Updated October 2024
Choosing the right website builder can feel like a big decision, especially when your online presence is such a huge part of your business. Whether you’re showcasing your work, launching an e-commerce site, or just trying to build your personal brand, platforms like Wix and Squarespace are often the go-to options. But which one is actually the best fit for you? Let’s break it down so you can confidently pick the right tool for your website.
It’s not just about picking a website builder; it’s about picking the one that’s going to help you stand out. The internet is crowded, and your website’s first impression really matters. Whether you’re building a portfolio, a blog, or an online store, the choice between Wix and Squarespace can shape your entire online experience. So let’s dive into the details to figure out which one makes the most sense for your needs.
Wix.com vs Squarespace: Ease of Use
Is Squarespace or Wix better for users with minimal technical knowledge? Squarespace and Wix offer user-friendly platforms for website creation, with intuitive editors and pre-designed templates. Both are suitable for users with minimal technical knowledge.
Squarespace offers a range of complex features. Wix provides many customizable templates.
Considering their learning curves and customizability is important when deciding which platform to use.
Wix vs Squarespace Comparison: Design Functionality
When it comes to designing and customizing your website, both Squarespace and Wix have a range of options. They provide free templates that you can tailor to your specific needs.
Check out the comparison of their website design and template features:
| Platform | Design Options | Customization Flexibility |
| Squarespace | Stylish templates for various industries. | Can be extensively customized with the drag-and-drop editor. |
| Wix | Eye-catching templates for different niches. | A drag-and-drop editor with endless design possibilities. |
On top, both platforms let you add galleries, forms, e-commerce, etc. This helps you create a unique website. Choosing between Squarespace vs Wix ecommerce features can make a big difference for online stores.
Squarespace has a more curated selection of templates, while Wix has more options. This can be great if you have certain design preferences or want more flexibility. Squarepaste is popular option for third-party Squarespace plugins.
Fun fact: According to CodeinWP, Squarespace is favored by creative professionals due to its design and customization. Choosing between Squarespace and Wix can be like picking an orderly online store or a chaotic yard sale. However, some people love to bargain hunt!
Now, There is one big design downfall of Wix and that is that it’s not 100% truly responsive unless you are using the new Editor X. It’s mobile-friendly, but it’s not truly responsive. Responsive design means no matter what the width is of my website, all of the content should be viewable on screen. That is the case with Squarespace, but on Wix, after a certain point, your menu items start to disappear. I don’t know about you, but I want to make sure that people can see all of my links and all of my content on my website.
Re-designing on Wix
One other thing I want to point out is if you choose a template on Wix, you cannot change that template. If you’re three years into using that template and you want to freshen up the design, you’re going to have to start completely over. Now if you choose Squarespace, you can change templates anytime and the design may shift between templates just because of how templates act. You will not lose the content. You will not lose the text and images.
Re-designing on Squarespace
Re-designing on Squarespace is easier as you can change templates, or even “migrate” your Squarespace 7.0 website over to 7.1. Previously, this wasn’t an option, but became available in fall 2023. there are some adjustments that have to be made, it’s not a “perfect” migration. But, before this feature was rolled out, your only option was to start a totally new site from scratch.
Wix vs Squarespace: eCommerce Features
E-commerce Integration: Squarespace and Wix both provide e-commerce features to seamlessly integrate into your website.
Squarespace E-Commerce:
- Product Catalog: Yes
- Payment Gateways: Multiple options
- Checkout Process: Customizable
- Inventory Management: Track and manage stock
- Sales Reports: Detailed insights
Wix E-Commerce:
- Product Catalog: Yes
- Payment Gateways: Numerous options
- Checkout Process: Highly flexible and customizable
- Inventory Management: Efficient
- Sales Reports: Comprehensive reporting system
Both Squarespace and Wix offer similar e-commerce features. You can create a product catalog, choose payment gateways, customize the checkout process, and efficiently manage your inventory. Plus, you get detailed sales reports.
When it comes to e-commerce integration, Squarespace stands out with its user-friendly design tools. Wix offers more flexibility in customizing the checkout process. Depending on your needs, either one can support online sales.
Tips to maximize your e-commerce website:
- Use multiple payment gateways – Credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay.
- Optimize product descriptions – Improve search engine visibility.
- Implement SEO strategies – Keyword optimization, meta tags, backlinks.
- Streamline checkout process – Minimize steps for purchase completion.
- Leverage email marketing – Build customer relationships and boost sales.
Compare Wix and Squarespace SEO Options
Squarespace and Wix’s SEO features can help you increase rankings on search engines. So don’t get buried on page 20 of Google!
Squarespace and Wix give you SEO tools to raise your website’s visibility on search engine result pages. What is better Squarespace or Wix for SEO? Here are a few of the SEO tools each platform offers:
| Features | Squarespace | Wix |
|---|---|---|
| Meta tags | Yes | Yes |
| XML sitemap generation | Yes | No (manually) |
| Indexing control | Yes (per page) | Yes (per page) |
Meta tags, like title tags and descriptions, help search engines understand and display your content. Squarespace automatically makes XML sitemaps, making it simpler for search engines to index pages. On the other hand, with Wix, you must manually add XML sitemaps.
You can pick if certain pages should be indexed or not on both platforms. This lets you hide content from search engines, so only relevant pages appear in searches.
SEO has been around since search engines such as Yahoo and AltaVista, in the late 1990s. Google’s algorithms have changed SEO strategies over time, to rank higher. Nowadays, Squarespace and Wix provide built-in SEO tools to support website owners.
Wix also offers multilingual support with over 180 languages. You can translate your site manually by entering your own translations, or automatically with the help of their auto-translate option. Squarespace does have a multilingual option, with the help of their Weglot integration, but there are limitations.
Wix vs Squarespace: Back-End Functionality
Wix does have the capability to back up your site. If it gets hacked or something, you have the backups that you can reinstate. But, they do not have the ability to export your content. If you have been using Wix for three years, you have 300 blog posts, you decide I want to move to Squarespace or whatever platform, there’s no export feature and you’re going to have to move those blog posts over manually. Squarespace, on the other hand, does have an export feature, so you can basically download all of your pages, posts and pictures and import them to other platforms.
Obviously, the design won’t really be there, but all of the content will, but they don’t have any backup functionality. If your site is hacked or deleted or something happens, there’s not really the option to reinstate it. I always tell my Squarespace clients to just do that export functionality once a month because then you can at least import all of that content into WordPress and start building your site there.
Wix vs Squarespace: Mobile Responsiveness
When it comes to mobile-friendliness, Squarespace and Wix have got you covered. They both offer powerful tools for customization and optimization across devices. Here’s a quick look at their mobile responsiveness features in a table:
| Features | Squarespace | Wix |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Preview | Available | Available |
| Mobile Editor | Yes | Yes |
| UX Optimization | Excellent | Good |
| Device Compatibility | Wide Range | Wide Range |
Plus, they both offer mobile previews, so you can see how your site will look on different devices. And with the mobile editor, you can easily edit directly from mobile devices. Squarespace has excellent UX optimization, while Wix provides good optimization for smooth mobile browsing.
Final tip: Test the mobile compatibility and editing capabilities using the platforms’ free trials to guarantee optimal user experience on a range of devices. And, if you’re looking to integrate third-party tools, Squarespace and Wix have got you covered!
Third-party Integrations on Wix and Squarespace
When it comes to adding external tools and services to websites, Squarespace and Wix offer various integrations. These let you add extra features and services, creating a more robust presence. See the comparison table below for third-party integrations on Squarespace and Wix.
For e-commerce platforms, Squarespace integrates with Shopify and PayPal. Wix integrates with Shopify, eBay, and Etsy.
For social media, Squarespace allows easy connection to many accounts. Wix integrates with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and more.
For analytics and tracking tools, Squarespace integrates with Google Analytics or Hotjar. Wix integrates with Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel.
For email marketing, Squarespace offers integration with Mailchimp or Constant Contact. Wix has an integrated solution called ShoutOut.
These are just some of the integrations available on Squarespace and Wix. Choose the ones that meet your goals. Ensure compatibility and ease of use for a smooth user experience. Finally, remember that support and community can make or break the website-building journey. Choose wisely!
Specialized Features for Specific Website Needs
Wix is a powerhouse for those in the hospitality and event sectors. For restaurant owners, Wix provides a suite of features like online ordering systems, menu builders, and reservation apps. Imagine seamlessly integrating a table reservation system on your website – Wix makes this a breeze. Check out Wix’s restaurant solutions here.
For hoteliers, Wix offers a robust hotel room booking system, allowing guests to reserve rooms directly from your site. This feature not only enhances the user experience but also streamlines your booking process. Event planners aren’t left out either; Wix’s event management tools, including ticketing and RSVP features, can transform the way you organize events. Fitness enthusiasts and gym owners can leverage Wix’s booking systems for classes and personal training sessions, making it easy to manage schedules and client appointments.
Squarespace shines with its capability to handle unlimited products in its e-commerce platform. This is a game-changer for businesses looking to scale without worrying about hitting product limits. Whether you’re selling handmade crafts or a vast array of digital products, Squarespace can accommodate your inventory needs.
Moreover, Squarespace’s member areas are a standout feature. They provide a seamless way to create exclusive content for members, perfect for subscription-based models or exclusive content creators. This feature allows for a more personalized user experience and opens up new revenue streams.
Wix vs Squarespace: Site Speed
Both platforms are about the same when it comes to site speed. What really affects site speed between these two platforms is images and plugins or apps that you have installed on the website.
When uploading images to Squarespace or Wix, it’s important to compress your images before uploading. Depending on how many third-party plugins or apps you’re using, this could pull more resources on your server and slow down the website.
It’s also important that you don’t upload videos directly to either platform, as that can also slow down site speed. You want to make sure you are uploading to YouTube or Vimeo and then embedding on your website
Wix vs Squarespace: Pricing
Squarespace and Wix have various pricing options that offer value for website needs. The table below illustrates the different prices and features:
| Platform | Basic Plan Price | Advanced Plan Price | E-commerce Plan Price | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squarespace | $12-$40/month | $18-$46/month | $26-$40/month | Customizable Templates, SEO Optimization, Mobile Responsiveness |
| Wix | $13-$39/month | $23-$500+/month | $17.50-$35.00/month | Drag & Drop Editor, Apps Marketplace, SEO Tools |
Squarespace has a more consistent price structure than Wix. Also, its e-commerce plan has advanced features at a similar price.
To pick the best platform, consider customer service, design flexibility and integrations. Factor in your budget constraints and needs to upgrade your online presence.
Squarespace and Wix go head to head in terms of mobile responsiveness – like smartphones fighting for the last charger at a busy café!
Website Support and Community
Squarespace and Wix are at opposite ends of the support spectrum. Each provides something different when it comes to assistance. Squarespace has 24/7 customer support via email or live chat. They are known for their quick response times. Wix also provides customer support around the clock, with email, phone, and live chat options. They have an active online community where users can interact and find answers to common questions.
Before reaching out for help, look into the tutorials and guides offered by both Squarespace and Wix. Many issues can be resolved with these resources. It’s like deciding between a flashy sports car and a reliable minivan – it all depends on what you need!
FAQ About Wix vs Squarespace
Is Wix or Squarespace better for portfolios?
Squarespace has much better portfolio gallery options compared to Wix. Additionally, the responsive nature of Squarespace guarantees that your site will be beautiful to look at on any device. (You can pay more for Wix’s EditorX to have more inherently responsive websites, but I think it’s bad marketing to charge more for something that should not be an optional feature in this day and age.)
Is Squarespace better than Wix?
With all these details in mind, you might be wondering what I use or recommend, and I am team Squarespace simply because Wix is not fully responsive.
You can’t export content, which I feel like is a huge headache waiting to happen, and there are no major companies or brands that are using Wix like those that are using Squarespace and WordPress.
Is Wordpress a good alternative to Wix?
Wordpress.org is another great platform to consider, it’s the most popular platform used online. Wix and Wordpress are vastly different platforms. Wordpress.org is much more advanced in terms of design options and functionality. You can DIY on Wordpress.org, but it will take more time and learning. Personally, I love Wordpress for myself and most of my clients. But, it’s not for everyone!
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice between Squarespace and Wix
It’s essential to make a wise decision when selecting a website platform for your business. Let’s compare their main features and differences.
| Feature | Squarespace | Wix |
| Ease of Use | Intuitive drag-and-drop | User-friendly editor, lots of customization |
| Design Templates | Stylish and modern | Vast selection across industries and design styles |
| eCommerce Functionality | Inventory management, payment options | Advanced features like abandoned cart recovery & multi-currency |
Squarespace shines with sleek designs & intuitive layouts, while Wix provides a wider template selection & powerful eCommerce. It all depends on you and your business needs. Both platforms offer hosting services, mobile optimization, SEO tools, blogging, and customer support. Consider pricing, scalability, and third-party integrations before making your choice.
Also, Squarespace has won multiple Webby Awards for its design and user experience. That shows its dedication to offering top-notch solutions for businesses of all sizes.
My Choice: Squarespace
Squarespace is the platform I recommend for business owners. While the platforms are comparable, Squarespace’s responsiveness and features are better. It’s much easier to customize a Squarespace website and truly make it your own. The interface and backend is also much easier to navigate, which makes the user experience better.
