We Chose WordPress. Here is Why.
When it comes to building a website, choosing the right platform is crucial. There are so many things that need to be considered, most of them will be the future of the project. One one the main decisions to make is WordPress vs Squarespace. Here are some questions we ask our clients:
- Do you want to edit the site yourself? Do you want to write blog posts?
- If yes, how tech savvy are you?
- What additions or extensions you want to make down the road?
- How essential is SEO for you?
Two of the most popular options are WordPress and Squarespace, each offering distinct features and benefits. However, we found that WordPress stands out as the by far better choice for various reasons, including flexibility, scalability, and control. In this article, we’ll explore why WordPress is often preferred over Squarespace for website development.
1. Flexibility and Customization
One of the most significant advantages of WordPress is its flexibility. With thousands of themes and plugins available, users can create virtually any type of website, from blogs and portfolios to e-commerce sites and corporate pages. This extensive library allows users to customize their sites to suit specific needs, enabling them to stand out in a crowded digital space.Modern page builders make editing a breeze by click-and type technology.
In contrast, Squarespace offers a more limited selection of templates and customization options. While the templates are visually appealing, they can be restrictive for those who want to implement unique features or layouts. WordPress empowers users to tweak every aspect of their site, from the design to the functionality, making it a more versatile option.
2. SEO Advantages
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is critical for driving traffic to a website, and WordPress excels in this area. The platform is built with SEO best practices in mind, making it easier for users to optimize their content for search engines. Several plugins provide comprehensive tools to improve on-page SEO, including keyword optimization, readability analysis, and automated sitemap generation.
While Squarespace does offer basic SEO features, it often falls short compared to WordPress. Users may find it challenging to implement advanced SEO strategies, which can hinder their site’s visibility. For businesses and individuals aiming to attract organic traffic, WordPress provides the tools and capabilities necessary for effective SEO management.
When it comes to website speed (crucial for good ranking and impatient visitors), the choice of hosting companies and tweakable technology puts WordPress again ahead.
3. Ownership and Control
When you build a site on WordPress, you have complete ownership and control over your content and data. This is especially important for businesses that rely on their website for revenue and brand presence. With WordPress, you can choose your hosting provider, back up your site, and even migrate your content to a different server if necessary.
On the other hand, Squarespace operates on a subscription model that keeps your site within its ecosystem. While this can be convenient, it also means you have way less control over your website’s infrastructure and data. In the event of a service outage or policy changes, users may face challenges that they cannot easily navigate.In addition to that, tech savvy users do not have access to database tweaking programs.
4. Scalability
As your business or personal brand grows, your website needs to grow with it. Multiple high-traffic sites are being built on WordPress, CNN.com being one of them. WordPress is designed for scalability, accommodating everything from small blogs to large e-commerce sites with thousands of products. Users can easily add features and functionalities through plugins as their needs evolve, making WordPress a future-proof option.
Squarespace, while user-friendly, can present limitations as you scale. Users may find themselves constrained by the platform’s features and pricing tiers, especially if they wish to expand their online store or add complex functionalities. For those anticipating growth, WordPress offers the scalability needed to adapt to changing demands.
5. Community and Support
WordPress boasts a vast and active community of developers, designers, and users. This community contributes to an extensive repository of resources, including forums, tutorials, and documentation. Whether you’re a beginner seeking guidance or an experienced developer looking for advanced solutions, the community support is invaluable.
While Squarespace provides limited customer support, it does not have the same breadth of resources available to WordPress users. This can be a disadvantage for those who prefer to find solutions through community engagement and collaboration. A major complaint about Squarespace is actually the lack of support due to the acquisition of Google domains.
6. E-Commerce Capabilities
For those looking to run an online store, WordPress, particularly with the WooCommerce plugin, is a powerful choice. WooCommerce offers a comprehensive suite of e-commerce tools, enabling users to manage products, inventory, payments, and shipping all in one place. The platform’s flexibility means you can customize your store extensively, adding features like subscription services, booking systems, and more.With this, WooCommerce is also a major competitor of Shopify.
While Squarespace offers e-commerce functionalities, it may not be as robust or flexible as WooCommerce. Users seeking advanced e-commerce features or customizations may find Squarespace lacking in comparison.
7. Cost-Effectiveness
While both platforms offer a range of pricing plans, WordPress can be more cost-effective in the long run. Many themes and plugins are free or relatively inexpensive, and users can choose their hosting plans based on their budget and needs. This allows for greater control over overall costs, especially for growing businesses.
Squarespace’s subscription model can become pricey, especially as users need to upgrade their plans for added features. Over time, WordPress often provides a more budget-friendly solution for users who are willing to invest the time in managing their site.
8. Security
Security has always been one of the main critical points of WordPress. Earlier versions were prone to be hacked, plugins were not regularly updated, websites without firewalls were easily compromised. Thanks to WordPress requirements for plugins and many managed WordPress hosting companies these issues have been resolved. However, there is still a chance that an unexperienced user will miss installing a proper security plugin.
Thisy is one of the main plus points of Squarespace compared with WordPress. We are not aware of any vulnerabilities.
