Why Squarespace is the Perfect Fit for Small Local Businesses
(and When WordPress Might Be Better)
Running a small business is a lot like running a household: you’ve only got so much time, energy, and budget to go around. If you’re a local business owner, your focus is probably on serving your customers—not learning how to code, debug, or spend hours updating plugins. That’s where Squarespace shines.
Think of Squarespace like moving into a modern, fully furnished apartment: everything’s clean, functional, and ready for you to move in. WordPress, on the other hand, is like building a custom house—you get total control, but you’ll either need to be handy yourself or hire a contractor to keep things running smoothly.
Let’s break down why Squarespace is often the perfect choice for small, local businesses—and when WordPress might be the smarter long-term investment.
Why Squarespace is a Great Choice for Small Businesses
Easy to Use (No Tech Degree Required)
Squarespace is built with non-tech-savvy business owners in mind. Its drag-and-drop editor means you can update text, swap images, or add new pages in minutes—no coding needed. According to Squarespace’s own user research, over 70% of small business owners manage their website themselves, without hiring a developer.
For busy entrepreneurs, that’s huge. You don’t want your website to feel like a second job.
All-in-One Platform (No Plugin Juggling)
With WordPress, you often need to install separate plugins for security, SEO, forms, backups, or e-commerce. Those add-ons can slow down your site or conflict with each other if they’re not updated regularly.
Squarespace rolls everything into one:
Built-in SEO tools
Secure hosting
Mobile-responsive templates
Blogging and e-commerce ready to go
That means less tinkering, fewer headaches, and more time serving your customers.
Beautiful Templates That Work Out of the Box
First impressions matter. Research shows that 38% of users will stop engaging with a website if the layout or content is unattractive (Adobe). Squarespace templates are clean, modern, and designed to make local businesses—like bakeries, salons, or service providers—look professional instantly.
It’s like walking into a store that’s already been perfectly merchandised.
Affordable and Predictable Pricing
WordPress itself is free, but hosting, premium themes, and plugins add up quickly. For many small businesses, the “cheap” option ends up costing hundreds (or thousands) of dollars a year in hidden expenses.
Squarespace plans start around $16–$23/month (paid annually), covering hosting, templates, and updates. You know exactly what you’re paying, with no surprise bills.
Support You Can Count On
Squarespace offers 24/7 customer support via chat and email. WordPress, being open-source, doesn’t have a dedicated help desk—you’ll be Googling forum posts or hiring a developer when issues pop up.
If you’re not techy, that safety net matters.
When WordPress Might Be the Better Fit
Squarespace is fantastic for many local businesses, but it’s not the best fit for everyone. Here’s when WordPress might be worth the extra effort (or investment):
Complex Websites with Custom Features
If you need advanced functionality—like membership portals, custom booking systems, or highly tailored e-commerce—WordPress offers more flexibility.Large Content Libraries
Running a big blog or news site? WordPress powers 43% of all websites globally (W3Techs, 2025) for a reason. It scales beautifully with lots of content.Specialized SEO or Marketing Needs
Squarespace has solid built-in SEO, but WordPress allows deep customization with plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math. If your marketing strategy relies heavily on fine-tuned SEO, WordPress gives you more control.
The Bottom Line
For most small, local businesses—like restaurants, gyms, boutiques, or home-service providers—Squarespace is the perfect balance of ease, affordability, and professionalism. It lets you get online fast, look polished, and manage your site without tech overwhelm.
But if your business has complex needs, advanced customization, or a large-scale content strategy, then investing in a custom WordPress site may pay off in the long run.
Pro Tip for Business Owners
Don’t overcomplicate it. Your website’s #1 job is to help potential customers find you, trust you, and contact you. If Squarespace helps you do that without stress—you’ve found the right fit.
