Squarespace alternatives for small businesses: 6 tools compared

In short: Squarespace is still a good pick when looks come first and you have time to write your pages. If you are looking for something else, start from what you want to change: more freedom of placement (Wix), an AI that writes for you (Jimdo, GoDaddy, Hostinger), a site written from your answers with nothing to set up (BeeVitrine), or a custom site (WordPress).

Looking for a Squarespace alternative does not mean the tool is bad: its templates are polished and, according to its website, it offers an AI builder, scheduling, contract and invoicing tools. The useful question is what you want to change. This comparison ranks six tools on one criterion: what each does differently from Squarespace, and what is left for you.

This article is written by the BeeVitrine team, which is on the list. For the other tools, we describe what their own websites advertise, with no prices or ratings: plans change often, so check them on their own websites.

What does Squarespace do, and what might you want to change?

According to its website, Squarespace offers site templates, an AI builder that starts from a few questions, appointment scheduling, proposals, contracts and invoices, SEO tools and a domain. The work left for you is that of a visual template: writing your copy, choosing your images, polishing each page.

People look for an alternative for one of these reasons, and each points to a different tool:

• You want less writing: a tool that writes the copy from your information.
• You want more freedom of placement: an editor where every element is placed by hand.
• You want an AI to propose a first draft: then adjust.
• You want a custom site, with someone to maintain it.
• Your customers pay differently: check that the tool supports your country and payment method.

What do the 6 alternatives offer?

1. Wix: more freedom of placement

• How the site gets built: you start from a template, or from a version made by its AI assistant, then place every element where you like.
• What changes: a free-form editor and a large app market (booking, store, blog).
• What you handle: the layout, the copy, choosing and setting up the apps.
• The right pick if: you want to decide where every element goes. We compare this approach with ours on the page BeeVitrine vs Wix and WordPress.

2. Jimdo: an AI that asks questions

• How the site gets built: you describe your business, the AI suggests the structure, copy and images, then you refine them.
• What changes: its website also advertises a booking tool, payment links and invoices.
• What you handle: reviewing the generated copy and setting up booking and payment.
• The right pick if: you want the AI to write the first draft of the structure and copy.

3. GoDaddy: an AI builder

• How the site gets built: an AI builder proposes a first version, which you edit.
• What changes: its website says customers can book appointments online, with built-in SEO.
• What you handle: the content and layout of each page.
• The right pick if: you want an automatic start and to manage your domain name in the same place.

4. Hostinger Website Builder: a web host's AI builder

• How the site gets built: you describe your business, the AI generates a first version, then you edit it in a drag-and-drop editor.
• What changes: the tool comes with a web host's plans.
• What you handle: reworking the first draft, element by element.
• The right pick if: you want an automatic starting point with a host that provides the rest.

5. WordPress: the open-source software

• How the site gets built: WordPress is open-source software you install with a web host, or use on WordPress.com. You pick a theme, then add plugins.
• What changes: anything is possible, but everything is yours to manage.
• What you handle: hosting, updates, backups and security.
• The right pick if: you have a specific need, or someone you trust to maintain the site.

6. BeeVitrine: a form for each trade

• How the site gets built: you pick your trade out of 35, then answer the questions made for it: your services, your area, your hours, what sets you apart, your photos. BeeVitrine writes the copy without making up any figure or review, and builds the pages. Expect about 5 minutes for a first version.
• What changes: you write nothing and place nothing. To change the look, you ask for another layout, or another form for a single section.
• What it does not do: no online booking calendar, no invoicing, no store, no pixel-precise free placement. Going live is paid, building is free (see pricing).
• The right pick if: you want a website for your small business with nothing to set up, and your customers call you or write on WhatsApp. See the questions asked of a restaurant or a beauty salon.

When is Squarespace still the right pick?

If the look of your work is your selling point (photographer, maker, decor, upscale restaurant), a very polished template does the job, and you keep control of each page. It is also the right pick if you want a calendar, contracts and invoices tied to the site. For a website that mostly has to say clearly what you do and how to reach you, the quality of the copy matters more than that of the template: see Small business home page: what goes at the top?.

How do you choose your alternative?

1. 1What do you want to change? Writing less, placing more freely, or paying differently: each answer leads to a different tool.
2. 2Who will write the copy? An empty template says nothing about your trade.
3. 3How much time can you spend on it? The more open the editor, the more building and upkeep fall to you.
4. 4Do your customers pay the way the tool assumes? Check the payment methods available in your country.

The bottom line

• More freedom of placement: Wix.
• An AI that proposes structure and copy: Jimdo, GoDaddy or Hostinger.
• A site written from your answers, with nothing to set up: BeeVitrine.
• A custom need: WordPress.
• Looks come first: Squarespace.

To see what the last approach looks like for your trade, browse the industries, look at example websites, or build your website for free.