Which is the right platform for your website?

Both WordPress and Squarespace are popular platforms for creating websites. According to reports, WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the Internet* and Squarespace is used by around 2.9 million users worldwide, but which one is right for you?

WordPress vs Squarespace: pros and cons.

WordPress:

Pros:

  1. Flexibility: WordPress is an open-source platform that allows for extensive customisation. You have full control over your website’s design, functionality, and code, making it suitable for complex or unique websites.
  2. Large Plugin and Theme Ecosystem: WordPress has a vast library of plugins and themes, allowing you to add functionality and change the appearance of your website easily.
  3. Community and Support: WordPress has a large and active community of developers and users, so you can find help, tutorials, and resources easily.
  4. SEO-Friendly: WordPress has built-in features and plugins that can help improve your website’s search engine optimisation (SEO) and visibility.

Cons:

  1. Learning Curve: WordPress has a steeper learning curve compared to Squarespace, especially if you want to take advantage of its customisation options.
  2. Hosting: Since WordPress is self-hosted, you will need to source a hosting plan for your website.
  3. Maintenance and Updates: Your site will need to be maintained regularly – updates, backups, and security measures require technical knowledge or professional assistance if needed.

Squarespace:

Pros:

  1. Ease of Use: Squarespace provides a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible for beginners with little to no technical or coding knowledge.
  2. All-in-One Solution: Squarespace offers integrated hosting, domain registration, and security, so you don’t need to deal with separate services, configurations or invoices.
  3. Design: Squarespace recently launched a new user-friendly block editing experience (Squarespace 7.1) to make creating customised websites with wow factor more easily.
  4. Images: Squarespace provides access to all of Unsplash’s image library out of the box — this lets you browse a large number of royalty-free images (over 1 million, in fact) that can be added directly and easily to your website.

Cons:

  1. Limited Customisation: While Squarespace allows for some customisation (and more with the introduction of 7.1), it has fewer options compared to WordPress. You may encounter limitations if you have specific design or functionality requirements.
  2. Plugin and Extension Availability: Squarespace has a more limited selection of plugins and extensions compared to the extensive WordPress ecosystem. You may not find the specific features or integrations you need.
  3. Scalability: Squarespace may not be the best choice for complex or rapidly growing websites, as it can have restraints in terms of scalability and performance.

Ultimately, the choice between WordPress and Squarespace depends on your specific needs, technical proficiency, and desired level of customisation. WordPress is a powerful platform suited for those seeking extensive tailoring and flexibility, while Squarespace offers simplicity and an all-in-one solution.

Need help choosing and setting up the right platform for your website?

As a London graphic design agency surgerycreations specialise in both bespoke WordPress (including multi-language) and customised Squarespace website solutions. By determining your business objectives and budget, we can help you decide on the most cost-effective solution to reach your audience and achieve the right results.

Goit a project in mind? Please get in touch.

*W3Techs, 2022