Squarespace vs. Hiring a Web Designer: Which Is Right for You?

You've decided your business needs a website. Now comes the question: do you build it yourself with Squarespace (or Wix, or Weebly), or do you hire someone to build it for you?

I'm a web designer, so you'd expect me to say "hire a professional." But that's not always the right answer. Sometimes Squarespace is the smart choice. Sometimes it's a waste of your time. Let me help you figure out which camp you're in.

The Real Comparison

First, let's look at what you're actually comparing:

The real question isn't about money—it's about your time and what you're good at.

When Squarespace Makes Sense

Squarespace (and Wix, Weebly, etc.) can be the right choice if:

• You actually enjoy design and tech. Some people find building websites fun. If you're one of them, go for it.
• You have more time than money. If you're just starting out and genuinely can't afford $950, DIY is better than nothing.
• Your needs are very simple. A basic portfolio or personal blog doesn't need custom development.
• You want to learn. Building your own site teaches you things about online marketing that are valuable to know.

If three or four of those describe you, Squarespace might be the move.

When Squarespace Doesn't Make Sense

DIY website builders are usually the wrong choice if:

• Your time is worth money. If you bill $50/hour and spend 30 hours on Squarespace, you just "spent" $1,500. A professional could have done it better for the same money.
• You're not design-minded. Some people have an eye for layout, color, and spacing. Others don't. There's no shame in that—I can't fix a car engine. But if design isn't your thing, your DIY site will look DIY.
• You need it done quickly. I can have a professional site live in 5-7 days. DIY projects tend to drag on for weeks or months.
• You want to focus on your actual business. Every hour you spend on your website is an hour you're not spending on customers, sales, or the work you're actually good at.
• You need it to actually generate leads. A pretty website that doesn't convert visitors into calls is worthless. Professionals know how to build sites that get results.

The Hidden Cost Everyone Ignores

Here's what most "Squarespace vs. hiring a designer" articles don't tell you: the time cost is the real cost.

I've talked to dozens of business owners who started with Squarespace. Most of them say the same thing:

Here's how that time breaks down:

• Choosing and customizing a template: 5-10 hours
• Writing your content: 5-15 hours
• Finding and editing photos: 3-8 hours
• Making it look right on mobile: 3-5 hours
• Troubleshooting issues: 5-10 hours
• Second-guessing everything and starting over: 10+ hours

That's 30-60 hours, minimum. For a plumber who bills $100/hour, that's $3,000-$6,000 worth of time for a website that probably still doesn't look professional.

The Actual Pros and Cons

Squarespace / Wix / DIY Builders

Hiring a Professional

What About WordPress?

WordPress deserves its own mention. It's not really comparable to Squarespace or hiring a designer—it's somewhere in between.

WordPress.com (the hosted version) is similar to Squarespace: drag-and-drop, limited customization, monthly fees.

WordPress.org (self-hosted) is more powerful but requires technical knowledge. You need to manage hosting, security updates, plugin conflicts, and backups. Most business owners don't want this headache.

Many professionals (including me) build on WordPress because it's flexible and powerful. But "build it yourself on WordPress" usually leads to frustration for non-technical people.

Real Talk: What Do Most People Do?

Here's the pattern I see constantly:

1. Phase 1: Business owner decides to build their own website to save money
2. Phase 2: Spends 20+ hours on Squarespace/Wix, gets frustrated
3. Phase 3: Launches something "good enough" but not great
4. Phase 4: Realizes the site isn't bringing in business
5. Phase 5: Hires a professional to redo it

I've rebuilt more DIY websites than I can count. Every one of those clients wishes they'd just hired someone from the start.

The Math That Actually Matters

Forget monthly fees for a second. Here's the question that matters:

How much is one new customer worth to your business?

• Plumber: One water heater job = $1,500
• Dentist: One new patient (lifetime value) = $3,000+
• Restaurant: 20 tables over a year = $1,600+
• Salon: One regular client (yearly) = $1,200+

A professional website that brings you ONE extra customer has already paid for itself. The question isn't "can I afford a professional website?" It's "can I afford a website that doesn't bring me customers?"

My Honest Recommendation

If you're a local service business—contractor, restaurant, salon, dentist, law firm, anything where customers find you by searching online—hire a professional.

The math just works out. Your time is better spent on your business. A professional site will look better, rank better, and convert better. And you'll have it live in a week or two instead of months.

If you're a hobbyist, just starting out with zero budget, or genuinely enjoy building websites? Go ahead and try Squarespace. You might love it.

But if you're a business owner who values your time and wants results, the "cheaper" option often isn't cheaper at all.

Questions to Ask Before Deciding

1. Honestly, do I enjoy design and tech work?
2. How many hours will this realistically take me?
3. What is my time worth per hour?
4. Do I want to maintain this myself forever?
5. Is my goal a website, or is my goal new customers?

If you answered those honestly and still want to try DIY, I respect that. If you realized your time is worth more than the cost of hiring help, give me a call.