When I initially began blogging in 2008, I began with the simple and free Blogspot platform. As I progressed in my blogging experience and knowledge, I made the decision to transition to WordPress. Though Blogger was simple and nice, the designs and plugins available in WordPress intrigued me. From early 2009 to present, I’ve been quite happy with WordPress. Since WordPress required me to utilize a hosting company, I have used Bluehost since it’s plays nice with WordPress.
Today, I’m seriously considering transitioning from WordPress to Squarespace. I began by looking at some Squarespace examples and was impressed. Squarespace is an all-in-one hosting and blogging platform that’s affordable. I’m currently exploring SquareSpace through their free trial and wanted to provide my initial thoughts.
Squarespace is a fully hosted and managed environment intended to both create, manage and maintain a website, blog or portfolio. Squarespace is flexible in its platform and built for sites and blogs of all sizes. The platform is simple to use and includes blog importing tools for Blogger, WordPress, Typepad, etc.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the design elements of Squarespace. I found navigating Squarespace to be very simple. As you’ll see at the top of the screen cap below, you have different options to the left which include Website Management, the user account functions and additional options to the right such as Content Editing, Structure Editing, Style Editing and Preview Website.
Structure Editing provides simple editing of layouts and widgets inserting customization options such as Edit Header, Add Pages, Add Widgets, Edit and much More. Squarespace provides the ability to simply drag and drop to modify the position of your page elements. If I want to have the Navigation displayed before the Let’s Network widget, dragging and dropping will do the trick.
Though Squarespace doesn’t provide nearly the number of add-ons that WordPress has (via plugins), I found the available widgets to be decent. Using the picture below, you’ll see how quick and easy adding Widgets is. Add Text HTML widgets, search, social network, links, and many more.
Squarespace provides different templates to use, which include over 60 different variations. The templates are visually appealing and by copying the template, you can fully modify the layout, design, style, etc. If you are the designer type, you have the option to create your own design via a blank template.
While having the ability to simply modify the theme is appealing, the most intriguing aspect of Squarespace to me is in its Banner and Navigation options within the Style Option tab. With one click you can change the layout of the sidebars (quantity and location) and horizontal navigation (quantity and location). The most tempting option for me is the Change Width button. I’ve always been interested in expanding my post width column and Squarespace makes it very simple by allowing you to choose your width size or drag to your desired width. I kinda like having 800px for my post column.
Squarespace gives you more cool options within Website Management. Here’s a look at the various options within Website Management. You can manage your followers, comments, statistics and much more.
When modifying your site, you can preview your site at anytime. Here’s what mine looked like after making a few changes.
Another amazing feature included within your subscription is the sexy looking iPhone App for Squarespace. You can fully manage your site and statistics with this attractive App.
The prices for Squarespace begin at the basic package of $8 per month, but if you’re blogging you probably want atleast the Pro package of $14 per month, which allows you to use a custom domain name. Additional price packages are Advanced ($30 per month), Business ($40 per month) and Community ($50 per month). To read detailed pricing options, see Squarespace’s Pricing.
You may ask, “so what’s holding you back?” Well, there really is only one or two things that’s making me a bit hesitant to transition. While I earn enough via AdSense to afford the $14 to $20 per month, time is more of an issue with me. Anytime you import a blog, there will always be issues with broken links, Since I have over 450 posts to import, I don’t currently have the time to deal with broken links.I also will miss some of my WordPress plugins like Top 10, YARPP, etc.
Squarespace is built to let you import and maintain your page rank and it’s built for SEO so it’s ideal for my longterm goals.
Customer service is also quick and helpful as I’ve found on my free trial. They are also one of the few sites that give you a free trial with no requirement for a credit card. You can even put in a request to extend your free trial. That’s what I did. In due time, expect Eazy Cheezy to look and feel a bit different. I’m sold on Squarespace and recommend you give the free 14 day trial a shot.
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