26 Causes Why WordPress Crushes Squarespace Each Time

In the event you’ve landed on this submit since you’re deciding whether or not to go along with WordPress or Squarespace, let me make your choice simpler for you: select WordPress each time.

Whereas each present a platform so that you can construct a web site, they’re vastly totally different. WordPress is utilized by over one-third of all web sites on the web whereas Squarespace, however, powers 1.2 million web sites. WordPress is obtainable each as hosted and self-hosted choices (we’ll dig into that additional down), whereas Squarespace is obtainable solely as a hosted model.

On this submit, I’ll undergo the 26 explanation why self-hosted WordPress is the clear winner over Squarespace each time.

Purpose #1: Free to Obtain

The WordPress software program is open supply and free to obtain to be used on the net host or server of your selecting.

Alternatively, Squarespace isn’t versatile – you’re caught with their internet hosting, which is strictly on Squarespace’s servers.

Purpose #2: Construct Upon the Software program

WordPress has a GPL 2.0 license, which implies you’re free to poke across the code and make adjustments that swimsuit your wants, as long as you’re prepared to share your adjustments with others as open supply.

Squarespace has no such license and even goes as far as forbidding you from making an attempt to reverse engineer their code or platform, typically, to make any form of by-product work in statements 5.1 of the Phrases of Service and 1.5 of the Acceptable Use Coverage.

Purpose #3: Edit with Code as A lot as You Need

As beforehand talked about, you possibly can edit WordPress core to create your individual offshoot content material administration system (CMS) due to the GPL, however it’s also possible to edit WordPress plugins and themes to increase the capabilities of your web site. You aren’t restricted to what number of adjustments you can also make.

There are additionally many, many plugins you should use so as to add customized code to your website on the fly corresponding to Easy Customized CSS, and Easy Customized CSS and JS to call just a few. You’ll be able to add as a lot or as little code as you need.

Briefly, you possibly can edit no matter you need in the case of WordPress. You can even create your individual themes and plugins.

Squarespace isn’t as versatile. Not even shut.

Whilst you can add somewhat customized HTML, CSS, or JavaScript to make small customizations, and add your individual textual content or media content material in addition to some fundamental animations, you possibly can’t change any main parts.

In sections 5.1 of the Phrases of Service, Squarespace forbids you from enhancing the themes’ code or another main component together with any a part of the provided providers. If you wish to dig into some code to alter considered one of their themes or create considered one of your individual, you possibly can’t.

Purpose #4: Intensive Options with Plugins

WordPress has an unlimited repository of over 57,000 plugins to increase the capabilities of the core software program. Yow will discover virtually any characteristic you can probably want or need on your website with plugins, together with something from contact varieties and search engine optimisation to safety and eCommerce.

Like their visible editor, what you see is what you get with Squarespace. If a sure characteristic you want isn’t accessible, you’re out of luck.

Purpose #5: Limitless Websites and Networks

The WordPress platform itself doesn’t have any restrict to what number of occasions it may be put in, which implies you possibly can create as many websites or networks of web sites because the assets your internet hosting plan permits – at no cost.

If you join a Squarespace plan, you’re restricted to just one website. If you wish to create one other website, you want to enroll in one other premium subscription.

Purpose #6: Multisite

One phrase: Multisite. ‘Nough stated, however in case you need extra element: WordPress enables you to create a community of internet sites known as a Multisite. This implies you possibly can run as many websites as you need utilizing one set up of WordPress and entry them multi functional place.

This makes it the right answer for all kinds of web sites and functions. For instance, you can provide your individual weblog or website internet hosting, like the favored training web site Edublogs, or you can host all of your shoppers’ websites below one roof for simple administration.

Squarespace has no such characteristic.

Purpose #7: Your Copyrighted Content material Can’t Be Used for Free

WordPress has no declare to publish any a part of your website at no cost.

Squarespace, however, based on its Phrases of Service, statements 2.2 and a couple of.3, can use any a part of your website for makes use of corresponding to promoting, even when the content material they take is copyrighted.

By making a website with Squarespace, you not solely consent to this, however you additionally conform to allow them to use what they need at no cost. They don’t even need to contact you first.

No royalty cheques. Nothing.

Whilst you can opt-out, it’s not a straightforward, one-click possibility.

Purpose #8: Options Aren’t Pulled with out Discover

The WordPress core will get up to date often with new options and safety updates and there’s a system in place to make sure transparency with what goes in, will get mounted, and what’s omitted.

Adjustments are urged, reviewed, and permitted earlier than they’re labored on, then later launched. Any amendments or omissions are effectively documented and introduced beforehand. Within the occasion {that a} characteristic you want is discontinued, you will have time to seek for or create a plugin to cowl the capabilities you need.

For particulars, you possibly can try Make WordPress and WordPress Trac.

Alternatively, Squarespace can discontinue and take away options at any time and with out discover. It’s written in statements 4.1 and 6.1 of the Phrases of Service.

Purpose #9: If You Have Grounds to Sue, You Aren’t Restricted

Within the unlikely occasion that you might want to sue Automattic, the non-profit firm behind WordPress.com, you possibly can and also you’re not restricted until as required by legislation.

In sections 16.1 to 16.3 and 16.9 of Squarespace’s Phrases of Service, you’re restricted to the quantity to which you’ll be able to sue. Spoiler alert: you possibly can solely sue for small sums of cash.

You’re additionally restricted to the place you’re required to attend courtroom hearings and by making a website, you conform to mediate a lawsuit earlier than the case goes to courtroom. You additionally conform to not file any class motion lawsuits.

Whereas it’s unlikely that you’d must sue Squarespace, you by no means know and it’s good to not be so restricted in how one can resolve a authorized scenario.

Purpose #10: No eCommerce Transaction Charges

You’ll be able to flip your WordPress website into an eCommerce retailer with a plugin. Thankfully, there are alternatives on the market like WooCommerce.

Alternatively, Squarespace fees a transaction charge for every sale you make, until you determine to improve your plan. You’ll be able to try the Squarespace pricing web page for particulars.

Purpose #11: Your Server Assets Aren’t Restricted

As talked about earlier, you possibly can select the place to host your WordPress website, in contrast to Squarespace, which requires you to host your website on their servers. This implies you possibly can’t scale your website later if it turns into fashionable.

Squarespace advertises all plans as having limitless bandwidth, however the advantageous print on their pricing web page makes it clear that the service is proscribed to regular utilization.

This implies your website can get shut down if Squarespace decides you’re getting greater than common quantities of site visitors – no matter which means – since there isn’t a transparent definition (or any in any respect) for “regular utilization.”

Conversely, WordPress offers you the liberty to decide on your individual internet hosting so yow will discover one which’s scalable and works for you.

Purpose #12: On-line Shops Aren’t Restricted to Sure Currencies

If you use an eCommerce plugin corresponding to WooCommerce, for instance, you aren’t restricted to the currencies you possibly can settle for on your gross sales. The one limitations you can have been with the cost processors you select to make use of.

With Squarespace, you’re restricted to USD, AUD, CAD, CHF, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, MXN, NOK, NZD, SEK, or SGD. It’s additionally printed on the pricing web page. This may be limiting, particularly for an internet retailer that desires to just accept gross sales from all all over the world.

Purpose #13: 1000’s of Free Themes

Within the WordPress.org theme repository, there are over 3,900 free themes accessible so that you can obtain and use.

This quantity doesn’t even embrace all of the premium themes which can be additionally accessible. There’s actually no scarcity of theme and design choices in the case of WordPress.

Squarespace has a grand whole of 110 themes to select from. In the event you want an eCommerce theme, then your selections are additional restricted to simply eight.

Purpose #14: No Excessive-Decision Photos? No downside!

Talking of all these WordPress themes, it’s simpler to discover a structure that fits your wants and content material. You even have the choice to regulate the theme to raised suit your pictures, movies, posts, and different content material. For pictures, our Smush plugin can assist, too.

You’re not at all certain to make use of a restricted variety of themes that decision for large, high-resolution pictures. Sadly, that is precisely the case with Squarespace.

Many of the themes accessible require these sorts of pictures and in case you don’t have them, your website gained’t look nice.

Purpose #15: Prime Corporations Belief WordPress

There are numerous fashionable, high-profile firms that belief WordPress to energy their websites together with The New York Instances, CNN, PlayStation, LinkedIn, Flickr, Walt Disney, NGINX, Time Inc, cPanel, and lots of extra.

Many celebrities even have their websites constructed on WordPress together with Beyoncé, Snoop Dogg, Katy Perry, Jane Fonda, Kim Kardashian, The Rolling Stones, Sylvester Stallone, and William Shatner.

You’ll be able to try the WordPress Showcase for particulars and extra examples.

If you go to the principle web page for Squarespace and scroll down, logos are displayed of the businesses that use Squarespace. Most of them are small companies that aren’t practically as high-profile as these which can be constructed on WordPress.

There’s a purpose why extra firms select WordPress over different platforms and lots of of these causes are listed right here.

Purpose #16: Full Management Over SSL and HTTPS

Putting in an SSL certificates locations the https prefix on your area in a browser’s handle bar. Additionally they assist safe your website by encrypting the connection between your website and your customer’s browser. The encryption prevents hackers from having the ability to do sorts of hacking like hijacking a customer’s connection to bypass the login type.

For particulars, you possibly can try The right way to Use SSL and HTTPS with WordPress.

If you set up a WordPress website or community, you possibly can select a Certificates Authority and the kind of SSL certificates you need to use. You’ll be able to decide one that gives a guaranty in case you get hacked and expertise information loss in addition to select a certificates that’s trusted by extra folks.

You even have choices for forcing using an SSL certificates on your website. For instance, in case you set up a certificates on your area, then use Softaculous to put in WordPress, you possibly can select to mechanically setup your area with HTTPS mechanically.

Squarespace mechanically points an SSL certificates on your area and website, however you don’t get a selection on the kind of certificates and the Certificates Authority that points it. The SSL certificates can also’t be compelled mechanically. It’s worthwhile to activate this feature within the settings.

If you need your SSL certificates to return with sure options and a guaranty, it’s not doable in case you create your website with Squarespace. For particulars, you possibly can try Squarespace and SSL.

Purpose #17: Select Your Area Registrar and Value

Each WordPress and Squarespace allow you to select which Registrar you utilize to get your area on your website, however WordPress doesn’t pressure you to decide on a particular Registrar at any level.

In the event you create a website with Squarespace and join annual billing for any considered one of their plans to get a reduction, you get a free area, however you’re compelled to get that area from Squarespace.

Whereas the primary yr is free, yearly thereafter is priced increased than most different Registrars and begins at $20 for a .com area. Most different Registrars provide a .com area for about $10-$15 and generally much less.

Purpose #18: You Can Personal Your Area

Some Area Registrars state of their Phrases of Service that the principle contact listed within the WHOIS database for a website is the proprietor, which implies in case you opt-in for area privateness, your Registrar is listed as the principle contact and, subsequently, owns the area you bought.

You’ve the choice to decide on the Registrar the place you get your area on your WordPress website. This implies you possibly can store round for one that gives WHOIS privateness and likewise enables you to personal your area concurrently.

Whereas it’s doable to purchase your area elsewhere, the free area you get from Squarespace, as talked about above, mechanically consists of WHOIS privateness. In the Phrases of Service, it’s began in part 11.1 that Squarespace domains are registered utilizing Tucows Inc. and their Phrases of Service applies for all domains registered there.

In Tucows Inc.’s Phrases of Service, part 21 states that the principle contact for a registered area is the proprietor of it. Since Squarespace mechanically applies WHOIS privateness to all domains registered there and so they grow to be the principle contact, they legally personal your area.

Whilst you’re technically in a position to change possession of a registered area, it’s not a typical or straightforward enterprise. Tucows Inc. should be notified by the proprietor in writing, which is outlined in part 26 as a direct e-mail or common mail despatched to Tucows Inc.

This implies you would wish to contact Squarespace and persuade them to e-mail Tucows Inc. to switch possession of the area you bought. In any other case, it stays the authorized property of Squarespace.

Purpose #19: Accessibility Is an Choice

As talked about earlier, with the various themes accessible for WordPress websites, you possibly can create a website that’s accessible to your guests who’re partially sighted and use display screen readers to eat the content material in your website.

Most WordPress websites cross essentially the most fundamental necessities for accessibility since hyperlinks and the principle website content material might be consumed by display screen readers. Whereas there are websites on the market that differ and vary between absolutely accessible and by no means, full accessibility is a aim that may be reached.

Squarespace’s website and most websites which can be created on the platform can’t be thought of absolutely accessible. Most Squarespace websites together with the principle website can barely cross as accessible since display screen readers can sometimes learn hyperlinks solely and never all the time all of them besides.

Since you can’t modify or construct upon the Squarespace platform, as aforementioned, you aren’t in a position to work on the accessibility of a Squarespace website.

Purpose #20: Limitless Pages and Contributors

With WordPress, you possibly can arrange as many pages and contributors as you need. WordPress doesn’t restrict what number of you possibly can have in both case. Your solely limitation is what you possibly can handle to suit into your present internet hosting plan.

Squarespace provides as much as 20 pages and two contributors on their Private plan and you might want to improve so as to add extra.

Purpose #21: Extra Consumer Position Flexibility

If you use WordPress and a plugin like Consumer Position Editor, you possibly can customise the default person roles to create what you want on your customers.

WordPress itself offers you final flexibility as a result of you possibly can create your individual plugin to regulate the person roles as you see match.

Squarespace has set sorts of person roles they name Contributors and you may’t customise them. You’re caught with the person roles already accessible.

Purpose #22: Select The right way to Edit Your Web site

There are such a lot of themes to select from for WordPress you could edit with code and including content material to your website is fairly straightforward, however you will have different choices in the case of enhancing your theme, design, structure, and content material corresponding to starter themes, and web page builders.

With web page builders like Divi, Elementor, and Beaver Builder, you possibly can simply and intuitively customise totally different layouts and designs with out having to edit any code. You can even use Builder in tandem to pull and drop your option to create an infinite variety of new themes. Whereas it’s solely optionally available, it’s also possible to add your individual customized code.

Whether or not you need to code or drag and drop your option to a brand new theme, it’s as much as you when you have a WordPress website.

Squarespace has its personal platform and interfaces for creating websites. You’ll be able to click on by means of sections of the menu or web page so as to add web page components and you may organize them the place you need. Whilst you can drag and drop some parts of the web page, not every thing is that versatile. There’s a labyrinth of choices on the menu that may be tough and time-consuming to seek out.

Purpose #23: The Theme Customizer is Higher

In the event you determine to make use of a free WordPress theme on your website, many assist the Customizer, which you should use to make fast design adjustments. It’s so much simpler and extra intuitive to make use of than Squarespace’s website editor.

Purpose #24: A Huge Neighborhood

WordPress has a novel group that’s additionally humongous. There are volunteers that assist contribute to the WordPress core and likewise many who reply questions posted by different customers within the WordPress Help Discussion board.

Whereas Squarespace has a group, it’s not practically as huge as WordPress. There additionally aren’t Squarespace conferences like there’s with WordPress. WordCamps occur everywhere in the world yearly and are attended by lots of and 1000’s of individuals.

Purpose #25: WordPress Can Be Utilized by Anybody

Anybody can create a WordPress website so long as they’ve entry to internet hosting. Squarespace is proscribed to folks aged 13 or older and extra particularly, Squarespace’s audience is folks eager to publish media and photographers.

Purpose #26: Higher Analytics

There are numerous WordPress plugins on the market that may add analytics straight into your website’s again finish. Oftentimes, you may get extremely complete analytics.

For instance, you can join Google Analytics and use our Beehive plugin so as to add all of the stats to your WordPress dashboard.

Squarespace consists of an analytics characteristic, but it surely solely has fundamental info that isn’t practically as detailed as Google Analytics and also you aren’t in a position to join the 2 collectively within the admin space.

The Backside Line

With regards to evaluating WordPress and Squarespace, there’s no contest. Sure, they’re totally different – WordPress.org is a self-hosted possibility whereas Squarespace just isn’t, and each choices have totally different goal audiences. The aim of this submit is solely to level out the plain (and possibly not-so-obvious) explanation why WordPress is a transparent winner if you’d like larger management of your web site.

Sure, you possibly can create a great-looking website utilizing Squarespace, however the platform is severely restricted when in comparison with WordPress, which you should use to do virtually something you need.

I hope you’ve discovered this submit convincing and enlightening! And don’t neglect, in case you need assistance getting arrange, our assist group is obtainable 24/7 that will help you with any WordPress query.