SEO for Squarespace & WordPress Sites: What NZ Brands Should Know
Comparing SEO Choices on Popular CMS Platforms
The SEO Challenge for NZ Brands
As a business owner in New Zealand, you've wondered: "Is Squarespace or WordPress better for SEO?"
It's a valid concern. Both platforms offer powerful website tools that promise to boost visibility and style. But when it comes to getting a high Google ranking building customer trust, and increasing web traffic — picking the right platform can make a bigger difference than you might expect.
At Wild Sea Creative, we've partnered with New Zealand companies on both platforms - from creative startups using Squarespace to established brands succeeding on WordPress. The outcome? Each platform has its strong points, but the best choice depends on your aims, your schedule, and how much you want to control your SEO.
How Does SEO Differ on Squarespace and WordPress?
Let's break down the basics.
Squarespace SEO: Easy, Attractive, but Restricted
Squarespace suits business owners looking for a good-looking website they can launch fast. It provides everything in one package — hosting, design, and basic SEO tools. You can change titles meta descriptions, and image alt text, and it creates sitemaps on its own.
But Squarespace can feel limiting when you want to do more. You'll struggle to:
Put in advanced schema markup
Change URL structures
Add powerful SEO plugins
Make your site faster and perform better than what the platform allows
For small NZ brands that prefer simplicity to customization, Squarespace works well. However, if you aim to target competitive keywords or complex SEO strategies, you might reach a limit.
👉 Check out our Digital Marketing Services to learn how we increase Squarespace visibility using clever straightforward approaches.
WordPress SEO: Complete Control, Full Potential
WordPress, on the other hand, opens up a whole new realm. It's the top choice for brands intent on expanding organic traffic. With countless plugins (such as Yoast SEO or Rank Math), you can adjust every detail — from on-page SEO to site speed.
Here's what makes WordPress SEO stand out:
Complete oversight of meta tags, redirects, and indexing
Simple integration with tools like Google Analytics and Search Console
Advanced schema and local SEO choices
Better speed enhancement and mobile responsiveness
However, WordPress requires more hands-on management. You'll need dependable hosting and someone who knows how to keep the site healthy. That's where creative agencies like Wild Sea Creative can help you — mixing attractive design with technical SEO to grow long-term.
👉 Check out how we've done it in our Portfolio.
Which Platform Is Better for NZ Businesses?
There's no universal answer — but here's a reality check.
If you run a local business create art, or own a boutique brand, Squarespace's ease of use can get you up and running fast and keep your brand consistent. You'll find it simple to make changes without dealing with plugins or code.
But if you want to boost your visibility, compete for top NZ search rankings, or reach a global audience, WordPress SEO offers the adaptability and strength you'll need.
Real-World Example
We had an NZ client who started with Squarespace — their site looked great, but didn't reach many people . After we moved them to WordPress and optimized their SEO, their traffic jumped by 230% in just six months, and they got twice as many leads.
This shows how picking a platform that fits your goals can work wonders.
How Wild Sea Creative Can Help
Picking between Squarespace and WordPress shouldn't stress you out. At Wild Sea Creative, we do more than design eye-catching websites — we make sure people can find them.
Our team excels in:
Custom SEO strategies adapted to your CMS
Website audits and migrations that keep your rankings intact
Keyword optimization for New Zealand audiences
Ongoing growth support to build credibility and trust online
Want to see how the right SEO strategy could boost your website's performance?
👉 Let's chat. Check out our Contact Page to begin today.
You can also check out our complete list of Creative Marketing Services or read insights on our Blog to get more tips.
Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness & Trustworthiness (EEAT)
At Wild Sea Creative, every SEO suggestion stems from hands-on work with NZ-based brands across various industries. Our insights don't come from theory — we draw them from actual projects, data, and measurable success stories.
We think great design and strong SEO work together — they build trust, authority, and visibility for companies ready to grow online.
Conclusion
Squarespace and WordPress can boost your SEO — if you use them . Your brand's objectives, assets, and expansion plans will determine which platform suits you best.
Whether you're a newcomer or looking to expand your online footprint, Wild Sea Creative can help you design a website that's not eye-catching but also easy to find.
👉 Want to create a brand that makes waves online? Get in touch through Wild Sea Creative's Contact Page.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
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Squarespace includes built-in SEO tools like meta editing and sitemaps, but it has limitations for advanced SEO. It works well for small NZ businesses that want simplicity.
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In most cases, yes. WordPress gives you more control, flexibility, and plugin choices for advanced SEO, making it a better option for competitive growth and scaling.
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You can. With a good migration plan, redirects, and content mapping, you can keep your rankings and even boost your SEO performance after the move.
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Squarespace works great to set up and use . WordPress proves more effective to grow content and improve SEO over time.
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Yes. Even though these platforms have built-in tools, an SEO specialist can help make your site perform better, target the right keywords, and create a better user experience to keep your site visible in the long run.
