WordPress vs Squarespace: Which is better for Businesses?
TL;DR – WordPress vs Squarespace
Squarespace is simple, stylish, and beginner-friendly, making it ideal for portfolios, creatives, or small projects.
WordPress is more flexible, powerful, and scalable, making it best for small to mid-size businesses that want growth.
Squarespace has predictable monthly pricing, but limited customization.
WordPress requires hosting and plugins, but offers stronger SEO, integrations, and marketing tools.
My pick after 10+ years: WordPress for businesses, Squarespace for quick personal sites.
More than 40% of all websites on the internet run on WordPress. Squarespace, on the other hand, powers millions of sites for small businesses, creatives, and freelancers. Both platforms are huge. Both promise to make building a website easy. Choosing the wrong one can cost you time, money, and missed opportunities.
I’ve been building websites for over a decade, and I’ve worked with both. I’ve seen businesses thrive when they picked the right platform, and struggle when they didn’t. The difference isn’t just about templates or price tags. It’s about how well your site can actually drive growth, bring in leads, and scale with your business.
This article will break it down for you with clear comparisons between WordPress and Squarespace, real-world examples from businesses I’ve worked with, and actionable insights to help you pick the best platform for your needs.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS). Translation: it’s software that powers a huge chunk of the internet (over 40% of websites worldwide).
It’s free to use, but you’ll need hosting (where your site lives) and, depending on your needs, some plugins (extra features).
The biggest strengths of WordPress are:
Flexibility – you can build anything from a blog to a massive e-commerce store.
Plugins – there are thousands of them, like Yoast SEO or WooCommerce for online shops.
Customization – with themes like Avada (my go-to), you can make WordPress look and function exactly how you want.
The tradeoff? It has a steeper learning curve. But for businesses that want growth and scalability, WordPress is hard to beat.
What is Squarespace?
Squarespace is an all-in-one website builder. Think of it like renting a fully furnished apartment: you don’t have to buy furniture, set up utilities, or hang curtains. It’s ready to go.
Squarespace’s biggest strengths are:
Ease of use – drag-and-drop editor, no coding needed.
Beautiful templates – sleek designs that look good out of the box.
Hosting included – no need to shop around for a hosting plan.
It’s perfect for people who just want a site up quickly, like creatives, freelancers, or very small businesses.
But here’s the catch: what makes Squarespace easy is also what makes it limiting. You’re boxed in with what Squarespace gives you. As your business grows, you’ll likely find yourself wishing for more control.
Case Study: The HVAC Company That Outgrew Squarespace
One of my clients, an HVAC company, came to me with a decent-looking Squarespace site. It looked fine on the surface, but it wasn’t bringing in leads.
Here’s what was going on:
The site functioned more like an online brochure, not a lead generator.
They struggled to rank in Google search results.
They couldn’t run dedicated landing pages for Google Ads campaigns.
We made the switch to WordPress, rebuilt the site using the Avada theme, and optimized everything with Yoast SEO.
The results were clear:
Their site started climbing in local search rankings.
They got more calls from homeowners needing HVAC services.
They could finally run targeted ad campaigns with custom Google Ads landing pages.
This is a perfect example of why businesses often start on Squarespace but eventually outgrow it.
The Big Differences Between WordPress vs Squarespace
Let’s break down the main differences so you can see where each shines (and where it doesn’t).
Pricing
Squarespace: Starts around $16–$49/month depending on the plan. Hosting is included.
WordPress: Free to install, but you’ll pay for hosting ($5–$30/month), themes, and plugins. Can be cheaper or more expensive depending on what you need.
Squarespace is simpler and predictable. WordPress is more flexible. You can keep costs low or go big.
Hosting
Squarespace: Hosting is included. But you’re stuck with their servers.
WordPress: You choose your host (SiteGround, Bluehost, WP Engine, etc.), which means you can scale up when traffic grows.
Squarespace is worry-free, WordPress gives you more control.
Customization & Flexibility
Squarespace: Templates are polished, but options are limited.
WordPress: Endless flexibility like plugins, custom themes, custom code.
If you want total control, WordPress wins.
Themes, Templates, and Design Freedom
Squarespace: Modern, sleek templates designed for creatives.
WordPress: Thousands of themes, from simple blogs to enterprise-level sites. I personally recommend Avada for its flexibility.
Squarespace looks good fast, WordPress can look good and grow with you.
Usability & Learning Curve
Squarespace: Drag-and-drop, super beginner-friendly.
WordPress: Takes more time to learn, but you’ll unlock much more power.
Squarespace is easy for beginners; WordPress is better long-term.
Plugins & Features
Squarespace: Comes with built-in features like forms, scheduling, and basic SEO.
WordPress: Plugins for literally everything; SEO, booking, memberships, e-commerce, email integrations, you name it.
Squarespace is fine if you don’t need much. WordPress dominates if you want growth.
SEO & Marketing Tools
Squarespace: Basic SEO built in. Good enough for simple sites.
WordPress: Advanced SEO capabilities with plugins like Yoast. Perfect for businesses that care about ranking on Google.
WordPress is the clear winner for SEO.
Mobile Editing & Responsiveness
Squarespace: Has a great mobile app for quick edits.
WordPress: Responsiveness depends on your theme (good themes like Avada handle this well).
Squarespace wins for quick edits, WordPress wins for design control.
Cost (Short vs Long Term)
Squarespace: Predictable monthly cost, but you may hit limitations that force a move later.
WordPress: Can cost more upfront, but delivers higher ROI long-term.
Squarespace = short-term value. WordPress = long-term growth.
Support
Squarespace: Direct customer support via chat and email.
WordPress: Community-driven support, forums, developers, and agencies like mine.
Squarespace support is easier for DIYers, WordPress has more resources if you’re willing to dig in.
So, Which Should You Choose?
If you’re a solo creative, freelancer, or just want a clean online presence fast, Squarespace is a solid option.
But if you’re a small to mid-size business and want a website that actually drives leads, scales with your growth, and gives you control, WordPress is the better investment.
WordPress vs Squarespace: My Pick
After building websites for a decade, my recommendation is simple:
For businesses: WordPress wins, hands down.
For personal projects or creative portfolios: Squarespace does the job.
The key is to think not just about where your business is today, but where it will be in 3 years. If you want growth, SEO, and marketing power, go with WordPress.
Final Thoughts: WordPress vs Squarespace
Both WordPress and Squarespace can give you a professional-looking website. But the right choice depends on what you need your site to do.
Squarespace is quick, simple, and stylish, which is perfect for personal projects, portfolios, or businesses that just need an online presence. WordPress, on the other hand, offers unmatched flexibility, powerful SEO tools, and the ability to scale as your business grows. That’s why, after more than 10 years of building websites, I recommend WordPress for most small to mid-size businesses that want more than a brochure site.
The decision isn’t just about features. It’s about your future. If you want growth, visibility, and a website that brings in leads month after month, WordPress is the smarter investment.
At Schulze Creative, we build on both platforms, but we lean toward WordPress because it consistently delivers better results for our clients. Whether you’re starting fresh or ready to move from Squarespace to WordPress, we can help you create a site that doesn’t just look good, it works. Check out our Website Design page for more information.
FAQs About WordPress vs Squarespace
Is WordPress vs Squarespace better for SEO?
WordPress is better for SEO because of plugins like Yoast, which give you full control over meta tags, site structure, and advanced optimizations. Squarespace has decent built-in SEO, but it’s limited.
Which is easier to use: WordPress vs Squarespace?
Squarespace is easier for beginners thanks to its drag-and-drop editor. WordPress takes longer to learn, but it’s more powerful.
Can I switch from Squarespace to WordPress?
Yes — I’ve moved clients from Squarespace to WordPress many times. The site usually needs to be rebuilt, but the long-term flexibility is worth it.
Is Squarespace cheaper than WordPress?
In the short term, yes. Squarespace has predictable monthly pricing. But in the long term, WordPress can deliver more value for the money.
Can WordPress handle big websites?
Absolutely. WordPress powers some of the world’s biggest sites. It scales much better than Squarespace.
Do you build websites on both platforms?
Yes, at Schulze Creative we build on both WordPress and Squarespace, depending on what’s best for the client.
Why do you usually recommend WordPress for businesses?
Because it offers better customization, SEO, and marketing features. It’s the best option for small to mid-size businesses who want growth.
What tools do you use when building WordPress sites?
We use the Avada theme for flexibility and Yoast SEO for search engine optimization.
Can you help me move my site from Squarespace to WordPress?
Yes. We’ve done it before for clients (like an HVAC company), and we can make the transition smooth while upgrading your site’s functionality.
