Webflow Vs Squarespace: Which is The Better Website Builder?

A website can only be as good as the platform that you choose to build it on. With at least 100 main stream website builder options on the market, that choice alone can be daunting.

However, you certainly don't want to invest all the time and cost involved in getting started and learning a new system, only to find the need to start over on a new platform.

In this Webflow vs Squarespace article, we'll break down the key features of two of the leading website builders to help clarify the best home for your online project.

All The Features That You Need To Promote Your Business

Let's start by stating that both Webflow and Squarespace are good quality programs to build your own websites. You really can't go wrong with either of these website builders. That makes the comparison that much more difficult.

With both platforms claiming to offer stunning templates, user-friendly interfaces, and advanced options, it's crucial to understand their intricate differences in order to find the one that best suits your specific needs.

So, let's dive into comparing the key features, customization options, cost, and overall performance of both platforms to help you make an informed business decision for the best website builder.

Design Editor

Great website design helps to attract customers, build trust, and ultimately make more money for your company. To get there, you need the right website builder tools. But which offers the better tool kit, Webflow or Squarespace?

How they compare

Right off the bat, the Webflow editor will be much more intimidating for newbies. Webflow aims slightly more to independent web design professionals or agencies that can do professional site design working with custom code.

Most notably, they are well known for the ability to create custom animations right on the platform. While coding knowledge is not necessary, there is flexibility to add custom code.

In contrast, Squarespace offers the opportunity for nearly anyone to jump right in with a low learning curve and bring a business plan to life with a beautiful and website. The Squarespace editor is fairly easy to learn. They do offer some basic custom html opportunities but it comes only with the higher paid plan.

Both platforms are fully responsive and will adjust websites to display well on any device size. The Webflow editor provides a bonus with the unique option to view how your website will look on specific smartphone models. 

Webflow Templates Vs. Squarespace Templates

With either website editor, you can find beautifully designed templates that require less up-front work. However, there are a few things to note for the template comparison.

Squarespace's templates are phenomenal designs and are customizable to make them more unique to your brand. In fact, they offer more design flexibility than other basic website builders like Shopify or WooCommerce. The best part is that most of these templates are free.

On the other side of the debate, Webflow templates offer designs that are far less "cookie cutter." Your business will benefit from unique and innovative designs with a focus on their specialty: animations. The downside is that there are less free templates available on Webflow.

The final verdict

Squarespace is certainly an easier website builder to get up and running with plenty of options from the Squarespace template collections. However, with limited advanced controls, you run the risk of looking like every other website out there. 

For this Webflow vs Squarespace debate, Webflow is the winner. Web designers gain extensive design control with Webflow's access to code as well as other advanced features more suitable for custom sites that truly stand out from the competition.

Search Engine Optimization

While the visual elements of your website are important for user engagement, there are additional technical details to consider if you want to rank well on search engines.

It's these crucial intricate details that communicate well to the search engines. When you gain their favor, it helps to push you up rankings to help your audience find you online.

Taking the time to do proper search engine optimization is imperative to the process of bringing in a solid amount of organic traffic. However, those efforts can only go as far as your website builder platform allows.

How They compare

In the webflow vs squarespace debate, both tools offer solid SEO functions with customizable meta data, clean URL's, XML site generation, and mobile optimization, and easy to use tools that manage page titles, descriptions, and tags. Both also perform well for Googles core web vitals test.

However, Webflow offers more advanced controls. This greater level of control is beneficial for implementing advanced SEO techniques and strategies that can work harder to bring you to the top of search results.

Users can directly access and modify the underlying HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code, allowing for more precise optimization. The resulting benefit of access to custom code is the ability to implement schema markup and structured data more efficiently and access to the robot.txt file.

In addition, Webflow allows users more options for managing redirects and canonical tags which help to avoid duplicate content. They also allow the option for integrations with third party SEO tools that may offer far more advanced functionality than the tools offered internally for a Squarespace site.

The Final Verdict

The SEO tools Squarespace offers are a strong tool kit with basic SEO features. However, search engines are a highly competitive environment that require much more to truly be successful. 

With these advanced tools in mind, Webflow is certainly the preferred choice for completely custom websites built by users with expert SEO knowledge and skill capabilities.

Content Management

Content is an important part of SEO strategy. Therefore, it is important that your web builder allows for clean and easy management of content entry and updates.

How They Compare

Both Squarespace and Webflow offer a solid content management system. They include built in blogging tools and the ability to add categories and tags. Apart from those features there are a few distinct differences to note.

As with their design tools, Squarespace offers an easy to use drag and drop system for content management. They also offer the advantage of adding multiple contributors as well as unlimited publishing. In addition, they allow users to add comment options for their readers.

On the contrary, The Webflow CMS limits a user to a maximum of ten editors, which is dependent on the plan level. They also do not have a native comment feature and limit posts from 2,000 - 10,000 (again, dependent on plan level).

However, it is important to point out that Webflow comes out stronger for SEO optimization. Typically, the ultimate goal for blogging is to help the site rank and bring in more organic traffic from search. In that regard, blogs can only be as effective as their optimization allows.

The Final Verdict

Squarespace may comes out as CMS platform that is easier to use. However, our vote in this arena of the webflow vs squarespace debate, is Webflow.

With a stronger backbone of SEO capabilities, the Webflow CMS system provides more opportunity for real income producing results from content creation.

Marketing Features

By now, you are probably aware that creating a great website is just one piece of the overall digital marketing puzzle. With that in mind, both Webflow and Squarespace offer the option for advanced marketing features, but in much different ways.

How they compare

Squarespace offers an array built in functions to help you promote your business. They keep things in one place by offering on platform email marketing but it comes at an additional fee.

Email options come with editable templates and basic functions. However, these features can be quite limited in comparison to third party email marketing platforms. Regardless, it is enough to get a new business started.

Squarespace also provides analytics tools to provide details of who is visiting your website, where they were directed from and how they interacted with your pages. The tool will also show which specific search keywords are most effective for your site.

On the other hand, Webflow keeps their platform focus more on design elements and advanced development capabilities.

In that regard, they provide more options to integrate with outside platforms like Mailchimp or Google analytics for additional marketing features. You get the bonus of more flexibility but at the small cost of some time and skills for manual configurations to set up these connections.

The final verdict

Squarespace is a decent place to start for Solopreneurs that want an easy all-in-one solution. However, our choice in the webflow vs squarespace debate for best marketing tools is Webflow. 

Webflow offers customization via the option to add integrations that offer far more advanced marketing options. The flexibility truly offers endless options. You or your web designer can add any marketing tools that you need. 

E-Commerce Functionality

It's fairly easy to get a simple website up and running. However, when you add an online store, the process becomes much more complicated. Choosing the right platform can be a valuable step toward making this process easier to both setup and manage.

How they compare

Both Squarespace and Webflow provide an avenue to sell all types of products: physical, digital, services, and even subscriptions. They each offer checkout tools, customer accounts, connections with stripe or paypal, inventory management, product variants, sales tax tools, shipping options, and membership areas.

If you value simplicity, Squarespace is a great all-in-one package for ecommerce features. They allow unlimited products, built in abandoned cart followup, and gift card features. Some businesses may find their POS tools a bonus for clients that purchase in-person. In addition, digital products can be hosted directly on their platform rather than with an onsite source.

In contrast, Webflow is missing these valuable features. In fact, they limit storefronts to 500 - 15,000 products depending on the plan tier. However, they allow the opportunity to integrate third-party tools and services like CRM systems to enhance customer relations and the overall ecommerce operation.

Companies seeking a more specific design will appreciate Webflow's advanced coding abilities With custom code, users have complete control over the layout of their digital storefront, providing the ability to visually stand out in the marketplace.

Payment Processing

With an online storefront, per sale transaction fees can quickly add up. It's possible to avoid these additional fees with your site platform. However, it's important to realize that these platform fees are in addition to any connected payment provider (Stripe, Paypal, etc.).

Squarespace offers a a lower entry level cost ecommerce plan (currently as low as $23 per month) with a 3% transaction fee or advanced ecommerce plans (currently starting at $27 per month) with the benefit of dropping that per transaction fee.

Webflow on the other hand offers a 2% transaction fee on their lower priced ecommerce plan (currently as low as $29 per month) and the option to eliminate those fees with higher priced plans (currently starting at $74 per month).

The final verdict

In the Webflow Squarespace debate, Squarespace is a clear winner for ecommerce features. Squarespace provides virtually unlimited selling potential. They don't impose product limits, allow for easy drop shipping, have built in email options, and an easier design interface. As an added bonus, they offer lower cost ecommerce plans.

Cost Comparison

The webflow vs squarespace debate continues with talk about the money. So, what will it cost you to get started with one of these web builders?

How they compare

Both platforms offer discounts for for annual subscriptions rather than monthly. The Squarespace discount comes in between 24-30% with Webflow sitting at 22% for regular plans and 30% for ecommerce plans.

Squarespace welcomes new users with a 14-day trial no matter which plan they choose. Annual plan costs start as low as $16 per month and all of them include a free custom domain name for the first year.

Annual ecommerce plans range from $23-$49 per month. Higher tier plan options offer more advanced ecommerce features such as merchandising, discount, and subscription options.

Webflow offers a free starter option that never expires. However, in order to make a site live, users must transition to a paid plan starting as low as $14 per month. They offer custom subdomains with all paid plans but not free custom domain names.

Higher tier plan options offer more monthly form submissions, bandwidth, CMS items, and additional accounts for editors. Annual ecommerce plans range from $29 to $212 per month.

The final verdict

Both platforms are very closely priced. Overall, Squarespace pricing offers a slightly lower monthly costs in proportion to the amount of features offered. They also offer a free trial period that is also available for the higher priced plan levels. 

Training & Support

Getting started on any new platform comes with some level of a learning curve, even if you're an expert designer. It always takes time to learn your way around a new system. Fortunately, both Squarespace and Webflow offer resources to help you get started and guide you through any issues.

How they compare

Both Webflow and Squarespace users can find a comprehensive database of articles, guides, and videos that cover a wide range of topics. In addition, both have a community forum available where you can discuss topics with other users.

These comprehensive solutions more than likely will provide you with any answers that you need. For customer support options, both platforms do have help available. However, users can expect limited support hours for some options and even an additional cost for others.

Squarespace offers live chat support during specific business hours and 24/7 chat support via Facebook Messenger or Twitter. Their email support is also available at any time. All Squarespace support options are included for no additional charge. They do not offer phone support.

Webflow offers support via email for the majority of their users. They are available only during specific business hours. However, the higher priced Enterprise plan does offer a built-in option for scheduled phone support.

The final verdict

In this webflow vs squarespace debate, Webflow emerges as the clear winner. Webflow University, their free training area, offers more in-depth courses on general B2B web design, development, as well as using the Webflow platform.

Additional Features

Both platforms come with all your necessary basics: hosting, SSL, editable templates, a no-code design platform, CMS system, and ecommerce features. However, there are a few things to note about other features that have not yet been discussed.

Bandwidth

While not as important for a brand new company, bandwith is an important consideration for busy sites or as traffic increases.

Squarespace offers unlimited bandwidth no matter which plan you're on. Webflow sites, on the other hand, are limited to monthly bandwidth from 50GB to 400GB depending on the plan level. However, these range limits are proportionate to what you should expect during growth. 

Form Options

Forms allow an opportunity for visitors to connect with your company. While Squarespace offers basic forms, Webflow excels in the customization category with more options. These include both the info fields as well as the form design.

However, Webflow does limit monthly form submissions from 50-2500 (depending on plan), whereas Squarespace does not impose limits. Squarespace also offers the opportunity to send form responses to more places than just an email address.

Backup and transfer options

One valuable feature that advanced users love is the ability to export an entire site design via code. In contrast, only some select elements on Squarespace can be easily imported or exported.

Webflow websites also have an autosave function that automatically backs up the site. it allows you to revert to previous versions which can can help prevent content loss. Alternately, Squarespace sites do not have this valuable feature.

Integrations

Advanced integration options have been noted extensively throughout this article as a positive feature of Webflow. Really, the sky's the limit with what you can create on this platform.

Webflow site integrations are available from anything from advanced email functionality, social media integrations, CMS options, and even Shopify. Squarespace does have a handful of integration options but it is a much more closed system.

The final verdict

This one really depends on the specific needs of your company website. However, in consideration of these additional features, our vote is for Webflow. 

Squarespace websites have access to a solid platform that has everything most small businesses need to get started. However, Webflow offers valuable backup solutions as well as advanced customization to truly make a website both unique and powerful. 

Squarespace Site Builder - Overall Pros & Cons

With Squarespace, it is simple enough that nearly anyone can build their own website. Those that are new to building websites benefit from the user-friendly Squarespace interface that is relatively easy to learn.

There are plenty options for beautiful pre-made design templates that come with no extra charge. In addition, they offer a built-in comprehensive tool kit for blogging, email marketing, and basic SEO optimization.

For those starting an online store, Squarespace excels in Ecommerce functionality. They offer low transaction fees, lower monthly plan costs, and more built in features than Webflow.

However, all of these bundled benefits come with limitations to design customization and advanced SEO. That detail alone makes it less ideal for users that are specifically looking for complete design control and the option for more advanced integrations.

Webflow Site Builder- Overall Pros & Cons

With Webflow, those with professional web design experience can find several advantages over the Squarespace platform. The ability to work directly with code makes this platform the preferred choice for developers who need more customization options.

Webflow users benefit from more flexibility with detailed control over styles, layouts, and graphics. They also offer up more unique pre-made templates. However, these advantages do come along with a steeper learning curve.

The ability to edit code also provides more direct control over intricate SEO optimization details. This offers more opportunity for higher rankings on search engines and the resulting organic traffic.

However, Webflow does comes with a slightly higher price point, more restrictions on the number of Ecommerce products and as well as bandwidth limitations.

What is Better Squarespace or Webflow?

Without a doubt, our choice for the better website builder is Webflow. Website designers get access to far more customization, providing the opportunity to create a truly distinct company website. Not only will the site look great, it will also have the optimization power to bring in more conversions.

Webflow Vs Squarespace: Eliminate The Debate

Looking for the advanced results that come from Webflow without tackling the challenges of learning the platform?

Our team of Webflow professional web designers are here to help you create a professional and impactful online presence that caters specifically to your B2B needs.

Stop worrying with the webflow vs squarespace debate and contact us today for a personalized website solution that drives real results.

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