Squarespace vs WebFlow: Which Website Builder is Right for my Business?
There are so many website builders in the market now, and they all have their pros and cons. So how do you know which is right for you? Well, it all depends on your business!
Most small business owners who realise they need a website start out by creating one themselves. Perhaps you are just starting out or are trying to reach clients in a different area? If this sounds like you, I’d suggest picking a website builder that is easy for you to set up and keep running such as Squarespace*.
However, if you have been running your business for a little while and are looking to elevate your business and attract truly dreamy clients, then a custom-made website on a high-performing platform like WebFlow is just the thing you’ll need.
Let’s dive deeper to help you pick the right website builder for your business.
Squarespace: a user-friendly option that can grow with you
I highly recommend Squarespace* when first venturing into the online world. It was designed for the every-person to use but has powerful design capabilities in the right hands. In fact, by harnessing the power of custom code there is a ton of flexibility in Squarespace design and it’s now my preferred platform for almost all service-based businesses!
The built-in free templates are beautiful as they are, so you can simply add in your text and photos and get a nice website up fairly quickly. While this won’t give your website a particularly unique or custom look, it is perfect while you are getting started and will make sure you look professional and put together online.
You can also opt to use a premium Squarespace template designed by an expert to get a more custom look and strategic design on a smaller budget than a custom project. Here are my 7 top picks for Squarespace 7.1 premium templates for service providers.
The interface is very user-friendly so you shouldn’t feel too lost as you build your site. Plus if you do get stuck at any point Squarespace Help is an amazing resource to help you figure out how to get back on track - well worth the subscription fee in my opinion!
If you are thinking of adding a blog to your website, the Squarespace blog feature is also super easy to set up and use, and can be strategically optimized for search engines to make it easy for your target audience to find you on Google. There’s also great e-commerce options, scheduling and even email marketing options you can add to your Squarespace site to keep your systems all in one place and nicely integrated.
Most importantly, Squarespace is versatile enough that when you are ready to upgrade to a more professional-looking website, you can work with a designer to redesign your site or create a custom design on the platform that you’re already familiar with! It’s truly a platform that can grow with your business!
WebFlow: a designer’s dream website builder
Now, as a designer, I do love working with WebFlow as the design options are truly endless.
It’s a blank slate for us to create the perfect website for your business. This means that we can run wild creating a digital home for your business that looks nothing like your competitor’s sites. We can also play with fun animations and interactions that make your site super enjoyable for your potential clients to use.
It’s also a fantastic website builder if you want to work with 3rd party integrations. Perhaps you want to add a complex archive of your content or you want to create a directory site to serve your community and need a robust database system built into your site? No problem with WebFlow!
To help you edit your site after the designer is done, there is a very nice Editor feature where you can adjust all of the text and images on your site without worrying about messing up the layout. You can also create blog articles or add to any existing CMS (Content Management System) pages your designer created for you such as profiles, case studies and more.
And while this does allow for easy updates, you’ll likely not be able to change the layout of your website without a designer’s help since the backend structure is quite complex. VIP Intensives or Day Rates can be a great option for this sort of work so you can quickly make these sorts of changes and get on with everything else you need to do to run your business.
WebFlow is the perfect website builder for more established businesses looking to level up their online presence. You will need to work with a web designer experienced with WebFlow - hi! That’s me ;) – since the interface isn’t beginner-friendly, but if you want to create a truly unique experience it’s honestly the best option on the market for unique design with easy maintenance.
Squarespace vs WebFlow comparison
Here’s a little chart I put together to help illustrate the differences between Squarespace and WebFlow, and help you decide which is the best fit for you and your business.
So, which is the better website platform: Squarespace or WebFlow?
While I adore working with WebFlow and am endlessly impressed with the amazing digital experiences designers can create with this platform. As a designer, I’m pretty drawn to WebFlow as a platform BUT as a business owner and someone who believes wholeheartedly in empowering entrepreneurs with tools and technology they can use themselves, I do think Squarespace* is the better fit for most small businesses.
With Squarespace, you can set up your first website on your own. Then when you are ready to upgrade your site and have your website bring you more clients, you can work with a designer to give it a stunning new look.
