WHAT IS SQUARESPACE?

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Local SEO Services and have created an essential overview on What is Squarespace? so you can decide if it’s the right platform for your business needs and design goals.

Squarespace is a website-building platform that allows individuals and businesses to create professional, visually appealing websites without needing coding or design experience. It offers an all-in-one solution that includes web design tools, hosting, eCommerce functionality, and marketing features.

This article explains what Squarespace is, how it works, and why it’s a popular choice for businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who want to build an effective online presence.

Understanding Squarespace

Squarespace was founded in 2004 as a simple website builder for creatives and small business owners. Over time, it has evolved into a comprehensive platform for building and managing websites, online stores, and portfolios.

It is best known for its elegant templates, user-friendly interface, and built-in features that make it easy to launch a fully functional site. With Squarespace, you can create anything from a personal blog to a full eCommerce store—all managed from one dashboard.

Key Features of Squarespace

Website Builder

Squarespace uses a drag-and-drop editor that allows you to design pages visually. You can add text, images, videos, and forms simply by placing content blocks where you want them. This makes it accessible even for users with no technical background.

Professional Templates

Squarespace offers a wide range of templates designed by professional designers. These templates are fully customisable, mobile-responsive, and suitable for various industries including photography, real estate, restaurants, and professional services.

Hosting and Domain Management

Unlike platforms that require separate hosting, Squarespace provides secure hosting as part of its subscription. You can also purchase or connect your domain directly through the platform.

eCommerce Capabilities

Squarespace supports online selling, making it ideal for small retailers and service-based businesses. You can list products, set prices, manage stock, accept payments, and integrate shipping options—all without third-party plugins.

SEO and Marketing Tools

The platform includes built-in SEO features such as page titles, meta descriptions, and automatic sitemap generation. It also integrates with Google Analytics and social media platforms, allowing you to track performance and promote content easily.

Blogging Platform

For content creators, Squarespace includes a blogging system with features like categories, tags, and post scheduling. It also supports multiple authors and allows you to embed videos or galleries within posts.

Customer Support

Squarespace provides 24/7 customer support via email and live chat. Its Help Centre also includes detailed tutorials, videos, and community forums.

How Squarespace Works

Squarespace is a hosted platform, meaning you don’t need to install any software. You simply create an account, choose a template, and start building your site using the editor.

All updates, backups, and security measures are handled automatically by Squarespace, freeing you from technical maintenance.

The process typically involves:

  1. Signing up for an account.

  2. Selecting a design template that fits your business.

  3. Customising pages, adding content, and adjusting branding.

  4. Connecting your domain name.

  5. Publishing your site live.

Once your website is live, you can manage everything—from content updates to product listings—from a single dashboard.

Who Should Use Squarespace

Squarespace is ideal for:

  • Small business owners who need a professional website without hiring a developer.

  • Freelancers and creatives who want to showcase their portfolios.

  • Entrepreneurs launching new brands or eCommerce stores.

  • Professionals looking to create personal blogs or service-based sites.

It’s particularly suited to users who value design, simplicity, and ease of use over technical customisation.

Pricing Overview

Squarespace operates on a subscription model, offering several plans:

  • Personal Plan: For basic websites or blogs.

  • Business Plan: Adds features like custom code, analytics, and promotional pop-ups.

  • Basic Commerce Plan: Enables eCommerce with no transaction fees.

  • Advanced Commerce Plan: Includes advanced shipping, discounts, and abandoned cart recovery.

Each plan includes hosting, SSL security, and access to all design templates.

Advantages of Squarespace

  • All-in-one platform with hosting, design, and analytics included.

  • No coding skills required.

  • Professionally designed templates with built-in responsiveness.

  • Reliable and secure hosting.

  • Excellent customer support.

Limitations of Squarespace

While Squarespace is powerful, it does have a few limitations:

  • Limited flexibility compared to open-source platforms like WordPress.

  • Fewer third-party integrations and plugins.

  • Slightly higher pricing for eCommerce sites compared to competitors.

  • The drag-and-drop editor can feel restrictive for advanced users seeking full control over layout.

For most small to medium-sized businesses, however, the benefits outweigh the limitations.

Squarespace and SEO

Squarespace includes basic SEO tools that help your site appear in search results. You can edit titles, descriptions, and URLs for each page and product. The platform automatically generates clean code and fast-loading pages, both of which are beneficial for Google rankings.

However, while Squarespace handles the technical aspects, success in SEO still depends on strategy. Regularly publishing quality content, optimising for local search, and building backlinks remain essential.

Why Businesses Choose Squarespace

Businesses often choose Squarespace because it eliminates the need for multiple services. Instead of juggling web hosting, design software, and plugins, you get everything in one place.

It’s especially appealing for busy entrepreneurs who want to launch quickly and maintain a polished online presence without ongoing technical headaches.

Expert Advice from Lillian Purge

  1. Focus on design. Choose a clean, user-friendly template that matches your brand.

  2. Optimise for local SEO. Include your location and contact details on every page.

  3. Use analytics. Monitor performance and make data-driven improvements.

  4. Keep content fresh. Update pages regularly with new offers or articles.

  5. Connect your social media. Share updates directly from your Squarespace dashboard to reach a wider audience.

Squarespace is an excellent platform for creating professional websites that look great and perform well. Its balance of design, functionality, and ease of use makes it a popular choice for businesses that want to focus on growth rather than technical management.

We have also written in depth articles on Is Squarespace Free? How Much is Squarespace and Should I use Wordpress or Squarespace? as well as our Squarespace Hub to give you further guidance.