Why we build on Squarespace
Like many web designers/developers, I used to be an adamant WordPress (WP) supporter. But fast-forward to the present and I’ve changed my position and now I am standing on the mountain top singing praises of SquareSpace instead.
Today, I build all my clients’ websites on the Squarespace platform.
So what changed? Why did I make the switch from WordPress to Squarespace as the platform of choice for all my client websites?
When I thought critically about my clients’ goals and what they needed from their websites, Squarespace came out on top in every way.
Here’s why:
Simplicity & Usability - My clients love Squarespace because after our project wraps up, they take over their websites and find that Squarespace is very easy to work with. We finish our projects with a Squarespace tutorial that shows you how to do basic features (e.g., blog on SS, edit and update content, add images/text, etc.). This means that clients can essentially do whatever they want on their own. They no longer have to depend on a developer (like me!) to make simple changes. In my opinion, that sense of self-sufficiency cannot be understated.
Design & Functionality - Squarespace also works better for me and my clients because the emphasis is on creating clean and functional sites. I prefer minimalistic websites that include lots of whitespace and simply formatted design. SquareSpace really “gets” that and encourages that style. Squarespace is also content focused and cleanly presented. There is less attention on bells & whistles and anything that can be a distraction from the business’s overall goals for their websites.
Cost Effectiveness - Cost is another reason why I set my clients up on Squarespace. WordPress might initially look like the more economical option but when you add up hosting fees, the cost of premium themes (usually between $40-75), plugins and ongoing tech support, the cost of Squarespace is much more appealing. I like that with SquareSpace you don’t have to whip out your credit card every time you sneeze in order to get your website to have the features and security you want.
Squarespace also offers different pricing plans so you only end up paying for the level of service you need. They also offer discounts on annual plans (versus paying each month) and for Squarespace Circle Members (that’s Us!)
More Security & Less Worries - We want our clients to run their businesses and not have to worry about their websites and that’s where Squarespace wins by a landslide. Squarespace doesn’t require daily backups, there’s less risk of getting hacked and my clients won’t have to spend their time doing security checks like monitoring login attempts. Plugins, for example, are one of the most troublesome aspects of WP websites that Squarespace users don’t have to deal with. When a plugin needs to be updated (which seems to happen all the time), it must be done immediately or your website is more vulnerable to hacks. There’s also a possibility that restoring your site might not be easy - or even possible and finally, every new plugin could potentially crash the site or conflict with another plugin (a very common complaint from WP users).
With WordPress, there’s so much to remember and many people feel like they are in a constant state of stress dealing with the back end of their websites.
This is why I build my clients’ websites on Squarespace - I’d rather save my clients the headache and empower them to maintain their websites with peace of mind!
