Why Squarespace is My Go-To Website Builder for Small Businesses
My Journey to Squarespace
Before becoming a web designer, I explored many different career paths outside of healthcare. Years ago, I considered starting a personal blog and signed up for WordPress, knowing it was the gold standard for website builders due to its endless customization options. However, after about a week of trying to navigate its complexities, I quickly became discouraged.
A few years later, I created an Instagram page to showcase my artwork. As my audience grew, I decided to build a website to support my art business. This time, I chose Squarespace—and I immediately fell in love. Within a week, I had a functioning website with a blog and a shop. Was it the best-designed website? Not at all—I was still new to web design. But was it simple to use? Absolutely.
Fast forward to today, and I now design websites for fellow small business owners. One of the most common questions I get is: Why Squarespace? Why not WordPress with its extensive plugins? Why not Showit with its pixel-perfect design capabilities?
Why Squarespace is the Best Fit for Small Business Owners
The reason I initially chose Squarespace—and why I continue to use it for my clients—is simple: most small businesses do not need an overly complex, highly customizable website. They need a functional and professional space to showcase their brand, services, and products.
What they don’t need is a website builder that requires hours of their time just to make small updates. As an artist, I wanted to focus on creating, not troubleshooting my website. When I needed to add a new painting to my shop, I didn’t want to spend more than five minutes doing it. I also didn’t want to manage endless plugins, constant updates, and security concerns. I needed something easy—and I know most small business owners feel the same way.
There are countless articles comparing website builders, each claiming that one is the best. The truth? There is no universal “best” platform. But for me and my clients, Squarespace stands out as the most user-friendly, efficient option.
The Squarespace Advantage
1. Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Builder
Squarespace’s website builder is one of the most straightforward and intuitive platforms available. Adding content is as simple as creating a new section, clicking “add text/image,” and dragging it into place.
Some people critique Squarespace’s grid system, which prevents users from placing elements exactly where they want, down to the pixel. However, I see this as a benefit—especially for those designing their own site. Too much control without UX/UI experience can lead to a cluttered, unprofessional design. The grid system helps ensure a clean and cohesive layout, even for beginners.
Another advantage? Squarespace automatically optimizes your design for mobile, eliminating the need to create separate desktop and mobile layouts.
2. All-in-One Platform
Unlike other platforms that require numerous plugins for essential features, Squarespace has everything built in. Want to start a blog? Just add a blog page. Need an online store? Click to add a shop. Thinking about email marketing? Squarespace has that covered, too.
While having access to thousands of plugins can be great for customization, it also requires ongoing maintenance. More plugins mean more time spent managing updates and troubleshooting compatibility issues. For small business owners, that extra work isn’t worth it.
3. A Website That Works for You, Not the Other Way Around
When I design websites for my clients, my goal is to make managing their business easier, not harder. I want to deliver a website they can update confidently—without needing to come back to me (or pay an hourly fee) for minor changes.
Could I build websites on platforms that require ongoing maintenance, leading clients to rely on me for every little tweak? Sure. But that’s not my goal. I want to spend my time creating beautiful, functional designs—not constantly updating headers or swapping out photos.
Is Squarespace Right for You?
I’m not here to say Squarespace is perfect for everyone. Like all website builders, it has limitations. But for many small business owners, the ease, accessibility, and all-in-one functionality make it the perfect choice.
If you’re looking for a website that is simple, professional, and easy to maintain, Squarespace might be the best fit for you.
Are You Looking for a Web Designer for Your Small Business?
I specialize in creating Squarespace websites that are both beautiful and easy to manage. If you’re ready to build a site that supports your business without becoming an extra burden, let’s chat!
