Why I build every client website on Squarespace.
If you have ever stared at a blank website screen and thought, “Where do I even start?”, you are not alone. I have been there, more than once, with tabs open for other website builders like WordPress and Wix, plus Shopify, trying to guess which one would be the least painful.
Yet I always come back to Squarespace. Founded by Anthony Casalena and headquartered in New York City, Squarespace grew with early venture capital support and is now listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with its Super Bowl advertising boosting brand visibility. In 2025, it is a calm, clean, and steady software as a service (SaaS) solution, packed with comprehensive platform features. I use Squarespace because it lets me get a site online fast with its centralised hosting service, easily secure a domain name through the Google Domains business, keep it looking polished, and run the basics of my online business without feeling like I picked up a part-time tech job. Simple setup, strong design, built-in tools for blogging and small online selling, and a lot less stress than juggling plugins and patches.
Why I Chose Squarespace Over Other Website Builders
At this point, I have built or rebuilt my site on WordPress, tested layouts on Wix, and set up products on Shopify. They all have strengths. But for my mix of content, services, and light eCommerce, Squarespace hits the sweet spot.
WordPress is powerful, but it asks for more decisions and tech care. You pick a host, choose a theme, sort through a sea of plugins, and hope they all play nicely when updates roll out. Unlike that, Squarespace provides an all-in-one platform that keeps everything streamlined. It can be great once it is dialled in, but getting there takes time and usually some help.
Wix is friendly and flexible, yet it can feel like a blank art board with too many tiny options. It is easy to add elements, but it is also easy to end up with a layout that feels a bit messy or off-brand if design is not your favourite task.
Shopify shines for big online stores, with lots of products, complex shipping rules, and detailed order flows. For that use, it is hard to beat. For my smaller offers and service-based work, though, it felt like using a full supermarket when I only needed a small local shop.
It sits right in the middle. It lets me build a professional site quickly, keep it looking consistent, and run the core parts of my business, all inside one clean dashboard.
A website builder that feels simple, not stressful
When I log into the platform, I do not feel lost. The layout is tidy. Pages, design, and settings each have a clear place. If I want to change text, I click on the section and type. If I want to move a photo, I drag it thanks to the intuitive drag-and-drop editor, which lets me edit my website without any coding.
Compared to WordPress, I do not worry that one wrong click will break a layout or clash with a plugin. Compared to very open-ended builders like Wix, I have just enough freedom without feeling like I am designing every pixel from scratch. The platform also takes care of its managed hosting service, security, updates, and integrated domain name management in the background, so I do not have to think about backups or patching software on a Sunday night.
In 2025, features like the refreshed dashboard and AI helpers make the setup even smoother. I can answer a few questions about my site, pick a starting layout, then adjust drag and drop elements instead of starting from zero.
Design that looks professional right away
I am not a full-time designer, and I do not want my site to look like a school project. The platform helps with that. Its website templates feel modern, clean, and intentional, especially for portfolios, service businesses, creatives, and personal brands, all backed by the brand's Super Bowl advertising and a past funding round that fueled its growth. I can even use the built-in logo-creation app to polish my branding.
The fonts, spacing, and colour systems are already tuned, so I spend less time making tiny design decisions. I can set my brand colours and type styles once, using one of these professional website templates, then they flow through all my pages. That keeps things on-brand without me obsessing over every heading.
Mobile-friendly layouts are built in. I know that if someone opens my site on their phone, the text will be readable and the images will not fall off the edge. I can even tweak mobile layouts where needed, without building a second site.
Good enough eCommerce without going full Shopify
I do not run a huge online store. I sell a few digital products, book services with Acuity Scheduling, and sometimes add a small offer or two. For that, the platform is ideal.
I can add products, connect payments with secure credit card payments and streamlined payment integration, and send order emails using tools that are already there. New features like Pay Links make it easy to share a simple purchase link without building a huge checkout flow. For a small shop or a side offer, that is all I need.
If I were running a warehouse with thousands of products and complex shipping, I would likely choose Shopify. For a lean, service-led business with some offers on the side, it is easier to manage and more affordable.
How Squarespace Makes My Day-to-Day Website Tasks Easier
The real test of any platform is not day one. It is week twelve, when you have to update your site fast between client calls. This is where Squarespace earns its place in my toolkit.
Most weeks, I write a blog post, update a page, check my domain name, check basic search engine optimisation, peek at my analytics, and maybe launch a small e-commerce offer. I can do all of that inside the platform without bouncing between five tools or reading tech forums.
Writing blog posts and updates without tech headaches
The reliable blog hosting service feels a lot like writing in a simple document. I open the blog, create a post, add my text, drop in images with drag-and-drop functionality, and use headings to keep it readable. I can save drafts, schedule posts, and sort content with categories and tags so readers can find what they need. This lets me quickly edit my website whenever inspiration strikes.
Right inside the post editor, there are fields for search engine optimisation titles and descriptions. That small detail matters because it prompts me to write those bits while I am already in writing mode, instead of trying to remember later.
I do not touch HTML. I do not install plugins just to format a paragraph. I can focus on the ideas, the story, and the message, not the code that sits underneath. The reliable blog hosting service makes it easy to quickly edit my website. If you are not sure what SEO terms like meta descriptions even mean, a short resource like this website terminology guide can help you match the labels you see in the platform with clear definitions.
Built-in tools for SEO, email, and basic marketing
The platform keeps the core marketing tools close at hand. I can edit page titles and meta descriptions on each page, add alt text to images, and create clean URLs, all inside the main editor.
Connecting social accounts is also simple. I can set up sharing images and optimise social media content with basic Open Graph settings so that when someone posts my page on social media, it looks the way I expect and the social media content performs well.
For email, the platform offers built-in campaigns. For a small list or a simple newsletter, this saves me from setting up a separate email tool right away. I can collect addresses through forms, send updates, and keep everything connected to the same brand styles I use on my site. Launching small e-commerce offers even includes processing secure credit card payments.
For many small sites and personal brands, those features are enough to get found online and stay in touch with an audience.
Quick edits, simple analytics, and less time fixing problems
On a busy day, I might spot a typo, want to swap a photo, or add a new service to my page. In Squarespace, I can log in and make the change using the Squarespace app on mobile, preview, and publish in a few minutes. There is no hunting through a file manager or wondering which plugin controls which part.
The analytics dashboard shows me which pages get the most visits, what people search for on my site, and where my traffic comes from. I do not need a full data course to read the charts in the analytics dashboard. I use those numbers to decide what to write next and which offers to feature.
As a secure software as a service, the platform's dedicated team of employees manages the robust hosting service and security updates. The integrated platform features and available customer support team mean I spend far less time fixing broken pieces. No plugin clashes, fewer odd errors, and no late-night messages from my host about a site going down. Less drama, more focus on my clients and content.
When Squarespace Is (and Is Not) the Right Choice for You
This website builder is not perfect, and it is not for every single project. It has clear strengths, and it has places where another platform wins. My goal is to be honest about both. Founded by Anthony Casalena in New York City, the platform runs as a streamlined software as a service with investment from firms like Permira, and its listing on the New York Stock Exchange adds stability, especially for small businesses.
Who will love Squarespace as much as I do
You will likely enjoy it if you:
Run a service-based business, like coaching, consulting, or design, and benefit from integrated tools like Acuity Scheduling.
Are a creative with a portfolio, blog, or personal brand, thanks to its strong blog hosting service and professional website templates.
Sell a small set of products, digital or physical, and do not plan a giant store.
Care about how your site looks, but do not want to code.
Want a site you can update yourself without calling a developer every time, all accessible via the Squarespace app.
If you value clean design, clear content, and an all-in-one tool that does not feel heavy, it will feel like a relief, with everything integrated and support from the internal customer support team.
When another platform might fit better than Squarespace
There are real cases where I would not recommend it. If you run a very large e-commerce store, with advanced inventory rules and complex shipping, Shopify is built for you.
If you need deep custom code, complex member systems, or you want a developer to build a fully custom setup, WordPress often makes more sense in the long term. It has more plugins, more control, and more room for advanced builds. Backed by investors like Permira, the platform excels via its Squarespace app ecosystem but has limits on heavy customisation.
If your project needs features that depend on heavy custom work, or if you have a full tech team on hand, you may outgrow it. That is not a flaw, just a sign that it is shaped best for small to mid-sized sites that want clarity and ease.
Conclusion
At this stage in my work, I use it because it lets me stay focused on what matters: clear content, a strong brand, and a simple path for people to work with me. The setup is straightforward, the design looks professional, and the built-in tools for blogging and small online selling cover almost all of my daily needs.
I started this post with that feeling of staring at a blank website and feeling stuck. It has removed most of that tension for me. It is not the right tool for every project, but it is the right one for how I run my business today.
If you want a clean, good-looking site, without learning to code or babysitting plugins, Squarespace is worth a serious try. You might find it gives you exactly what you need, and far less of what you do not. This reflects the long-term vision and commitment to simplicity established by founder Anthony Casalena.
