The Hidden Value in Squarespace Plans: Built-In Tools That Save Small Businesses Hundreds Each Year
When most people think of Squarespace, they think “website builder.” But for small business owners just starting out, Squarespace is actually a full-service business hub that replaces several other paid subscriptions, saving you money (and time).
If you’re a small local business trying to stay lean while looking professional, you might be surprised by how many business tools come included with Squarespace’s basic and core plans. Let’s walk through some of the most valuable ones and how they stack up against popular paid alternatives.
Free Google Workspace for a Year
(Your professional email + productivity suite, included)
When you sign up for a new Squarespace plan (core plan or above) and register your domain, you get one free year of Google Workspace — which includes Gmail, Google Drive, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, and Meet — all connected to your professional domain name.
That means instead of sending emails from mybusiness@gmail.com, you can send from hello@mybusiness.com, which instantly elevates your credibility.
Real-world savings: Google Workspace normally costs around $6/month per user, or $72/year — so that’s money back in your pocket while you establish your business.
Why it matters:
Keeps all your files, email, and scheduling in one secure place.
Looks professional on invoices, emails, and your website contact forms.
Integrates seamlessly with Squarespace for easy contact syncing and automations.
Built-In Invoicing & Contracts
(No need for a separate CRM like Honeybook or Dubsado)
Squarespace’s invoicing and client management tools are an underrated feature hidden within their platform for all plans. You can send invoices directly to clients, accept payments, and track the status — all without needing an external system.
You can also create custom proposal or contract templates, embed payment buttons, and sync with Stripe or PayPal to securely collect funds.
Real-world savings: HoneyBook and Dubsado start around $16–$30/month, which adds up fast. For small service providers, that’s $200–$400/year saved.
Why it matters:
Keep everything under one login — website, invoices, payments.
Looks consistent and branded without juggling multiple tools.
Easier handoff if you ever grow your team or bring in a virtual assistant.
Email Campaigns
(Alternative to Flodesk, Mailchimp, or Kit)
Squarespace Email Campaigns let you design, send, and track emails that match your website’s branding — no third-party platform required. You can use your existing website styles (colors, fonts, and images) to create beautifully cohesive newsletters, promotions, or event announcements.
Real-world savings: Flodesk and Mailchimp cost around $15–$38/month for a modest contact list. That’s up to $450/year saved while you build your audience.
Why it matters:
All your contacts are already connected to your website forms.
You can send automated welcome emails or promotions directly from your Squarespace dashboard.
No extra design learning curve — it looks consistent from site to inbox.
Finance & Payments Dashboard
(A simple way to manage your income)
Instead of trying to connect multiple apps, Squarespace includes a built-in payments and analytics dashboard. You can track sales, view transactions, and see how your business is performing at a glance.
It integrates with Stripe, PayPal, and Afterpay, giving your customers flexible payment options. You’ll also see monthly revenue reports that make tax time and bookkeeping easier (especially if you connect your business bank account).
Real-world savings: Some standalone analytics or invoicing apps can cost $10–$20/month — that’s another $120–$240/year saved.
Donations & Contributions
(Perfect for community organizations or creative projects)
Squarespace also supports donations across all plans, an often-overlooked feature that can benefit nonprofits, creators, and small businesses funding community projects.
You can create branded donation pages that integrate directly with your payment system, allowing supporters to make one-time or recurring contributions.
Why it matters:
No need for a separate fundraising platform (which usually takes a higher fee).
Keeps the experience clean and on-brand.
Ideal for nonprofits, artists, or businesses with a give-back mission.
What’s Not Covered Here (But Worth a Future Deep Dive)
Squarespace’s Products & Services features, like setting up online shops, booking systems, memberships, and digital product sales, deserve their own full post. These tools are powerful enough to replace platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and Patreon for many small businesses.
The Bottom Line
When you add it all up, a small business using Squarespace’s core plan could easily save $600–$1,000 per year in subscription costs — all while keeping their workflow simpler and more cohesive.
Squarespace isn’t just your website; it’s your business headquarters.
And when you’re starting out, every dollar saved (and every hour not spent juggling tools) helps you focus on what really matters… growing your business and serving your customers.
Don’t get me wrong, some of the separate tools mentioned (like Honeybook) are fantastic, and I would still recommend them for businesses that are growing steadily and scaling up. However, when you are starting your small business and finances are a bit tight, you don’t have to sacrifice a professional, modern digital experience while growing your business with Squarespace.
Ready to make the most of your Squarespace site?
Start exploring these built-in tools from your dashboard, or talk with a web designer about setting them up to work for your unique business needs.
