What are the pros and cons of a Squarespace website?

Websites have been around for decades now, although they are still evolving all the time. Businesses, creatives, and entrepreneurs have utilised them to establish a strong online presence. Among many website-building platforms available, Squarespace has emerged as a popular choice, offering a blend of aesthetic appeal and functionality.

This Squarespace review will explore the platform's advantages and limitations, particularly focusing on aspects like its online store capabilities, SEO tools, and the overall experience of using Squarespace compared to other website builders.

Pros of Squarespace Websites

High-Quality Design Templates

Squarespace is renowned for stunning websites and high-quality design templates. These templates are not only modern and stylish but also responsive, ensuring that your Squarespace site looks impeccable on both desktop and mobile devices. This is a significant advantage for UK businesses aiming to maintain a professional online image. 

User-Friendly Drag and Drop Interface

The drag-and-drop editor is a hallmark of Squarespace, simplifying the website creation process. Users can easily add, move, and edit elements on their website without needing any coding knowledge. This drag-and-drop interface makes Squarespace an accessible website builder for those with limited technical skills.

Since the summer of 2022, the Fluid Engine design system has been part of the Squarespace platform, further increasing the intuitiveness and ease of use for the platform with enhanced functionality and a super smooth web design experience.

Comprehensive SEO Tools

Squarespace includes integrated SEO tools that are crucial for improving the visibility of your website on search engines. These tools guide you through the basics of SEO, from customising page titles and descriptions to sitemaps and social sharing. For UK businesses, this means better local and international exposure.

E-commerce Capabilities

For entrepreneurs looking to launch an online store, Squarespace supports robust e-commerce options. From the Business Plan upwards, users can sell unlimited products, accept donations, and even benefit from zero transaction fees (on specific plans). Additionally, the platform offers a free custom domain for the first year, enhancing brand professionalism.

14-Day Free Trial

Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial, allowing potential users to explore its features without committing financially. This period is invaluable for assessing whether Squarespace meets your specific website needs and goals. 

Security and Reliability

Squarespace takes the security and reliability of its platform seriously, providing users with free SSL certificates for all websites. This not only helps in securing your website's data but also boosts its SEO rankings, as search engines favour secure sites. Furthermore, Squarespace's robust infrastructure ensures high uptime for your website, minimizing the risk of downtime and keeping your site accessible to your audience and customers in the UK and beyond.

Customer Support and Community Resources

A crucial aspect of any website-building platform is the support and resources available to its users. Squarespace excels in this area by offering 24/7 customer support through live chat and email, providing reassurance to users who may encounter issues or have questions during the website creation process. Furthermore, Squarespace's extensive knowledge base, community forums, and regular webinars are invaluable for both beginners and experienced users, creating a smoother learning curve and offering inspiration for website design and functionality.

Squarespace Supports Blogging with Ease

For individuals or businesses looking to incorporate blog posts into their online strategy, Squarespace provides robust blogging tools. The platform makes it easy to create, manage, and categorise blog content, enhancing user engagement and SEO. The integration of social media sharing options further amplifies the reach of your content, making it a versatile choice for content creators in the UK.

Mobile App Accessibility

In an increasingly mobile-driven world, the ability to manage your website on the go is essential. Squarespace offers a suite of mobile apps that allow users to edit their site, manage e-commerce orders, and even post to their blog from anywhere. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for UK businesses that need to stay responsive and engaged with their audience without being tied to a desktop.

Integration with Third-Party Services

Squarespace's ability to integrate with a wide range of third-party services and applications adds another layer of functionality to your website. From marketing tools and analytics to e-commerce solutions and social media platforms, these integrations can enhance the user experience, streamline operations, and boost the effectiveness of your online presence.

Scaling Your UK Business with Squarespace

As your UK business or project grows, the scalability of your chosen website platform becomes increasingly important. Squarespace's tiered pricing plans, from personal to advanced commerce, are designed to accommodate this growth, allowing you to upgrade your services as your needs evolve. This scalability ensures that Squarespace remains a viable platform for your business, whether you're just starting out or expanding your online operations.

Social Media Integration

In today's digital age, social media presence is pivotal for businesses looking to engage with a broader audience. Squarespace allows for seamless integration with major social media platforms, enabling users to link their social profiles, share content directly from their website, and even display social feeds on their site. This integration is particularly beneficial for UK businesses aiming to leverage social media for marketing and engagement purposes.

Cons of Squarespace Websites

Learning Curve

Despite its user-friendly interface, there's a learning curve involved in mastering Squarespace, especially when diving into the more advanced features. Users new to website building might find the plethora of options overwhelming initially.

Cost Compared to Other Website Builders

When compared to other website builders, Squarespace can be perceived as expensive. The absence of a permanent free plan means that after the 14-day trial, you'll need to choose a paid plan to continue using the service. For small businesses or individuals in the UK on a tight budget, this can be a significant consideration.

Limited Customisation Without Coding

While Squarespace's drag-and-drop editor offers substantial flexibility, there are limitations to customisation without venturing into custom CSS or JavaScript. For those with very specific design or functionality requirements, this can be a constraint.

SEO Advanced Features Could Be Better

Although Squarespace provides basic SEO tools, users aiming for advanced SEO strategies might find the tools insufficient compared to dedicated SEO platforms. This might necessitate additional tools or plugins to fully optimise your site for search engines.

Limitations in Payment Gateway Options

For UK businesses operating an online store, payment gateway options are crucial. While Squarespace supports key payment methods like Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay, its range of options is not as extensive as some other platforms. This limitation may impact businesses that require more localised payment solutions to cater to their customer base fully.

E-commerce Transaction Fees

On the Business Plan, Squarespace charges a transaction fee on sales, which might eat into the margins of smaller online stores. Upgrading to a Commerce plan is necessary to avoid these fees, which come at a higher monthly cost.

Is Squarespace the Right Choice for You?

Deciding whether Squarespace is the right website-building platform for your UK-based project involves a careful assessment of your specific needs, technical abilities, and budget. The platform's design-centric approach, coupled with its comprehensive suite of tools and features, makes it an attractive option for those prioritising aesthetics and user experience. However, the cost and potential limitations in customisation and advanced SEO features warrant consideration, especially for those with highly specialised needs or limited budgets.

In comparison to other website builders, Squarespace stands out for its high-quality templates, user-friendly interface, and robust support system. Yet, it's important to explore and evaluate other options to ensure that your chosen platform aligns with your goals, whether that involves an intricate online store, a portfolio showcasing your work, or a content-rich blog.

Ultimately, the decision to use Squarespace should be informed by a thorough review of the pros and cons outlined in this Squarespace review, taking into account the unique context of your UK-based venture. The 14-day free trial offers a risk-free opportunity to explore the platform's capabilities and determine if it meets your requirements for creating a compelling, functional, and engaging online presence.

Final Thoughts

Squarespace is a compelling choice for individuals and businesses in the UK looking to create a professional, high-quality website. Its strengths in design, ease of use, and integrated features cater well to a range of needs, from simple informational websites to complex online stores. The platform's focus on design and user experience, combined with robust support and resources, make it a strong contender in the website builder market.

However, it's crucial to weigh these advantages against the platform's limitations and costs. The learning curve, potential need for customization beyond the built-in features, and ongoing subscription fees may be deterrents for some users. Additionally, considering the specific needs of your UK audience and business model is essential when evaluating payment gateway options and SEO capabilities.

In conclusion, Squarespace offers a solid foundation for building a visually appealing and functional website. Its comprehensive set of tools, coupled with the support and resources provided, can empower UK businesses and creatives to establish a strong online presence.

Looking for a Squarespace website but don’t want to build it? Get in touch with our design team here.