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Squarespace Website Builder Review 2023

9 excellent ratings
Squarespace
Updated On 28 September, 2023

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for businesses and individuals alike. One of the key elements of creating a successful online presence is having a well-designed website that is both visually appealing and user-friendly. This is where website builders come in.

Website builders are software tools that enable users to create a website without the need for extensive coding or web design experience. They typically offer a range of features and tools to help users create a professional-looking website, including text editors, image libraries, e-commerce capabilities, and marketing tools. Website builders are ideal for businesses and individuals who want to create a website quickly and easily. They offer a range of customizable templates that can be easily adapted to suit the needs of the user. 

Introduction

Squarespace is the best website builder that is specifically designed to make website creation easy and accessible for everyone. It is a cloud-based platform that allows users to create and manage their website entirely online, without the need to download any software or host their website on a separate server. The platform is known for its sleek and modern design aesthetic, which is reflected in its range of customizable templates.

Squarespace offers a range of features that are useful for a variety of websites. For example, its e-commerce capabilities make it an ideal platform for businesses that want to sell products online. Squarespace allows users to set up an online store, manage inventory, accept payments, and even calculate shipping and taxes. It also offers built-in marketing tools, such as email campaigns and social media integration, that help businesses promote their brand and attract customers

Pros

  • Beautiful Templates
  • Easy to Use
  • Strong eCommerce Platform
  • Unlimited Storage and Bandwidth
  • Generous Page Limits
  • Great Support
  • Content Creation Tools
  • Mobile Apps
  • Free SSL
  • Marketing Features

Cons

  • Limited design flexibility
  • Some business tools could be better fleshed out
  • Usability of the website editor
  • Page Speed.
  • Only one sub-navigation
  • No phone support
  • Upgrading from Squarespace version 7.0 to 7.1 requires a site rebuild
  • No free plan is available
  • Doesn’t give full customizability with its basic editor
  • The editor can be a little too manual
  • Limited number of templates
  • Relatively pricey

Features of Squarespace Website Builder

Website Builder and Templates

Squarespace offers an easy-to-use website builder with over 100 award-winning templates that you can customize without knowing any coding language. From blogs and portfolios to e-commerce sites, Squarespace has got you covered.

User-Friendly

Squarespace’s recent improvements have made building a website much more straightforward, and it received an impressively high “likely to recommend” score from users. The platform wowed our research participants during testing, and its 5-star help and support rating is a testament to its reliability.

Social Media Integration

With Squarespace, share your joy with the world! Seamlessly link your accounts from over 20 social platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Sync with Dropbox for quick access to photo collections, or import content straight to your site from Instagram, Twitter, and more. Host your podcast on your Squarespace website and publish it to Spotify and Apple Podcasts with ease. Plus, feature social feeds on your website, making it a breeze for visitors to stay updated on your latest news, all in one place.

Email Marketing

With Squarespace, you can use Mailchimp or the in-house Email Campaigns platform to run your email campaigns. This in-house system is an excellent way to maintain your brand’s consistency across all aspects of your website, from your homepage to your marketing messages. With the combination of SEO tools and social media integration, your website will attract significant attention.

Extensions

The Squarespace Extensions store has 24 carefully chosen third-party apps (or ‘plugins’) to help you manage, grow, and optimize your site. Its plugins are grouped into four main categories – Shipping and Fulfillment, Finance, Inventory and Products, and Sales and Marketing. The selection of free and paid apps includes Printful, Quickbooks, ShipStation, and TaxJar, giving your website a boost.

Security

Squarespace provides free SSL certificates to all its domains, including third-party domains connected to your Squarespace site. SSL encrypts any information entered on your website, making it essential for sites that process payments. Squarespace also has built-in security features to protect your website from malware, unwanted bugs, and DDoS attacks. With quality protection in place, Squarespace keeps your website safe.

Backup and Restore

While Squarespace doesn’t have an autosave feature in its editor, it allows you to restore deleted pages and blog posts up to 30 days after they’ve been deleted. It makes backup copies of your website and stores them in primary and secondary servers, as well as physical and off-site storage disks. Editing on the go from your phone is worry-free, as you won’t lose your work if the internet cuts out.

Event Planning

The feature that launched in early 2020 after Squarespace acquired the online booking platform ‘Acuity Scheduling’ has got your back if your business revolves around customer appointments. Squarespace Scheduling simplifies the process for your site visitors to book appointments and classes. Displayed by the times that you’re available, it allows them to pay online and reschedule if they need to.

Squarespace Customer Service/Support

Squarespace is known for its impressive range of help and support options. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, the platform’s 24/7 support will ensure you never feel lost or stuck. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the help and support available on Squarespace, including live chat, social media support, email support, and an in-depth knowledge base.

  • 24/7 social media and email support
  • A community forum and video tutorials
  • One of the best knowledge bases on the market, offering a Wide range of in-depth help articles and guides
  • Video tutorials to help you find solutions quickly and easily
  • All users have 24-hour support, regardless of the plan they’re on
  • Incredibly fast response time

Additional Tools and Functionality

Professional Design Services

Their professional design services offer certified Squarespace Experts who work with you to create a customized website that meets your specific needs and goals. From custom logo design to complete website development, their design services will help you create a beautiful and effective Squarespace website. Plus, if you need help with your website’s SEO, Squarespace’s experts can optimize your site for Google Search and other search engines.

Members-Only Content

Squarespace makes it easy to create and manage members-only content with its membership management tools. You can add and remove members from your site, track member activity, and manage member permissions. Plus, with e-commerce features, you can sell access to your members-only content by setting up a subscription-based service. Plans for hosting a membership site start at $9 per month (paid annually) and go up to $40 per month.

Scheduling and Appointments

The website’s appointment-scheduling tools make it easy for businesses to handle appointments, such as salons, spas, restaurants, and coaches. You can easily create and manage appointments, track availability, and send reminders to participants. Scheduling plans start at $14 per month (paid annually) and go up to $50 per month.

Reservations

Squarespace’s Tock all-in-one reservation system is perfect for managing reservations and taking online orders. This custom-priced service charges a 3% commission on takeout and delivery orders. Request information on the Squarespace site to learn more about this service.

Performance

Specifications

Rating

Our Verdict

Ease of Use

4.5

Perfect for beginners

Value for Money

4.0

No free plan and relatively pricey

Free Trial

4.5

14-day free trial 

Design Templates

4.7

Over 110 crafted templates, divided into 15 categories.

SSL Security

4.3

All domains correctly added are automatically protected with free SSL certificates to improve security.

Unlimited Storage

5.0

Store all your content without worrying about hitting limits.

Unlimited Bandwidth

4.7

Keep your website running smoothly no matter how much traffic you get.

Mobile Responsive Sites

4.5

Create websites that look great on any device.

Drag & Drop Functionality

4.5

Build your website easily without any coding experience.

Social Media Marketing Tools

4.7

Promote your website and business on social media with ease.

Email Marketing Tools

4.7

Reach your audience directly with email marketing features built-in.

Templates

Squarespace offers an extensive collection of design frameworks known as templates. As of now, there are over 110 thoughtfully curated templates, divided into 15 categories, that users can choose from to create their website. The templates are visually stunning and distinct, making it stand out from other website builders that may offer fewer quality options among a larger number of subpar templates. The best part is that all of the templates are free, regardless of the subscription plan selected.

The templates are thoughtfully categorized into specific niches, like Photography, Local Business, Weddings, Entertainment, and more. This categorization makes it easier for users to choose the template that best fits their business or creative needs. The design of each template is fully responsive, with a modern and contemporary aesthetic that is perfect for showcasing high-quality images. It is no surprise that Squarespace is considered one of the top website builders for photographers due to the beautiful themes that enhance high-quality photography.

The ability to customize the templates is made easy with dozens of sections and blocks to choose from. Even though the themes may appear similar at first glance, they all have unique and subtle design elements that make them distinct from each other. Moreover, users have the option to add their own creative flair to the templates, which makes their website even more unique and personalized.

If users don’t want to limit themselves to a specific category, they can explore the Popular Designs section, which showcases the hottest hits in one place. The visuals of these templates speak for themselves and are a testament to the quality and design elements that Squarespace provides.

However, one thing to keep in mind is that Squarespace’s templates are primarily focused on large, high-quality images. If users do not have access to their own images, they may find that the template loses some of its charm. In such cases, Squarespace offers a vast stock image gallery provided by Unsplash, which users can browse and select images that fit their creative vision.

Overall, Squarespace’s templates are exceptional and ideal for businesses, creatives, and anyone looking to create a website with a modern and contemporary aesthetic. They are free, visually stunning, and offer numerous customization options, making Squarespace one of the best website builders in the market today.

Squarespace vs. Top Alternatives

While Squarespace is a popular website builder, it’s not the only one on the market. Several alternatives may be worth considering depending on your needs and preferences. Here are some of the Squarespace alternatives:

Squarespace vs. Wix

Wix is a popular website builder that offers a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to create a website without any coding experience. It also offers a wide range of templates and features, including an AI-powered design assistant, eCommerce capabilities, and integrations with third-party apps.

Squarespace vs. WordPress

WordPress is a highly customizable website builder that’s used by millions of websites around the world. It offers a vast library of plugins and themes that can be used to add almost any feature to your website. While it may require a bit more technical knowledge than some other website builders, it’s also highly flexible and scalable.

Squarespace vs. Weebly

Weebly is another drag-and-drop website builder that’s known for its ease of use. It offers a range of templates and features, including eCommerce capabilities and integrations with third-party apps. It’s a great choice for beginners or those who want to create a simple website quickly.

Squarespace vs. Shopify

Shopify is an eCommerce-focused website builder that’s designed specifically for online stores. It offers a range of templates and features, including payment processing, inventory management, and shipping options. While it may not be as flexible as some other website builders, it’s a great choice for those who want to create a professional online store quickly.

Squarespace vs. Webflow

Webflow is a website builder that offers a visual design interface and a powerful CMS. It’s a great choice for designers or developers who want to create highly customized websites without writing any code. While it may require a bit more technical knowledge than some other website builders, it’s also highly flexible and scalable.

Ultimately, the best website builder for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Consider factors such as ease of use, customization options, and pricing when making your decision.

Benefits and Limitations of Squarespace According to Website Type

Website Type

Benefits

Limitations

Blogs

Start blogging in seconds with Squarespace's user-friendly setup.

The blog editor may feel a bit limited for content creators who need more advanced options to publish their work.

Portfolio Sites

Dazzling themes that'll put your artistry center-stage.

Heavy emphasis on visual content – the better your media, the better your portfolio will look.

Business Websites

All-in-one marketing and SEO tools built-in, perfect for small businesses.

Walled garden approach with limited third-party integration. Several tools come with additional costs.

E-Commerce Sites

A straightforward eCommerce solution that's beginner-friendly.

The $23.00/month plan has an extra transaction fee that can cut into your profit margins.

Blogs

Start your blog in a breeze with Squarespace’s beginner-friendly suite. Within a minute, you’ll have a sleek blog with pre-made posts for you to customize. While the editor may lack some advanced options, it’s a perfect fit for those new to blogging. Say goodbye to long setups and hello to creating content in no time.

Portfolio Sites

Show off your work with stunning portfolio themes that truly highlight your artistry. Squarespace’s image-focused approach demands high-quality media, but the payoff is a captivating showcase of your talents. Bring your A-game and let Squarespace elevate your portfolio to the next level.

Business Websites

Squarespace is the ultimate all-in-one solution for small businesses with tools for social media marketing, custom post designs, email marketing, SEO, and more. However, some solutions may cost extra or have a limited free plan. With Squarespace’s “walled garden” approach, it’s best to embrace the platform and see if it’s the perfect match for your business needs.

E-Commerce Sites

Get your online store up and running in no time with Squarespace’s easy-to-use eCommerce plans and boost your website’s conversion rate. With third-party integrations like shipping management and print-on-demand services, you can streamline your business operations and enhance the website’s conversion rate. Just be wary of the $18 Business plan, which includes an additional 3% transaction fee that can shrink your profit margins and potentially affect the website’s conversion rate. Invest in a more expensive plan to keep your business booming and improve the website’s conversion rate.

Squarespace and SEO

Feature

Availability

Meta Tags

Present

Custom URL

Present

Headings

Present

Image Alt Tag

Present

Mobile Friendly

Present

GA/GSC

Present

Social media integration

Present

Sitemap

Present

SSL Encryption

Present

301 Redirection

Present

Sitemap and Robots File

Present

Canonical Tags

Present

Structured data

Present

Uptime

Present

Conclusion

Squarespace is a powerful website builder that offers a wide range of tools and features to help users create stunning and functional websites. Its templates are some of the best in the market, and its drag-and-drop interface is incredibly user-friendly.

is also a great option for those who want to build a website quickly and easily. The platform offers a wide range of templates to choose from, making it easy to get started without having to worry too much about design.

Moreover, Squarespace’s templates are responsive, meaning that they’re designed to work well on both desktop and mobile devices. This is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, where more and more people are accessing the internet from their smartphones and tablets.

Another benefit of using Squarespace is that it offers good customer support. If you run into any issues while building your website, you can contact Squarespace’s support team via email or live chat. They’re generally quick to respond and knowledgeable about the platform, so they can help you resolve any problems you encounter.

Squarespace is not without its limitations, particularly when it comes to customization options and third-party integrations.

Finally, it’s worth noting that Squarespace is a premium website builder. While it does offer a 14-day free trial, you’ll need to pay a monthly subscription fee if you want to continue using the platform beyond the trial period. Squarespace pricing may be a downside for some users who are looking for a free website builder. Still, it’s worth noting that its subscription fees are fairly reasonable and include a range of features and benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add code to Squarespace?

Yes, you can add custom code to Squarespace, but it requires a bit more technical know-how. Squarespace offers built-in tools for customizing your site, but if you want to add custom functionality or design elements, you’ll need to add code to your site. Squarespace offers a built-in Code Block feature, which allows you to add custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to your site.

Is it possible to monetize my Squarespace website?

Yes, you can monetize your Squarespace website in several ways. Squarespace offers built-in eCommerce tools, which allow you to sell products and services directly from your website. You can also use advertising, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing to earn revenue from your site.

Can I import my existing blog into Squarespace?

Yes, Squarespace offers tools for importing content from other platforms, including WordPress, Blogger, and Tumblr. You can import your blog posts, pages, and even images, making it easy to switch to Squarespace from another platform.

Is Squarespace good for SEO?

Yes, Squarespace is a solid choice for SEO. The platform offers built-in SEO tools, including customizable page titles and descriptions, clean URLs, and automatic sitemaps. Squarespace also offers a range of third-party integrations, which can help you optimize your site for search engines.

Is Squarespace free?

Squarespace is not completely free. While Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial period, after that, you will need to select and pay for a plan to keep your website live. Squarespace offers several different pricing plans, which vary in price and features depending on your needs. Keep in mind that even the most basic Squarespace plan includes hosting, a custom domain, and 24/7 customer support.

How much does Squarespace cost?

Squarespace offers four pricing plans for website building:

  •  Personal Plan: $16 per month (billed annually) or $12 per month (billed monthly)
  •  Business Plan: $26 per month (billed annually) or $18 per month (billed monthly)
  •  Basic Commerce Plan:$36 per month (billed annually) or $26 per month (billed monthly)
  •  Advanced Commerce Plan:$46 per month (billed annually) or $40 per month (billed monthly)
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