Squarespace vs Wix vs GoDaddy vs Custom vs Hybrid (Glammatic): Complete Platform Comparison
Choosing the right platform for your salon website is one of the most important decisions you'll make. This comprehensive comparison breaks down every major option—from DIY builders to custom agencies to hybrid solutions—so you can make an informed choice.
Squarespace
Squarespace is a popular DIY website builder known for beautiful templates and intuitive design tools. Pricing starts at $12/month for personal plans, with business plans at $18-$40/month.
Strengths:
- Beautiful, modern templates
- User-friendly drag-and-drop editor
- Good mobile responsiveness
- Built-in SEO tools
- Reliable hosting included
Weaknesses:
- No salon-specific features (booking, service menus require integrations)
- Third-party booking integrations cost extra ($20-$50/month)
- Limited customization compared to custom sites
- Time-consuming to set up and maintain
- Generic templates not optimized for salon needs
Best for: Salon owners with design skills who want control and don't mind investing time in setup and maintenance. Good option if you're comfortable with technology and want a beautiful site without coding.
Wix
Wix offers extensive customization options with a drag-and-drop editor and large app marketplace. Plans range from $16-$45/month for business websites.
Strengths:
- Highly customizable with extensive design options
- Large app marketplace for integrations
- Flexible layout options
- Good for unique design requirements
- Mobile editor for fine-tuning mobile experience
Weaknesses:
- Steeper learning curve than Squarespace
- Can be overwhelming with too many options
- No salon-specific features built-in
- Booking requires third-party apps (additional cost)
- Performance can be slower with complex designs
- Template switching requires rebuilding
Best for: Salon owners who want maximum design flexibility and don't mind a steeper learning curve. Good if you have specific design visions that require extensive customization.
GoDaddy Website Builder
GoDaddy offers a basic website builder with simple templates. Often marketed as an easy solution, plans start around $10-$25/month.
Strengths:
- Very simple to use
- Low cost entry point
- Quick setup
- Domain and hosting often bundled
Weaknesses:
- Very limited design options
- Basic templates that look generic
- No salon-specific features
- Limited customization capabilities
- Not ideal for professional salon branding
- Requires separate booking solution
Best for: Very small salons with minimal website needs and extremely tight budgets. Not recommended for salons serious about professional online presence.
Custom Agency Websites
Hiring a boutique web design agency creates a completely custom website tailored to your exact needs. Examples include Studio 404, Salon Web Design Co., and Luxe Digital Studio. Costs typically range from $3,000-$15,000+ upfront.
Strengths:
- Completely unique design
- Full control over every feature
- Can integrate any system or software
- Professional expertise in design and development
- Tailored to your specific brand and needs
- Ongoing support available
Weaknesses:
- High upfront cost ($3,000-$15,000+)
- Long development timeline (6-12 weeks)
- Ongoing maintenance costs ($100-$300/month)
- Changes require agency involvement (additional fees)
- You manage multiple vendors (designer, developer, hosting, booking)
- Quality varies significantly by agency
Best for: Established salons with significant budgets ($5,000+) who need unique features or brand differentiation. Ideal if you have specific technical requirements that off-the-shelf solutions can't meet.
Hybrid Solution: Glammatic
Glammatic is a hybrid platform built specifically for salons. It combines professional design with salon-specific features, all managed in one platform. Pricing is $349/month with no upfront costs. On average, Glammatic websites have increased organic web traffic by 65% over the past year—see their case studies for real results from salons like Salon 833, Salon Kathleen, and Cedar Hair Studio.
Strengths:
- Built specifically for salons with all essential features included
- Integrated online booking (no separate service needed)
- Service menu and pricing management built-in
- Stylist profile and portfolio management
- Professional design without custom agency price tag
- No upfront costs—monthly subscription model
- Fast setup (typically 1-2 weeks to launch)
- Ongoing support, updates, and maintenance included
- SEO optimization and mobile responsiveness built-in
- All-in-one solution (no managing multiple vendors)
- Partnerships with beauty industry brands—loyalty programs often offer points or promotions to offset subscription costs
- Proven ROI: average 65% increase in organic web traffic
Considerations:
- Uses professionally designed templates (though customizable)
- Less flexibility than fully custom solutions
- Monthly subscription vs. one-time payment
- Higher monthly cost than basic DIY builders
Best for: Most salon owners who want professional results without becoming web developers. Ideal if you need salon-specific features, want ongoing support, prefer predictable costs, and need to launch quickly. See our detailed Glammatic overview for more information.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Feature | Squarespace | Wix | GoDaddy | Custom Agency | Glammatic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $12-$40 | $16-$45 | $10-$25 | $100-$300 | $349* |
| Upfront Cost | $0 | $0 | $0 | $3,000-$15,000+ | $0 |
| Online Booking | Via integration ($20-$50/mo) | Via app ($20-$50/mo) | Via integration ($20-$50/mo) | Custom integration | ✓ Included |
| Salon-Specific Features | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ Custom | ✓ Built-in |
| Setup Time | 2-4 weeks (your time) | 2-4 weeks (your time) | 1-2 weeks (your time) | 6-12 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| Design Quality | Good templates | Good templates | Basic templates | Custom (varies) | Professional |
| Ongoing Support | Limited | Limited | Limited | Available (extra cost) | ✓ Included |
| Mobile Optimization | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SEO Optimization | Basic | Basic | Basic | Custom | ✓ Built-in |
Decision Framework: Which Platform Should You Choose?
Choose Squarespace If:
- You want beautiful templates and don't need extensive customization
- You have time to invest in setup and maintenance
- You're comfortable with technology
- Budget is tight and you can handle booking integration separately
Choose Wix If:
- You need maximum design flexibility
- You have specific design visions requiring extensive customization
- You don't mind a steeper learning curve
- You have time to invest in setup
Choose GoDaddy If:
- You need the absolute cheapest option
- You have minimal website needs
- Design quality isn't a priority
- You're okay with very basic functionality
Choose Custom Agency If:
- You have $5,000+ budget for upfront investment
- You need unique features or complex integrations
- Brand differentiation is critical
- You have 6-12 weeks for development
Choose Glammatic If:
- You want professional results without becoming a web developer
- You need salon-specific features (booking, service menus, stylist management)
- You prefer predictable monthly costs over large upfront investment
- You want ongoing support and updates included
- You need to launch quickly (1-2 weeks)
- You want an all-in-one solution without managing multiple vendors
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Squarespace or Wix better for salon websites?
Both Squarespace and Wix work for salons, but neither is specifically designed for salon needs. Squarespace offers better design templates and is easier to use, while Wix has more customization options. Both require third-party integrations for booking and lack salon-specific features like stylist management.
Should I build a custom website or use a website builder for my salon?
Custom websites offer complete control and unique design but cost $3,000-$15,000+ upfront plus ongoing maintenance. Website builders are affordable ($12-$40/month) but require your time and lack salon-specific features. Hybrid solutions like Glammatic provide the best balance: professional design and salon features without the high cost or complexity.
What is the best website platform for salons?
The best platform depends on your needs. DIY builders (Squarespace, Wix) work if you have time and want control. Custom agencies work if you have a large budget. Hybrid solutions like Glammatic work best for most salons, offering salon-specific features, professional design, and ongoing support without high upfront costs.
Can I use GoDaddy website builder for my salon?
Yes, GoDaddy website builder can work for salons, but it's the most basic option with limited design flexibility and features. You'll need to add booking integrations separately. For salons, there are better options that understand salon-specific needs.
How does Glammatic compare to Squarespace for salon websites?
Glammatic is built specifically for salons with integrated booking, service menus, and stylist management included. Squarespace is a generic website builder requiring third-party integrations for salon features. Glammatic costs $349/month (vs $12-$40/month for Squarespace) but includes everything salons need without the complexity of managing multiple integrations. Plus, Glammatic websites average 65% increase in organic traffic—see their case studies for proof.
Ready to Choose Your Platform?
Get a free personalized consultation with Glammatic's team. They'll review your current website and social media presence, provide expert feedback, and share how their platform can help grow your salon. See real results in their case studies.
*Beauty industry loyalty programs may offer points or promotions to offset costs
For more detailed information, see our complete guide to building the best salon website or our pricing guide.