Squarespace and WordPress are both popular website building platforms that offer a range of tools and features for creating and managing a website for your private practice. However, there are some key differences between the two platforms that may influence your decision about which one to use.
Note that this article pertains to WordPress.org and not WordPress.com (which I do not recommend).
Squarespace vs WordPress
- Ease of use: Squarespace is primarily geared toward DIYers. Squarespace was built with a drag-and-drop interface for ease of use. While WordPress traditionally had a steeper learning curve, there are now many WP themes that offer a similar drag-and-drop interface.
- Ownership: You don’t own your content with Squarespace so you are essentially renting your website with Squarespace with zero control of your site. If you leave Squarespace (due to subscription fee increases, slow servers, policy changes, etc), you will need to recreate your site from the ground up. The beauty of WordPress is you can migrate your site to different hosts, change themes, export it for different post types, etc. You own your content with WordPress which translates to high portability.
- Hosting: You do not control where your site is hosted with Squarespace. With WordPress, you pick your host and can change hosts at any time. With Squarespace, you have no option. If you leave Squarespace, you lose your site and need to invest in creating a new site elsewhere.
- Cost: Squarespace is a subscription-based service and starts at $12 per month. WordPress.org is free to download and use although you will need to purchase a domain name and hosting separately. While one benefit to Squarespace is the inexpensive point of entry, Squarespace prices often increase and any upgrade for added functionality will be very expensive. In WordPress, the project itself has a higher upfront cost to build and then the only cost thereafter is maintaining it.
- Customization: Squarespace is very limited in its functionality and add-ons. WordPress is far more flexible and customizable, thanks to its large plugin library and open-source nature. With WordPress, you have access to the world’s widest array of themes, customization options, plugins, add ons, and tools.
- SEO: SEO is a critical consideration for any private practice who wants to be found online. Squarespace is generally considered a poor choice for SEO (ie how a site ranks on Google) due to poor hosting and lack of tools available for optimization, tracking, and best SEO practices. WordPress is far better for SEO, as it allows for more advanced customization and optimization options.
- Network: Since Squarespace is primarily built for DIYers, there is a very limited designer and developer network available. If you DIY’d your site on Squarespace and later want to update to a more professional design, you will have a much harder time finding a professional to help. With Wordpress, a large network of designers and developers awaits to help you customize your site at any stage.
Ultimately, the choice between Squarespace and WordPress will depend on your specific needs and goals for your website. If you’re looking to DIY your website and do not plan on using your website as a marketing tool, Squarespace could work for you (such as artists who simply want an online portfolio). For private practices or anyone looking for a more powerful marketing and customizable platform to attract clients, WordPress is the better choice.
So Who Is the Winner?
While both platforms offer varied benefits, Wordpress.org is the platform winner for the best choice for your private practice website.
Get A Website That’s A Marketing Machine
Your marketing strategy should start with the single most important marketing tool for your practice: A great website. A great website should capture your voice, showcase your brand, attract your ideal clients, and create the foundation for a powerful marketing strategy.
I have helped hundreds of private practices just like yours build a powerful online presence with WordPress website design customized to your practice needs. Let’s grow your practice and get you noticed.
