Why Squarespace is the Best Website Platform for NZ Tourism & Hospitality
When business owners ask me what platform I recommend for their website, my answer is usually the same.
Squarespace.
Not because it's perfect.
Not because it's the cheapest.
And not because it's the most powerful platform available.
I recommend Squarespace because, for most small New Zealand businesses, it strikes the right balance between simplicity, professionalism and ease of use.
Over the years I've worked with a variety of website platforms.
As a business owner myself, I've experienced the frustration of paying for expensive website changes, waiting for developers to make simple updates, and trying to navigate platforms that felt far more complicated than they needed to be.
Eventually, I started building and managing my own websites.
What I discovered was that the best website platform isn't necessarily the one with the most features.
It's the one you'll actually use.
For many small businesses, that's where Squarespace shines.
Most Business Owners Don't Want To Become Website Experts
Let's be honest.
Most business owners didn't start their business because they wanted to spend their evenings updating websites.
Whether you run:
an accommodation business
a tourism operation
a café
a trade business
a service business
your focus is usually on serving customers and running the business.
Your website is important.
But it's rarely the thing you enjoy spending time on.
That's why I like Squarespace.
It allows business owners to make simple updates themselves without needing technical knowledge.
Updating text.
Changing photos.
Adding a new service.
Updating contact details.
Publishing a blog.
These things can all be done relatively easily.
And that's important because businesses change.
A website shouldn't become something you're afraid to touch.
First Impressions Matter
Your website is often the first interaction someone has with your business.
Before they call.
Before they email.
Before they visit.
They're looking at your website and forming an opinion.
Fair or not, people make quick decisions online.
An outdated website can create doubt.
A cluttered website can create confusion.
A difficult website can create frustration.
Squarespace templates are designed to look modern, clean and professional from the start.
That doesn't mean every Squarespace website looks the same.
Far from it.
But it does mean you're starting with a solid foundation.
For many small businesses, that's exactly what's needed.
Mobile Matters More Than Ever
Mobile devices account for approximately 65% to 80% of all global web traffic related to tourism and hospitality. How does your website appear on a 6.5-inch screen? Can you read your font size? Is your "Book Now" button easy to find? These are crucial questions to consider in 2026.
One of the biggest changes I've seen over the years is the way customers use websites.
Many people no longer sit at a desk browsing websites.
They're on their phones.
They're travelling.
They're standing outside your business.
They're comparing options.
They're looking for answers quickly.
For tourism and hospitality businesses especially, mobile traffic often makes up the majority of visitors.
That's why mobile design is no longer optional.
It's essential.
Squarespace does a good job of creating mobile-friendly websites without requiring business owners to manage separate mobile versions.
Of course, every website still needs careful planning and testing.
But having a platform that handles mobile responsiveness well provides a huge advantage.
Simplicity Is A Strength
There's a common misconception that more features automatically create a better website.
In reality, complexity often creates problems.
Many businesses only need a website that can:
explain what they do
showcase their services
answer customer questions
generate enquiries
take bookings
build trust
That's it.
A website doesn't need to be complicated to be effective.
Finally, build a website that loads quickly, isn't heavily animated, and allows customers to take clickable actions.
In fact, some of the best-performing websites are surprisingly simple.
Squarespace encourages that approach.
It helps businesses focus on the things that matter rather than getting lost in endless customisation options.
It Looks Professional Without Breaking The Budget
One challenge many small businesses face is balancing quality with affordability.
Custom website builds can quickly become expensive.
And while there are certainly situations where a fully custom solution is appropriate, many businesses simply don't need it.
Squarespace allows businesses to create professional websites without spending tens of thousands of dollars.
More importantly, it allows future updates to happen without constantly paying developers for every small change.
For small business owners, that's often a significant benefit.
It also comes with the SSL certificate and compliance, making it one less thing to worry about.
It Works Well For Tourism & Hospitality Businesses
Having spent much of my career in tourism and hospitality, I understand the unique requirements of these businesses.
Customers want information quickly.
They want:
pricing
availability
booking options
photos
reviews
location details
A Gallery: they want to see clearly what they are booking.
A tourism website should make those things easy to find.
An accommodation website should help guests move smoothly from browsing to booking.
Squarespace works particularly well for businesses where strong visuals and clear customer journeys are important.
The platform allows beautiful photography, clean layouts and simple navigation without becoming overly complicated.
Easy To Maintain Over Time
One of the biggest problems with some websites is that nobody updates them.
Not because people don't care.
But because the process is difficult.
The harder a website is to update, the less likely it is to happen.
And before long:
photos become outdated
services change
contact information changes
content becomes stale
Squarespace makes routine updates relatively straightforward.
That means businesses are more likely to keep their website current.
And a current website builds trust with your customers.
Is Squarespace Right For Every Business?
No.
There is no perfect platform.
Some businesses require:
advanced e-commerce
custom integrations
complex functionality
large-scale development
In those situations, another platform may be more appropriate.
But for many small New Zealand businesses, Squarespace offers exactly what they need:
professional design
mobile responsiveness
reliability
ease of use
scalability
Without unnecessary complexity.
If you're unsure about what you need, we can discuss your requirements for a modern website build before you commit to anything. This will ensure that your chosen platform fits your needs now and in the future.
The Platform Is Only Part Of The Equation
This is something I often remind business owners.
A website platform is just a tool.
Squarespace won't automatically create a successful website.
The success of a website still depends on:
understanding your customers
creating a clear user journey
providing useful information
having strong calls-to-action
making it easy for people to take the next step
Those things matter far more than the platform itself.
The platform simply helps bring it all together.
My experience comes into play here. I will guide you through the process by asking the right questions to achieve the website look, feel, and brand story your business deserves.
My Philosophy
After nearly 30 years working in tourism and hospitality and more than 12 years as a business owner, I've learned that most business owners don't want complicated solutions.
They want practical solutions.
They want systems that work.
They want flexibility.
And they want to feel confident making updates without relying on someone else every time a phone number changes or a new service is added.
That's why I often recommend Squarespace.
Not because it's the most technical option.
But because it's often the most practical.
And practical solutions are usually the ones that get used.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a website platform can feel overwhelming. There are countless options available, not to mention the overly designed instant AI websites these days, and everyone seems to have a different opinion.
My advice is simple.
Choose a platform that supports your business, your customers, and your ability to manage it long-term.
For many small New Zealand businesses, Squarespace does exactly that.
It's professional.
It's reliable.
It's easy to maintain.
And it allows business owners to focus on what they do best—running their business.
Because ultimately, your website should support your business.
Not become another job.
