Building a website might seem daunting when you’re just starting out, but platforms like Wix and Squarespace have made it simpler than ever. These two site builders, launched in 2006 and 2003 respectively, have come a long way and can absolutely work for small businesses—provided they’re used correctly. In this blog post, we’ll explore how these platforms have evolved, their strengths and limitations, and who they’re best suited for.
Both are designed to be user-friendly, even for those with little to no technical experience, and they offer a variety of themes and customisation options. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of each platform to help you decide which one might be the best fit for your needs
A Brief History: From Rocky Beginnings to Reliable Tools
Site builders had a shaky start in the world of web development. Wix, in particular, faced significant criticism in its early days due to its use of Flash websites. Flash was notorious for slow loading times, poor accessibility, and being a nightmare for search engines. Thankfully, Wix transitioned away from Flash years ago, and since then, it has made substantial improvements to compete with platforms like WordPress.
Similarly, Squarespace has also spent the last two decades refining its platform to offer sleek, modern designs that cater to businesses wanting a professional look without the need for coding expertise.
Ease of Use: Drag-and-Drop Simplicity
Both Wix and Squarespace use drag-and-drop editors, making them accessible to users with no coding knowledge. If you’ve used programs like Microsoft Word or Publisher, you’ll likely feel at home with these tools.
Wix
Wix’s editor is highly flexible, offering hundreds of free themes and allowing you to place elements anywhere on the page. For beginners, this freedom can sometimes be a drawback. Without structure, it’s easy for layouts to become inconsistent or cluttered.
For those just getting started, I recommend choosing a pre-designed theme. This allows you to learn the platform before venturing into custom designs or blank templates.
Pros:
- Hundreds of free themes
- Free tier available until you connect a domain
- Highly flexible design options
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor
- Extensive app market for additional features
Cons:
- Can lead to a less structured design, making it harder for beginners
- SEO can be slightly more challenging
- Customisation beyond templates may require coding knowledge
- Higher costs for additional features
- Hosting is on Wix servers, so migrating your site can be difficult
Squarespace
Squarespace offers fewer themes than Wix, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. Its templates are modern, clean, and professional, with a structured editor that makes it harder to go off-track. The platform also includes pre-designed modules, such as galleries, forms, and text blocks, so you don’t have to build elements from scratch.
For designers or those with more advanced needs, Squarespace supports CSS customisation, providing greater flexibility than Wix. However, for simple sites, this may not be necessary.
Pros:
- High-quality, clean, and modern templates
- More structured design approach
- Allows CSS customisation for advanced users
- Two-week free trial
- All-in-one solution with hosting included
Cons:
- Fewer themes compared to Wix
- Less flexibility in design, which can be limiting
- SEO capabilities are not as strong as WordPress
- Can become expensive with additional features
- Hosting is on Squarespace servers, so migrating your site can be difficult
Pricing: Free vs Paid Options
Both platforms are affordable to start with, but their pricing models differ slightly:
- Wix: Offers a free version, allowing you to build and test your site for as long as you like. However, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to connect a custom domain and remove ads.
- Squarespace: Provides a two-week free trial, after which you’ll need to subscribe to a paid plan.
While their basic plans are reasonably priced, costs can rise quickly as you add features like e-commerce functionality or advanced tools.
E-Commerce: Basic but Functional
Both Wix and Squarespace allow you to create online stores and accept payments. However, they’re best suited for small-scale e-commerce. If you’re running a large store or need extensive customisation, platforms like Shopify or WordPress (with WooCommerce) are better options.
The Long-Term Picture: Ownership and Migration
One of the most important considerations with Wix and Squarespace is that they are hosted platforms. This means:
- Your website is hosted on their servers.
- You don’t own the site itself—only the content.
If your business grows and you decide to move to a more flexible platform like WordPress, you’ll need to start from scratch. This isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in mind as you plan for the future.
SEO and Blogging: Improvements but Room to Grow
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) has historically been a challenge for site builders, but both Wix and Squarespace have made significant strides in this area. While not as customisable as WordPress, they offer basic SEO tools that can help your site rank on search engines. Blogging is also supported on both platforms and, in my opinion, is far better than Shopify’s blogging functionality.
Who Are These Platforms Best For?
Wix and Squarespace are ideal for service-based businesses or those with minimal e-commerce needs. If you need a website that:
- Shares information about your business,
- Provides a way for customers to connect with you,
- Or hosts a small online store,
…then either platform could be a great choice.
Both Wix and Squarespace are user-friendly, affordable, and capable of producing professional-looking websites. They aren’t perfect, and they have limitations compared to more advanced platforms like WordPress, but they’re a fantastic option for beginners or businesses with straightforward needs.
At The Island Creative, we understand that choosing the right platform is a big decision. If you’re considering Wix or Squarespace for your website, check out our blog on their pros and cons or reach out to us at [email protected]. We’re here to help you find the perfect fit for your business!