Squarespace vs WordPress: Which Platform is Best for Small Businesses in the UK?
Key Summary
Squarespace is ideal for small businesses wanting a simple, all-in-one website solution with minimal technical setup.
WordPress offers more flexibility and customisation but requires more hands-on management and technical confidence.
The right platform depends on your goals, budget, and how much time you're willing to invest in maintaining your site.
Most small service-based UK businesses benefit from Squarespace, while WordPress suits more complex or scalable needs.
Choosing the best website platform for your business is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when it comes to building or updating your small business website. If you are a UK based small business, you’ll probably have heard two names frequently; Squarespace and WordPress.
Both platforms are hugely popular website builders, but they offer very different experiences especially when it comes to ease of use, flexibility, and ongoing management. So, which is right for your business? Here’s everything you need to know.
What’s the Difference Between Squarespace and WordPress?
Squarespace and WordPress both allow you to build a professional website, but behind the scenes, they work very differently.
Squarespace is an all-in-one website builder that includes everything you'll need in one place, from hosting and design templates to built-in security and customer support. Designed to be beginner-friendly, it allows you to launch a site quickly without needing technical experience. You can also manage everything from one dashboard, with any updates and maintenance handled for you.
WordPress, on the other hand, is an open-source platform that gives you complete control over your website. It's incredibly flexible and can be adapted to suit almost any business. It does, however, require more setup and hands-on management.
Did you know? WordPress is currently the most popular website platform with a CMS market share of around 62.7%.
To work on WordPress, you’ll need to choose a hosting provider, install plugins for added features, and take care of backups and updates yourself. It is posible to manage yourself, but it can also require more time. Often small business owners will opt to have someone manage the site on their behalf.
Ultimately, choosing the right website building platform for your small business will come down to how comfortable you are with tech, and how much time you want to spend maintaining your site.
Why Your Platform Choice Matters
Quite often, your website is the first impression that a customer has of your business. Not only that but it is also one of the most important tools you have for generating leads, building trust, and selling your services.
Having a slow, outdated, or difficult-to-manage website can hold your business back, frustrate potential clients, and cost you opportunities.
The platform you choose doesn’t just affect what your site looks like, it impacts how you manage it day to day, how secure it is, how fast it loads, and how easily it can grow with your business. It’s for these reasons that it’s worth spending a bit of time thinking about what your website actually needs, now and in the future.
Squarespace: Pros and Cons for Small Businesses
If you're looking for a sleek, straightforward option that makes website management easy, Squarespace has a lot going for it. Here’s a look at the key benefits and a few things to consider before you commit.
Pros:
It’s easy to use, even with no tech experience.
Hosting, templates, security, and updates are all included.
Modern, mobile-friendly templates that look great out of the box.
It’s quick to build and launch with minimal setup time.
There is built-in support and extensive help documentation.
Cons:
There is less flexibility for advanced customisations or integrations.
There are fewer third-party plugin options compared to WordPress.
You’re limited to the tools and features provided by Squarespace.
WordPress: Pros and Cons for Small Businesses
WordPress offers far more flexibility than Squarespace, which makes it a powerful option, especially if you have specific requirements or a long-term growth plan. That said, it does come with a steeper learning curve and more responsibility.
Pros:
Fully customisable with thousands of plugins and themes.
Ideal for complex or scalable websites.
You own and control every aspect of your site.
Huge global community with plenty of tutorials and developer support.
Cons:
It can be overwhelming if you're not confident with tech.
You need to manage your own hosting, backups, and security.
Plugin conflicts and updates can cause issues if not handled carefully.
No central support which means you’re reliant on forums or paid developers if something goes wrong.
Which Platform Is Right for You?
Here’s a simple breakdown depending on your priorities:
| Your Priority | Best Platform |
|---|---|
| Ease of use & speed | Squarespace |
| Full design freedom | WordPress |
| Low ongoing maintenance | Squarespace |
| Advanced features/custom tools | WordPress |
| Built-in support | Squarespace |
| Access to developers & integrations | WordPress |
What’s Right for Most Small Businesses?
For many small, service-based businesses in the UK, Squarespace is often the more practical choice. The ease of use, all-in-one setup, and low-maintenance design make it ideal for those who want to get online quickly without needing technical knowledge or ongoing developer support.
That said, WordPress is a better fit for businesses that need full control, custom features, or complex integrations. It offers more flexibility and scalability, but it also requires more hands-on management.
Ultimately, the best platform depends on your goals, budget, and how much time or tech confidence you have available. It’s worth weighing up both options carefully to choose the one that’s right for your stage of business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch platforms later on?
Yes, but it usually involves a rebuild. Moving from WordPress to Squarespace (or vice versa) isn’t as simple as copying and pasting, so it’s worth getting the decision right from the start if possible.
Is Squarespace better for SEO?
Both platforms can be optimised for SEO. Squarespace includes built-in SEO tools that are simple to use, while WordPress offers more advanced control, but you’ll need to install the right plugins and understand how to configure them properly.
Do I need a developer to use WordPress?
Not always, but many small business owners do end up needing one, especially for setup, customisations, or troubleshooting. If you’re not comfortable managing tech yourself, Squarespace is usually the easier choice.
Is Squarespace more expensive than WordPress?
It depends. Squarespace charges a monthly or annual fee that covers everything. WordPress is free to install, but you’ll pay separately for hosting, premium themes or plugins, and possibly a developer. Over time, the cost difference tends to even out depending on how much support you need.
Final Thoughts
Your website should support your business, not make life harder. If you want something clean, reliable, and easy to manage, Squarespace is a great fit for most small UK businesses. If you need full control or expect to scale quickly with custom features, WordPress offers the flexibility to grow with you.
Need help building a website? We design and support small business websites on both Squarespace and WordPress. We’ll guide you through the process with no jargon and no overwhelm.