Why Squarespace is the best ‘all-rounder’ website platform for small businesses
get squarespace or get squared“Over the years, I've worked with and built websites across most major platforms, and while they all have their strengths, Squarespace has consistently come out on top for me as the best all-rounder for small businesses.”
I want to preface this post by saying it is in no way sponsored, paid for, or endorsed by Squarespace – I genuinely love the platform and believe it offers the best balance of features, functionality, and ease of use for the majority of small businesses.
There’s so many website platforms to choose from these days. Between WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Webflow, Squarespace, and countless others, deciding on which is the right one to commit to can feel overwhelming – especially if you're not familiar with them all and what they each offer.
Over the years, I've worked with and built websites across most major platforms, and while they all have their strengths, Squarespace has consistently come out on top for me as the best all-rounder for small businesses.
The first thing I tell my clients is that there is no single "best" website platform – it really comes down to the individual needs of the business which platform will suit you best.
As a general guide, I would say the below platforms are best for:
Shopify – high-volume ecommerce or fast growing retail brands
Wordpress – has the ability to do it all in design and functionality but can be complex and clunky for brands to maintain on their own
Webflow & Framer - brands who have complex visual storytelling needs delivered in a highly customised site without the need for coding (almost)
Wix – I like to think of it as Squarespace lite, another all-rounder, jack of all trades platform (that’s not as good)
Squarespace – the best all-rounder on the market for small businesses who don't have overly complex needs, with the functionality you need built-in with an easy-to-use interface
Squarespace isn’t for everyone, but for the majority of service-based businesses, consultants, creatives, hospitality and leisure brands, and small retailers that I work with, it provides everything they need – while still providing them with the ability to grow without the need to switch platforms.
Here’s my take on why!
The best ‘all-rounder’ for built-in features and included functionality
One of Squarespace's biggest strengths is how much functionality comes included straight out of the box for the single subscription price.
Rather than relying on multiple third-party plugins or integrations, Squarespace offers a wide range of built-in features, including:
Professional website templates
Mobile optimisation with dedicated desktop and mobile drag-and-drop builders
Blogging functionality
Portfolio functionality
Ecommerce capabilities
Membership, courses and other gated content options
Invoicing and project management
Customer accounts
SEO & AEO settings and tools
Forms and lead capture with CRM
Video, images and documents hosting
Website analytics and reporting
Unlike other platforms like Wordpress and Shopify where a lot of these features are locked behind additional paid plugins with additional subscription fees.
Having these features built into a single platform not only simplifies setup but also reduces the need for ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting if your website is setup properly from day one.
The most user-friendly platform for ongoing DIY management
For most small business owners, your website shouldn't become something you're afraid to or unable to update.
I’ve seen so many businesses over the years who have a clunky mess of a Wordpress site that is near-impossible for them to update – or worse, they’ve been sold a custom-coded and self-hosted website that was unnecessary for their needs, and they have no access to at all.
These horror stories are easily avoidable when both you and the person who is building your website are clear on exactly what it is you need from your site.
One of the most common frustrations I hear from business owners is that they don't know how to make changes to their website after it's launched (or criminally, don’t even have access to).
Whether it's updating images, text, team member bios, adding new services, publishing blog posts, or changing images, ongoing website management should feel simple for anyone with basic computer knowledge – it shouldn’t feel like you’re about to perform life-saving heart surgery every time you try.
This is where Squarespace really shines.
Its interface is the most intuitive, easy to navigate, and well-designed for non-technical users that I have come across. Even my clients with little to no website experience are often able to confidently manage their sites after a short handover session.
Whether you’re DIY’ing your website with one of their many templates, or investing in a custom website design with me, Squarespace makes it really easy to handover knowing my clients won't feel overwhelmed when it's time to make updates themselves.
Packs a punch for it’s relatively affordable price
Website costs can add up quickly, particularly when platforms require multiple paid plugins, premium themes, or ongoing developer support.
Shopify is the go-to for high-volume and fast growing ecommerce brands, but their subscription fees are high compared to Squarespace and often require additional paid plugins for functionality that is included with Squarespace plans. And while other platforms like Wordpress can even be free, you’ll often need to invest in paid plugins for the features you need, and their back-end is so clunky it’s hard to manage without paying a third-party web designer or developer.
Squarespace offers excellent value because so much functionality is included within the subscription price – even on their Basic plan.
For small businesses, this means fewer surprise and ever-growing costs and a platform that can handle everything from your website and blog to ecommerce and marketing tools – all under one roof and price.
When you consider the features included, the ease of use, and the professional end result, Squarespace delivers an impressive amount of value for its price point.
Well, that’s enough of me gushing over Squarespace! If you're looking for the best website platform for a small business, it’s hard to beat.
Is it perfect? No. But no platform is in my eyes, offering the ideal combination of design flexibility, built-in functionality, ease of management, and affordability.
After working across WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Webflow, and Squarespace – and balancing all the pros and cons, it almost always comes out on top for the small businesses who I work with – and also the platform I use for my own website.
If you're considering a new website and aren't sure which platform is right for your business, I'd be happy to help guide you through the options and find the best fit for your goals.
You can book in a free consultation here to chat more about building your new website with me.
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I’m sharing my take on why Squarespace is most likely the best website platform option for your small business.