Why We Only Build Websites in Squarespace

After 10+ Years and 100+ Websites, Here's Why We Went All-In on One Platform

After over a decade in web design, I've worked with just about every platform out there. WordPress, custom code, Webflow, Wix, you name it, I've built on it. But at Agave Studio, we exclusively design and develop websites in Squarespace. Not because it's trendy, but because it's the smartest choice for our clients across many industries.

Here's why.

You Actually Own Your Website

Let me be blunt: most "affordable" web designers create a situation where you're dependent on them forever. Need to update a photo? That'll be $150. Want to add a new service page? Another invoice. With Squarespace, you own your site. We build it, train you on it, and then you can make updates whenever you want, no developer required.

This isn't about cutting us out of the picture. It's about giving you control. Our clients still come back to us for major redesigns, strategic updates, and complex features. But changing your office hours or adding a team member? You can handle that yourself at 9 PM on a Tuesday if you want.

Some platforms, particularly those built around agency management and white-label hosting, are designed so your website lives inside your agency's account. That means if you ever part ways, migrating your site can be a headache. Squarespace doesn't work that way. Your site is yours from day one.

It's Built for Businesses, Not Bloggers

Squarespace started as a platform for creatives, but it's evolved into a serious business tool. The latest updates, like the Refresh 2025 design system and Finish Layer professional toolkit, put enterprise-level design capabilities in reach for small and medium-sized businesses.

For our healthcare clients, that means integrating HIPAA-compliant scheduling and secure patient intake forms. For real estate professionals, it's embedding IDX property searches and building neighborhood landing pages. For professional services firms, it's setting up client portals and streamlined contact workflows. Squarespace supports all of this through clean, reliable integrations that don't require a developer to maintain.

It Actually Looks Custom (When Done Right)

The biggest misconception about Squarespace is that every site looks the same. That's only true if you're using templates straight out of the box. We don't do that.

Every Agave Studio website starts with strategy, not templates. We use custom code, advanced CSS, and Squarespace's design system to create sites that look nothing like the template we started from. Our Circle Member certification means we have access to tools and training that go way beyond what DIYers can access.

The difference? A medical practice gets a site that communicates trust and professionalism from the first scroll. A real estate brokerage gets a sophisticated property showcase that rivals custom-built platforms. A consulting firm gets a website that positions them as the clear authority in their space. None of them look like they came from a template.

SEO and AI Optimization That Actually Work

I've heard it a thousand times: "But Squarespace is bad for SEO." That was maybe true in 2015. It's not true today.

Squarespace handles the technical SEO automatically: mobile optimization, site speed, clean code, SSL certificates, structured data. The things that used to require a developer are now just built in. That means we can focus on what actually moves the needle: content strategy, keyword targeting, and local SEO.

But traditional SEO is only part of the picture now. More and more people are finding businesses through AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT, Google's AI Overviews, and Perplexity. Squarespace recognized this shift early and built AI Optimization (AIO) tools directly into the platform, including an AIO Scanner that tracks how your business appears across AI search engines and gives you actionable recommendations to improve visibility.

At Agave Studio, we offer SEO/AIO services that cover both traditional search and AI discoverability. Our clients rank competitively against WordPress sites with expensive SEO agencies, and they're getting ahead of the curve on AI search while most businesses haven't even started thinking about it.

Security and Updates? Not Your Problem

Remember when WordPress sites got hacked and you'd get a panicked email from your web developer about emergency updates? Yeah, that doesn't happen with Squarespace.

Security patches, software updates, plugin conflicts, server maintenance: Squarespace handles all of it. Your site stays secure and up-to-date automatically. No maintenance contracts, no emergency calls, no sites going down because a plugin broke.

For busy professionals running their businesses, this peace of mind is worth its weight in gold. You should be spending your time on your clients, not troubleshooting your website.

It Scales With You

Starting with a simple five-page site but planning to add ecommerce later? Building a basic site now but want member portals down the road? Squarespace grows with you.

We've built everything from simple professional services sites to complex ecommerce stores with hundreds of products. The platform doesn't box you in. And because it's designed for business owners, not developers, you're not locked into technical decisions that limit your future options.

The Real Reason: It Serves Our Clients' Goals

Here's the bottom line: we work in Squarespace because it's the best tool to serve our clients' actual business goals.

You don't need a website. You need a website that attracts your ideal clients, communicates your value clearly, and converts visitors into customers. You need something you can manage without calling a developer every time you want to make a change. You need something secure, fast, and professional that won't become a technical headache.

That's Squarespace, when it's done right.

Working With a Squarespace Expert vs. DIY

Could you build your own Squarespace site? Absolutely. The platform is designed to be accessible, and plenty of business owners get a decent site up on their own.

But "decent" and "effective" aren't the same thing. We've had clients come to us after spending months on a DIY site that looked fine but wasn't generating leads. The design was clean enough, but the messaging didn't speak to their ideal client, the site structure didn't guide visitors toward a conversion, and their SEO was an afterthought. Within a few months of a strategic rebuild, those same businesses started seeing real traction.

That's the difference between using the tools and knowing how to use them strategically. We bring 10+ years of design experience, Circle Member certification, deep platform knowledge, and an understanding of what actually converts visitors in your specific industry.

Ready for a Squarespace Site That Actually Works?

If you're looking for a website that positions you as the obvious choice in your market, let's talk. We work with healthcare practices, real estate professionals, service-based businesses, and more.

We specialize in custom Squarespace design for businesses across the Mountain West and beyond. Our process is refined, our results speak for themselves, and our clients actually enjoy working with us.

Investment starts at $3,250 for Starter packages and $8,500 for Advanced custom-coded solutions.

Schedule your consultation and let's build something worth talking about.