Squarespace vs Wix ( Ultimate Comparison for 2024 )
Wix or Squarespace, which one is best for your business in 2024?
Introduction
When it comes to building a website for your small business, we have two of the biggest platforms competing: Squarespace vs Wix. Both platforms are known for their ease of use, powerful tools, and ability to create professional-looking websites without any coding knowledge. But how do they stack up against each other, especially for entrepreneurs and small business owners?
In this ultimate guide, we’ll compare Squarespace vs Wix in terms of pricing, design flexibility, SEO, e-commerce options, and overall value for money. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business online, this guide will help you decide which platform is better suited for your needs.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
Wix offers more flexibility with its drag-and-drop design, but this can result in a cluttered or inconsistent layout for beginners.
Squarespace excels in design and structure, providing a more streamlined and visually appealing experience.
Wix is generally better for e-commerce if you need advanced sales tools, while Squarespace is ideal for creative portfolios or service-based websites.
Wix’s SEO tools provide better customization options, including AI-driven SEO insights, while Squarespace offers simpler, more intuitive SEO features.
Quick Comparison: Squarespace vs Wix
They are Better For:
Squarespace is Better For:
Design-Centric Businesses: Squarespace’s beautiful, curated templates make it the best option for creatives, photographers, and businesses that rely heavily on visuals.
Service-Based Businesses: If you’re booking appointments or offering services, Squarespace’s integrated scheduling tools are a standout feature.
Simplicity and Structure: For users who want a clean, structured site without worrying about design inconsistencies, Squarespace’s grid system provides a foolproof solution.
Wix is Better For:
Customization Freedom: With Wix’s unstructured editor, you can drag elements anywhere, offering complete control over your site’s layout. This is ideal for users who want to create unique layouts and have experience in web design.
E-Commerce Growth: Wix’s multichannel sales, POS integrations, and advanced shipping options make it better for scaling an online store.
SEO-Driven Websites: Wix’s personalized SEO tools and integration with Semrush allow for more in-depth SEO optimization, perfect for businesses focused on organic growth.
Value for Money
While both platforms offer affordable entry-level pricing, Squarespace is generally better value over time. It starts at $16/month and has consistent pricing across plans, which rise incrementally based on features. In contrast, Wix pricing starts at $16/month but its higher plans, especially those designed for business use, can be significantly more expensive, going up to $159/month.
For small businesses, Squarespace's steady pricing and unlimited storage on all plans can be more cost-effective compared to Wix, which imposes storage limits on its lower-tier plans.
Squarespace’s Prices
Wix’s Prices
Benefits of Structured vs. Unstructured Design
One of the biggest differences between Wix and Squarespace is how their editors handle page design.
Squarespace: Uses a structured grid system, meaning elements snap into place in pre-designed sections. This results in a cleaner, more professional look without the risk of layout issues.
Wix: Offers an unstructured editor, meaning you can drag and drop elements anywhere on the page. While this gives you maximum flexibility, it can also lead to messy layouts, especially if you’re not a design expert.
For small businesses, the choice comes down to how much design freedom you want. If you prefer a guided, easy-to-use interface that ensures your website always looks polished, Squarespace is the better choice. If you’re looking for maximum creative control and don’t mind spending extra time tweaking your layout, Wix gives you more flexibility.
SEO Tools Comparison
Both Wix and Squarespace offer a range of SEO tools to help your website rank higher on search engines, but Wix has the edge with its more advanced features.
For small businesses focused on SEO and organic traffic, Wix is the better choice, while Squarespace’s SEO tools work well for users who need a more straightforward approach.
Which One is Better for Blogging?
When it comes to blogging, Squarespace is widely regarded as the better option for professionals who want a sleek, easy-to-use platform.
For businesses focusing on content marketing and regular blogging, Squarespace is the better choice due to its clean design and ease of use.
E-Commerce Options
Both Wix and Squarespace offer robust e-commerce solutions, but they are suited for different types of businesses:
Wix: is better in multichannel selling, allowing users to integrate their store with Amazon, Facebook, and Instagram. It also supports advanced features like POS (Point of Sale) systems, making it easier for businesses with both online and offline operations to manage sales.
Squarespace: While less robust for large-scale e-commerce, Squarespace is ideal for small stores or service-based businesses. It offers features like inventory management, digital product sales, and service bookings through Acuity Scheduling.
For larger businesses or those needing to manage multiple sales channels, Wix is the better option. However, if you’re running a smaller e-commerce store or service business, Squarespace offers everything you need.
Conclusion
In the battle of Squarespace vs Wix, both platforms are powerful in their own right, but the best choice depends on your specific business needs. If you’re looking for design flexibility and an advanced e-commerce tool, Wix is a better fit. On the other hand, if you value ease of use, beautiful templates, and a structured approach to design, Squarespace stands out as the superior choice.
Ultimately, for small businesses, Squarespace is more beginner-friendly and cost-effective, while Wix offers more scalability and customization options. Decide based on your priorities—whether it’s aesthetics, flexibility, or growth potential—and you’ll be on the right platform for your business.
FAQs
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It depends on your needs. Wix offers more customization and flexibility, making it better for businesses that need advanced e-commerce features or unique layouts. Squarespace is ideal for small businesses focused on design, simplicity, and service-based offerings but still with great e-commerce options.
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Squarespace generally offers better value for money, with pricing starting at $16/month and more consistent price increments. Wix starts at $16/month, but its higher-tier plans can become significantly more expensive, especially for businesses requiring more advanced features.
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Wix is more customizable thanks to its unstructured editor, which allows you to drag and drop elements anywhere on the page. Squarespace uses a structured editor, which is easier to use but less flexible for custom layouts. Squarespace wins here if you are not a designer.
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No, neither platform allows you to switch templates after your site is live. While Wix offers over 900 templates and Squarespace provides 150+, both platforms require you to make manual changes if you want to update the design. You can though, create as many sites as you want in your account.
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Wix offers more advanced SEO tools, including AI-driven SEO insights and integration with Semrush. Squarespace has more straightforward SEO tools that are easier for beginners. You can go deeper into SEO using SEOspace plugin.
