When choosing a version of Squarespace to use for your website, it's important to consider your specific needs, the type of website you want to create, your technical skills, and your budget. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the options to help you make an informed decision:

1. Squarespace 7.0 vs. Squarespace 7.1

Squarespace has two major versions available for building and managing websites: Squarespace 7.0 and Squarespace 7.1. Each version comes with its unique set of features and templates.

Squarespace 7.0

Pros: - Variety of Templates: Squarespace 7.0 offers more than 100 templates across different categories, each with unique designs and features. - Template Switching: You can switch templates easily without losing content, making it flexible if you desire to change the look of your site. - Developer Platform: Ideal for developers who want to make extensive customizations. It offers more control over code and design elements.

Cons: - Learning Curve: Slightly more complex due to the variety of templates and settings. - Future Support: Squarespace focuses most updates and new features on 7.1, which might reduce support for 7.0 over time.

Squarespace 7.1

Pros: - Unified Editing Experience: Squarespace 7.1 offers a consistent editing experience across all templates, making it easier and more intuitive to use. - Modern Designs: All the templates are built on a single framework, ensuring a more cohesive and modern design experience. - Feature-Rich: Frequently receives new features and updates. It's more future-proof compared to 7.0.

Cons: - Fewer Template Choices: While 7.1 features fewer distinct templates, they are highly flexible and customizable. - No Template Switching: Once you choose a template and make customizations in 7.1, switching to a new template requires more effort as you’ll lose your applied customizations.

2. Selecting a Squarespace Plan

Squarespace offers several pricing plans, each tailored to different needs. Choose the one that aligns best with your objectives:

Personal Plan

• Cost: $16/month (annually) or $23/month (monthly).
• Best For: Personal blogs, portfolios, or small, informational websites.
• Features: Basic website features, limited contributors, and e-commerce limitations (can’t sell online).

Business Plan

• Cost: $23/month (annually) or $33/month (monthly).
• Best For: Small businesses, personal sites needing more features, and websites that might sell a limited number of products.
• Features: Includes everything in the Personal plan plus more advanced analytics, promotional pop-ups, and basic e-commerce features (3% transaction fee applied).

Commerce Basic Plan

• Cost: $27/month (annually) or $36/month (monthly).
• Best For: Small to medium-sized online stores.
• Features: Includes everything in the Business plan, powerful e-commerce features, no transaction fees, and the ability to sell an unlimited number of products.

Commerce Advanced Plan

• Cost: $49/month (annually) or $65/month (monthly).
• Best For: Growing businesses with advanced e-commerce needs.
• Features: Everything in the Basic Commerce plan plus abandoned cart recovery, advanced shipping and discounts, and subscriptions.

3. Additional Considerations

When choosing a Squarespace version and plan, consider the following: - Technical Skills: If you are not very tech-savvy, Squarespace 7.1's simpler and unified interface might be more suitable. - Purpose of the Site: For a portfolio or blog, a Personal Plan might be sufficient. For e-commerce, a Commerce plan is more appropriate. - Budget: Consider your budget carefully. The Business and Commerce plans, though costlier, provide additional capabilities that might justify the investment. - Future Growth: Think about where you see your site in the next few years. Starting with a plan that allows for growth can save time and effort in the long run.

Conclusion

In summary, the version of Squarespace you should use depends on your individual needs, preferences, and future plans. Squarespace 7.1 is often recommended for new users due to its modern, unified, and frequently updated features. However, if you need specific templates or advanced customizations, Squarespace 7.0 remains a viable option. Choose your pricing plan based on the type of website you are building and how you plan to grow it.