A Comparison of WordPress and Squarespace: Which Scales Better

The debate between WordPress and Squarespace has been a hot topic in tech circles for a while. Are you looking to avoid the hassle of coding for your website’s front-end and back-end? Website builders like these offer pre-made templates and themes, allowing you to develop your website in simple steps.

Website builders have become the new trend in web development. It is a game changer since it simplifies the web development process, hosting and registering the domain name. There are also a variety of themes and templates to choose from. An added advantage is that you can edit pages smoothly without having the errors experienced when coding. The two platforms have different interfaces and complexities of their own. 

WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that grants you greater control over your website’s content and functionalities. However, its complex interface and extensive features and plugins may require some technical background to use effectively. On the other hand, Squarespace is a closed-system website-building platform that involves drag-and-drop. This implies that most features are easy to understand and you do not require prior technical knowledge to operate it.

Both platforms hold great potential and are widely preferred. Therefore it becomes even more crucial to understand which platform is the best among the two. An easy way to find out is comparison.

WordPress vs Squarespace – Which platform is the best? 

We have listed a few features commonly available on both platforms. Let’s do a comparative analysis based on those features.

• Ease of use: Technical expertise is more crucial when using WordPress compared to Squarespace. This is because WordPress is a full-fledged Content Management System (CMS).  With a CMS, you manage not only the content that visitors see but also the website’s functionalities and design.  On the other hand, Squarespace is designed for ease of use, especially for beginners. Its drag-and-drop interface makes building a website intuitive and requires minimal technical knowledge.

• Scalability: With WordPress, you can add lots of features in one go and control your content easily by quick content management; you can control what can be visible only to you and what can be seen by your audience. Publishing new content is also easy and fast with WordPress. The plugins available in WordPress make it more flexible and reliable.
• In Squarespace, it is quite difficult to manage the website when traffic is high. Also, there is no provision to add multiple content in one go. In the context of scalability and content management, WordPress would be a better option since it has many functionalities and you have more control over your content. 

• Security: As a website owner, a secure website should be your first and foremost priority, as it is a vital & sensitive factor. Squarespace provides you with an SSL certificate to ensure that browsing on your website is safe for the visitors or audience. Cookies are also provided to ensure the smooth running of your site. On the other hand, for WordPress, the feature of 2-factor authentication helps you improve security on your website. An SSL certificate is also provided for your site when hosting using WordPress.

• Content Management: Blogs are commonly posted on websites to build company profiles, describe a company or from a marketing perspective. You can track the content performance using Squarespace, and have a comment section where the visitors can write their opinions regarding the blog and a variety of blog templates. Note that manual changes to the site are not possible when using Squarespace. The same blog posting on WordPress comes with thousands of free blog templates to choose from. You can also customize the templates as per preference. There are additional features you can use on your blogs like appointment tools, newsletter subscriptions, and comment sections among many others. Tracking your blog performance is possible using WordPress. This promotes more interaction between the reader and your content. WordPress has more content management features. 

• Cost of service: WordPress is an open-source website builder that you do not require to pay to use. There is a monthly premium that comes with more templates, features and plugins though they are not necessary. The free version has lots of tools to use already. With Squarespace, you have to subscribe for the whole service and also pay for the domain hosting separately. Different subscription plans offer different tools and features. The domain hosting fee is mandatory when using both platforms. Indeed, WordPress wins in this category since the free version has a lot to offer. The subscription fees are paid annually and not monthly.

• Mobile/ Desktop Editor: Both platforms are easily used on computers since all you require is a mouse and keyboard to add content, edit, remove and post the content. The good part is websites are accessible on mobile phones too, it is a great feature for a developer to know how the site looks from a mobile phone’s perspective. Squarespace has four different mobile apps to cater for the editing which is a plus since it is precise and straight to the point. The only drawback is that the app that is meant for the general management of the site is available only on iOS devices. WordPress has an app available on both Android and iOS that helps update blogs, view traffic analysis, and edit pages among many other functions you can do using the platform. 

These were the points of comparison between WordPress & Squarespace. After this comparison, the picture must be clear. But if you still have doubts, we have covered commonly/frequently asked questions that might help!

Brands/Companies using WordPress:

• Sony Music 
• The New York Times,
• CNN Press Room
• Spotify Newsroom
• BBC Good Food,

Brands/Companies using Squarespace:

• HBO Documentary Films
• National Geographic Kids
• WeWork
• Tony Hawk Foundation
• Tony Robbins

Frequently Asked Questions:

 Which is easy, WordPress or Squarespace? 

Squarespace wins when it comes to ease of use. Its all-in-one platform offers a guided setup process, making it perfect for beginners who are new to website building. The intuitive drag-and-drop page builder allows you to visually customize your website without any coding knowledge. While WordPress offers unparalleled flexibility for experienced users, Squarespace prioritizes user-friendliness with a gentler learning curve.

For an E-commerce site, which platform is better?

For e-commerce, WordPress with WooCommerce offers deep customization and scales well for larger or specialized stores, while Squarespace’s built-in e-commerce features cater to smaller shops or simpler setups. The choice depends on your store’s size, complexity, and future growth plans.

How to migrate from Squarespace to WordPress? 

Migrating from Squarespace to WordPress requires manual content transfer due to differing structures and functionalities. Expect to rebuild your site and potentially use custom code for unique features.

What is the key point of difference between WordPress and Squarespace?

WordPress empowers users with deep customization options via its open-source architecture and vast plugin library. Squarespace, on the other hand, prioritizes user-friendliness with its all-in-one approach, offering pre-designed templates and built-in features for a streamlined website creation experience.

Points to consider before making the final decision: 

Understanding Needs: Prioritize understanding the specific needs of your website project before choosing between WordPress and Squarespace.

Flexibility vs. User-Friendliness: WordPress offers unparalleled flexibility and deep customization options, but requires higher technical expertise. Squarespace prioritizes user-friendliness with its intuitive interface and pre-designed templates.

Considerations: Factors such as ease of use, scalability, customization requirements, budget, and long-term goals should be carefully considered.

Informed Decision: By evaluating these factors and understanding the unique advantages of each platform, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your needs and preferences.

Powerful Tools: WordPress and Squarespace offer powerful tools and features to help you create a successful online presence, whether you’re a small business owner, a freelancer, or a large enterprise.

Conclusion

Both platforms have great potential but the potential is worth it only if it helps you build your dream website. 

WordPress has an admin panel to control everything that is happening on the site and even track the performance which makes it easier to use and manage. One can not overlook the fact that the templates provided in Squarespace have a more professional and modern appearance compared to those on WordPress. In a nutshell, the decision of selecting the right platform from WordPress vs Squarespace depends largely on your priorities and weighing it with the advantages and disadvantages of the platform. If you are still confused about which platform to select, you may read other comparison blogs like WordPress VS Wix or WordPress VS Webflow