Why Do We Use Squarespace Instead of WordPress or Wix?
If you’ve ever tried to build a website on a Sunday night after a long week of jobs, you know the feeling. You want it to look professional, but the tech gets in the way.
Most contractors do not need a “developer” website. They need a site that looks legit, is easy to update, and helps homeowners trust them fast.
That’s exactly why Elevate Marketing Studios builds our website templates on Squarespace, not WordPress, Wix, or the other options that sound easy until you are three hours deep and nothing lines up.
Here’s the real breakdown, in plain English, so you can decide what fits your business.
Why This Matters
Your website is not just a digital business card anymore. It’s often the first impression homeowners get before they call, text, or fill out a request form.
If your site is hard to update, you avoid it. Then your photos get old, your services change, your “Contact” page has the wrong phone number, and your website becomes something that quietly costs you jobs.
The best platform for contractors is the one you can actually manage without relying on someone else.
The Big Problem With “Too Flexible” Platforms
A lot of platforms promise freedom. But freedom can become friction.
Here’s what we see most often with contractors who come from other platforms:
WordPress: Powerful, but you are managing a small tech stack
Often requires multiple plugins to do basic things (forms, SEO, security, backups)
Needs updates, maintenance, and monitoring
If one plugin/theme conflicts, something can break (often your forms)
Usually turns into “my website guy handles it,” which means you’re stuck waiting
Wix and similar builders: Easy to start, but easy to outgrow
Can feel simple at first, but layout control gets messy fast
Can be harder to keep the site looking consistent on mobile vs desktop
When multiple people edit, the design can drift and get inconsistent
Custom-coded sites: Clean, but not practical for most contractors
Great design, but updates usually require paying someone
Small changes (photos, services, hiring, FAQs) become a hassle
Most contractors do better with a site they can manage in-house
What Actually Works for Contractors (and Why We Chose It)
Squarespace hits the sweet spot: professional design, simple editing, and the features most service businesses actually need.
Here’s what makes it contractor-friendly:
Drag-and-drop editing that does not break your site
Easy to swap photos, update service descriptions, and move sections
Built with structure, so it’s harder to accidentally ruin your layout
Perfect for quick edits between jobs
Clean, modern design without “template-looking” vibes
Homeowners judge fast, and design affects trust
Squarespace layouts tend to look polished and current
Your project photos stand out instead of fighting the design
You can actually own and manage your website
Your site lives inside your own Squarespace account
You control your content, logins, and updates
You’re not dependent on a developer for every small change
Built-in tools that match how service businesses run
Most contractor websites need:
A clean services layout
A contact form / request a quote form
A portfolio or project gallery
Trust builders (reviews, service areas, FAQs)
A clear “next step” (call, text, request a quote)
Squarespace handles the basics well, and supports add-ons as you grow.
Integrations without a tech headache
As your business grows, your website usually needs to connect to other tools. Squarespace makes it easier to plug into:
Invoicing / payments
Email marketing + follow-ups
Scheduling and estimate request workflows
Courses, memberships, and gated content
Client portal-style experiences (member areas + connected tools)
Automations that route leads where they need to go
Better “set it and forget it” maintenance
Less ongoing “website babysitting”
Managed hosting experience
Fewer moving parts than many WordPress builds
Common Mistakes Contractors Make When Picking a Platform
Choosing the platform your buddy used
What works for a blog or side hustle isn’t always right for a lead-driven service business
Picking based on the cheapest upfront cost
The “cheap” choice often costs more later in time, rebuilds, and frustration
Building on something you cannot maintain
If you cannot update it yourself, it stops being a marketing tool and becomes a liability
What Homeowners Look For (and How Squarespace Helps)
Most homeowners are not comparing platforms. They are comparing trust.
They want to see:
Proof you do good work (photos, details, consistency)
Clear services (what you do and who it’s for)
Easy next steps (call, text, request a bid)
Signs you are legit (reviews, service area, simple process)
Squarespace templates (built right) make it easier to present all of this clearly, without overcomplicating the site.
Simple Ways Contractors Can Improve This Today
Pick a platform you can update in 10 minutes
If it takes hours to change a photo gallery, you will avoid it.Prioritize a clean layout over extra features
Most contractor sites need clarity, not complexity.Make your “Request a Quote” button obvious
Every page should have a clear next step.Build a simple photo system
Create one folder on your phone called “Website Photos” and drop your best work in there weekly.Add trust builders
Reviews
Service area
Licenses/insurance (if applicable)
A simple “How it works” section
Think “grow with me”
Start with a simple site, then add:
More service pages
A hiring page
A FAQ page
Resources or “members-only” content as you scale
At Elevate Marketing Studios, we build Squarespace templates specifically for contractors and service pros who want a professional website without tech overwhelm.
Our templates are designed to:
Showcase your work clearly
Make edits simple
Give you full ownership
Include guidance so you’re not guessing what to write
If you want a contractor site that looks professional and is actually manageable long-term, this is exactly what our system is built for.
If you are exploring templates right now and want a website you can actually manage, Squarespace is the platform we recommend for contractors, and it’s the platform our entire system is built around.
Want to see what that looks like in real life? Check out our templates and get started today.
Tired of losing jobs to competitors who “just look more legit” online?
We’ve got you. Our website templates are made to help you stand out, look professional, and start booking the clients you actually want.
You don’t need to be tech-savvy or super creative, just pick a template, plug in your content, and launch with confidence.
