Understanding the market share and popularity of website builders like Squarespace can provide valuable insights, especially for businesses and individuals considering which platform to use for their own websites. Let's delve into the percentage of websites that use Squarespace and other relevant considerations.

Market Share of Squarespace

As of the data collected up until 2023, Squarespace is one of the prominent website builders but doesn't hold the largest market share. Here's a breakdown of how you can understand its usage rate:

1. Overall Market Share:

2. According to various web analytics firms like W3Techs or BuiltWith, Squarespace accounts for approximately 2% to 3% of all websites on the internet. This may seem small compared to platforms like WordPress, which holds a significantly larger share (around 40%+).

3. In the Context of Hosted Builders:

4. When considering only hosted website builders (excluding CMSs like WordPress.org, which requires separate hosting), Squarespace holds a more substantial share. For example, it competes closely with other popular hosted solutions like Wix and Weebly.

Practical Steps and Considerations

For those looking to utilize Squarespace, here are key practical steps and considerations:

1. Easy Setup:

2. Squarespace offers a user-friendly interface and a variety of templates, which makes it an attractive option for individuals with limited technical skills. Setting up a website typically involves selecting a template, customizing it using drag-and-drop elements, adding content, and publishing.

3. Features and Customization:

4. Squarespace provides a range of built-in features including e-commerce, blogging capabilities, and SEO tools. While it is highly customizable within its templates, it may not be as flexible as open-source CMS platforms.

5. Pricing:

6. Squarespace operates on a subscription model, with plans tailored to different needs (personal websites, business, and e-commerce). It's crucial to consider these costs in your long-term planning, as additional features or higher-tier plans can increase the overall expense.

7. Limitations:

8. Squarespace, being a hosted platform, means you have limited control over the server environment and customization beyond what the platform allows. Advanced users needing specific plugins or custom backend features may find it restrictive compared to platforms like WordPress.

9. Support and Resources:

10. Squarespace offers 24/7 customer support and a comprehensive knowledge base. This is particularly beneficial for users who may need assistance in troubleshooting or optimizing their website.

Conclusion

Approximately 2% to 3% of all websites use Squarespace, making it a significant player in the website builder market, though not the largest. For individuals and businesses, understanding its capabilities, ease of use, and limitations is critical in making an informed decision. Squarespace is an excellent choice for those seeking a straightforward, aesthetically pleasing, and functional website with minimal technical overhead. However, those requiring extensive customization or specific features may need to explore other platforms that offer greater flexibility.