Did you know that over 3 million websites are powered by Squarespace? It has become one of the top choices for small businesses, creatives, and entrepreneurs who want a sleek website without the tech headaches.
But here's where it gets tricky: many people confuse Squarespace's monthly plan pricing with the actual cost of designing a full website. While the platform itself is user-friendly, getting a custom, professional site isn't always a simple DIY job, and it's not always cheap either.
That's why it's important to understand the true cost of Squarespace web design for your business in 2025. This guide breaks down everything: the platform pricing, what designers charge, and what to expect if you hire a pro.
Whether you're planning to build it yourself or looking to hire help, this post will help you budget smarter and avoid surprises.
Key Takeaways
- DIY Squarespace websites are budget-friendly upfront, typically costing $200-$500 per year, but they require significant time and may lack polish.
- Hiring a Squarespace web designer ranges from $300 to $10,000+, depending on who you hire (freelancer vs. agency), your site's complexity, eCommerce needs, etc.
- Professional design isn't just about looks; it impacts speed, SEO, and conversions. Investing in a good designer or a team often leads to stronger branding, higher trust, and better ROI.
- There are extra costs beyond design, such as domains, email tools, plugins, and maintenance, which are usually a part of your total budget.
Squarespace Website Pricing Plans: 2025 Breakdown
If you're planning to design a website on Squarespace, it's important to know what each pricing plan really offers, especially when design is part of the picture.
Squarespace offers four main plans in 2025:
Personal Plan
At $16/month (or $12/month billed annually), this is the most basic plan. It's fine for a simple website, but it has limited design flexibility. There's no access to custom code or advanced integrations, which can make design work feel a bit boxed in.
Business Plan
This is the most popular for custom web design, costing $23/month (or $17/month billed annually). It allows custom CSS and JavaScript, which gives your designer more control over layout and branding. But it does include 3% transaction fees on any online sales.
Basic Commerce
Great for online stores. This plan, at $36/month (or $27/month billed annually), removes transaction fees and includes better checkout options. From a design view, you get more product display features, but still no advanced shipping or customer accounts.
Advanced Commerce
Costing $65/month (or $49/month billed annually), this plan is best for growing e-commerce brands. It unlocks abandoned cart recovery, advanced discounts, and real-time shipping. Designers can also tap into more features to build a better shopping experience.
Each plan is cheaper if you choose annual billing instead of monthly. If you're serious about your website, this is an easy way to save money in the long run.
In short, your Squarespace plan sets the stage for what your designer can create. Picking the right one early on helps avoid extra work and extra costs later.
DIY vs. Hiring a Squarespace Web Designer: What's the Real Cost Difference?
If you want to build a website on Squarespace, you have two main options: do it yourself (DIY) or hire a professional web designer. Each choice has its own costs and benefits.
When you build your site on your own, the main cost is your Squarespace plan, which can range from $12 to $49 per month if billed annually. You might also pay around $20 to $30 per year for a custom domain. That means the total cost of Squarespace web design for your DIY site will be roughly $200 to $600 per year, depending on your plan.
But keep in mind, this cost only covers the platform. You're still investing your time, and lots of it. Learning the editor, choosing templates, adjusting layouts, setting up mobile views, and testing pages all add up fast.
On the other hand, if you hire a professional, the cost of Squarespace web design jumps, but so does the quality. Designers typically charge between $800 and $5,000+ for a custom site, depending on how many pages you need, how complex the design is, and what features you want.
With a pro, you get a site that's clean, branded, mobile-ready, and set up to convert visitors into customers. You also save hours, or even days, of trial and error.
So, When Does DIY Make Sense? DIY is a good fit if:
- You have a simple site with a few pages
- You're okay using a standard template
- You enjoy learning tools and have time to spare
But if your business depends on your website, or if you need a site that looks polished and performs well, hiring a designer is often worth it. A successful website will get you faster results and a better user experience.
In the end, the right choice depends on your time, budget, and goals. Just remember: your website is often your first impression. Investing in good design can pay off.
How Much Does a Squarespace Web Designer Cost in 2025?
If you're thinking about hiring a web design professional for your Squarespace site, it's smart to know what you might pay. The Squarespace web design cost in 2025 depends on who you hire, how complex your project is, and what kind of support you need.
Freelancers
Freelance designers are the most budget-friendly. Simple sites with just a few pages may cost as little as $300. If you want more design work, content help, or basic SEO, prices can go up to $2,000. These are usually one-person teams, so expect limited support and slower turnaround times.
Design Agencies
Web design agencies usually deliver more polished, branded websites. You'll pay $1,000 to $5,000 or more, but you also get access to multiple experts, like designers, developers, and SEO specialists. They often offer strategy, testing, and support after launch.
Enterprise & Custom Builds
Need something advanced? Maybe you're running a large online store or need a fully custom website for your e-commerce business. In that case, your Squarespace web design pricing could reach $10,000 or more. These projects include deep branding, UX design, content creation, e-commerce integration, and performance optimization.
What Affects the Price?
Several factors impact how much Squarespace web design costs:
- Custom Design vs. using a ready-made template
- For e-commerce businesses, features like shipping tools or product filtering
- SEO Optimization, including keywords, fast loading, and mobile setup
- Content Creation, like copywriting, product images, and branding
While freelancers are affordable, they may not offer long-term support or full-stack expertise. A reliable web design service provider like CISIN can offer better value through:
- Stronger quality control
- Dedicated teams for design, SEO, and support
- Scalable solutions as your business grows
In short, you get what you pay for. A well-designed website isn't just about looks; it's about function, performance, and growth.
Additional Costs to Consider Beyond Design
Design is just one part of building a Squarespace website. There are a few other costs that can sneak up on you if you're not careful. Here's what to watch for in 2025:
- Domains and Email
Your website needs a custom domain, like yourbusiness.com. Squarespace includes a free domain for the first year, but after that, it can cost around $20 to $30 per year. If you want a professional email (like info@yourbusiness.com), tools like Google Workspace or Zoho Mail cost around $6 to $12 per month per user.
- Premium Fonts, Images, and Plugins
Squarespace offers some built-in fonts and photos, but for a unique brand look, you might need premium options. Licensed images from sites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock can add up. You may also want third-party tools or Squarespace plugins to add features like pop-ups, booking tools, or social feeds.
- SEO and Marketing Tools
Built-in SEO is helpful, but many businesses go further. You might invest in tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, or email platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit. These help you drive traffic and convert visitors, but come with monthly fees.
- Ongoing Maintenance and Performance
Websites need care. You'll want someone to handle site updates, speed improvements, mobile optimization, and security checks. Whether you do it yourself or hire someone, maintenance is an ongoing investment that keeps your site running smoothly.
- Long-Term Value
Some of these extra costs improve your branding, speed, and user experience, and that leads to a better return over time. A faster, well-optimized site keeps visitors around longer and helps convert them into real customers.
When planning your Squarespace web design project, don't forget to include these extras in your budget. Your cost of Squarespace web design might go a little higher, but a little more upfront can mean better results for your business in the long run.
Choosing the Right Squarespace Web Design Partner
Picking the right web designer to build your Squarespace site can make or break your project. A good web design partner will help you get a site that looks great, runs fast, and brings in results.
But what exactly is there to look for?
Start by checking their background. If they're Squarespace-certified, that's a great sign; they've taken the time to learn the platform well.
Next, review their portfolio. A strong one should show real examples of clean, professional websites built for different industries. If everything looks the same, that could be a red flag.
Also, make sure they understand UX (user experience) and UI (user interface) design. These are what help your site feel easy to use and pleasant to look at.
Finally, see if they build with a mobile-first and SEO-friendly approach. These days, most visitors come from phones, and search engines expect mobile-ready, optimized sites.
If a designer checks all these boxes, it usually means they care about more than just making a site look pretty. They want it to work and convert for your business.
Red Flags to Avoid
Watch out for a few warning signs. If a designer or agency:
- Can't explain their design process
- Offers one-size-fits-all pricing without understanding your needs
- Doesn't include long-term support or updates
…it's best to keep looking.
Hiring an expert isn't just about design. It's about saving your time, avoiding costly mistakes, and getting a site that actually converts visitors into customers. A good Squarespace designer knows how to build trust, guide your users, and boost performance.
Conclusion
By now, you know what goes into the Squarespace web design cost. There are some solid Squarespace web design pricing plans, but the real cost depends on your needs, whether you're doing it yourself or hiring a pro.
DIY can work if you have the time and just need a simple site. But if you want a polished, high-performing website that reflects your brand and drives results, hiring a professional is the smarter move.
You also now know how much a Squarespace web designer costs. Freelancers, agencies, and IT partners all come with different price points based on experience, features, and long-term value. The key is finding someone who fits your goals, not just your budget.
In the end, a well-designed responsive website isn't just an expense; it's an investment in how the world sees your business. And that investment can pay off for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I switch from a DIY Squarespace site to a professional design later?
Yes, you can. A designer can take over your existing Squarespace site, refine the layout, improve visuals, and add custom features without starting from scratch. It's a good option if your needs grow over time.
- Do Squarespace designers also help with content creation?
Some do, especially agencies or full-service providers. They may offer copywriting, image sourcing, and branding support. Be sure to ask about this upfront, as content creation usually costs extra.
- How long does it take to build a custom Squarespace site?
A simple site might take 1-2 weeks, while custom builds can take 4-6 weeks or more. The timeline depends on complexity, revisions, and how quickly you provide content or feedback during the process.
- Will hiring a designer improve my site's SEO on Squarespace?
Yes, a professional designer often includes basic SEO setup, like meta tags, image optimization, and site structure. For advanced SEO, you may still need dedicated SEO services or tools.
- Does Squarespace allow third-party integrations in 2025?
Yes. In 2025, Squarespace supports many third-party tools like Mailchimp, Acuity Scheduling, and Zapier. However, some may require premium accounts or custom code blocks for full functionality.
Let's Build Something Great Together
Ready to launch a Squarespace site that looks good and works even better? Talk to our web design experts at CISIN today. We'll help you get it right, from design to delivery.
