What’s the Difference Between WordPress and Squarespace?

Which website platform is right for you and your business? Is WordPress or Squarespace the answer to supporting and growing your business?

1. What is WordPress?

WordPress is a flexible, open-source content management system (CMS) that powers over 40% of all websites on the internet. WordPress comes in two flavours: WordPress.com, which is a managed hosting solution, and WordPress.org, which is the self-hosted version.

WordPress.org is what most people mean when they talk about WordPress in the context of building professional websites. It offers limitless customisation possibilities through themes, plugins, and the ability to access and modify the site’s underlying code. However, building a WordPress site may require more technical know-how or the assistance of a developer depending of the  theme you choose and the functions your website needs.

2. What is Squarespace?

Squarespace is an all-in-one website building platform that allows users to design, create, and manage a website without needing technical expertise. It offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, pre-designed templates, and built-in hosting, making it an attractive option for small business owners, creatives, and anyone looking to quickly launch a website without dealing with the complexities of web development.

Squarespace is a closed-source platform, meaning the company fully controls its ecosystem. While this makes it simpler to use, it also limits flexibility in terms of customisation compared to other website-building tools.

3. Managed Hosting vs Self-Hosted

One key difference between WordPress and Squarespace is how hosting is handled.

WordPress.org is self-hosted, which means you are responsible for finding your own web hosting provider (I recommend SiteGround* if you're looking for hosting). While this gives you control over your hosting environment and potential costs, it also means you're responsible for handling backups, updates, security, and server configurations unless you use a managed WordPress hosting provider.

Squarespace is a fully managed hosting platform, meaning the hosting, domain management, and site security are all taken care of by Squarespace itself. You don’t need to find a separate hosting provider, worry about server maintenance, or handle technical backend issues. It’s perfect for users who want a hands-off experience.

4. Open Source vs Closed Source

The nature of the platform (open vs. closed source) plays a big role in what you can do with it.

WordPress is open source. This means anyone can access the code, modify it, and contribute to it. This open-source nature offers ultimate flexibility and control over your website. You can install any plugin, create custom features, and modify the code to fit your exact needs. The only limitations are your technical knowledge or your budget to hire a developer.

Squarespace is closed source. This means its code is controlled by the company. You can use the tools and features provided by Squarespace, but you can’t modify the platform beyond what is allowed within the interface. This is ideal for users who want a no-fuss experience, but it’s limiting for those who want deep customisation or more complex website functionality.

5. WordPress vs Squarespace: A Direct Comparison

Feature	WordPress.org	Squarespace
Ease of Use	Divi & Elementor make it easy to use. May require some technical knowledge for customisation.	Very user-friendly, no coding required.
Design Flexibility	Unlimited customisation with themes, plugins, and code.	Limited to built-in templates and tools.
Plugins & Extensions	Thousands of plugins for every imaginable feature. Free and Paid.	Few, mostly built-in features. These are paid add-ons.
Control of your website	Full control over all aspects of the website.	Limited control, dependent on Squarespace features and business decisions.
Cost	Free. Variable cost: hosting, domain (as low as £9.95/month for hosting).	Monthly subscription - Free 14 day trial (starts at £16/mo). If price goes up there is no option but to pay.
SEO Capabilities	Advanced SEO capabilities with plugins like Yoast SEO.	Basic SEO tools built-in.
Support	24/7 Support depending on your hosting provider, unless you have someone like me in your corner* 😉	24/7 customer support included.
Security	Managed by you or your hosting provider, requires plugins or unless you have someone like me in your corner* 😉	Handled by Squarespace, minimal worries.

* I offer a WordPress maintenance and support (Peace of Mind) Plan to handle security, updates and hosting for those who don't have the time or don't want to do it themselves.

The Pros & Cons of WordPress

WordPress Pros:

Ultimate Flexibility: WordPress allows you to create any type of website, from blogs to eCommerce stores, portfolios, and membership sites.

Vast Ecosystem: WordPress boasts over 50,000 plugins and thousands of themes, which gives you the ability to add nearly any feature you can imagine.

Customisation: With access to the source code, you can customise every aspect of your site.

Community Support: The WordPress community is massive, and there are countless tutorials, forums, and resources to help you along the way.

Scalability: WordPress is highly scalable, making it suitable for both small websites and large-scale enterprises.

 

WordPress Cons:

Learning Curve: WordPress can be daunting for beginners, especially when it comes to handling customisations, security, and maintenance.

Maintenance: You are responsible for keeping your WordPress installation, plugins, and themes up to date. If things break, you have to troubleshoot or hire help.

Costs Can Add Up: Although WordPress itself is free, premium themes and developer costs (if needed) can add up.

Who is WordPress Best For?

WordPress is best for users who want total control over their website and are comfortable (or willing to hire help) handling technical aspects such as hosting, security, and updates. It’s also ideal for businesses or individuals who need a highly customisable, scalable platform and are looking to create complex websites with advanced functionality.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Female WordPress Designer?

The cost of hiring a WordPress designer can vary greatly depending on the scope of your project, the designer's experience, and the complexity of the website you need. For basic website designs, you can expect to pay around £2,000.

As a specialist WordPress designer with 12+ years experience my prices start from £4,000 for a customised, feature-rich WordPress site with advanced functionality (such as online shop, membership sites. A high-end custom WordPress design projects can exceed £8,000, especially if you require ongoing support, SEO optimisation, or integrations with other platforms.

The investment is well worth it if you need a tailored, professional website that aligns with your business goals.

The Pros & Cons of Squarespace

The Pros:

Ease of Use: Squarespace is designed for non-technical users. The drag-and-drop editor and user-friendly interface make it easy to build a beautiful website without coding.

All-in-One Solution: With built-in hosting, design tools, and security, Squarespace is a one-stop-shop for building and maintaining a website.

Beautiful Templates: Squarespace is known for its visually appealing templates that are optimised for mobile devices.

Support: Squarespace provides 24/7 customer support to handle technical issues, which can be a major advantage for non-tech-savvy users.

 

The Cons:

Limited Customisation: You are restricted to the features and templates provided by Squarespace. Custom coding is possible (you'd need a developer) but limited, making it difficult to fully tailor the site to your needs.

Scaling Limitations: While fine for small to medium-sized websites, Squarespace is not ideal for large-scale websites with complex features.

Cost: Squarespace can become expensive, especially if you need to upgrade to higher-tier plans for eCommerce or advanced features.

Who is Squarespace Best For?

Squarespace is ideal for users who want a simple, easy-to-use platform to build a website without technical knowledge. It’s particularly well-suited for creatives (photographers, artists, designers), small business owners, and anyone who prioritizes aesthetics over extensive functionality. It’s also great for those who want minimal involvement in hosting and maintenance.

Putting the Record Straight - Common Misconceptions About WordPress and Squarespace

Misconception 1: WordPress is too hard to use for beginners.

While there is a learning curve, there are beginner-friendly themes and page builders like Divi and Elementor that make WordPress much more accessible.

Misconception 2: Squarespace is cheaper than WordPress.

While Squarespace bundles hosting and other features in one price, WordPress can actually be cheaper in the long run, depending on the hosting provider and the features you use.

Misconception 3: WordPress is only for blogging.

WordPress started as a blogging platform, but it has evolved into a robust CMS capable of handling any type of website, from eCommerce to membership and course sites.

Misconception 4: Squarespace sites are bad for SEO.

Squarespace offers basic SEO tools, and for most small businesses, these are more than enough. However, WordPress offers more advanced SEO options for those who want to take their optimisation to the next level.

Need help with your WordPress website?

Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to improve your current WordPress site, with over 12+ years experience, I offer expert WordPress design and development services. Get in touch today, and let's create a website that helps your business grow!

Looking to DIY with a WordPress template? Visit my WordPress Template Shop to find the perfect look for your site.