Choosing the right blogging platform, Squarespace vs WordPress, is a big decision. You need something easy to use but also powerful for long-term growth. Squarespace and WordPress are two of the most popular choices. They both let you create blogs, but they work very differently.
Squarespace is great for beginners who want a quick and beautiful website. On the other hand, WordPress gives you more flexibility, customization, and control.
If you’re serious about blogging and making money, WordPress is the better choice. However, if you want a simple, no-hassle setup, Squarespace works well. Let's compare them in detail.
Ease of Use
Building a blog should be simple, but some platforms make it easier than others.
Squarespace is extremely beginner-friendly. You can create a website in minutes with its drag-and-drop builder.
You don’t need coding skills, and everything is included. However, customization options are limited compared to WordPress.
WordPress has a learning curve, but it offers much more control. You’ll need to set up hosting and install plugins, but you get endless possibilities. Once you learn the basics, managing a WordPress blog becomes easy.
Key Points:
- Squarespace: Simple drag-and-drop tools for fast website building.
- WordPress: Requires setup but gives more control and flexibility.
- Winner: Squarespace for beginners, WordPress for long-term growth.
Design and Customization
A good blog should look unique, not like every other site. Your platform choice affects how much you can customize.
Squarespace offers stunning templates that look professional from the start. You can tweak colors, fonts, and layouts, but deeper customization is limited. If you want a unique look, you may feel restricted.
WordPress provides thousands of themes and plugins. You can fully customize your site with coding or page builders like Elementor. Whether you want a minimalist blog or a feature-rich website, WordPress makes it possible.
Key Points:
- Squarespace: Beautiful templates but limited customization.
- WordPress: Full design control with thousands of themes and plugins.
- Winner: WordPress for ultimate customization.
Features and Flexibility
A blogging platform should adapt to your needs as you grow.
Squarespace comes with built-in features like analytics, social media integration, and email marketing. However, it lacks advanced tools and third-party integrations. If you need custom features, you might hit limitations.
WordPress is open-source, meaning you can add any feature you want. With over 60,000 plugins, you can optimize SEO, add forums, or create membership sites. No matter what you need, WordPress can handle it.
Key Points:
- Squarespace: Basic built-in tools but limited expandability.
- WordPress: Endless features with plugins and integrations.
- Winner: WordPress for long-term flexibility.
Pricing and Cost
The cost of running a blog depends on the platform you choose.
Squarespace has simple pricing. Plans start at $16 per month, including hosting, templates, and built-in tools. However, you’re locked into their system, and costs can add up if you need premium features.
WordPress itself is free, but you need hosting, which can cost as little as $5 per month or less. For example, you can sign up for hosting with Bluehost for just $2 – $3 a month, which is the best price for any hosting provider.
You can also choose premium themes and plugins, but the flexibility allows you to control costs. Over time, WordPress provides better value for money.
Suggested reading: How to Start A WordPress Blog On Bluehost
Key Points:
- Squarespace: Fixed monthly pricing, but costs add up for advanced features.
- WordPress: Lower starting cost with more flexibility.
- Winner: WordPress for better long-term affordability.
SEO and Performance – Squarespace Vs WordPress
If you want your blog to rank on Google, SEO is crucial.
Squarespace offers basic SEO tools, such as meta descriptions and URL editing. However, you can’t fully control technical aspects like site speed and advanced optimizations.
WordPress is built for SEO. With plugins like Yoast SEO and Rank Math, you can optimize content, improve speed, and boost rankings. Plus, WordPress sites tend to perform better in search results due to their flexibility.
Key Points:
- Squarespace: Basic SEO features but limited technical control.
- WordPress: Advanced SEO tools and better performance.
- Winner: WordPress holds the record for the most top search rankings of any website platform.
Blogging and Content Management
A good blogging platform should make writing and managing content easy.
Squarespace has a simple editor that works well for short posts. However, it lacks advanced blogging features like custom categories, post types, and editorial tools.
WordPress is the best content management system (CMS) available. It allows unlimited posts, categories, and advanced formatting options. Plus, you can schedule posts, create custom post types, and even add multiple authors.
Key Points:
- Squarespace: Good for basic blogs but lacks advanced features.
- WordPress: Best platform for serious bloggers.
- Winner: WordPress for powerful blogging tools.
Monetization and Growth
If you want to make money from your blog, the right platform is key.
Squarespace allows basic monetization, like selling digital products or using affiliate links. However, it lacks advanced ad networks, membership sites, and scalable business tools.
WordPress offers unlimited ways to make money. You can run ads, offer memberships, sell courses, and integrate with payment platforms. For long-term growth, WordPress is the best choice.
Suggested reading: How to Start A Blog & Make Money From It As A Beginner
Key Points:
- Squarespace: Limited monetization options.
- WordPress: Best platform for making money online.
- Winner: WordPress for income potential.
E-commerce Capabilities
If you plan to sell products, choosing the right platform matters.
Squarespace has built-in e-commerce tools, making it easy to create an online store. However, it has transaction fees and fewer customization options than WordPress.
WordPress integrates with WooCommerce, the most powerful e-commerce plugin. You can sell anything, set up advanced payment options, and fully customize your store. For serious online businesses, WordPress is unbeatable.
Key Points:
- Squarespace: Simple e-commerce but limited scalability.
- WordPress: WooCommerce offers full e-commerce control.
- Winner: WordPress for online stores.
Support and Community
Good support is important, especially for beginners.
Squarespace offers 24/7 customer support through live chat and email. However, you’re limited to their team and can’t get outside help easily.
WordPress has a massive community. There are thousands of tutorials, forums, and expert developers ready to help. While WordPress doesn’t have direct support, the number of resources available is unmatched.
Key Points:
- Squarespace: Dedicated support but limited help options.
- WordPress: Huge community with endless learning resources.
- Winner: WordPress for long-term problem-solving.
Long-Term Growth Potential
If you want a blog that grows into a full business, the right platform is crucial.
Squarespace is great for quick projects or hobby blogging. However, if you want complete control over branding, traffic, and revenue, WordPress is the best choice.
With WordPress, you own your content, customize every detail, and scale your website as big as you want. Many top bloggers and businesses use WordPress because of its unlimited growth potential.
Key Points:
- Squarespace: Best for small blogs or personal projects.
- WordPress: Ideal for business, branding, and long-term success.
- Winner: WordPress for serious bloggers.
Suggested reading: How to Start An Amateur Blog and Set Yourself Up For Success
Squarespace Vs WordPress – Final Verdict
If you want an easy, fast setup, Squarespace is a great choice. But if you’re serious about blogging, WordPress is the best option.
With its customization, SEO tools, and monetization potential, WordPress offers endless opportunities for growth. If you plan to build a long-term, profitable blog, go with WordPress.
Countless individuals, including myself have made the mistake of using a non self-hosted blogging platform when starting and having to go through the headache later on of transferring their blog or even starting from scratch again.
Trust me when I say this is something you never want to deal with if you plan to become a pro blogger. That is why I always recommend WordPress for bloggers.
Start your WordPress blog using Bluehost for just $3 or less a month.
