Webflow Vs. Squarespace: Platform Comparison (For Service-Based Businesses)

If you’re a beauty, wellness, or event professional hiring a designer for your new website (great choice, btw 👏🏾), one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is: "Which platform should my website be built it on?"

Two of the most common platforms for modern service providers are Webflow and Squarespace. And while your designer can technically make either one work, they’re not created equal—especially when it comes to scaling, standing out, and showing up strategically online.

Let’s break down both platforms under the microscope so you can choose the one that fits your goals—not just your vibe.

Round 1: Cost 💸

• Squarespace: Plans start around $23/month for personal websites, but most service providers end up on the Business plan ($33/month) or Commerce plan ($36+/month) if they need integrations, scheduling tools, or basic e-commerce.
• Webflow: Hosting plans start at $18/month, but most service providers go with the CMS plan ($29/month), which includes blogging and dynamic content (great for showcasing portfolios, services, or events).

What to Consider:

• Squarespace: Includes more built-in tools for that base price—like scheduling and email marketing—but they’re often very meh in functionality.
• Webflow: Costs about the same (or less), but doesn't include scheduling or email marketing capabilites without the use of third-party apps or plugins. The upside? You can choose tools that actually work the way you need them to.

Round 2: Design Capabilities 🎨

• Squarespace: Templates are stylish and professional, but they’re also limiting. You can tweak spacing and colors, sure, but you’re working within a box. Want layered backgrounds? Custom animations? Unique scroll effects? Not gonna happen unless you're comfortable with custom CSS or plan on using third-party plugins.

• Webflow: Built with flexibility at its core. Custom layouts, advanced features (like filtered content or motion interactions), and integrations that actually work with your business. Your designer has total creative control to bring your brand vision to life—without needing to hack it together.

What to Consider:

• Squarespace: For the minimal girlies who want to look good with little effort.
• Webflow: For businesses ready to cook up something custom, Webflow gives you room to scale without rebuilding—and allows your designer to make your site feel like an extension of your brand, not just a dressed-up template.

Round 3: Scalability 🚀

• Showit: Best for businesses with a set-it-and-forget-it model. If you’re offering the same services year-round and don’t plan on launching new offers, resources, or features, Squarespace can work. But once you want more advanced functionality—like hosting a resource library or creating a filterable blog or portfolio—you’ll run into roadblocks.
• Webflow: Future-proof from the jump. Want to add a private client portal? Host a blog, podcast, or events calendar? Build a filterable service menu, staff directory, or application form? Webflow handles it all, and your designer can structure it in a way that’s easy to update.

What to Consider:

• Squarespac: Great if you just need a simple website, similar to a digital brochuere.
• Webflow: The move if you want your website to be a workhorse—collecting leads, supporting content marketing, and growing as your business evolves.

Round 4: SEO Capabilities 🔍

• Showit: Decent for basic SEO, but struggles with page speed, mobile responsiveness, and content hierarchy. You can do some light SEO, but you’re not going to dominate Google without fighting the platform.
• Webflow: Not only does Webflow give you control over technical SEO (like meta tags, alt text, schema, and clean HTML5 structure), but it also now offers Webflow Analyze and Webflow Optimize—two powerful tools that take your site's performance and visibility to the next level.
  • Webflow Analyze gives you real-time data and insights into what’s working (or not) across your pages—no extra setup needed. Think bounce rates, conversions, top-performing sections, and on-page behavior.
  • Webflow Optimize lets you A/B test different design sections (like headlines, CTA buttons, or hero layouts) to improve conversion rates over time—without needing to use third-party testing tools.

What to Consider:

• Squarespace: May check the “basic SEO” box, but lacks the advanced visibility and testing tools that support long-term marketing strategies.
• Webflow: With Analyze, Optimize, and SEO features baked in, you don’t just build a site—you build a growth machine. Perfect for businesses who want their website to drive real results, not just sit pretty.

Round 5: Maintenance & Updates 💻

• Squarespace: Great for drag-and-drop simplicity. You (or your VA) can usually make small edits without breaking anything. But custom sections? Often require a designer’s help—or worse, custom code. It’s beginner-friendly, until it’s not.
• Webflow: Your designer handles the build, but once launched, the Webflow Editor makes updating text, photos, blogs, and some CMS sections super easy. You won’t see any of the backend structure (aka divs and classes), just the stuff you actually need to edit.

What to Consider:

• Both platforms allow you to update basic content. But Webflow’s editor is cleaner and safer—especially if your designer sets it up intentionally for your specific needs.

So, Should You Choose Webflow or Squarespace? 🤔

If you want a polished, straightforward, no-fuss website—and you don’t plan on expanding much—Squarespace might work just fine. Just know you’ll likely outgrow it once you need a little more function behind the fashion.

But if your vision is bigger than a 5-page portfolio site—or if you want a site that feels like your custom, Webflow is where it’s at. It’s what I recommend when my clients say:

🧪 “My website is 10+ pages and a pain to update.” → This can usually be simplified by using a content management system (aka CMS) to manage repeated sections like testimonials, team members, or blog posts—saving time, money, and update headaches.

🧪 “I want something custom and conversion-focused. I really want to start taking SEO more seriously” → Webflow gives you the structure to show up in search and the tools to actually improve your performance over time. With built-in SEO features, plus Webflow Analyze and Webflow Optimize options, you can track what’s working and test changes—without needing outside apps or a dev team.

🧪 “I hate that my website is starting to look like everyone elses.” → If standing out matters to your brand, Webflow lets your designer break the mold instead of fighting a template. You’ll get a site as unique as your business—and way more strategic.

Squarespace is Best For:

• Beauty and wellness pros with very simple offers
• DIY website creators who want something fast and decent-looking
• Businesses that don’t mind working within template limits

Webflow is Best For:

• Scaling service-based brands that want a high-converting website
• Business owners who value custom design + seamless function
• Anyone working with (or wanting to hire) a website strategist or designer

Want help deciding which platform is right for your next site? I design websites in both Webflow and Squarespace (when I absolutely have to 👀) and I can help you figure out the best fit based on your goals, vibe, and budget. Let's chat about your website goals.