WordPress vs Squarespace: Which is Better for SEO (and for You)?
If you’ve been researching website platforms, you’ve probably heard that “WordPress is better for SEO than Squarespace.” It’s one of those things that gets repeated so often that people take it as fact… but is it really true?
The short answer: Google doesn’t care which platform you use. What it cares about is the quality of your content, the structure of your site, and whether your website actually works for users.
So, let’s break down the differences between WordPress and Squarespace, and what they really mean for small/medium businesses (SMBs) who just want a beautiful, functional website without a headache.
SEO: WordPress vs Squarespace
WordPress
✅ Advanced plugins (Yoast, RankMath, etc.) for SEO control.
✅ Flexible structure — you can optimize URLs, schema markup, breadcrumbs.
❌ Requires maintenance and updates to keep everything working.
❌ If something breaks (plugins, PHP updates, hosting), your SEO can tank overnight.
Squarespace
✅ SEO essentials built in: mobile-friendly design, SSL security, clean code.
✅ Automatic sitemaps, easy alt text, titles, and descriptions.
✅ No plugins to maintain, no code breaking.
❌ Less advanced control if you want highly technical SEO.
👉 Verdict: For most SMBs, Squarespace has all the SEO you’ll ever need. If you’re a giant site with hundreds of blog posts and need advanced tools, WordPress might edge ahead. But for small-to-medium service businesses? Squarespace is more than enough.
Ease of Use
WordPress: Steep learning curve. If you’re not techy, updating or changing something can feel overwhelming. You often need a developer (or a lot of YouTube tutorials).
Squarespace: Drag-and-drop design, no coding required. You can update text, swap images, and publish blogs yourself. It feels empowering rather than intimidating.
👉 For SMBs who don’t want to “learn web development on the side,” Squarespace is a clear winner.
Reliability & Maintenance
WordPress: Needs regular updates (core, plugins, themes). If you don’t keep up, your site can crash or even get hacked.
Squarespace: Fully hosted, maintained, and secure by default. You never have to worry about updates or PHP versions breaking your site.
👉 If peace of mind is important, Squarespace is unbeatable.
Customer Support
WordPress: Technically “open source,” so no official support. You rely on forums or your hosting provider.
Squarespace: 24/7 customer support + a library of tutorials. If something goes wrong, you can talk to a human who knows the platform inside out.
Flexibility
WordPress: Extremely customizable. You can build almost anything — but that also means more moving parts, more costs, and more risk of errors.
Squarespace: Less customizable, but offers enough flexibility for most SMBs. For photographers, coaches, restaurants, and creatives, the built-in templates and blocks are usually perfect.
So, Which One Should You Choose?
If you’re a small/medium business (SMB) who wants:
✨ A website that’s easy to manage yourself
✨ Zero stress about updates, security, or broken code
✨ Solid SEO without having to become an expert
✨ Reliable customer support
👉 Squarespace is your best friend.
If you’re a large-scale publisher or e-commerce giant with:
⚡️ Hundreds of blog posts or products
⚡️ A dedicated web team
⚡️ The budget to pay for constant maintenance and customization
👉 WordPress might make sense.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, Google doesn’t rank you higher because you’re on WordPress. It ranks you higher because your website is clear, fast, and full of valuable content. Squarespace covers all the SEO basics — and for most SMBs, that’s all you need.
And if I’m honest? After years of working with both, I’ll say it: WordPress was a nightmare for me (so many crashes, updates, and headaches). Squarespace is simpler, cleaner, and lets me — and my clients — focus on what really matters: running the business, not fixing the website.
✨ Want help deciding if Squarespace is right for your brand? I’d love to chat and guide you through it.
