If you’re familiar with website builders, you’ve probably heard of Squarespace. The website hosting platform has received much attention since its first launch in 2004. However, despite its success, Squarespace still has its flaws, so it’s worth looking elsewhere if you find the platform to be lacking in some way.
There are many Squarespace alternatives out there with their specialized features. For instance, Pineapple Builder offers AI-powered tools to simplify the website-building process.
For more details, read on.
What is Squarespace?
Squarespace is a website-building platform with a simple editor, which allows you to quickly reorder website elements with drag-and-drop components. They also provide ready-made templates as inspiration.
Why Switch From Squarespace?
1. Squarespace has Poor SEO Performance
Squarespace has limited SEO support, which can negatively affect your search engine ranking and decrease your visibility.
2. Squarespace has Limited Support for Third-Party Integrations
Squarespace doesn’t integrate with certain third-party tools, which limits what you can do with your website in terms of customization and functionality.
3. Squarespace has a Slightly Cumbersome Editor
Some users find the drag-and-drop editor difficult to use. For example, it can automatically resize images and sidebars are usually absent in many of their templates (this means manually adding sidebars).
Criteria for Choosing a Squarespace Alternative
1. Price
Always look into the price of a website builder. Consider your budget and what features you require. For example, Pineapple Builder provides a free plan with the option to upgrade at any time.
2. Integrations
It should support a good range of integrations so you have more flexibility with your website customization. For example, you can integrate website analytics tools, support chats, and more with Pineapple Builder.
3. Speed and Performance
You need a website builder that provides you with fast-loading sites to keep visitors from leaving. Plus, faster loading times mean better search engine rankings.
4. Security
Your website must be well-protected from security threats. Check if they offer security features such as SSL certificates and HTTPS.
Best Squarespace Alternatives for Building Your Website
Now that we’ve covered all the basics, it’s time to discuss the best Squarespace alternatives available. Each platform has its specialties, so the best tool can vary depending on your needs.
Here’s a quick look at the platforms we’ll be discussing:
Pineapple Builder: Best for AI-Powered Website Creation
Wix: Best for Built-in Tools & Website Security
Webflow: Best for Building Websites with No Code
Shopify: Best for Ecommerce Business Solutions
Carrd: Best for Building Free One-Page Sites
1. Pineapple Builder: Best for AI-Powered Website Creation
Pineapple Builder is an AI website builder, which provides many AI-assisted features to help streamline the creation process. With AI-generated blog posts and SEO content suggestions, you can automate parts of your website building and speed up your workflow. You can also view website analytics, such as bounce rate and visit duration, and use them to make smarter decisions.
Key Features
AI Assistant: Allow the AI to create parts of the website for you with AI copywriting. You just need to input details about your business along with your target audience. If necessary, you can adjust parts of your site to better suit your brand, including the colors, button styles, fonts, and so on.
AI Website Generation
No-Code Editor: Easily personalize your website with our simple editor or ask the AI for help. Freely flip or rotate images, add filters and gradients, customize the text with emojis, drag-and-drop buttons or icons, and much more.
AI SEO: Elevate your search engine rankings with SEO tags, AI-suggested SEO titles and meta descriptions, dynamic OG (open graph) images, and more.
Analytics: Use analytics to better understand your visitors, with reports on your top sources, link engagement, and more. You even have the option to integrate with Google Analytics to receive more in-depth reporting.
Analytics Dashboard
Integrations: Further customize your site with support chats, bookings, email marketing, forms, and so on.
Pricing
Pineapple Builder has a free plan available, which allows you to create up to 3 live pages. You can also access full-time support, SSL, CDN, and a basic AI assistant. Upgrade to one of the following plans to receive unlimited pages, custom domains, and analytics:
Basic ($12/year)
Grow ($24/year)
Pros
Free plan.
24/7 support.
Free SSL & CDN.
AI copywriting.
AI-suggested SEO titles & descriptions
SEO tags.
Automates parts of website building.
Unlimited pages.
Website analytics.
Easy-to-use editor.
Various integrations available.
Website templates.
Funnel tracking.
A/B testing.
Cons
No custom pricing.
Few built-in ecommerce tools.
Limited memberships.
2. Wix: Best for Built-in Tools & Website Security
Wix offers a wide range of built-in tools to protect your site, which includes SSL web security, around-the-clock website monitoring, and 2-step verification. You can also make your site easier to access with features like alt text and keyboard navigation.
Key Features
Website Templates: Explore over 900 free templates, which you can customize and tailor to suit your brand.
Simple Editor: They offer a large range of customization with their drag-and-drop editor, from customizing color themes to custom logos and AI technology.
Ecommerce Support: Wix has ecommerce tools, such as marketing and SEO support, integrated into their platform. Manage your inventory, track orders, provide free shipping or discounts, and much more.
Pricing
Wix has three sets of pricing options:
Website: Connect Domain ($4.50/month), Combo ($8.50/month), Unlimited ($12.50/month), VIP ($24.50/month)
Business Ecommerce: Business Basic ($23/month), Business Unlimited ($27/month), Business VIP ($49/month)
Enterprise (custom)
As you upgrade your plan, you get access to unlimited bandwidth, more storage space, the ability to accept payments (from customers), and customized reports.
Pros
Built-in ecommerce tools.
Advanced web security.
Full-time customer service.
Unlimited bandwidth.
Custom reports.
24/7 customer care.
Google Ads budget.
Free 1-year domain.
Free SSL certificate.
Cons
Limited storage.
Can’t accept payments on your website unless you purchase a business plan.
No free plan.
3. Webflow: Best for Building Websites with No Code
Webflow allows you to build any kind of website without writing a single line of code. Customize your website with CSS, HTML, and JavaScript using their no-code visual canvas. You can also collaborate with content editors and update your website with ease.
Key Features
Webflow Designer: Build your website using the power of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS without actually writing any code. Webflow’s visual editor allows you to focus on the front-end aspect of your site.
Collaboration: Add a client or team member as a content editor and have them update page elements, like images and text, while you work on designing your site.
SEO Tools: Elevate your website’s SEO and accessibility with alt text, fast-loading pages, and mobile compatibility.
Pricing
Webflow provides a free plan along with four paid plans:
Basic ($14/month)
CMS ($23/month)
Business ($39/month)
Enterprise (custom)
With their free plan, you get 2 static pages, 50 CMS items, and 1 GB of bandwidth. Meanwhile, the paid plans offer you custom domains, custom bandwidth, and 3+ content editors.
Pros
Free plan.
Unlimited monthly form submissions.
10,000+ CMS items.
Custom domains.
Custom bandwidth.
Custom plan.
Content editors.
No-code editor.
Uptime SLAs.
Cons
Basic plan doesn’t support CMS functionality.
Limited CMS items for every plan except Enterprise.
Limited amount of static pages per plan.
4. Shopify: Best for Ecommerce Business Solutions
Shopify offers an ecommerce website builder that provides abundant sales channels, marketing tools, and social integrations. Create visually appealing online stores and sell products seamlessly across multiple marketplaces, even offline.
Key Features
No-Code Website Builder: Shopify’s drag-and-drop editor allows you to create websites with no code. However, you can still edit CSS and HTML files if required.
Customizable Options: Personalize your site with free stock photos, SEO tools, and other assets. You can also select fonts, colors, and images to make your website match your brand.
Unlimited Products: There are no limits to how many products you can add to your site. Stock as many as you want to meet customer demands.
Pricing
Shopify offers three paid plans:
Basic ($19/month)
Shopify ($49/month)
Advanced ($299/month)
With the more expensive options, you receive more staff accounts per plan, more advanced reporting, and lower transaction fees.
Pros
No-code editor.
14-day free trial.
POS support.
No product limitations.
Language translation.
Reporting.
24/7 support.
Most features are available on every plan.
Cons
No free plan.
No custom pricing.
Mainly targeted towards ecommerce sites.
5. Carrd: Best for Building Free One-Page Sites
Carrd allows you to build responsive one-page websites for free, which include anything from portfolios and profiles to landing pages. You can select from a range of templates, optimize your sites for mobile, add custom fields, and more.
Key Features
Templates: Choose from dozens of website templates or start with an empty canvas.
Fully Responsive Sites: Create one-page sites for various occasions and make them compatible with any screen size, including mobile, desktop, and tablets.
Simple Editor: Experience simple website creation with their no-code editor. Add images and text, rearrange elements, customize the background, and more.
Pricing
Carrd is only free for up to 3 sites. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay for a Pro plan. You can increase the number of sites for each plan.
Pro Lite ($9/year — max. 25 sites for $29/year)
Pro Standard ($19/year — max. 500 sites for $339/year)
Pro Plus ($49/year — max. 500 sites for $469/year)
As you upgrade your plan, you get access to more premium features, such as password protection, site files, and Google Analytics.
Pros
Free plan.
Cheap prices.
Mobile-compatible sites.
No-code editor.
QR codes.
Unlimited elements.
Custom templates.
Site transfers.
Cons
No in-built analytics.
Limited to creating one-page sites.
No SEO tools.
Conclusion
While Squarespace is a well-known website builder, it may not fit everyone's needs. For example, Pineapple Builder is the perfect Squarespace alternative for those seeking exceptional SEO support or AI assistance.
Try Pineapple Builder for free today to start automating parts of your website creation.
