Shameless Plug for Squarespace Websites
It took me years to find a web service I could work with. I’m not terribly techie, so I needed something that I could do myself, as I was tired of paying someone else to do the changes and additions to my site. I wanted a website that had all the protections built-in, without having to choose and purchase all the do-ma-hickers to make it work. Squarespace isn’t perfect, but here is what I love (and hate) about Squarespace:
Pros:
Easy to use - Squarespace is the the easiest system I have found, for setting up your own website. Once you get the hang of it, you may find web design fun! There are basic templates to get you started, with the option to be more creative, as you become accustomed to using the platform and creating a site.
Great Customer Service - Though they have chat bots to answer your questions with typical issues, if you type “customer service” into the chat box, it will connect you to a real person. These experts have actually made videos to show me how to do certain tasks, when I couldn’t get it from their instructions. They are patient and kind. I’m certain I only have a full head of hair, because they saved me from tearing it out with frustration.
Honesty - I hate getting half-way into a week-long web project, only to find out the help either didn’t know their own product or they intentionally misrepresented it. I can attest that Squarespace has been honest with me. Other sites have attempted to reel me in with untrue information or terminology which is unclear. The folks at SquaresSpace know what their product can and cannot do and shoot straight about it.
No Extras - So, in my experience, website builders often start you at a free level, but by the time you pay for all the extra do-ma-jigs, it costs as much or more than Squarespace. Then you have to figure out how to protect your website…which requires more what-cha-ma-jiggers to keep the scammers away. Squarespace has it all built-in. It’s the complete package.
Commerce - Many sites claim you can sell on their site, but once you get it all built, you find out that they don’t actually have what you need. I have so many sites out there that never got finished, because once I got to a certain level, it became impossible or cost prohibitive.
The most difficult service to find (without purchasing extras) is the ability to sell a product or service subscription with a monthly, reoccurring charge. After investigating a few sites which say they offer this service, I only found one (Squarespace) with it already built-in and ready to go, and at a lower price than all the others. And, I don’t have to pay someone else to do it for me.
Extras - At the risk of sounding like I’m contradicting my previous statement, I love the fact that Squarespace has a few hard-to-find offerings. Here’s some of the extras:
Member Areas. This is a place to post information just for your insiders or members. It is where you can put your secret tips or resources for their eyes only.
Blogs. Can you believe that many of the website platforms don’t provide a blogging page? It’s pretty shocking to decide you want to blog, and find out you will have to find a blog site, because it doesn’t exist with your website provider. You won’t have that problem with Squarespace. They have blog pages.
Google Workspace. eligible billing plans, can receive a free year of the Google Workspace Starter plan, which gives you access to a custom email. That would be an email which, instead of ending with @gmail.com or @yahoo.com, it ends with @yourbusiness.com. There is a charge, after the free year.
Free Photos! Tired of paying for photos for your website? Your Squarespace account has an album of photo choices to use as you make your website.
Short links. This is not widely known, but instead of paying for bit.ly or other custom links, make your own custom link in Squarespace by following one of the easy youtube video directions. It is super easy!
Cons
No pop-up - Unless you pay for the highest level, Squarespace doesn’t give you the option to add a pop-up newsletter subscription screen, and the one they have does not give you the option of asking for the first name. I feel that is super important, so you can personalize your mailings.
At first, I solved the problem by adding a sign-up area with a lead magnet at the bottom of every page. It’s still there, in case my pop-up ever fails. When I did finally get to the level where they allow pop-ups, I used one from my MailChimp site, integrating it into my Squarespace.
No free level - I’ve not yet found a decent website platform that is free. It might be free to start, but by the time you pay for all the “gotchas,” it’s no longer free. With Squarespace, you can build your website for free, and see if you like it. The lowest price is $16 per month (billed annually). Each successive level up gives you more services and benefits.
Second URL issue - Sadly, Squarespace doesn’t allow you to attach a second URL to an interior page. You can attach multiple URLs, but you can’t attach them to a certain page - they all take the user to your home page.
Paid Mailing Service. Even with the Commerce Advanced plan, you still have to pay additionally for their mailing service. Thankfully, I already had MailChimp, but it would have been nice to have that service in one place.
The purpose of having a second URL is to take the user to a certain (inner) page of your website. It allows you to use one website as if it were two (or three) which is probably why they won’t let you do it. I assume most web platforms don’t allow it, because they want you to pay for a second website. Mine is set up with my author site and my Kidlit Connect site together, until I get a wee bit richer. In the meantime I use links to get my readers to the Kidlit Connect page.
I was recently told that if you purchase the URL from Squarespace, they will let you attach that to an interior page. I have not yet verified that information.
All-in-all, the pros outweigh the cons, and on almost every level for me. Squarespace was the clear winner for my purposes. (Before you ask, I received no remuneration for this post.)
I would love to know what you use, how you like it and why you chose it!
