Is Squarespace Free? Debunking the Myth and Understanding the Pricing Structure
As a website builder that claims to offer an easy and free way to create your own website, Squarespace has attracted many users. However, is Squarespace really free? The answer is both yes and no. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of Squarespace’s pricing structure and help you make an informed decision when choosing a website builder.
Debunking the Myth: Is Squarespace Really Free?
Squarespace advertises its platform as a “free” website builder, which is partially true. Squarespace has a free plan, but it has limitations. For example, users on the free plan can only create a website with up to two pages and use a limited number of templates. Besides, the domain name of the website will contain “squarespace.com.”
If users want to unlock more features and remove the “squarespace.com” domain name, they will have to upgrade to a paid plan. Squarespace offers four pricing plans: Personal, Business, Basic Commerce, and Advanced Commerce. The Personal plan costs $12 per month if users pay on an annual basis or $16 per month if they opt for a monthly subscription. This plan allows users to create up to 20 pages and use all the available templates, among other things.
The Business plan is suitable for small business owners and costs $18 per month on an annual basis or $26 per month with a monthly subscription. This plan offers unlimited pages and e-commerce features such as a shopping cart and payment gateways.
For users who want to take their online store to the next level, Squarespace offers two advanced plans: Basic Commerce and Advanced Commerce. With these plans, users can create an online store with features like abandoned cart recovery, subscriptions, and advanced shipping options.
Although Squarespace offers a free plan, it’s important to note that it has significant limitations and that users will have to upgrade to a paid plan to enjoy the full range of features and create a professional-looking website.
Free Trial vs. Free Plan: Understanding Squarespace’s Pricing Structure
If you are unsure whether Squarespace is the right platform for you, you can try it out with a free trial. Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. During this period, users can test out all the available features and decide whether they want to sign up for a paid plan.
On the other hand, the free plan allows users to create a website that is live and accessible to others. However, the website will have limitations, as we mentioned earlier. Therefore, it’s essential to understand the difference between a free plan and a free trial before choosing which one to use.
One benefit of the free plan is that it does not expire. Users can keep using the free plan for as long as they want, but they will have to accept the limitations that come with it. In contrast, the free trial expires after 14 days, and users will have to sign up for a paid plan to continue using the platform.
How to Use Squarespace for Free: Tips and Tricks
If you want to use Squarespace for free, there are some tips and tricks you can use to maximize the available features. One of the most significant limitations of the free plan is that you can only create a website with up to two pages.
To make the most of this limitation, you can create a landing page or a home page that links to other pages within your website. This way, you can create a website that appears to have more pages than it actually does.
You can also use free templates to create a professional-looking website without paying for a premium template. Squarespace offers several free templates that you can customize to fit your needs. In addition, users can leverage the e-commerce features without upgrading to a paid plan by using third-party payment integrations like PayPal.
Alternatives to Squarespace: Free Website Builders
If you are looking for a free website builder, Squarespace is not the only platform available. Below are some of the best alternative website builders you can use for free:
- Wix: Wix is a popular website builder known for its drag-and-drop interface and customizable templates. Wix offers a free plan with limitations similar to Squarespace’s free plan.
- Weebly: Weebly is another website builder that offers a free plan with limitations. Weebly is a great option for users who want to create an online store, as it has many e-commerce features.
- WordPress.com: WordPress.com is a free website builder that allows users to create a website using its templates and tools. However, like Squarespace, WordPress.com has a paid plan with more features.
Each platform has its own unique features and limitations, so it’s important to do your research before choosing one.
Is Squarespace Worth the Price? An Honest Review
Squarespace is not the cheapest website builder on the market, but it may be worth the price for users who want a professional-looking website with advanced features. Squarespace’s pricing plans are competitive with other website builders and the features included are worth the investment.
Squarespace’s templates are modern and customizable, making it easy for users to create a unique website. The e-commerce features are top-notch, making it an excellent choice for small business owners who want to sell their products online.
However, Squarespace is not perfect and has some limitations. For example, users who want to use a custom domain name will have to pay an additional $20 per year. The platform is also not as user-friendly as some of its competitors, particularly for users who are not tech-savvy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Squarespace is not entirely free but does offer a free plan with limitations. If you want to unlock more features and remove the limitations, you will have to upgrade to a paid plan. Squarespace’s pricing plans are competitive with other website builders and the features included are worth the investment for users who want a professional-looking website with advanced features.
If you are unsure whether Squarespace is the right platform for you, you can try it out with a free trial or consider one of the alternative website builders available. Ultimately, the decision will depend on your budget and specific needs.
