Is Wix or Squarespace Better for SEO?
When marketing your website, you must take your time and learn all about search engine optimization. If you are unfamiliar with Wix or Squarespace, you should know that they are two of the most “do it yourself” website builders, and they provide SEO tools. But which platform performs SEO better? Below are detailed comparisons of Wix vs Squarespace SEO.
Website Loading Times and Other Parameters of Site Efficiency
Site speed is among Google’s top ranking factors. The slow loading of web pages causes loss of users. In contrast, short loading time benefits users and allows Google to assess how well the site is prepared.
However, a quick search shows that Wix loads slightly faster than Squarespace. Wix has features that include optimized images and well-optimized code to be able to load pages faster. Since 2016, Squarespace has enhanced its speed; however, the site may take longer to load because of the enormous page volume.
All in all, it is safe to say that Wix outperforms Squarespace by a hair when it comes to site speed and performance.
On-Page Search Engine Optimization
On-page SEO involves optimizing the content and the code of the website’s web pages. This may include meta titles and descriptions, headings, alt text, URL structure, etc.
Every new Wix and Squarespace user will easily tweak on-page SEO particulars without tweaking code. It can help you generate SEO-friendly URLs, correctly handle page titles and meta descriptions, use the heading properly, and so on.
When Wix is used, images will have their alt tags inserted for you. In Squarespace, however, developers provide more filtration options for image SEO. Therefore, Squarespace is comparatively better for on-page image optimization.
The two platforms are pretty similar regarding on-page SEO tools and capabilities, with Wix being slightly ahead of Squarespace. Remarkably, both page builders’ functions help you optimize content without technical knowledge.
Mobile Optimization
Mobile usage constitutes more than half of the global internet traffic, so a website must be mobile-friendly to rank. Both Wix and Squarespace have the responsive features that enable websites to fit a device’s screen size. So, it becomes possible to create a user-friendly site with the help of the mobile platform, without making the site version for mobile devices. As for the aspects of responsiveness and mobile optimization, they are roughly equal.
SEO Extensions and Apps
Wix and Squarespace have app marketplaces where you can get additional SEO tools beyond the site’s editor, for an extra fee. With Wix, several SEO apps are available for meta tags, performance, analytics, XML site maps, and others. Squarespace also integrates with Google Analytics, Tag Manager, and other marketing applications.
Further, Wix provides more apps. It, therefore, offers you more freedom to improve your SEO by using third-party applications.
Customization Capability
Customization is an option to change site elements to enhance search engines and usability even more. Squarespace employs a closed-source template system on its platform. You don’t have a lot of flexibility in terms of the code that supports the colors, fonts, and layouts that you can apply to a page.
But Wix grants enhanced control to diverse users with the option to edit the HTML and CSS code. This spares technically-savvy users the time and energy to make fine micro adjustments to all the SEO elements embedded in the code.
For most newbies, however, both site builders provide the possibility to adjust SEO with no coding needed. Wix provides its more experienced users with even more direct SEO fine-tuning tools.
SEO Implementation Guidance
SEO site design does not entail technicality only. You must execute SEO recommendations on content, user engagement, and situs structure. Squarespace provides users with an SEO guide accessible within the website editor. Wix also offers an SEO Wiz Tutorial and checklist for on- and off-page SEO technique.
These two site builders provide essential SEO tips when creating their sites for newbie users. Squarespace provides a little more guidance and how-to information on organic search techniques. However, Wix also makes suggestions on the necessary transformations you must make, and it gets it right in many cases.
Then Finally, Which Website Builder is Best for SEO?
In summary, Wix has a few technical advantages:
- Improved faster page loading
- More applications, which are targeted at search engine optimization
- Additional control over the degree to which the code was originally customized
But Squarespace also competes strongly:
- Provides opportunities for more detailed image search engine optimization
- Slightly better in terms of implementation guidance
- Both on-page and mobile usability are equally satisfactory
However, there are more aspects than SEO power when deciding what website builder is the best. Other factors you should consider include e-commerce, scale or flexibility, features and steep learning curves. Ascertain your particular objectives, your customers or visitors, and the long-term vision of what you want your website to be.
Both Wix and Squarespace are SEO-friendly if used by marketers with proper SEO knowledge. So, concentrate on the specific website builder which will seem more rational to you from every standpoint.
Bill Yeager, Co-Owner of High Point SEO & Marketing in CT
