Best Squarespace Alternatives to Solve Unique Business Challenges

Table of contents

• Why consider alternatives to Squarespace
• 1. Customization constraints
• 2. Complex pricing structure
• 3. Limited integrations
• 4. SEO challenges
• 5. Navigation limitations
• 6. Page limits and performance
• 7. Storage limitations
• 8. Lack of phone support
• 9. Limited blogging features
• 10. E-commerce transaction fees
• 11. Limited features for promoting and advertising
• Best Squarespace alternatives
• 1. Super
• Pros
• Cons
• Pricing
• 2. Wix
• Pros
• Cons
• Pricing
• 3. WordPress
• Pros
• Cons
• Pricing
• 4. Weebly
• Pros
• Cons
• Pricing
• 5. Webflow
• Pros
• Cons
• Pricing
• 6. Framer
• Pros
• Cons
• Pricing
• 7. Duda
• Pros
• Cons
• Pricing
• 8. Podia
• Pros
• Cons
• Pricing
• 9. Strikingly
• Pros
• Cons
• Pricing
• 10. GoDaddy
• Pros
• Cons
• Pricing
• 11. Weblium
• Pros
• Cons
• Pricing

Squarespace is a popular CMS among small businesses thanks to its sleek templates and all-in-one approach to website building.

But as your business grows, you might find its limitations holding you back. Perhaps you need more customization than its pre-designed structures allow, or the pricing with add-ons is getting complex. Maybe you're hitting walls with third-party integrations, performance, or SEO.

If any of this sounds familiar, you will benefit from the list of Squarespace alternatives in this article. This detailed guide breaks down each option, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, pricing, and key features. Whether you need greater flexibility, better SEO, or a different design aesthetic, this list will help you make an informed decision.

Let's explore options that can take your online presence beyond what Squarespace offers.

Why consider alternatives to Squarespace

Here are some common reasons why you might need to switch from Squarespace:

1. Customization constraints

While Squarespace offers beautiful templates, the design flexibility is undeniably limited. You might find yourself struggling to implement advanced customizations or truly unique branding elements. The "what you see is what you get" approach can become restrictive when you need to push beyond the pre-defined boundaries.

2. Complex pricing structure

On the surface, Squarespace's pricing seems straightforward, but it can quickly become complex, especially as you start adding features. The costs can add up, and you might find that competitors offer more value for your money. Hidden fees and add-ons can make the overall expense higher than initially anticipated.

3. Limited integrations

Squarespace's integration capabilities are not as extensive. This can hinder your ability to connect with essential services and streamline your workflows.

4. SEO challenges

Search engine optimization is vital for online visibility, and some users find Squarespace's SEO tools to be less robust. This can potentially impact your search engine rankings and make it harder for customers to find you. If SEO is a top priority, you might need a platform with more advanced capabilities.

5. Navigation limitations

For websites with complex structures, Squarespace can fall short. The platform is not ideal for multi-level navigation systems, which can make it challenging to organize and present a large amount of information effectively.

6. Page limits and performance

While Squarespace technically allows up to 1,000 pages, performance issues can arise long before you reach that limit. You could experience slower content loading times with as few as 400 pages. This can negatively impact user experience and potentially harm your SEO.

7. Storage limitations

Although Squarespace doesn't specify a hard storage limit, the practical constraints are evident. As mentioned, exceeding 400 pages can lead to performance issues, effectively limiting the amount of content you can realistically host without sacrificing speed.

8. Lack of phone support

Squarespace primarily offers support through email tickets and live chat, but the lack of phone support can be a drawback if you prefer direct, real-time help.

9. Limited blogging features

Depending on your Squarespace plan, you might find the blogging functionalities somewhat limited. This can be frustrating for dedicated bloggers who need more advanced tools and customization options.

10. E-commerce transaction fees

On certain plans, Squarespace charges a 3% transaction fee on sales. For businesses with high sales volumes, these fees can add up significantly, eating into your profits.

11. Limited features for promoting and advertising

The platform doesn't offer a wide range of features for creating custom ads or promotions, which can hinder your marketing efforts.

Best Squarespace alternatives

Here are the 11 alternatives to Squarespace that could better meet your requirements:

1. Super

Super Notion Website Builder transforms your Notion pages into sleek, professionally formatted websites.

It leverages Notion's intuitive interface for content management, allowing you to create and manage content directly within your Notion workspace and publish it in the form of a stellar website.

Super optimizes Notion content for the web, delivering high-speed page loads and performance enhancements, even for large websites. This makes it a compelling Squarespace alternative if you already use Notion or are seeking a simple, content-centric website builder with a focus on performance and ease of use.

Pros

1. Integration with Notion

Super enables you to manage website content directly within Notion, with changes automatically syncing to the website. This simplifies content updates and ensures real-time accuracy.

2. Superior performance

Super optimizes Notion content for the web, delivering high-speed page loads and performance enhancements, even for large websites. The code is light, backend strong, and backup nearly 100%, even when Notion is down!

3. More control over SEO

Super integrates essential SEO functionalities, including customizable URL slugs and built-in technical SEO features, providing more control than Squarespace and aiding in better search engine rankings.

4. Simplifying content updates

Super's seamless Notion integration allows users to manage website content directly within Notion, with changes automatically syncing to the website. This simplifies content updates and ensures real-time accuracy.

5. Ease of use and setup

You can create a website and publish with Super in less than 4 minutes by using customizable templates. Whether it is a blog, business website, personal site, portfolio, or even a single page site, you won't have to break a sweat building and managing them with Super.

Furthermore, Super provides a clean dashboard, leaving little ambiguity. And even if you get stuck, you have the support of a vibrant community, detailed guides, and a responsive customer support team.

6. Better customization

Super, while using Notion's content, allows for more design flexibility with a clean, intuitive dashboard. Even micro capabilities such as adding shadows to the navigation bar, using varied background colors, etc., are easy to set up in Super. This CMS also supports custom code, opening up even more design possibilities.

7. Excellent analytics and reporting

Super outshines Squarespace with its built-in analytics tool - Super Analytics. While you can integrate external analytics tools with both the software, the cohesiveness of a built-in tool makes a difference in how you analyze data and generate insights.

Cons

1. Lack of built-in e-commerce support

If e-commerce or selling merch is your preferred monetization method, you might need to look for another no-code CMS. Super does not have built-in e-commerce support.

2. Lack of control over the robots.txt file

While Super creates a robots.txt file for your site, you do not get the access to edit it.

Pricing

• Free Plan: Available with a `super.site` domain.
• Personal Plan: $12 per month annually, with custom domain support.
• Pro Plan: $22 per month annually, with advanced features.

Check out Super’s pricing plans

2. Wix

Wix stands out as a widely recognized name in the website builder world, and deservedly so. It boasts an incredibly intuitive drag-and-drop editor that empowers virtually anyone to create a website, regardless of their technical expertise.

With a massive template library featuring over 900 designs, you're almost guaranteed to find something that aligns with your vision. Furthermore, Wix offers a free plan, giving you the opportunity to test the waters before committing to a paid subscription.

Pros

1. Creative freedom

Wix's drag-and-drop editor provides a high level of creative freedom. You have the ability to place elements almost anywhere on the page, allowing for unique layouts and designs.

2. Adaptability

With its extensive template selection and customization options, Wix offers significant adaptability. You can tailor your website to suit your specific needs and branding requirements.

3. Extensive app marketplace

Wix features a comprehensive app marketplace where you can discover a wide variety of extensions and integrations to enhance your site's functionality. This allows you to expand your website's capabilities beyond the standard features.

4. Free plan option

The availability of a free plan is a major attraction for many users. It enables you to experiment with the platform and build a basic website without any initial investment.

Cons

1. Potential overload for new users

While the drag-and-drop editor is user-friendly, the sheer number of options and features can be overwhelming for complete beginners. There's a lot to explore, which might sometimes lead to decision fatigue.

2. Challenges with changing templates post-publishing

One notable drawback of Wix is that you can't easily switch templates after your site has gone live. This means you need to be quite confident in your initial template choice, as altering it later can be a significant undertaking.

Pricing

• Wix provides a free plan with limited features and Wix branding.
• Paid plans begin around $3-$20 per month, offering enhanced features, custom domain support, and the removal of Wix branding. Pricing varies based on the specific plan and features you select.

Check out Wix’s alternatives

3. WordPress

WordPress stands as a giant in the website building world, a highly flexible, open-source platform that powers a significant portion of the web.

It's essential to distinguish between two main types of WordPress: self-hosted (WordPress.org) and managed (WordPress.com). Self-hosted WordPress gives you complete control over your website, requiring you to handle hosting and maintenance.

Managed WordPress, offered by WordPress.com or other hosting providers, simplifies things by taking care of hosting and some maintenance tasks. This makes WordPress a versatile option, catering to both beginners and advanced users who need extensive customization.

Pros

1. Unlimited customization

WordPress offers unparalleled customization. With access to the source code, you can tweak virtually anything. Plus, the vast ecosystem of plugins and themes allows you to tailor your site to your exact needs.

2. Scalability

WordPress is highly scalable. Whether you're running a small blog or a large e-commerce site, WordPress can handle it. It grows with you, accommodating increasing traffic and content.

3. Extensive plugin/theme library

The WordPress repository boasts thousands of free and premium plugins and themes. This means you can easily add functionality and change your site's appearance with just a few clicks.

4. Strong SEO potential

WordPress is inherently SEO-friendly. With the right plugins (like Yoast SEO) and configurations, you can significantly improve your site's search engine rankings.

Cons

1. Steeper Learning Curve

Compared to Squarespace, WordPress has a steeper learning curve. Especially with self-hosted WordPress, you'll need some technical know-how to manage updates, security, and backups.

2. Need for Ongoing Maintenance

Self-hosted WordPress requires ongoing maintenance. You'll need to update the core software, plugins, and themes regularly to ensure security and performance. Managed WordPress reduces this burden but may come at a higher cost.

Pricing

The core WordPress software (WordPress.org) is free to use.

• Self-hosted WordPress requires you to purchase hosting, which can range from a few dollars to hundreds per month, depending on your needs and provider. You may also incur costs for premium themes and plugins, ranging from $20 to several hundred dollars.
• Managed WordPress plans (e.g., from WordPress.com or other hosting providers) typically start around $4-$15 per month and can go much higher for more advanced features and support.

Check out WordPress alternatives

4. Weebly

Weebly is another user-friendly website builder that employs a grid-based, drag-and-drop editor, making it easy for beginners to create a website without any coding knowledge.

It offers a selection of mobile-responsive templates, ensuring your site looks good on any device. Weebly is known for its simplicity and affordability, making it a popular choice for individuals and small businesses on a budget.

Pros

1. Ease of use: Weebly's intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it very easy to get started. Even those with no prior website building experience can create a decent-looking site quickly.

2. Affordability: Weebly is generally more affordable than Squarespace, especially for basic websites. Its pricing plans are straightforward and budget-friendly.

3. Support for multi-level navigation: Unlike some other simple builders, Weebly supports multi-level navigation, allowing you to create more complex site structures with subpages and menus.

Cons

1. Limited design flexibility: While Weebly offers templates, the design flexibility is somewhat limited compared to Squarespace. You might find it harder to achieve a truly unique or highly customized look.

2. Smaller selection of templates: Weebly's template library is smaller than Squarespace's, and the designs may not be as polished or modern. This can be a drawback if you're looking for a very specific aesthetic.

Pricing

Weebly offers a free plan with Weebly branding and limited features.

Paid plans start around $6-$12 per month (annual billing).

5. Webflow

Webflow is a powerful website builder that offers a unique visual development environment. Unlike simpler drag-and-drop builders, Webflow allows you to design websites as if you were working with code directly, but without actually writing it.

This means you get to create production-ready code while visually designing, and you have the freedom to add complex custom animations and interactions. It's a tool that bridges the gap between designers and developers.

Pros

1. Deep design control

Webflow gives you incredibly granular control over every aspect of your website's design. You can manipulate elements with pixel-perfect precision, creating highly customized and unique layouts.

2. Ability to export code

One of Webflow's standout features is the ability to export the code it generates. This means you're not locked into the platform; you can take your website's code and host it elsewhere if you choose.

3. Robust customization tools

From intricate animations and interactions to complex responsive designs, Webflow's customization tools are incredibly robust. You can build highly dynamic and engaging websites.

Cons

Steeper learning curve for non-designers

While Webflow's visual interface is powerful, it can be daunting for those without a design background. The platform's depth and complexity mean there's a steeper learning curve compared to simpler website builders.

Pricing

Webflow provides three pricing plans in addition to the free and enterprise plans:

1. Basic

$14 per month, suitable for simple sites without CMS functionality - static sites, for example.

2. CMS Plan

$23 per month, ideal for blogs and content-driven sites.

3. Business Plan

$39 per month, designed for high-traffic and e-commerce sites that need more flexibility

Check out Webflow alternatives

6. Framer

Framer is a dynamic website builder that has evolved from its origins as a prototyping tool into a comprehensive platform for designing and publishing websites without writing code.

It's particularly appealing to designers who seek more control and customization than what traditional builders like Squarespace typically offer. Framer allows for intricate designs and interactive experiences, making it a powerful choice for those who prioritize aesthetics and user engagement.

Pros

1. Advanced design flexibility

Framer's freeform canvas empowers designers to place elements anywhere, enabling the creation of intricate and unique layouts. This level of design control is a significant step up from the more structured templates of Squarespace.

2. Interactive prototyping

Given its history as a prototyping tool, Framer excels in creating interactive and dynamic user experiences. You can easily add animations, transitions, and interactive elements to make your website come alive.

3. Real-time collaboration

Framer supports seamless real-time collaboration, allowing teams to work together efficiently. This is a valuable feature for design teams and agencies that need to iterate and refine designs quickly.

4. AI-powered design assistance

Framer incorporates AI capabilities that assist in generating website structures and content, streamlining the design process. This can help speed up the initial setup and provide inspiration for layouts and content ideas.

Cons

1. Learning curve

Framer's advanced features may require some knowledge of React or JavaScript, which can pose a challenge for those without coding experience. It's a more design-focused tool, so a basic understanding of web development principles can be helpful.

2. Limited e-commerce features

Unlike platforms like Squarespace, Framer lacks native e-commerce functionalities. This could be a drawback for businesses seeking to sell products or services directly through their website.

3. Platform lock-in

Designs created in Framer are tied to the Framer ecosystem, potentially limiting migration to other platforms in the future. This means you'll need to stay with Framer if you want to maintain your website's design and functionality.

Pricing

1. Free plan

Get started with basic features for simple projects.

2. Paid plans

Framer has six paid plans for personal and business requirements running from $4 to $80. They also have an enterprise plan.

Check out Framer alternatives

7. Duda

Duda is a professional website builder specifically designed for agencies and those managing multiple sites efficiently. It offers built-in personalization features, making it a strong choice for businesses looking to tailor the user experience.

Pros

1. Fast performance

You'll benefit from Duda's exceptional speed optimization, which ensures your visitors experience quick loading times and smooth navigation. Their performance-focused architecture helps maintain good SEO rankings and keeps bounce rates low.

2. Visitor personalization

You can create dynamic, personalized experiences for your website visitors based on their location, time of visit, or previous interactions. This tailored approach helps you deliver more relevant content and potentially increases conversion rates.

3. Efficient client collaboration features

You'll find Duda's collaboration tools especially valuable if you're an agency or managing multiple sites. The platform allows you to share designs, collect feedback, and manage client approvals within a single dashboard, streamlining your workflow significantly.

Cons

1. Limited third-party integrations

You might find Duda's integration ecosystem somewhat restrictive compared to other platforms. While they cover essential services, you may encounter limitations if you rely heavily on specialized third-party tools or uncommon plugins.

2. Higher pricing for advanced features

You'll need to invest more for Duda's premium features compared to some competitors. Their agency-focused tools and personalization capabilities come at a higher price point, which may impact your budget considerations.

Pricing

Duda provides three pricing plans:

Basic plan

Costs $14 per month for single-site usage. This plan is designed for individuals or small businesses needing a single website with essential features.

Team plan ($29/month)

Costs $24 per month. It offers additional team collaboration tools, client management features, and priority support.

Agency plan

Costs $49/month. This plan provides advanced features like API access, white-labeling, and enhanced support, ideal for larger agencies.

8. Podia

Podia is an all-in-one platform for creators that supports websites, online courses, digital downloads, and memberships. It's designed for those looking to build and monetize an online community.

Pros

1. Ease of use You'll appreciate Podia's intuitive interface that requires minimal technical knowledge. The platform guides you through each step of creating your site, managing products, and engaging with your audience, making it accessible even if you're new to website building.

2. Integrated content and community tools You can manage your entire creator business from one dashboard, including courses, downloads, memberships, and email marketing. This integration eliminates the need for multiple platforms and simplifies your administrative tasks.

3. Attractive design templates You'll have access to modern, professionally designed templates that work well for various creator types. These templates are optimized for conversion and provide a solid foundation that you can customize to match your brand.

Cons

Limitations in customization You may find yourself restricted when attempting more advanced design modifications. Podia prioritizes simplicity over extensive customization options, which could be limiting if you have specific design requirements or need unique functionality.

Pricing

Podia offers two paid plans:

1. Movers - Costs $33 per month

3. Shakers - Costs $75 per month and supports affiliate marketing.

9. Strikingly

Strikingly is a solution for creating single-page websites quickly. It's ideal for simple online presences and landing pages.

Pros

1. Simplicity

You'll find Strikingly exceptionally user-friendly with its straightforward interface and focused approach. The platform eliminates complexity by streamlining the website creation process down to essential elements.

2. Fast setup

You can launch your website in a matter of hours rather than days. Strikingly's templates and section-based editor allow you to assemble a complete online presence quickly, making it perfect when you're working under tight deadlines.

3. Mobile-optimized one-page designs

You'll benefit from Strikingly's focus on responsive, single-page layouts that look stunning across all devices. The platform automatically handles mobile optimization, ensuring your content remains accessible and visually appealing on smartphones and tablets.

Cons

Limitations in SEO and content depth

You may encounter challenges with search engine optimization due to the single-page structure. Content organization becomes more difficult as your site grows, potentially limiting your ability to develop deep, hierarchical content structures that perform well in search rankings.

Pricing

Strikingly provides three paid plans in addition to its free plan:

• Limited plan - Costs $8 per month and supports two sites
• Pro plan - Costs $16 per month and supports 3 sites
• VIP plan - Costs $49 per month and supports 5 sites

10. GoDaddy

GoDaddy's website builder is a simple, all-in-one solution integrated with domain registration and hosting. It's a convenient option for those already using GoDaddy's other services.

Pros

1. Ease of use

You'll appreciate GoDaddy's straightforward approach that focuses on getting you online quickly. Their drag-and-drop editor features intuitive controls and pre-built sections that make website creation accessible even if you have no technical experience.

2. Integrated marketing and SEO tools

You can manage your site promotion directly within the platform through built-in email marketing, social media integration, and basic SEO tools. This integration helps you attract visitors without needing to learn additional software.

3. 24/7 customer support

You'll have access to round-the-clock assistance whenever you encounter issues. GoDaddy's extensive support network includes phone, chat, and knowledge base resources to help resolve problems quickly.

Cons

1. Limited design flexibility

You may find yourself restricted by GoDaddy's somewhat rigid template structure. The platform sacrifices some creative freedom for simplicity, which can be frustrating if you want to implement specific design elements or custom layouts.

2. E-commerce limitations

You'll encounter restrictions with more complex online stores. GoDaddy's e-commerce capabilities, while functional for basic shops, lack the depth and flexibility of dedicated e-commerce platforms, potentially limiting your growth as your business expands.

Pricing

Godaddy offers pricing plans from $5-$15 per month when paid annually.

11. Weblium

Weblium is a next-generation website builder that delivers modern, high-quality designs with flexible content blocks. It aims to make professional website creation accessible to everyone.

Pros

1. Attractive templates

You'll have access to professionally designed, contemporary templates that establish a strong visual foundation for your site. Each template is crafted with attention to modern design principles and aesthetic appeal.

2. Flexible design options

You can customize your site extensively using Weblium's block-based editor, which allows for creative freedom while maintaining design consistency. The platform intelligently adjusts your design choices to ensure professional results.

3. Ease of creating professional sites quickly

You'll be able to build sophisticated-looking websites in significantly less time compared to traditional methods. Weblium's AI-powered design assistant helps maintain professional standards even as you make customizations.

Cons

Limited blogging and advanced feature set

You might find Weblium's capabilities insufficient if you need extensive blogging functionality or specialized features. The platform prioritizes design and ease of use over advanced functionality, which could become restrictive as your site requirements grow more complex.

Pricing

Weblium offers only one paid site plan that costs $8.25 per month when paid annually.

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