Not too long ago, a client came to me, completely frustrated with their website. They’d hired a company to build it for them, spent a significant amount of money, and ended up with a site on Squarespace that wasn’t delivering results. No traffic, no leads, no growth—just headaches.
As we dug into the details, I realized something that made me reflect on the advice I’d given them earlier. When they first came to me (J&R Marketing), their budget didn’t allow for a custom website with us. I know how competitive our pricing is, and I also know what’s out there in the market. If they couldn’t work with us, I didn’t think they’d find another custom option that would deliver the quality they needed. So, I had recommended Squarespace or Wix as a reasonable alternative—assuming they’d either do it themselves over a weekend or hire someone for a couple hundred dollars to set it up.
What I didn’t expect was for them to hire a company claiming to be a “marketing agency” that would charge them thousands of dollars for what was essentially a basic template. It was a disappointing situation—not just for them, but also for me as someone who tries to steer clients in the right direction. They ended up overpaying for something they didn’t own, that didn’t work for their needs, and that ultimately left them back at square one. (Last month we started working on their project)
When Does It Make Sense to Use Platforms Like Squarespace or Wix?
Let me be clear: Squarespace, Wix, and GoDaddy Website Builder aren’t inherently bad. For a very small business with little to no budget—or someone who just needs an online placeholder—they can be a decent starting point. If you’re a local artist, a hobbyist, just getting started or running a one-person operation without plans to scale, these platforms offer a quick, affordable solution.
But here’s the thing: you get what you pay for.
These platforms are designed to be DIY-friendly, which is their strength and their limitation. Any business claiming to offer “professional website design” exclusively on these platforms isn’t functioning as a development company or true marketing agency. At best, they’re doing what they know—and at worst, they’re charging you for something you could’ve done yourself.*
*I’ve received feedback and want to clarify: I understand the argument that businesses pay for convenience and to save time, and I agree with that point. My concern is with companies claiming to be ‘experts’ while prioritizing the sale over what’s truly in the client’s best interest. It’s like a car salesman selling a two-seater to a family of four as their primary vehicle. The sale may be closed, but it sets the client up for frustration. In Rhode Island, where reputations matter, that salesman—or dealership—won’t stay successful for long.*
The Real Risks of Paying for a Squarespace or Wix Website
You Don’t Own It
When you build a website on these platforms, you’re renting space. Your website, design, and content are tied to their ecosystem. Want to move your site to another platform? You can’t—you’ll have to rebuild it entirely.
Limited Flexibility
Squarespace and Wix are fine for simple needs, but they don’t scale well. As your business grows and you need advanced functionality, integrations, or custom designs, you’ll quickly hit a wall.
They’re a Nightmare for SEO
One of the biggest issues with platforms like Squarespace and Wix is their heavy code markup. The same tools that make them easy to update for the average user also work against you when it comes to search engine optimization. Search engines prioritize clean, efficient code to better understand and rank your content. The bloated code produced by these platforms can confuse search engines and slow down your website, both of which hurt your visibility online.
No Serious Marketing Company Will Touch It
Experienced marketing agencies won’t optimize or market websites on these platforms. They’ll recommend moving to something like WordPress, which offers the customization, performance, and ownership necessary for real results.
Overpriced for What You Get
Many companies charge premium rates to build Wix or Squarespace websites. But the truth is, these platforms are designed for non-developers. If you’re paying thousands for this, you’re overpaying for a basic, cookie-cutter solution.
When It’s Time to Take the Next Step
For many businesses, platforms like Wix and Squarespace are a practical starting point. They’re accessible, affordable, and easy to use—perfect for businesses that need something quick and temporary. But if you’ve reached a point where your business is growing and you’re ready to prioritize your online presence, it’s important to understand the limitations of these platforms.
If you’ve already invested in a website on one of these platforms and it’s no longer meeting your needs, there are ways to move forward without losing momentum. Start by assessing your goals:
Are you looking to grow traffic and improve visibility online?
Do you need a more dynamic website that scales with your business?
Are you planning to invest in SEO or online marketing?
The answers to these questions can help guide your next steps. Whether that means transitioning to a more flexible platform like WordPress, working with a developer to create something custom, or simply planning for the future, the key is to make informed decisions that save you time and money in the long run.
A Message to Companies Selling These Websites
To the companies offering websites built on platforms like Squarespace, Wix, or GoDaddy: I understand your need to get paid for your time, and I respect anyone trying to grow their business. However, I’ve seen far too many situations where clients are sold websites with completely unrealistic expectations.
For example, I’ve worked with a client who was sold an e-commerce website on one of these platforms. Their site had over 500 products, and they had a $5,000 monthly budget for marketing, advertising, and content. The platform they were put on couldn’t support their goals effectively, and it set them up for failure—whether by accident or design.
While that client eventually came to us, and we’ve since rebuilt their website and started working as their full-service agency, this entire experience was done at their expense. They’ve paid twice for a website, lost time, and missed valuable opportunities to grow their business.
I understand that many companies offering these services are doing the best they can with the tools and knowledge available. However, the reality is that mismatched solutions like these can hurt the businesses you’re working with—and ultimately, your own reputation.
By being upfront about the limitations of these platforms and setting realistic expectations, you’ll build trust and credibility, which will help your business grow in the long run. Setting your clients up for success benefits everyone involved—your clients, their businesses, and your business.
The Takeaway
If you’re reading this and have already invested in a website built on platforms like Squarespace or Wix, don’t feel discouraged. These platforms can serve as a starting point, and for many businesses, they’re a practical solution when budgets are tight, or needs are minimal.
However, as your business grows, it’s important to assess whether your website is keeping up. If your website is falling short—whether in functionality, marketing effectiveness, or scalability—it might be time to take the next step.
Think about your long-term goals. Do you want to attract more traffic? Build a better online experience for your customers? Expand your marketing efforts? A website should work as an asset for your business, not a limitation.
The key takeaway is this: make decisions that save you time, money, and resources down the road. If you’re ever unsure about the best option for your business, ask questions, seek honest advice, and be wary of solutions that sound too good to be true.
Remember, your website is more than a design—it’s a foundation for growth. And investing in the right foundation now can make all the difference later.
