In the ever-evolving world of website building, two platforms stand out for their simplicity, flexibility, and appeal to creatives and small business owners: Squarespace and Strikingly. While both offer intuitive tools and design-focused features, they cater to slightly different audiences. In this article, we’ll compare Squarespace and Strikingly across key metrics to help you determine which one best suits your needs.
Overview of Squarespace
Squarespace is a well-established platform known for its sleek, high-quality templates and robust feature set. It’s ideal for businesses, artists, bloggers, and online stores looking for professional, customizable websites without needing coding skills. Squarespace’s all-in-one platform includes hosting, e-commerce, analytics, and built-in SEO tools.
Overview of Strikingly
Strikingly is a user-friendly website builder tailored for individuals and small businesses who need quick, simple one-page websites. It’s an excellent choice for landing pages, portfolios, and event websites. Strikingly focuses on speed and ease of use, with fewer complex features compared to Squarespace but a lower learning curve.
Key Features Comparison
1. Ease of Use
- Squarespace: Offers a drag-and-drop editor with a slight learning curve due to its depth of features. It’s great for users who want creative control.
- Strikingly: Extremely beginner-friendly, designed for users who want to set up a site in minutes. Its editor is simple and straightforward.
2. Design and Templates
- Squarespace: Renowned for its modern, professional templates that are fully customizable. Perfect for creative professionals.
- Strikingly: Offers clean, minimalist templates best suited for single-page websites. Customization options are more limited.
3. E-commerce Capabilities
- Squarespace: Includes comprehensive e-commerce tools like product listings, inventory management, and payment integrations. Suitable for online stores.
- Strikingly: Offers basic e-commerce features, suitable for selling a limited number of products.
4. Pricing
- Squarespace: Plans start at $16/month, offering more advanced features and unlimited bandwidth.
- Strikingly: Plans start at $8/month, making it a budget-friendly option for basic sites.
5. Customer Support
- Squarespace provides 24/7 email and live chat support, along with a comprehensive help center.
- Strikingly: Offers 24/7 live chat support with a focus on quick issue resolution.
6. SEO and Marketing
- Squarespace: robust built-in SEO tools and integrations with email marketing and social media platforms.
- Strikingly: Basic SEO tools, suitable for small sites and single-page projects.
7. Scalability
- Squarespace: Ideal for growing businesses, with tools for blogging, e-commerce, and analytics.
- Strikingly: Best for small-scale projects or single-page sites with limited growth needs.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Squarespace | Strikingly |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Moderate learning curve know more | Extremely beginner-friendly |
| Design and Templates | Modern and customizable templates know more | Minimalist single-page templates |
| E-commerce | Advanced tools for online stores know more | Basic tools for small-scale sales |
| Pricing | Starts at $16/month know more | Starts at $8/month |
| Customer Support | 24/7 email and live chat know more | 24/7 live chat |
| SEO Tools | Comprehensive know more | Basic |
| Scalability | Suitable for growing businesses know more | Best for small-scale projects |
Who Should Use Squarespace?
Squarespace is ideal for:
- Creative Professionals: designers, photographers, and artists who need stunning, customizable templates.
- Small Businesses: Those looking for robust e-commerce tools and scalability.
- Bloggers: Users who need advanced blogging features.
Who Should Use Strikingly?
Strikingly is perfect for:
- Beginners: Individuals who want a simple, quick solution without technical know-how.
- One-Page Sites: Best for portfolios, event pages, and landing pages.
- Budget-conscious Users: Those looking for a basic website at a lower cost.
Final Verdict
Both Squarespace and Strikingly have their strengths, and your choice depends on your needs. If you want professional designs, advanced features, and scalability, Squarespace is the way to go. On the other hand, if you’re looking for simplicity, affordability, and a focus on single-page sites, Strikingly is an excellent option.
