a decent amount of features.
There isn’t too much of a difference between these two, although the lower transaction
fee and $100 Google AdWords Credit is a nice touch.
With the business plans, you get access to a number of extra features that might seem
like nice-to-haves, but quickly become essential for any serious store.
Now you get metrics, accounting, and discounts.
You can also get label printing, which helps with efficiency.
In short, they provide the tools to create a better shopping experience for clients,
enable sales tracking, and monitor user statistics.
The self-hosted version of WordPress doesn’t have payment plans.
For all intents and purposes, the WordPress software itself is completely free, however
it’s not as easy as that.
To leverage this software to run a successful site, you’ll need to consider a number of
things such as your domain, hosting, a wordpress theme, etc.
We’ve put together a more comprehensive list and approximate costs on the OHKLYN blog.
For a complete breakdown, read our How much does it cost to make a website with WordPress?
article.
So what’s the verdict?
Well, this one completely depends on your website budget and objectives.
Let’s explore the design and customization options for Squarespace Vs WordPress
If you follow the link to the Squarespace website in the description below, you will
immediately be greeted by an immaculately designed site.
In fact, it’s very Apple-esk.
It’s minimalist, stylish, and has smooth animations.
Everything you would like to see in your own website.
Squarespace is serious about design.
Most of the other online blogging, or website creation platforms have nowhere near the amount
of design prowess that Squarespace exhibits.
Yes, they still only have around 100 themes available but they are all beautiful, responsive,
polished, and modern.
Something very few others can equal, we won’t mention any names.
The customization options are also pretty extensive.
Anything that you see on the theme can be altered to look just the way you want it.
In a way, a theme is just a starting point from where you can build the site you want.
The What you see is what you get (or WYSIWYG) editor is not the easiest one to master, but
is probably one with the most powerful.
WordPress on the other hand has over 1,000 absolutely free themes available.
For a theme to be listed in the WordPress theme repository, they are checked for quality
and required to adhere to web development standards.
With so much going on, however, a bad apple or two may slip through.
Also with these themes, you pretty much rely on the developer’s mercy for support.
Premium themes solve many of these issues.
There are a number of quality theme providers and online marketplaces where you can purchase
a theme to meet almost any purpose.
Many of which either meet, or exceed the design brilliance of Squarespace.
There is no official head count, but you can be sure that there are thousands upon thousands
of themes out there.
They range vastly in quality and function, but you will definitely find exactly what
you need if you look around.
To help with this, we have created a number of WordPress theme reviews by niche, as well
as an article on the top WordPress theme providers and marketplaces, available on the OHKLYN
blog.
WordPress’s WYSIWYG editor is also just as capable and empowering, allowing you to
start customizing your website or blog with little experience or skill.
The verdict?
WordPress scores a slight win.
Yes, there are so many more themes available but no all are of the highest standard, whereas
you are guaranteed consistency from Squarespace.
Finally, let’s review the features of Squarespace Vs WordPress.
Squarespace have made the effort to provide enough high-quality features to make any plan
worth your money.
Up until recently, Squarespace was very restrictive, especially when it came to eCommerce.
Allowing only one payment method and very limited products, however they have now made
everything unlimited.
Squarespace is a closed system and only plugins or widgets contained in their themes, or provided
by them are available.
You can’t use 3rd party plugins or software.
This means you are completely dependant on them for new features.
However, you are also guaranteed that all features will be of a high standard, and compatible
with your site.
This is what you can expect when you sign up with Squarespace:
Beautifully crafted, high-quality themes.
Hosting, and domain.
Committed 24/7 support.
A complete WYSIWYG editor, and Powerful eCommerce capabilities
The most important thing to know, is that everything is made by Squarespace, and they
have a real focus on quality over quantity.
While the world isn’t your oyster, every feature is a flawless pearl.
WordPress’s biggest strength and weakness is that it’s open-source.
With a massive community of active contributors creating themes, plugins, and features, the
sky's the limit, in terms of what you can do.
It also means a lot of badly made software makes its way online, so you will need to
be mindful of what you use.
Depending on which theme and plugins you use, the functionality and features of your WordPress
theme will vary.
However, with well over 50,000+ plugins available in the WordPress plugin repository, plus those
available for sale by individual providers and marketplaces, there are very few things
you won’t be able to do.
There are plugins for almost anything, including: Security
Maintenance Backup and migration
SEO Specific features or widgets
User accounts, and Page builders
The final verdict?
This one can’t really go any other way.
WordPress is the king when it comes to functionality, flexibility, and features.
As you can see, these two platforms are completely different in the way they approach solving
the same problem.
WordPress can be summarised by flexibility, control, and added responsibility.
Whereas, Squarespace can be summarised by design, service, and restriction.
We hope you walk away from this comparison with a deeper knowledge of these two platforms,
and a clearer picture of which one is right for you.
So when is Squarespace a better option than WordPress?
1. You don’t have any experience with web development and don’t have the time to learn.
2. You don’t have the money to invest in a developer or expensive support services.
3. You have a clear goal of what your site will be.
Alternatively, when is WordPress a better option than Squarespace?
1. You have some technical know-how, or are comfortable following step by step instructions.
2. You have a small budget of about $100 for premium themes, plugins, or courses.
Or 3. You need, or want as broad a horizon as possible
when it comes to future features and extensions.
Well that sums up our Squarespace Vs WordPress review.
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