Should I Switch from Squarespace to WordPress?
As a beginner, choosing your blogging platform can be very confusing! From domains to hosts to software to servers… There is a lot to sort out when you are getting started OR considering making a switch.
Most beginners opt for the most user-friendly choices upfront. Squarespace is a popular choice because it caters to those who want to get a site up and running very quickly without having extensive web design knowledge! The advantages of Squarespace, and other platforms like it, include simplicity and modern design templates that allow anyone to build a streamlined site.
However, the more a blog continues to grow, there are some limitations to Squarespace that have to be considered.
Limitations of Squarespace
Like any platform or website builder, weigh the pros and cons of Squarespace. To help you do this, keep your long-term goals in mind. For example, Squarespace is generally known for ease in e-commerce, but this may not be a necessity for all bloggers.
Squarespace CAN work with SEO strategies, but there are limitations compared to other options (*ahem* WordPress!) because of the specificity available for updates and limited analytics. These are key if your goal is to continually generate both new and organic traffic and especially if you pursue monetization opportunities.
Additionally, sites built through Squarespace are limited in design and functionality because of the predesigned templates and fewer third-party extensions.
Last and most importantly, there is always a possibility that you won’t fully be able to own your content. Should a platform that owns your blog ever shut down, you would need to export all of your content. This can be an arduous and complicated process!
What is WordPress?
Before you decide if you want to switch to WordPress, let’s take a closer look.
Unlike Squarespace, WordPress is an open-source content management software for websites. This means that the software is readily available for users to edit, adapt, and publish as they please.
WordPress is available in both free and paid versions. WordPress.com offers a free version and multiple paid options for hosting (think housing) through the WordPress CMS (Content Management System. Alternatively, WordPress.org is the same free software, but it must be hosted elsewhere – self-hosted (check out our web host recommendations here).
When we talk about blogging platforms, we are referring to WordPress.org. With this platform, you have so many options for extended support, options for plugins, editable code, and more.
WordPress is not known to be the most user-friendly platform for beginning bloggers, but it is definitely worth the learning curve considering long-term goals.
Should I Switch to WordPress?
So, if you already have a blog with Squarespace, you might be considering whether a switch to WordPress is worth it or not. Consider these two pointers to guide your decision:
- Determine your goals for blogging
Go back to your original business or site goals and ask some guiding questions.
- Do you want to make money from your blog?
- Do you want to drive organic traffic to your site?
- How do your goals coincide with your budget?
- What volume of content will you create?
- And more!
Reviewing your goals will help you gauge what level of functionality you may need or if your current site will suffice. To help with clarity on blogging and business goals, listen to podcast episode 37 where we discuss how mindset and motivation impact your goals!
- Understand the benefits of WordPress
WordPress is built to be SEO-friendly because it can be customized in so many ways – all the way to the HTML coding. It has all the functionality you need through thousands and thousands of plugins. You will NOT run out of options to add to your site!
It is also widely used and supported. You will find countless options for troubleshooting support through the platform and through communities with as precise specificity as themes and plugins.
And, unlike website-builder sites, with WordPress, you own your content. We might just reiterate this again because it is so important! For more about the benefits of WordPress, listen to episode 69: Why WordPress is Best for Bloggers with Grayson Bell.
Ultimately, If your goal is to monetize your blog, your best choice will most likely be on WordPress. As you evaluate your site choices, this episode can provide some informative guidance on how bloggers make money.
If you are ready to make the switch to WordPress, here are a few things to know:
- You can still use your current domain (site address). You can even transfer it to a different registrar if you wish.
- You will need to purchase hosting and install WordPress. If you want to leave your old site up while creating the new one, be sure to ask your new hosting company how to create a staging site (i.e. a “coming soon” page to share with your followers).
- Make a plan for moving your content. It is possible to export from Squarespace and import to WordPress, but there can be a lot of challenges depending on the file types, volume of content, etc. Consider how much content you have and what you want to keep to determine if it would be better to recreate the content on the new site.
- Choose a theme and set up your site. Themes are so much more than just colors and fonts! We have lots to share about this topic in podcast episode 51 to help you make an informed decision for a functional site.
Still thinking about which site you should ultimately use? Please contact us if you have questions about managing your content on self-hosted WordPress sites! We’d love to help you think it through!
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