So, you just setup a business or already have and you want a website. Setting up a business website is easier than ever before thanks to website builders that eliminate the need for costly web designers or freelancers. Platforms like Wix and Squarespace offer a wide range of templates with different applications or styles which users can customize to better fit their needs.
So, you just setup a business or already have and you want a website. Setting up a business website is easier than ever before thanks to website builders that eliminate the need for costly web designers or freelancers. Platforms like Wix and Squarespace offer a wide range of templates with different applications or styles which users can customize to better fit their needs.
The two above mentioned platforms are the most popular website builders today offering competing features, add-ons and pricing on top of their existing platforms. So if you want a landing page done quickly or an affordable eCommerce page without the months of development, a website builder may just be the choice for your business website. But from the world’s top 2 platforms in Wix and Squarespace, which if these are right for you?
To know which one fits you best, let’s dive into their 7 key differences.
Template Designs
Building a website starts with picking a free or paid template from the library. These templates vary from simple landing pages, portfolios, and even E-Commerce sites with special features included based on the template type. Both Wix and Squarespace boasts of over 500 and 100 templates respectively, which can be customized through their own drag and drop builder. Wix also has its AI builder that will design a website for you based on your choices of color, themes, and other factors although quality of the website may vary, but it serves as a good base for further customization.
Wix
Has over 500 design templates
You can design your own theme from scratch
When switching themes, you have to re-create your content.
Squarespace
Offers around 100 design templates
Editable source files (HTML and CSS) using the Squarespace Business plan onwards
You can easily change themes without re-creating your content
Ease of Use (Editor & Customization)
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a website builder is its ease of use because they are supposed to make website building a breeze without the hassle of learning how to code. While both offer a similar drag and drop system, Wix is just more beginner-friendly. They also offer a quick and easy way to kickstart your website through Wix ADI, which asks you a few questions then automatically generates a website for you. Squarespace on the other hand, has more of a structured building experience wherein you work with spacer contents and grid layouts because the system automatically positions your content in place.
Wix
More beginner-friendly
Elements can be placed anywhere on a page without the need to code
When disaster strikes, it’s easier to recover content with their Site History system
Squarespace
Needs a bit more time to get used to
Elements are moved around the page constructively, which means there’s limited drag and drop freedom
There’s no backup and restore function. You have to copy and paste your content somewhere like Google Docs or Microsoft Word
Features & Plug-ins
You have already created the content and put them on the pages of your website. Seems like you’re done, but why not take it up a notch? Using features and plug-ins can customize your site even further. From letting you add galleries and slideshows, create custom color schemes to putting e-commerce tools so that browsing and purchasing in your website can be a lot easier. Squarespace has more of a straightforward approach because all their features are already built into the editor. While Wix has an App Market where you can get a wide range of features and plugins. However, the differences in quality might affect the usability of your website.
Wix
Has numerous features and plugins in the App Market, but it can sometimes get confusing to get the hang of
Not all apps are free
Squarespace
Doesn’t have an App Market, everything is already in the builder. To add more features or plugins, you have to integrate via HTML code
All features are included in the plan
E-commerce
For you to be able to sell your products and services online, you’ll need to use e-commerce tools. You can actually can just use the one where you can accept payments through your website but for it to look more professional, you’ll need more advanced tools. Both website builders have no transaction fees (except for Squarespace’s Business plan), no limit on the number of products you can sell, tracking for your conversion rates and other e-commerce metrics, shipping and tax calculators, coupons and discounts, customer accounts, and a mobile app to manage your store. You can get additional features through the App Market of Wix, while Squarespace, of course, already has it built on their platform.
Wix
You still need to use the Wix Booking App to sell services
No abandoned cart recovery
Has at least 19 payment processors and a lot more though the App Market
Squarespace
They already have a built-in tool for selling services
Has abandoned cart recovery
Uses limited payment processors (Stripe and Paypal only)
User Support
While setting up your site or even after it is published, you might have questions or even encounter problems. This is where user support comes in and that means being able troubleshoot and address your queries. Wix offers customer support through multiple channels such as email, phone, and help center. Squarespace also has a help center. In addition to that, they have a live chat service and boasts of their dedicated 24/7 email support team.
Wix
They have a help center with written, image, and video tutorials for frequently asked questions
Help buttons are conveniently placed all around the user interface
You can send them an email anytime.
Phone service any time between 6 A.M. - 5 P.M. PST. If they’re busy, they give you an option to schedule an appointment to call you back.
Squarespace
Has video and text user guides
Provides a dedicated 24/7 customer service and forum support
Fast email support (responds within an hour, 24/7)
Has live chat service from Monday-Friday, between 3 A.M. – 8 P.M. EST)
Mobile Responsiveness
Nowadays, most people are on their phones browsing online during their idle time. This is why mobile responsiveness in a business website becomes vital because if a website is not mobile-friendly, people would leave that site rather than go through the hassle of the unnecessary resizing or scrolling. Not all templates for Wix are optimized for mobile devices but you can manually edit it. Meanwhile, all templates are mobile-friendly at Squarespace and has more device preview options.
Mobile version of the website is automatically generated but not all templates are fully mobile-responsive
You have the freedom to edit the mobile website from the desktop version
Only desktop and mobile previews are available
Squarespace
All templates are mobile-friendly
Doesn’t have the option to customize the mobile version of the website
Has mobile, tablet, and desktop previews
Pricing Plans
When it comes to choosing the platform, think about the features that matter to you the most and from there, assess which website builder fits your need the most and where you can your money’s worth. Wix has a free account which you can still use even if you don’t upgrade in the future and has various plans to further enhance the usability your website. Squarespace only has a 14-day trial period and if you decide not to purchase their premium plans, you won’t be able to keep the website you built.
Wix
Has a free plan with ads, so you can start right away
Even if you don’t upgrade your free account, you can still keep your website
Offers seven paid plans, which you can pay monthly or annually. Four are intended for websites and three plans are targeted at ecommerce:
Note: The prices are for annual plans
Squarespace
Only has a free trial for 14 days
If you don’t upgrade your account after the trial period, your website will disappear from the web
Provides you with four plans, which you can also purchase monthly or annually:
Sure?
Note: The prices are for annual plans
We have explored and pointed out the difference between Wix and Squarespace. You might already have an idea the one fits you best, but whichever you choose to start building your website, you’ll be in good hands for sure. If you are looking for a website builder that is quick and easy to use where you can still be creative, we recommend you to use Wix. Although, if you are a business that wants to stand out and look more professional, go with Squarespace which is ideal for those who are already an expert in their field. It might have a higher learning curve, but you’ll get the hang of it.