Squarespace vs Wix
When it comes to choosing where to host your website, the options can feel SO overwhelming! After 5 years and experience designing websites on nearly every platform, I have narrowed down my love to TWO website hosting platforms: Squarespace and Wix.
I love both for different reasons and I always make a custom recommendation to each individual client. At the end of the day, the two have one CRUCIAL thing in common: INTUITIVE TO USE! This is the #1 thing I look for in a website builder. It’s 2023, and you should be able to edit your own website after you work with a designer.
This is the reason that I almost never recommend WordPress sites to my clients, unless you have a background in coding or using the platform, chances are you are going to be SCARED of your own website and hesitant to make any tweaks in the future. The result? You’re stuck asking your developer/designer for help any time you need to make a tiny tweak. I would much prefer to arm you with the skills to edit your own site in the future and simply pop in when you need it or when you have a complicated edit needed! Independence and autonomy are so important when it comes to running your own business.
So let’s get into it:
What I like about both and which you should choose!
Ease of Use: Both platforms provide intuitive editors, allowing you to easily customize your website's design and content. However, a lot of my clients find Wix to be slightly more beginner-friendly (and easy to customize in the future). Personally, I think Squarespace offers a more streamlined and sophisticated design experience (though some coding is required, I do that all up front and will NEVER ask my clients to learn code!)
Customization Options: Squarespace offers extensive design customization options, allowing you to fine-tune details such as fonts, colors, and layouts. Wix, however, provides COMPLETE flexibility and creative freedom, allowing you to freely position elements and customize every aspect of your website. There are SOO many fun things you can do with a Wix website - I truly can’t say enough good things about these customization features - however, with variety does come the risk of things appearing too cluttered - while Squarespace’s limitations can be helpful to ensure that your website feels clean + minimal!
E-commerce Capabilities: Both platforms offer e-commerce functionality, allowing you to set up and manage online stores. Squarespace has robust e-commerce features with built-in inventory management and marketing tools. Wix also provides e-commerce capabilities but is better suited for smaller online stores with fewer complex requirements.
Scalability: Squarespace is generally favored by entrepreneurs and businesses with simpler website needs. It provides a solid foundation for small to medium-sized websites. You will have no problem selling all your products, services, and packages on Squarespace! Wix, on the other hand, IS more versatile and scalable, making it suitable for a broader range of website types and sizes. A great example of this is Haven Wellness (we built a very sophisticated booking suite and multiple team members and vendors are listed on the site).
Cost: Wix offers a range of pricing plans, including a free plan with limitations, while Squarespace does not have a free plan. Squarespace's pricing starts slightly higher than Wix, but it includes hosting and more advanced features across all plans. However, Squarespace has great discounts for their Preferred Designers (which I am) so I am able to give all my clients a 20% discount on their plans - which REALLY adds up!
At the end of the day, the choice between Squarespace and Wix depends on your specific needs, preferences, and the type of website you want to create. Whenever I start a new branding + website project, we’ll discuss each site’s features and determine which one aligns better with your goals.
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