Squarespace Competitors: Best Website Platforms for Service-Based Business Owners

Squarespace has plenty of competitors and if you’re a service-based business owner trying to figure out which website platform to use, welcome. You’re in the right place—because this decision isn’t just about slapping some pretty pages together. It’s about building a platform that works as hard as you do.

Squarespace is great for a lot of folks (I have used it for my own website before, and recommend it in many cases). But it’s not the only option out there, and for some of you, it might not be the best fit in the long run. Whether you’re dealing with a basic site that can’t keep up, want better SEO options, or need something scalable for your growing biz, you’ve got choices.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the top Squarespace competitors, why they might (or might not) work for you, and what to keep in mind as you choose the right platform.

What to Look For in a Website Platform

Before we dive into specific platforms, let’s talk about what actually matters when choosing a website builder. Spoiler alert: It’s not just how easy it is to drag-and-drop stuff.

1. Website Cost

You’ve got upfront costs, recurring fees, and sometimes hidden costs (like extra plugins or premium support). Make sure the platform fits your budget now and later.

This is one reason I don’t love Wix––they will make you pay more for their fully responsive website builder (X).

2. Website Flexibility

Can you customize it to fit your brand? Will it grow with your business? Some platforms are more adaptable than others.

Another reason I don’t like Wix (don’t worry, this post is more than just about Wix), is because you can’t just “change templates” as you please, you have to start over.

WordPress is probably the King of website flexibility, with the millions of themes and plugins at your disposal.

3. Ease of Migration

Trust me, this one’s huge. If you ever want to switch platforms, can you migrate your content without pulling your hair out?

(Looking at you, Wix…)

Costs change, platforms change… you want to be able to hit “Export” and take your content elsewhere. Squarespace and WordPress make this easy. And if you’re like me, with 200+ blog posts, you don’t want to have to copy and paste those manually.

You do lose the “design” of the site because the blocks/modules don’t translate between platforms at all, but you do get the images and words!

4. SEO Strength

Your website should help people find you. A platform with solid SEO capabilities is non-negotiable if you want organic traffic without living on social media 24/7. Google doesn’t care too much about WHAT platform you’re on, it’s more about the content you’re producing. But, just make sure that any platform you’re on does allow for SEO tweaking for posts, pages, projects, etc.

The Best Squarespace Competitors for Service-Based Businesses

Now that we know what we’re looking for, let’s dive into the top Squarespace competitors.

1. WordPress.org (Best Overall)

Why It’s Great: WordPress.org is like the Swiss Army knife of website platforms. It’s incredibly flexible, has unmatched SEO capabilities, and lets you do pretty much anything—from a simple blog to a fully custom site.

Drawbacks: It’s not as user-friendly as some other platforms, and it does require regular maintenance (like updates and backups). There’s a bit of a learning curve if you’re DIY-ing. Not all themes are built great.

Best For: Businesses that are serious about long-term growth and want full control over their site.

Pro Tip: Pair WordPress with a reliable hosting provider and a lightweight theme for best performance. Do not go for the cheapest host! I love Rocket.net (aff link).

2. Shopify (For Product Businesses)

Why It’s Great: Shopify is built for e-commerce, but it can also work well if you offer both services and products (think digital downloads, fitness plans, or merchandise).

Drawbacks: If you’re not selling products, Shopify might be overkill. It’s also pricier than some other platforms.

Best For: Businesses with physical products, or at least a mix of services and physical or digital products.

3. Showit (For Custom Design Lovers)

Why It’s Great: Showit lets you have complete creative freedom. Want a website that looks like it came straight out of a design magazine? Showit’s got you covered. Bonus: It uses WordPress for blogging, so you get the best of both worlds.

Drawbacks: It’s more expensive and requires a bit of tech-savviness. If you’re not comfortable tinkering with design, this might not be your jam. For most business owners, this platform is going to be intimidating.

Best For: Creative service providers who want something unique and aren’t afraid of a little tech.

4. Duda (A Fast, Professional Option)

Why It’s Great: Duda is known for its speed and responsive design. It offers an intuitive builder and solid SEO capabilities without much maintenance required.

Drawbacks: It’s less flexible than WordPress, so if you want heavy customization, you might feel limited.

Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses that need a professional site quickly and don’t want to deal with a lot of upkeep.

5. Format (For Creatives with Portfolios)

Why It’s Great: Format is designed for photographers, artists, and other creatives who rely heavily on visual portfolios. It’s sleek and easy to use.

Drawbacks: Not ideal for non-visual businesses or those who need lots of customization.

Best For: Creatives who want a clean, minimalist portfolio site.

Wait, Could I Use Canva for a Website?

Short answer: Not really.

Canva offers basic website templates, but they’re more like digital flyers than full-on websites. If you’re serious about building a solid business, Canva isn’t a viable option. Sure, it’s cute for quick landing pages or event sites, but for SEO, scalability, and long-term growth? Hard pass.

Comparison Chart: Squarespace Competitors at a Glance

PlatformCostFlexibilityEase of MigrationSEO StrengthBest For
WordPress$$HighEasyExcellentLong-term growth & scalability
Shopify$$$MediumModerateGoodProduct + service businesses
Showit$$$Very HighModerateGood (with WP)Creative businesses with tech skills
Duda$$MediumEasyGoodQuick, low-maintenance professional sites
Format$$LowEasyModeratePortfolio-based businesses

Website Platform Recommendations

  • Best Overall: WordPress—for maximum flexibility and SEO.
  • Best All-in-One Option: Squarespace—still a solid choice if you want something simple with built-in tools.
  • Best for Product + Service Businesses: Shopify—great if you’re selling products alongside services.
  • Best for Custom Design: Showit—if you want a unique, beautiful site and have the skills (or budget) to make it happen.
  • Best for Fast, No-Fuss Sites: Duda—if you want a professional site without a lot of upkeep.

Final Thoughts About Squarespace

Squarespace really is a solid option for many service-based businesses—especially if you want something simple with built-in design tools and don’t want to fuss with too many customizations. It handles a lot of the heavy lifting for you, from hosting to templates, and makes it easy to get a site up quickly.

But here’s the deal: The best platform is the one you’re actually going to use. Because even the most beautiful website isn’t going to serve your business if it’s outdated or difficult to update. Whether you choose Squarespace, WordPress, or another competitor, what matters most is keeping your website current, clear, and easy for your visitors to navigate.

Ready to build a website that actually works for your business? Let’s do it!

I build high-impact websites for health pros so they can spend less time on social.

BRANDWHYS PODCAST

RECENT POSTS

WEB DESIGN SERVICES

SEO SERVICES