Why do I recommend Squarespace?
Now obviously there are many different platforms to choose from; however, when getting started or if you’re intending on managing your website/ business on your own. I always highly recommend Squarespace for new users.
Pros
Analytics Already Built in.
eCommerce capabilities with Stripe or Paypal payment options available.
Large Library of templates to choose from.
Manage Multiple Blog feeds and categories .
Cons
Without sufficient Web Design Knowledge getting the results you want can seem daunting.
It is definitely one of the most expensive platforms.
Everything you’ll need is all in one place for you. Now if you haven’t had the opportunity to utilize Google Analytics although a wonderful and very powerful tool when it comes to web and marketing – it can also be difficult to find the data you’re looking for or customizing the pixel to capture the right user data information that you want. Analytics on a website are the heart and soul to know what is being used, how are users using the data, information, or features of your website.
Although Shopify also has great analytics built into their platform. I don’t reccommend using Shopify unless you’re going to be making an eCommerce site with a large inventory due to it’s high cost.
There’s no confusion or need for interpretation and instead of setting up events in Google Tag Manager for button clicks. Squarespace already has this built in for you in their analytics. How many people made it to the cart page but didn’t check out? How many people clicked on a form link? etc…
No need to install code or pixel tracking codes
This is a bonus for users new to creating their own websites or trying to start a business. If you intend on doing any kind of digital marketing for your business you’ll need to install a pixel or tracking code for each platform you intend on creating ads or retargeting website users from, including:
Native Integration to Squarespace
Google Analytics
Facebook/Instagram
Google Ads (AdWords)
Not native to Squarespace will need tracking codes injected
Twitter
Linkedin
Bing Ads
Amazon
Squarespace natively will add most of these platforms into your website with only as much as an account number.
Intuitive Design
There are obviously very easy platforms with an intuitive “drag and drop” style of design like Wix. On Squarespace there are hundreds of free templates to choose from which have all their own pros and cons and advantages to each one. What I find to be the most useful is the ‘Site Design’ feature of Squarespace and the multiple way for easy code injection (business account and above only).
You’ll go into the ‘Design’ menu and ‘Site Design’ right from there just about everything visible to the eye is adjustable to your specific preferences. What I find to be the most useful is once the based content is laid out for my site with the template defaults, go to the page you'd like to adjust then go into ‘Site Design’ and in the website UI click on a specific item or block you would like to change (this will highlight with a blue box around it) and the settings for that specific block will appear in the ‘Site Design’ settings . I will do this across all the different template blocks to have a cohesive design that is my own.
Easy code injection
Weather you’re adding in a Bing pixel, site-wide code, or custom CSS there is no confusion searching through Shopify theme files and forums of where exactly to inject your code for your website. There are four main areas where you can include custom coding into Squarespace.
Advanced Settings
Go to Setting – Advanced – Code Injection
Here you’ll be given the option to add header or footer code injection which is what I use for adding a back to top button for my longer pages and blog posts on the site, which will appear on any pages that exceeds any length that I specify. This is also where you would add something like a Bing pixel to the Footer code injection.
Custom CSS
Go to Design – Custom CSS
Now when ‘Site Design’ fails you this is where you’ll have to get technical. You’ll make any appearance adjustments or animations in the ‘Custom CSS’ section of your website. For instance a transparent navigation that may not be native to the Squarespace theme that you chose. If you aren’t savvy enough to figure this out on your own or have a designer helping you. See which themes are in the same “Theme Family” as the one you are using and finds it’s cousin that has the capability or appearance that better suits what you are looking for.
Block Settings
Most Blocks or Page Settings when you click ‘Edit’ will have an Advanced tab which you can add custom code injection here as well. This feature is useful if you want your specific code injection to effect only a singular page(s) or section of your website.
Unlimited Free Trials
Every time I make a new build you can start a new free trial. This is amazing feature to have when you want to play with all the templates that Squarespace has to offer. Each one is so unique with different features from Soundcloud integration, eCommerce capabilities, blogging, resumes, and portfolios. Unlike Shopify once your two week trial is up that’s it, each installation of a new “website” in your account starts a new trial. If you end up really liking what you have then you can choose to purchase it, but don’t forget to do this before your trial is up or you’ll lose all the work you put into the dummy site and have to start over again.
So there’s no harm in creating an account and playing around with their template create as many as you’d like and see what amazing intuitive and responsive website you can make for yourself or your business!