WordPress is undoubtedly one of the most popular platforms for web development, but there are other solutions to consider. Squarespace, for example, is a software as a service (SaaS) website builder. In this blog post, we will try to find the answer to the question “WordPress vs Squarespace – which is better for a business?”, by comparing the two platforms across some key metrics.
While WordPress is an open source Content Management System (CMS) attracting users from other platforms who use services to e.g. migrate or convert Drupal to WordPress, Squarespace is a paid product requiring monthly payment of fees. That aside, there are other key differences.
1. Cost of Development
One of the most important factors for any entrepreneur looking for an appropriate framework for developing the virtual interface of his/ her business is the total cost of the development process. As mentioned earlier, WordPress is free to use but a user will have to pay for the web hosting and domain name service. The final price of a WordPress interface also depends on the theme used for building it apart from the various functionalities (plugins) added to it as options for all these facilities are available for free as well as at a price.
Squarespace is a paid service and the price plans offered by it cover all aspects of web development apart from domain name and web hosting service costs. A basic interface can be had for $12 while an ecommerce website will come at $18 and users looking for online stores can obtain one by using the $26 or the $40 plan.
2. Ease of Use
Squarespace has a drag and drop website builder and a user simply has to select the desired element and place it anywhere on the website without needing to input any code. The templates available on the platform can be easily edited with a front end editor which is extremely helpful for people without much technical knowledge.
WordPress on the other hand is a very convenient platform but all the modifications need to be conducted in the backend of the website before they are implemented. There are a number of themes available these days with what-you-see-is-what-you-get editor which can be used by technically deficient users.
3. Adding Functionalities To the Interface
WordPress offers plugins to users who are looking to extend the functionality of an interface and its database has a huge number of free as well as premium plugins for almost every business use. This makes it extremely convenient for an owner to enhance the functioning of the platform by choosing the suitable plugins.
Squarespace has made some official integrations available to its users but the range is not as varied and vast as WordPress and any third party feature can be added by code injection but no assurance is given by the platform if the functionality will be fully compatible or not.
4. Options for Ecommerce Integration
Squarespace users can acquire an online store by using any of the two offered paid plans which offer all the usual features like customer management, product inventory and display, payments and shipping. The service may levy a transaction charge of 3% depending on the plan.
WordPress facilitates e-commerce integration to a website by using a plugin, the most well-known being WooCommerce which comes with all essential features and with a wide range of options for many of them like payment gateways.
5. SEO Capabilities of the Platform
One of the most important factors to be considered in this WordPress vs Squarespace debate is the SEO capabilities of both the platforms. WordPress is an immensely SEO friendly framework with metadata and alt tags being referred to by their proper names. Using a SEO plugin helps in assessing the performance of the website and also in optimizing the content as well as all related data to improve the visibility of the interface.
Squarespace users will find themselves restricted in this regard as all the tasks for better SEO are not as easily conducted as in the open source CMS.
6. Security of the Website
Squarespace provides complete end to end solution including hosting and therefore security of the interface is its responsibility. It provides SSL certificate to all registered Squarespace as well as third party domains and its closed environment means that all the updates are tested by its team and deployed on all websites automatically.
WordPress’ popularity makes it the focus of a lot of attacks but the platform and its associated features get timely updates which fix these loopholes but managing all the updates and installing them is the responsibility of the user. This makes owners look for professional help for finding suitable solutions.
Conclusion
Finding a conclusive answer to the question WordPress vs Squarespace- which is a better web development platform is difficult as both the solutions come with beneficial features and a user must identify the requirements of the project in order to understand which will be most appropriate for the purpose of building a website.
About Author:
Brandon Graves is proficient WordPress developer employed with HireWPGeeks – Best HTML to WordPress Company. He likes to write on WordPress customization, conversion services like psd to WordPress, UI design, SEO etc. Follow him on Twitter to get more updates.