3 Reasons We Hate WordPress

The title may be a little strong, but if you’re a small business looking to build a clean looking, easy to update and use website, this is important to know - White Hound is definitely team Squarespace.

Let’s run through three reasons why we hate WordPress, so you can too. I mean, so you can understand where we are coming from. And then jump on our hate filled bandwagon.

1. Pricing 

Squarespace starts off slightly cheaper for a “Business” account ($18 a month instead of Wordpress’s $25). Wordpress does offer cheaper “Personal” alternatives of $4 a month, $8 a month, and even a free option, but by their own admission recommend that small businesses use the “Business” option. 

In addition, many plugins for Wordpress contain licenses that need to be purchased when it becomes time to update them. If you choose a lower priced package, this could definitely affect your bottom line.

When you add it all together, we tend to find that the edge in pricing goes to Squarespace.

2. Templates and themes

Two of the lower price options for WordPress limit your template (or as they call them the themes)  and design options. Squarespace on the other hand allows access to use all templates no matter which plan you go with. 

It’s true that those with more technical expertise may prefer the ability to customize a theme more intensely than Squarespace allows, but why choose a service that forces you to do this? Squarespace allows for many, if not all, of the same functionalities already in their templates.

Here the edge again goes to Squarespace for those with less technical expertise.

3. Plugins

One major issue we have with Wordpress is the need to use plugins, or different programs that add tools to your website, with your template. To build in a number of options for your site, you will need to add these plugins.

They are often free to start, however after a time period they need to be updated. To be fair, these updates aren’t intended as price gouges, they’re designed to make the program run better. However, a number of these plugins will ask you to pay for the license to make the update. 

If you don’t know what you’re doing, they can also dramatically slow down your website. The longer it takes for your site load, the less likely people are to stay.

This can result in you being unable to edit a slider or the design of your site if you aren’t willing to pay for the license. 

Can you feel the hate growing yet? Go ahead, let it in.

When it comes to building a website, White Hound prefers to operate in Squarespace all day long. It’s cheaper in the long run, has many of the functionalities you need already built in, and provides you a greater number of options for design. They also have a great community of users, always ready to help.

Of course, as an Ad Agency that knows a website is only as good as the traffic coming to it, the $100 Google Adwords credit doesn’t hurt.

Ready to join us on Team Squarespace yet?

As a small business, it can be tough to take the digital plunge. Websites can be expensive, and it can be hard to see the value it would return. If you’d like to discuss how a new website could help you grow your business and if it’s a good use of your budget, contact us today.