Choose the Right Web Builder for Your Business: WordPress, Squarespace, Custom Solutions

Choosing the right Content Management System (CMS) or more simply ‘website builder’ is one of the most important decisions when building a website. Whether you're launching a personal blog, an online store, or a portfolio site, your choice will impact ease of use, customisation, and long-term management. In this guide, we'll compare three popular CMS options—Squarespace, WordPress, and Custom Solutions—to help you decide which one is best for your business.

Squarespace: User-Friendly and Hassle-Free

Squarespace is known for its intuitive interface and sleek design templates, making it an excellent choice for businesses that want a professional-looking website without the technical headaches. With a little learning, even those with no web development experience can build and maintain a website with ease.

At Sault Digital, we primarily use Squarespace because of its ease of use and seamless handover to clients. Many Melbourne businesses—cafés, restaurants, galleries, and artists—need a website that is not only visually appealing but also easy to update without relying on a developer. Squarespace provides:

• A drag-and-drop builder that simplifies website creation.

• A wide selection of themes suited for various industries.

• Built-in SEO tools to help businesses improve their online visibility.

• Hosting included, reducing the need for technical maintenance.

For small businesses and entrepreneurs in Melbourne looking for a beautiful and functional website with minimal hassle, Squarespace is an ideal choice. Learn more about our web design services here.

WordPress: Flexibility with a Learning Curve

WordPress is another popular CMS, powering over 40% of websites worldwide. It offers greater flexibility and customisation compared to Squarespace, but it comes with a steeper learning curve.

Pros of WordPress

• Highly customisable with thousands of themes and plugins.

• Scalable, making it a great choice for growing businesses.

• Better for complex websites that require advanced functionality.

• Strong SEO capabilities when set up correctly.

Cons of WordPress

• Requires more technical knowledge for setup and maintenance.

• Hosting and security need to be managed separately.

• Can become complex if too many plugins are used.

For Melbourne businesses that want more control over their website and are willing to invest in learning or hiring a developer, WordPress can be a great option.

Custom Solutions: Full Control, But at a Cost

For larger businesses or eCommerce stores that need complete control over design, functionality, and performance, a custom-built website is often the best option. However, this approach requires a significant investment in both time and money.

What to Consider with Custom Solutions

• Requires hiring a web developer to build and maintain the site.

• Can be expensive compared to using Squarespace or WordPress.

• Time-consuming – development can take months.

• Best for highly specific business needs, such as complex online stores or custom-built applications.

If you're running a large eCommerce store or need specialized functionality that a CMS can't provide, investing in a custom-built website might be the best approach.

Which CMS Is Right for You?

• Choose Squarespace if you want a simple, elegant website that you can manage yourself without technical skills.

• Choose WordPress if you need more flexibility and scalability but are comfortable with a steeper learning curve.

• Choose a Custom Solution if you need advanced features and have the budget to hire a developer.

Final Thoughts

At Sault Digital, we prioritize usability and sustainability when building websites. That’s why we recommend Squarespace for most Melbourne businesses—it’s cost-effective, easy to use, and allows business owners to manage their website independently after launch. Whether you're a café, restaurant, gallery, or creative professional, Squarespace provides an elegant and functional solution.

If you’re unsure which CMS is right for your business, get in touch with us at Sault Digital. We’d love to help you make the best decision for your online presence!