Building a website can feel overwhelming, can’t it? Whether you’re starting a side hustle, putting your photography portfolio online, or finally getting that blog idea off the ground, the thought of getting a site live might make you break out in a cold sweat. You’ve got two main paths to choose from: traditional web development—where you either code it yourself or hire someone to do it—or a website builder like Squarespace. I’ve seen both in action, and honestly, Squarespace often wins out for folks like us who just want something that works without all the fuss. Let me break it down for you with five reasons why Squarespace might be your new best friend.
First Off, What Are We Talking About?
If you haven’t messed around with Squarespace yet, it’s basically a tool that lets you build a slick website without touching a line of code. It’s got these drag-and-drop features, gorgeous templates, and all the behind-the-scenes stuff—like hosting and security—handled for you. On the flip side, traditional web development is the classic route: hiring a pro or diving into code like HTML and CSS yourself. It’s powerful, no doubt, but it’s not always the practical choice for everyone. So, let’s dive into why Squarespace might just steal the show.
1. It’s Kind to Your Wallet
Let’s talk money—because who doesn’t want to save a few bucks? Building a website the traditional way can get pricey fast. I’ve got a buddy who runs a little coffee shop, and he wanted a simple site to show off his menu and hours. He got quotes from developers ranging from $2,500 to $4,000. That’s a lot of lattes! And that didn’t even cover hosting or tweaks down the road.
With Squarespace, though? You’re looking at $12 a month if you pay for the year upfront. That’s it—hosting, templates, everything included. No surprise invoices or extra fees sneaking up on you. For anyone starting out or keeping things lean, that kind of predictability is a game-changer. You get a site that looks like a million bucks without spending anywhere close to that.
2. You Live in a Flash
Time’s a big deal, right? When you’re excited about a project, you don’t want to twiddle your thumbs waiting for it to launch. Traditional web development can drag on forever. My friend hired someone to build her online store, and it took months—design meetings, coding, fixing glitches. She was ready to pull her hair out by the end.
Squarespace flips that script. You can have a site up in a day if you’re motivated—or a weekend if you’re taking it slow with a glass of wine in hand. Pick a template, toss in your photos and text, hit publish—boom, you’re online. It’s perfect when you’re itching to share your work with the world and don’t have time to waste.
3. No Tech Skills? No Problem
Raise your hand if you’re not a coding ninja. (Mine’s up too.) Traditional web development pretty much demands you either know your way around code or have someone on speed dial who does. And even then, making changes later can feel like decoding a secret language.
Squarespace doesn’t care if you’re tech-illiterate—it’s built for the rest of us. The interface is so easy that I swear my uncle, who still uses a flip phone, could figure it out. Drag a photo here, drop some text there, tweak the colors—done. You don’t need a degree in computer science to make it yours. It’s empowering to whip up something awesome without begging for help.
4. Maintenance Is a Breeze
Here’s a truth bomb: websites can be needy. With a custom-built site, you’re on the hook for updates—software patches, security fixes, server crashes. It’s like adopting a pet that needs constant attention. If you’re not up for it, you’re paying someone else to play babysitter.
Squarespace takes that load off your shoulders. Hosting? Covered. Security? They’ve got it locked down. Updates? Handled automatically. It’s all behind-the-scenes magic, so you can focus on what you actually care about—like writing blog posts or selling your handmade candles—instead of wrestling with technical nonsense.
5. It Looks Good Everywhere
Your website’s got to shine, whether someone’s checking it out on their phone at the coffee shop or their giant desktop monitor at home. With traditional development, making a site “responsive”—aka looking great on every device—can take extra effort and cash. Get it wrong, and your visitors are squinting at a jumbled mess.
Squarespace nails this out of the gate. Their templates are designed by pros and tweak themselves to fit any screen size. I built a site for a friend’s interior design company, and it looked stunning on my laptop, her iPad, even my cracked old phone. Plus, you can tweak the design to match your vibe—no design degree required. It’s a win for impressing people no matter how they find you.
So, What’s the Verdict?
Here’s the deal: traditional web development has its place. If you’ve got a wild, one-of-a-kind vision and a fat budget, it might be your thing. But for most of us—small biz owners, creatives, or anyone who just wants a site without the drama—Squarespace is hard to beat.
You’re getting a gorgeous, functional website that’s cheap, fast, and easy to manage, all without needing to know the difference between a server and a sandwich. It’s like the shortcut to online success. My advice? Give Squarespace a whirl. Play around with it, see how it feels. Worst case, you’ve spent an afternoon messing with templates. Best case, you’ve got a killer site ready to roll. What do you say—ready to give it a shot?
