Non-techie looking to use Square Space or _____?

Hello,

I've recently started volunteering for a local organization, and my first task is to help them update their website.  However, I'm a communications person, not a techie. 

They currently have a programmer on retainer who makes updates upon request, but it would be really great if updates could be done more regularly and at less cost.  Also, the current site is in need of a total makeover/re-organization, so part of me just wants to start fresh.

A colleague mentioned Square Space as a tool that a non-technical person could use to build a site.  I've used the free trial, and so far, I like what I see.  But before I get too far along.....

Can anyone provide feeback on this tool --positive or negative?

Also, do you have any alternative tool recommendations?

And finally, am I crazy to try to find a workaround for using the current programmer?  Should I rethink that all together?

Thanks for any help! Laura :)

Hi Laura,

Welcome to TechSoup.

Unfortunately I'm not familiar with Squarespace, but I had a quick glance at their site.  It looks like Squarespace is more of a service than a tool, which is not a bad thing just that you're getting additional things included with it.  For example, if you decide to use Squarespace to build your site then that also means that they serve as your web host, because that comes with their service.  So if you're site is currently being hosted with another provider this means you'll have to switch to Squarespace, making them your new host.

And because the site you create using Squarespace is also hosted by them, you must sign up for one of their monthly plans which start at $8/month (basic plan) to $50/month (community plan).  For an organization, I would say you'd want to the Advanced $20/month package or higher since this gives you more flexibility and features that your organization may want, such as having additional storage space for your site.  You'll also be able to use Squarespace as a "content management system" (CMS), which basically means that you can collaborate with different people to create, publish and update your site's content in a streamlined manner.

So the important thing to keep in mind here is that Squarespace isn't just a website creation tool per se -- what you are really getting here is a suite of services (website building tool/web host/CMS/blog platform/etc.) all wrapped up into one.  This is not a bad thing, just something you should know.  So again, one implication of this is that you would need to switch hosts to use Squarespace.  So one thing you'd want to find out about is how reliable they are as a Web host -- what's their uptime?  Basically, you entire site will be governed under the Squarespace platform, because they provide you with everything you need to manage your site.

Because your local organization already has a domain name and an existing site that is being hosted elsewhere, you'll want to learn more about what's involved in switching to Squarespace.  Specifically, how would this transfer process work?  For example, would you be able to easily transfer your domain name to them?  And if you transfer your domain name to Squarespace, does this mean they now become the owner of your domain since they will also be your new host?  No matter what host you are with you always want to make sure that you, and only you, retain ownership of your domain name.  Lets say one day you decide to leave Squarespace, then what will happen to your domain name that they also host?  Will you be able to move your domain name to somewhere else?

I realize you're not a techy, but these are some of the important questions you'll want to ask.  Perhaps your current programmer can take care of looking into these issues for your organization.

In case you're interested, here are two recent reviews of Squarespace for you to check out:

- Minireview of Squarespace.com  (May 21)
- Squarespace Review (March 27)

Now, all this being said, if all you're interested in is a free and easy-to-use website creation tool (with no additional services attached to it), I can recommend you check out KompoZer.  You can download it for free -- see how you like it.  It's designed to be simple enough for anyone to use.

Hope this helps.

Yann