Front Step Sites

Front Step Sites vs Squarespace for a local business

Updated September 26, 2026

Is Front Step Sites or Squarespace the better choice for your local business? Front Step Sites is worth considering if you want to hand off website work, while Squarespace is worth considering if you want to build and edit the pages yourself. The choice comes down to how you want the work done, as well as what you pay.

Compare the stated prices carefully

Front Step Sites costs $99 a year with the domain included and no setup fee. Squarespace Basic is $19/month as of September 2026. Check the current checkout terms before purchasing, including billing arrangements and any separate services you need.

Do not turn those figures into a complete comparison without considering the work. List who will prepare the writing, select photographs, check the pages, and make later changes. Then identify which tasks you want to do yourself and which you would pay someone to handle.

If you want help deciding how much of the work to take on, read our broader guide to website builders vs done-for-you websites. A lower bill does not settle every decision. Someone who enjoys editing may value direct control, while a contractor with a full appointment book may prefer requesting changes.

Decide whether you want to build the pages

Squarespace's website builder provides tools and templates for creating your own website. That approach may suit you if you want to choose the layout and work on it directly. Spend time with the editing process before deciding whether you enjoy it.

Try working with your actual business material rather than judging a polished sample. A deck builder might use photos showing a completed stairway, explain the materials offered, and describe how site visits work. Those details reveal whether the page supports the business better than a stock photograph does.

If you choose a done-for-you approach, you still need to provide the facts. Write down your services, service area, contact details, and anything customers regularly misunderstand. You should also review the finished wording. No one should describe your company as offering emergency repairs or free estimates unless you actually do.

Match the change process to your working week

On the Front Step Sites $99 plan, you get two change requests a month, made within two business days. You ask for changes by writing in your account. Consider whether that request process and pace fit your normal needs.

The Grow plan is $29/month or $290/year. It includes unlimited changes the same business day and Google reviews shown on the site. New pages, blog posts, and local SEO setup are included. Choose based on work you expect to need, rather than assuming a larger plan is automatically necessary.

For a DIY approach, decide who will actually make edits when business gets busy. If you want to adjust wording yourself as you think of it, working in a builder may suit you better. If updates tend to sit on your list until you can ask someone else, a request-based service may fit better.

Judge the result by a real local inquiry

Choose a situation your customers recognize. A homeowner wants a fence repaired after a storm. They need to know whether you repair existing fences, serve their neighborhood, and want photographs before preparing an estimate. The website should answer those questions plainly.

Use that situation to test either option:

  • Can you find the relevant service without guessing?
  • Is the service area clear?
  • Do the photos show the kind of work being offered?
  • Does the contact method work on a phone?
  • Does the page explain what happens after an inquiry?

Read our guide to what makes a local business website trustworthy for the details that deserve space on the page. A good-looking layout is useful, but it needs honest information and a working route to the business. Do not accept a promise of rankings or a certain number of leads as a substitute.

Separate domain control from website portability

Front Step Sites registers the domain in the customer's own name. You can leave any time and take the domain, with no transfer fee. That is a specific domain promise; it should not be read as a promise that a complete website can move unchanged to another platform.

For either option, ask what happens to your pages, images, and any other services if you leave. Keep original photos and approved website text in your own files. Know which account receives renewal notices and who can make account changes.

Our guide to who owns your domain name explains the distinction between registration and the work a website provider does. Resolve those questions while choosing a provider. A familiar business address on signs and work vehicles deserves a clear record of ownership and access.

Choose according to the work you want to keep

Squarespace may fit better when you want to manage the layout and content personally, enjoy making adjustments, and can reserve time for the website. It can also be a sensible choice if someone in your business already handles the site well. Do not replace a working process just because another option exists.

Front Step Sites may fit better when you want to write a request, provide the necessary facts, and have website changes handled for you. Match the plan's request allowance and timing to the way your business runs.

For either choice, list requirements that go beyond ordinary pages and inquiries. Ask for confirmation before buying anything essential to your operations. Use our guide to what to ask before hiring someone to build your website to make that conversation concrete.

Frequently asked questions

Is Front Step Sites cheaper than Squarespace?

The stated prices are $99 a year for Front Step Sites and $19/month for Squarespace Basic as of September 2026. Front Step Sites includes the domain and has no setup fee. Compare the work and any additional services you need before deciding what the complete arrangement will cost.

Is Squarespace a bad choice for a trades business?

No, a trades business can reasonably choose a builder when someone wants to manage the website. What matters is whether the site clearly explains the work, coverage area, and way to get in touch. Your willingness to keep it accurate is part of the decision.

Which Front Step Sites plan fits occasional updates?

The $99 plan includes two change requests a month, made within two business days. Compare that with the changes you expect, such as new hours or replacing job photos. If you need more changes or faster turnaround, consider whether Grow's terms match those needs.

Will switching providers bring more customers?

A provider change alone does not establish that. First identify the problem you want to solve, such as outdated services or a contact form that does not reach you. Check whether the proposed change fixes that problem, and keep track of actual inquiries afterward.

The short version

Choose Squarespace if you want to build and edit your own website and have time to maintain it. Consider a request-based service if you prefer handing off that work. Check the scope, update process, and domain arrangements before deciding. Front Step Sites offers its $99 yearly plan with the domain included, no setup fee, and two change requests a month.

Related articles

  • Front Step Sites vs Wix for a small business website

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  • Front Step Sites vs hiring a freelancer

    Front Step Sites fits owners who want a business website with a stated annual price and a defined process for ongoing changes. A freelancer can be the better choice when you need custom design or specialist functionality and want to agree on a detailed project scope. Compare responsibilities, future edits, and ownership as carefully as the initial price.

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  • Done-for-you website vs building it yourself

    Build your website yourself if you want direct editing control and can make time to learn, write, publish, and maintain it. Choose a done-for-you service if you would rather supply business details and review someone else's work. Compare the ongoing responsibilities, change process, and ownership terms, not just the starting price.