Squarespace vs Wix: Best for Small Businesses?
If you're planning to build a website for your business, you've probably come across two of the most popular website builders available today: Squarespace and Wix.
Both platforms allow you to create a professional website without learning how to code. Both offer website templates, ecommerce features, blogging tools, SEO settings and marketing features.
So which one should you choose?
The honest answer is that both platforms are good. The right choice depends on your goals, budget and how much flexibility you need.
If you want complete design freedom, lots of integrations and a free plan to get started, Wix is a strong option.
If you want a website that looks professional from day one, is easy to manage and doesn't require constant tweaking, Squarespace is usually the better choice.
As a Squarespace website designer, I've worked with businesses across many industries, including coaches, consultants, photographers, ecommerce brands, agencies, and local service providers. After building more than 100 websites, I've found that most small businesses are happier with Squarespace because it's simpler to maintain while still looking professional.
That doesn't mean Wix isn't good.
In fact, Wix has improved significantly over the past few years and offers some advantages that Squarespace doesn't.
In this guide, we'll compare both platforms honestly so you can decide which one is the best fit for your business.
we'll cover:
Which platform is easier to use
Which platform is better for service businesses
Which Platform Looks Better?
Squarespace vs Wix pricing
Squarespace SEO vs Wix SEO
Squarespace ecommerce vs Wix ecommerce
My personal recommendation as a website designer
Let's get started.
Squarespace vs Wix at a Glance
Choose Squarespace if you want:
A professional-looking website
Beautiful templates
Easy website management
Strong branding
A cleaner editing experience
A website that requires less maintenance
Choose Wix if you want:
Maximum design flexibility
More apps and integrations
Advanced customization options
A free plan to test ideas
More control over website functionality
For most service-based businesses, creatives, consultants, agencies and local businesses, I generally recommend Squarespace.
For businesses that need more advanced functionality and customization, Wix may be the better choice.
Need Help with Your Squarespace Website?
Book a free kick-off call to discuss your project requirements in detail. Whether you're launching a new Squarespace website, redesigning an existing one, or looking to improve functionality and user experience, we'll help you explore the best options for your goals.
Which Platform Is Easier to Use?
One of the biggest differences between Squarespace and Wix is how you build your website.
Wix gives you a lot of freedom. You can move elements almost anywhere on the page. This flexibility is great if you enjoy designing and customizing every detail.
The downside is that it can sometimes become overwhelming, especially for beginners. With so much freedom, it's easier to accidentally create layouts that don't look professional on different screen sizes.
Squarespace takes a different approach.
Instead of giving you unlimited freedom, it uses a structured editing system that helps keep your website organized and visually consistent.
Think of it this way:
Wix gives you a blank room and lets you arrange everything yourself.
Squarespace gives you a professionally designed room that you can customize without breaking the overall design.
For most small business owners, Squarespace is easier to learn and maintain over the long term.
Winner: Squarespace for simplicity, Wix for flexibility.
Which Platform Is Better for Service Businesses?
If you run a service-based business, this is where Squarespace really stands out. Most service businesses don't need hundreds of apps or complex customizations.
They need:
A professional website
Strong branding
Contact forms
Lead generation
SEO
Easy updates
One simple feature that often gets overlooked is the contact form. It's usually one of the most important lead generation tools on a service business website. And Squarespace handles all of these things extremely well.
Whether you're a coach, consultant, agency owner, photographer, lawyer, accountant or local business owner, Squarespace usually provides everything you need without making things complicated.
Winner: Squarespace.
Which Platform Looks Better?
This is where Squarespace has always stood out.
Squarespace templates are known for being clean, modern, and professional.
In many cases, you can launch a beautiful website with very few design changes.
This is especially important if you're:
A coach
Consultant
Photographer
Interior designer
Lawyer
Marketing agency
Freelancer
Service-based business
Your website creates a first impression.
A strong design helps build trust immediately. Your logo, typography, colors and overall branding all play a major role in that first impression.
Squarespace Pricing vs Wix Pricing
Pricing is often one of the first things business owners compare.
One advantage Wix has is its free plan. If you're experimenting with an idea or building a personal project, the free plan can be useful.
However, most businesses eventually need a paid plan to connect a custom domain and remove Wix branding.
Squarespace doesn't offer a free plan, but many of the features that require additional apps on other platforms are already included.
When comparing pricing, don't just ask:
"Which platform is cheaper?"
Ask:
"Which platform will save me the most time and help my business look more professional?"
For many small businesses, Squarespace often provides better long-term value because so much functionality is built directly into the platform.
Winner: Wix for budget-conscious beginners, Squarespace for overall value.
Squarespace SEO vs Wix SEO
One of the biggest myths online is that website builders can't rank on Google.
That's simply not true.
Today, both Squarespace SEO and Wix SEO are capable of achieving excellent search engine rankings when used correctly.
Both platforms allow you to:
Edit page titles
Add meta descriptions
Customize URLs
Add image alt text
Create redirects
Submit XML sitemaps
Connect Google Search Console
Wix has improved its SEO tools significantly and even includes an SEO Setup Checklist that helps beginners optimize their websites.
Squarespace keeps things simple and straightforward. The SEO settings are easy to find, mobile responsiveness is built in, and websites tend to have clean structures that search engines can easily understand.
The reality is that SEO success depends far more on your content, keywords, website structure, and backlinks than the platform you choose.
If you create valuable content and follow good SEO practices, both platforms can rank well.
Winner: Tie.
Squarespace Ecommerce vs Wix Ecommerce
If you're planning to sell products online, both platforms offer strong ecommerce features.
With either platform, you can sell:
Physical products
Digital products
Services
Gift cards
Subscriptions
Squarespace ecommerce focuses heavily on presentation and branding. Product pages look clean and professional right out of the box, making it a great option for businesses that care about visual appearance. And Product images also play a huge role in how professional your online store looks.
Wix ecommerce offers more flexibility and access to a larger app marketplace. This can be useful if your store requires specialized tools or integrations.
If you're running a boutique brand, clothing store, personal brand, or design-focused business, Squarespace often feels more polished.
If you need more customization and advanced functionality, Wix may be a better fit.
Winner: Squarespace for branding, Wix for flexibility.
Now, Which Platform Should You Choose?
Choose Squarespace If:
You want a professional website quickly
You care about branding and design
You want fewer technical headaches
You run a service-based business
You want an easier platform to maintain
Choose Wix If:
You want complete design freedom
You need advanced integrations
You enjoy customizing every detail
You want access to a larger app marketplace
You want a free plan to test ideas
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to use Wix or Squarespace?
Both platforms are good, but for most small businesses I recommend Squarespace because of its professional templates, ease of maintenance, and built-in features.
Which is better for artists, Wix or Squarespace?
Squarespace is often the better choice for artists because of its clean portfolio layouts, visual presentation, and design-focused templates.
What's a downside to simple website builders like Squarespace or Wix?
The biggest limitation is flexibility. While both platforms are powerful, they don't offer the same level of customization as fully custom-built websites.
What are the top 3 website builders?
The three most popular website builders today are Squarespace, Wix, and Shopify.
The best choice depends on your goals and business type.
Is Squarespace or Wix better for a design portfolio?
Squarespace is generally the stronger option for portfolios because of its clean layouts, image presentation, and modern design system.
Which platform is recommended by Web Goyat?
As a Squarespace website designer, I generally recommend Squarespace for service businesses, creatives, consultants, coaches, agencies, and most small businesses looking for a professional online presence.
Final Thoughts
After building websites for businesses across multiple industries, I generally recommend Squarespace for most small businesses.
The platform offers a great balance of design quality, ease of use, built-in features, and long-term simplicity. Most business owners simply want a website that looks professional, generates leads, and is easy to manage. Squarespace delivers that experience exceptionally well.
That said, Wix is no longer the weaker platform it once was.
If your business requires advanced customization, lots of integrations, or greater design flexibility, Wix can be an excellent choice.
For most coaches, consultants, agencies, creatives, photographers and local businesses, Squarespace remains my preferred recommendation.
The best website builder isn't necessarily the one with the most features.
It's the one that helps you grow your business with the least amount of friction.
