Why To Choose Squarespace for Your Small Business Website
Having a stellar online presence is crucial for small businesses. And when it comes to building a website that not only looks stunning but also functions seamlessly, Squarespace takes the cake. With its user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, and stylish templates, Squarespace emerges as the ultimate choice for small business owners looking to make a splash in the online world.
In this article, we'll delve into why Squarespace is the best choice for your small business website, exploring its simplicity, versatility, and the numerous benefits it offers. So, get ready to unleash the full potential of your online presence with Squarespace!
Squarespace offers you the freedom to be in control
When it comes to website design, simplicity is key, especially for small business owners who may not have a background in coding or design. Squarespace understands this, which is why it has prioritized simplicity and user-friendliness in its platform. With Squarespace, you don't need to be a tech wizard to create a stunning website. Its intuitive interface and drag-and-drop functionality make the process a breeze. You can easily customize templates, add content, and update your site with just a few clicks, eliminating the need for extensive coding knowledge or technical expertise.
Squarespace is your all-in-one platform
One of the standout features of Squarespace is that it provides an all-in-one platform for your small business website needs. It is designed to be user-friendly, with all the necessary features conveniently packed into one place. No need to rely on third-party plugins or add-ons. Squarespace provides hosting, domain registration, Google Workspace integration, email marketing, member areas, and even a scheduling tool for blogging or managing customer appointments. It's like having a website genie granting your every wish!
Sounds super techy, right? Let’s lift the curtain and bring some clarity into these words:
Domain: Your domain is your website’s address. Like ours is: www.coastcreation.com. Think of your website as a house and your domain is the address to your house. Domains (addresses) need to be purchased from a provider to build your website. The great news: Squarespace just bought Google Domains: So you can easily buy your domain with Squarespace and off you go!
Host: Imagine your house stays on a piece of land - that’s what your host is for your website. It is the infrastructure necessary to store and make your websites accessible on the internet. All the content of your website will need to be stored somewhere, which is called a “server”. Squarespace does that for you and makes sure your small business website is available and accessible to users around the world. This is great for your small business web site hosting.
Google Workplace: Now think of this as your personal mailbox. Having an integrated workspace helps you manage your professional company email and store files easily. For example, if you start your business, you want clients to have a professional email to message you. If you say” message me via smallbusiness@gmail.com - that is way less professional than: “hello@businessname.com”.
Mobile responsiveness and SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Having your small business website optimized for mobile phones is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Squarespace recognizes this and ensures that all its templates are mobile responsive by default. This means that your website will look and function flawlessly on smartphones and tablets, providing an optimal user experience across all devices.
Additionally, Squarespace has robust built-in SEO features that help improve your website's visibility in search engine results. SEO is short for “Search Engine Optimization” and essentially means that your website is optimized for search engines like Google, Bing or Ecosia to find and rank your website for customers to find it. With Squarespace's SEO tools, you can easily optimize your site's metadata, keywords, and page structure, giving your small business a competitive edge in the online realm.
Jargon busting:
Metadata: This description on your website page helps Google to understand what your website is about and supports it to be ranked higher for potential clients to find it.
Keywords: If you like to be found on Google, there are certainly a few words your clients would add into Google’s search field to find it. For example, your customer is looking you are a therapist in Sydney - that is exactly what people might search for: “therapist in Sydney”. If your website is optimised for these keywords, your website will show up on searches like that and Google does the marketing for you.
Access Our Free Website Prep Guide + Checklist
Set your small business website up for success
Learn what you should consider before you start building your website or hire a website designer
Learn the essentials for a successful and converting website
Squarespace keeps your small business’ data safe
Now, let's talk security, because that's a biggie! Squarespace has got your back, my friend. It's like Fort Knox for your website. Since Squarespace is closed-source, only their internal developers have access to the code. That means no sketchy third-party plugins wreaking havoc on your precious site. With cyber threats on the rise, it's comforting to know that your small business website is in safe hands.
Imagine you paid $10,000 for your new website and the next month someone stole your passwords and now you no longer have access to them? Worst case scenario, this person forwards payments to themselves or even gains access to your members area with personal information of your customers - not great!
That’s why Squarespace is an absolute winner when it comes to the security of your website.
Squarespace gas great e-commerce capabilities for small businesses
For small businesses looking to sell products or services online, Squarespace offers powerful e-commerce capabilities. With its integrated e-commerce functionality, you can set up an online store, showcase your products, and manage inventory seamlessly. Squarespace provides secure payment gateways, inventory tracking, and order management tools to streamline your e-commerce operations. Whether you're selling physical products, digital downloads, or services, Squarespace empowers you to create a professional and user-friendly online store, allowing you to expand your reach and boost your sales.
Are there any downsides to Squarespace?
While Squarespace is an excellent platform for many users, it's important to consider some potential downsides when using it for your website. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:
Limited Customization:
Although Squarespace offers a range of beautifully designed templates, the level of customization may be limited compared to other platforms. If you have specific design requirements or want extensive control over the appearance and functionality of your website, you may find Squarespace's options somewhat restrictive.
Learning Curve
While Squarespace aims to be user-friendly, it still has a learning curve, especially for users who are new to website building. Familiarizing yourself with the platform's features and customization options may take some time, and you may need to invest effort in understanding how to make the most of Squarespace's capabilities.
Lack of Advanced Plugins
Unlike platforms such as WordPress, which has an extensive library of plugins, Squarespace has a more limited selection. While it covers most essential features, you may find that certain advanced functionalities or integrations you require are not available through native Squarespace options. This can be a drawback if you have specific needs beyond the platform's built-in capabilities.
E-commerce Limitations
While Squarespace does provide e-commerce capabilities, it may not be the best fit for businesses with complex or large-scale online stores. It lacks some advanced features found in dedicated e-commerce platforms, such as extensive inventory management or sophisticated order fulfillment options. If you have a robust e-commerce operation, you may want to explore Shopify, which is the perfect platform for extensive e-commerce.
Pricing
Squarespace's pricing structure may be a consideration for some users. While the platform offers various pricing plans, they can be higher compared to some competitors. If you're on a tight budget or have minimal website needs, you may find more cost-effective options elsewhere.
It's essential to assess your specific website requirements and goals to determine if Squarespace's limitations align with your needs. While it may have some downsides, Squarespace's overall ease of use, design aesthetics, and integrated features make it a popular choice for many individuals and small businesses.
Still wondering which one is best for you? Send me an email - I’m happy to help: hello@coastcreation.com
If you are sure Squarespace is the perfect option for you as a small business, then explore our services - we’d love to hear from you and help you build your brand and website.
Meet your Squarespace website designer
Brand Strategist, Brand Designer and Squarespace website designer for small businesses & entrepreneurs
Ready for your Squarespace website?
