What is Squarespace & How Does it Work? (2026 Beginner's Guide)

If you have watched any YouTube video or listened to a podcast in the last five years, you have undoubtedly heard a sponsorship read for Squarespace. But cutting through the marketing hype, exactly what is Squarespace, and is it actually the right choice for your small business?

In this comprehensive beginner's guide, we will break down exactly how Squarespace works, dissect its pricing plans, and give you everything you need to know before you invest your time into starting a free trial.

What is Squarespace? A Basic Introduction

In simple terms, Squarespace is an all-in-one website builder and hosting platform. It allows completely non-technical people to build incredibly beautiful, professional websites without knowing how to write a single line of code.

Before platforms like this existed, building a website was a nightmare. You had to buy a domain from one company (like GoDaddy), purchase server hosting from another (like Bluehost), install WordPress, and then hire a developer to make it look good. Squarespace completely eliminates that friction. They provide the hosting, the award-winning design templates, the security SSL certificates, and the e-commerce tools all inside one unified dashboard.

How Does Squarespace Work?

Figuring out how to get started with Squarespace is incredibly intuitive by design. The entire platform operates on a "what you see is what you get" (WYSIWYG) philosophy.

You begin by browsing their massive library of templates. Unlike other builders, Squarespace's templates are famously minimalist, image-heavy, and highly professional. You pick one that matches your industry (e.g., photography, restaurants, consulting), and click "Start".

From there, you are dropped into their "Fluid Engine" drag-and-drop editor. You just click on the text to change it, drag images around the screen, and hit publish when you are done. There are no messy backend menus for basic design tasks. That is exactly how to use a Squarespace website!

How Much Does Squarespace Cost? (And Is It Free?)

Many people starting their first business ask: is Squarespace free? The short answer is no. Unlike Wix, which offers a permanently free (but ad-supported) tier, Squarespace is a premium product. However, they do offer a generous 14-day free trial so you can build your entire site before ever entering a credit card.

So, which Squarespace plan should you choose?

• The Personal Plan: Perfect if you just need a portfolio, a basic blog, or a brochure site for your local service business.
• The Business Plan: Required if you want to add custom CSS, pop-ups, or accept basic payments (though it comes with a 3% transaction fee).
• The Commerce Plans: Essential if you are running a real online store. It removes the 3% transaction fee and adds features like abandoned cart recovery.

Does Squarespace Do Student Discounts?

Yes, and it is one of the best kept secrets in the industry! If you are currently in school and have a valid student email address (.edu), you can get a massive 50% off your first full year of Squarespace. This makes it insanely affordable for students building a design portfolio or resume website before graduation.

Is Squarespace Worth It for Small Business?

Absolutely. The time you save by not having to worry about website maintenance, security updates, or server crashes makes the monthly fee completely worth it. It is arguably the best platform on the market for creatives and local businesses.

Ready to start? Use our exclusive coupon code below to save 10% off your first year!