Contents

Web Design & Development

Should I use WordPress or Squarespace?

Kye Maclennan
Updated on: 25, Sep 2025

Contents

If you’re planning a new website, one of the first questions you’ll likely face is “Should I use WordPress or Squarespace?”. WordPress and Squarespace are two of the most popular choices for small businesses, entrepreneurs and creatives. Both can power professional websites, but they differ in flexibility, ease of use, and long-term potential. In this guide, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each so you can make an informed decision.

What is WordPress?

WordPress is the world’s most popular content management system (CMS), powering over 40% of all websites. It’s open-source software, which means it’s free to use and endlessly customisable. You can extend functionality with themes, plugins, and custom development. WordPress works well for everything from simple brochure sites to complex e-commerce stores and enterprise websites.

What is Squarespace?

Squarespace is a website builder aimed at users who want an all-in-one solution. It provides hosting, design templates, and built-in tools for blogging, ecommerce, and marketing. Unlike WordPress, Squarespace is not open-source — you’re limited to the features and customisation options they provide. It’s best suited for users who value simplicity over advanced control.

WordPress vs Squarespace: The key differences

Ease of Use

  • WordPress: Requires a bit of a learning curve, especially if you’ve never managed a website before. However, with page builders like Elementor or block editors, it’s become much easier.
  • Squarespace: Extremely user-friendly with drag-and-drop editing. Beginners can get a site live quickly without technical skills.

Customisation & Flexibility

  • WordPress: Unlimited flexibility with thousands of themes and plugins. You can build custom features or integrate almost any third-party tool.
  • Squarespace: Limited customisation — what you see is what you get. Good for simple sites, but restrictive if you need advanced features.

Design & Templates

  • WordPress: Huge variety of free and premium templates. You can fully customise or design from scratch.
  • Squarespace: Sleek, modern templates out of the box, but fewer options and less freedom to customise deeply.

SEO & Performance

  • WordPress: SEO-friendly by default, with advanced plugins (like Yoast or Rank Math) for optimisation. You have full control over technical SEO.
  • Squarespace: Offers built-in SEO tools, but they’re basic compared to WordPress. Less control over performance and advanced settings.

Cost

  • WordPress: The software is free, but you’ll need hosting, a domain and possibly premium themes/plugins. Costs scale with complexity.
  • Squarespace: Monthly subscription (from around £12–£30/month), which includes hosting and templates. Easier to budget, but less scalable long-term.

Scalability

  • WordPress: Scales with your business. Ideal if you expect growth, more features, or higher traffic.
  • Squarespace: Works well for small sites, but can feel limiting if your business grows and you need more advanced features.

Which Platform is Right for You?

  • Choose WordPress if:
    • You want full control and flexibility.
    • Your website is central to your business (SEO, lead generation, ecommerce).
    • You expect to grow and add more features in the future.
  • Choose Squarespace if:
    • You need a simple site quickly with minimal setup.
    • You don’t want to deal with hosting or plugins.
    • Your website is more of a portfolio or brochure than a business growth engine.

Frequently asked questions

Is WordPress harder to use than Squarespace?
WordPress has a steeper learning curve, but offers much more power and flexibility once you get comfortable. Squarespace is easier for beginners but more restrictive.

Can I switch from Squarespace to WordPress later?
Yes, you can migrate, but it may require rebuilding parts of your site. Many businesses start with Squarespace and move to WordPress once they outgrow it.

Which is better for SEO, WordPress or Squarespace?
WordPress generally wins here. Squarespace covers the basics, but WordPress gives you full control and advanced tools for long-term SEO success.

So, should I use WordPress or Squarespace?

Both WordPress and Squarespace can build professional websites, but they serve different needs. Squarespace is excellent for simplicity and speed, while WordPress is the platform of choice for flexibility, growth and long-term results.

👉 If you’re unsure which is right for you, or if you want a WordPress website designed to grow with your business, explore our Website Design & Development services at Funll.