Squarespace Discount Codes & Ways to Save on Your Website in 2025
Blog Overview: Get the lowdown on current ways to save money on Squarespace and how it stacks up against the competition - according to me.
Note: this post contains affiliate links and I may make a small percentage of the sale at no cost to you.
I get it - it feels like at every turn there’s another subscription plan vying for your next dollar and the choices of platforms can feel daunting to wade through as you plan your online glow up.
Before I get into the pricing, here’s a brief overview of some of the contenders you might be choosing from as you prepare for a new web design project. Of course, there are basic free services like Google Sites or one page options like Carrd or Canva, but I would consider these the Big 5 of the design world.
The Big Players: Wix vs. Squarespace vs. Showit vs. WordPress vs. Shopify
Wix
Wix is a pretty versatile website builder known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and extensive template library. It's ideal for small businesses, freelancers, and anyone who wants creative freedom without coding knowledge - unless you’re upgrading to Wix Studio, which is just for designers at this time.
However, the number of options can be overwhelming for beginners, and once you choose a template, you can't switch without rebuilding your site. While Wix is great for smaller sites, it may struggle with very large, complex websites and doesn’t have the best SEO track record.
Showit
Showit is a unique website builder that caters to photographers, designers, and other visual creatives. It offers unparalleled design flexibility, allowing users to create stunning, completely custom websites without coding knowledge. There are tonnes of beautiful and robust templates on the market if you’re a DIYer, but sometimes no control can quickly turn into a cluttered shitshow if you don’t know design basics, so keep that in mind.
Showit's standout feature is its integration with WordPress for blogging, combining the best of both worlds. However, this integration can be negative, as some find navigating confusing. It can also lead to slower lead times and require additional maintenance.
Showit can also feel too technical for some and lacks built-in e-commerce functionality, requiring third-party solutions for online stores. It's also one of the pricier options, which may not suit all budgets especially as you start adding features.
WordPress
WordPress is the world's most popular content management system, powering over 40% of all websites. It offers unmatched flexibility and customization options, making it suitable for everything from simple blogs to complex e-commerce sites and membership platforms. With its vast ecosystem of themes and plugins, WordPress can be adapted to almost any need.
It's ideal for tech-savvy users, developers, and businesses that require complex functionality, anticipate significant growth and want ‘full ownership’ of their website.
However, WordPress has a steeper learning curve than many website builders, often requires ongoing maintenance and updates, and can be vulnerable to security issues if not properly managed. While it offers the most flexibility, it also demands more time and technical know-how to fully leverage its capabilities.
That said, it may seem ‘cheaper’ up front, but once you start paying for plugins and monthly maintenance to a developer so it doesn’t get hacked, it can start to add up.
TL:DR I’ve had clients move from WP to Squarespace and they are SO happy they switched as they can update their website on their own and feel so much more confident doing so.
Shopify
Shopify is the go-to platform for e-commerce businesses, offering a comprehensive solution for online stores of all sizes. It provides a user-friendly interface, secure payment processing, inventory management, and a wide range of third-party app integrations. Shopify is great for businesses focused primarily on selling products online, from small startups to large enterprises. It offers powerful marketing tools, multi-channel selling options, and robust analytics to help grow your business.
However, Shopify can be overkill for content-focused sites or businesses with minimal product offerings. While it offers some content management features, it's not as flexible for non-e-commerce content as some other platforms. Additionally, transaction fees can add up unless you use Shopify Payments, and advanced customization often requires knowledge of Shopify's proprietary Liquid coding language.
Squarespace
Squarespace is known for its sleek, modern templates and intuitive design interface, making it perfect for creative professionals, small businesses, and portfolios. It offers an all-in-one solution with built-in features for blogging, e-commerce, email marketing, project management, scheduling, digital products and courses, reducing the need for third-party plugins. Squarespace's strength lies in its aesthetic appeal and ease of use, with responsive designs that (usually) look great on all devices.
However, it has fewer third-party integrations compared to some competitors, and advanced users might find its customization options somewhat limited without code. Despite these minor drawbacks, Squarespace remains an excellent choice for those who prioritize design and simplicity. And find a designer who knows custom code (hi, it’s me), and your limitations diminish.
You can read why I recommend Squarespace for most small businesses here.
Let’s Get To The Squarespace Discounts & Ways To Save
I think that’s why you’re here after all. Squarespace offers both monthly and annual plans, but here's a pro tip: going annual can save you some serious cash.
Monthly vs. Annual Plans
Personal Plan: $30/month or $21/month billed annually (Save 30%!)
Business Plan: $45/month or $32/month billed annually (Save 28%!)
Basic Commerce: $50/month or $36/month billed annually (Save 28%!)
Advanced Commerce: $90/month or $66/month billed annually (Save 26%!)
(CAD pricing as of October 15, 2024)
*update December 4th: there is a US only pilot project with updated pricing tiers for brand new subscriptions. Stay tuned.
See those annual savings? That's money you could spend on your daily latte or reinvest in your business!
Stack The Annual Discount With An Affiliate Discount Code and Save an Additional 10% off
On top of the Annual Plan savings, you can add the Squarespace discount code BIRCH10 at checkout and earn an additional 10% off your first annual plan payment. I generally recommend a Business plan for most clients.
The pricing page outlines the key plan features, but overall you get fewer marketing and custom code opportunities with the Personal plan and unless you have quite a few e-commerce products or sales, the Commerce Basic may not make sense financially to upgrade. You’ll want to run some numbers based on the Squarespace surcharge on the Business plan.
If you do not want to pay for an annual plan, the Squarespace code GIMME10 normally works for monthly plans.
SAVE 10% ON SQUARESPACE WITH CODE BIRCH10 AT CHECKOUT OR 20% OFF WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER!
The Circle Member's VIP Treatment - Save an Additional 20% & more!
As a designer & Circle member, I can't stress enough how awesome these perks are. If you're working with a designer who's part of the Circle (hint: like yours truly), you're in for some extra special treatment:
20% off annual website and online store subscriptions - The discount applies to the first payment for your site.
20% off annual Email Campaigns, Digital Product plan, and Acuity Scheduling subscriptions - The discount only applies to the first payment for these subscriptions.
Extended 6-month trial: instead of 14 days before you have to upgrade to a paid plan.
Free custom domain for a year
Priority support: Skip the line and get help faster than you can say "website crisis averted."
Early access to new features: Be the first to try out cool new Squarespace goodies. It's like being a web design VIP!
Want access to my 20% off Circle Discount & a 6-month trial without committing to a full website project?
You can stack the 30% Annual savings with a Circle member discount of 20% and save on your first Squarespace payment if you connect with a Circle member!
You cannot stack this on top of the BIRCH10 10% off code; that’s available for anyone not working with a designer.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
If a Circle member starts the website trial, the discount applies to the first subscription payment, even if a non-Circle member pays to start the subscription. The first payment can be a website, Email Campaigns, Digital Product plan, or an Acuity Scheduling subscription. Basically make it count.
How to snag the discount
Book in a 1:1 DIY Strategy or Design Consultation (from $125 CAD), Design Day (from $449 CAD), Semi-Custom or Custom design project and I can hook you up with the additional 20% off your first year as long as you haven’t paid for your site yet.
If you do the math, your design consultation is pretty much a freebie with your savings!
Should You Hire a Squarespace Web Designer?
A good designer can take all your thoughts and goals and create a website that is conversion-focused while attracting your ideal clients. There are a lot of templates on the market, free and paid, but not all of them are based on a solid design strategy.
Basically you’ll benefit from
Customization that Wows: We know Squarespace inside and out and rarely begin with a template.
Brand Consistency: Your website should be an extension of your brand. A designer ensures every colour, font, and image aligns perfectly with your brand identity.
User Experience Expertise: We don't just make things pretty; we make them work. A well-designed site guides your visitors exactly where you want them to go, boosting conversions and engagement.
Time-Saving: While you focus on running your business, we'll handle the nitty-gritty of design. No more late nights trying to figure out why that button won't align properly!
Access to Exclusive Perks: Remember those Circle member benefits? By working with a Circle member designer, you get to reap all those rewards without having to become a member yourself.
Long-Term Value: A professionally designed website is an investment that pays off. It elevates your brand, attracts more customers, and saves you from costly redesigns down the road.
At Birch & Bud Design Co., I understand the heart and soul you put into your work. Your website should be a reflection of that passion, a space where your clients can see the care and thoughtfulness you bring to your role.
If you’re ready to invest in a website that truly represents your brand, I’m here to help!
