Squarespace vs. Wix vs. WordPress Which one is best for coaches in 2023?
As a brand and website designer for dozens of service providers, therapists, and coaches, over the years I’ve had experience with all of the main website builders and platforms. Namely, Squarespace, Wix and Wordpress.
If you’re a service provider or coach feeling overwhelmed at all of the options (and passionate advice) out there for your website, you’re in the right place. Before you make a decision on a website builder, let’s first look at the three top platforms you may be researching and explore their pros, cons, and offerings.
First, don’t get overwhelmed or discouraged by all of your options - the perfect website platform is out there waiting for you and your beautiful business!
The website builder I love and use for my business and clients
As a disclaimer, I use and love Squarespace for my client designs because of its ease-of-use and affordability as well as its design and customization capabilities. As a designer that loves to pack a ton of personality onto the page, this makes Squarespace the obvious choice for me.
But, if you’re just starting out, you might not know which website builder you should choose. Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress are the top builders in the design industry right now - so let’s break them down.
Selecting the best website platform for your coaching business
Coaches have unique and special needs when it comes to building an online presence that builds their brand reputation, connects with their customers, and drives conversions.
Specifically, here are some things to prioritize and look for as you research website builders:
Easy ability to optimize for SEO so your site can perform well organically in search results
Easy, simple user experience that allows you to make easy content edits, changes and additions without hiring a web developer
Attentive and easy-to-reach customer support
Mobile responsiveness so your site works on every device
E-commerce functionality if you are interested in building a shop or selling your services directly on your website
On-site, built in scheduling so clients can book sessions from your website
Easy, quick and intuitive blogging so you can create content consistently without the hassle
Keep these considerations in mind as you explore the pros, cons, and functionalities of Squarespace vs. Wix vs. Wordpress!
The pros and cons of Squarespace
As an identity-led brand and website designer, my number one goal is to help you create an online presence that reflects the caliber of your brand and showcases your fullest potential. Squarespace makes this the most possible, in my opinion.
Pros of Squarespace
Easy to use drag-and-drop builder
All-in-one platform with blogging, email marketing, and scheduling capabilities
Simple and clear analytics dashboard
Flexible design
Built-in calendar scheduling feature
Supports an online shop for digital and physical products as well as services
Easy website and blog promotion straight to your social media platforms with one click
Self-managed updates (unlike WordPress)
Incredibly affordable
Makes SEO easy and simple
And, I can make custom code changes on the back end that don’t change the functionality on the front for you to update copy or photos at any time!
Cons of Squarespace
Lacks advanced marketing capabilities
They’re constantly working to make the platform better, which is good over-all, but can make keeping up with the updates and tools overwhelming sometimes.
Verdict: Squarespace is best for coaches who want a professional online presence with little upkeep, no coding, and no hassle.
The pros and cons of Wix
Wix is a popular website builder among new online business owners because of its drag-and-drop capabilities and affordability.
Pros of Wix
Easy to use drag-and-drop builder
Free, but you pay monthly for features
Not ideal for organic search
Cons of Wix
Free version won’t let you connect your domain name
Lacks ability to connect with Google Analytics
Free version has ads
No online store function
Paid plans - more expensive than Squarespace
Premium support only offered for VIP/Enterprise customers
Verdict: Not ideal for a professional brand presence. Not recommended for professional coaches who prioritize a human-first digital experience.
The pros and cons of Wordpress
Wordpress has a large community of dedicated, loyal designers and is one of the most respected website builders out there. Designers love Wordpress because of its hyper-customizable abilities and thousands of available plugins.
Pros of Wordpress
Thousands of design options
High SEO capabilities with the Yoast plugin
Highly customizable with plugins and code
Cons of Wordpress
Too many design options - you pay for customization abilities you’ll never use
Requires plugins that could put your site at risk
Can require too much customization
Separate hosting required for your site (more $$)
Not easy to update basic things like copy and photos without a knowhow of the back end.
Verdict: Best for coaches who want a highly-customized and customizable site who are willing to maintain their site or pay for someone to do so.
How to decide which website platform is best for you and your business
Which website builder is best for you? Here are some things to keep in mind as you make your decision:
First, determine your monthly and annual budget for your website, email marketing, and scheduling.
Identify your business goals and map them to website priorities.
Review resources and support for the platforms you’re interested in.
Reach out to customer support to speak with a human (and see how easy it is to get in touch with a real human).
Weigh your priorities and needs when it comes to your budget vs. desired quality of your website.
Determine now how much responsibility you want to have over managing and maintaining your site.
Why I recommend Squarespace for coaches and service providers
I love the drag-and-drop functionality of Squarespace and the fact that it’s an all-in-one platform. This makes it easy for small business owners to manage their many moving pieces of their marketing process - from content to scheduling and email marketing - all in one affordable hub.
I also love that Squarespace makes it easy for my clients to make their own content edits on the front end and allows me the ability to make back-end customizations that make your site incredibly unique. And, it doesn’t hurt that their pricing rocks!
As a bonus, because I’m a Squarespace Circle member I can offer my clients a 20% off discount for their first year on Squarespace. Just book your website design project with me - it’s that simple! Book your discovery call here to see if we’re a great fit!
