The website building service Squarespace has been drumming up a lot of hype over the last year. Squarespace pitches itself as an all-in-one solution for the less internet savvy. They provide a hosting plan and give you the tools to create a website within a single account.
While it’s very attractive in theory, there are a few key disadvantages as well. Here is a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of the service:
Advantage of Squarespace:
Powerful Tools
The first advantage is the powerful toolset Squarespace is built on. They claim to make web building easy and they don’t disappoint.
The basic function is simply click on something you want changed and tweak a menu to change it. There are a number of attractive temples to start with and users can easily upload their own images that they wish to integrate. Because almost everything can be changed with a click, it is possible to create a unique looking website with no coding experience.
Porting Options at Squarespace
One huge advantage to Squarespace is that it lets you port your blog to any other major platform. This makes trying Squarespace less risky, since you can take your work with you.
Squarespace has also made the process rather easy. Simply choose the option to port your work while logged in and choose a platform such as WordPress.
Disadvantage of Squarespace:
All-in-One Can Be Deceiving
The prospect of a one-stop-shop to get everything you need for a successful website is an attractive proposition. Unfortunately, this isn’t entirely true. While Squarespace does offer web building tools and hosting options, you’re on your own for domain registration.
By default, every Squarespace site is given a “____.squarespace.com” domain. While that’s fine for casual users, if you’re attempting to run a business, it comes off as unprofessional.
Closed Platform
Because Squarespace is a closed platform; your template options are limited compared to other more open platforms. This maybe a non-issue, since you are given in-depth tools to tweak the available templates and make them your own.
If you’re the type of users who spends a lot of time looking for themes, Squarespace isn’t for you.
Final Thoughts
While Squarespace is a very useful new platform, users who are used to something like WordPress shouldn’t feel compelled to switch. Squarespace is a service that would work better for a business trying to make a general information website than a serious blogger.
Still, with a 2-week free trial, it may be worth your time to try it out for yourself.
Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and recent graduate of Elon University. She is currently a resident blogger at Online Degrees, where recently she’s been researching different Online Business Administration Programs and blogging about student life. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.
Image Credit: Vichie81
I built my blog on Squarespace almost two years ago and have been impressed with their offerings and especially their service. They always respond to my questions or requests within 30 minutes and when I first began blogging I knew little about what I was doing so those poor guys got a lot of questions from me.
There are certain limitations. For instance, I just sent them an email the other day because I think they need to add the feature that allows us to comment to readers who have posted a comment directly below their comments. Right now, if you leave a comment for me and then another person leaves a comment, I have to post a new comment to respond to both and specifically mention their name so they know I am responding to them. Not too efficient in the blogging world but I’m hopeful they’ll roll out that feature soon.
All-in-all, I’ve been happy.
Fawn
This is a very expensive service. Only if you et already very big money from your site can afford this service. I really don’t like it.
I have also not used there service but checked their site, it does sound costly.
Comments are closed.