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When you get called in for a job interview, what is the one thing you never miss to take with you? A CV, right!
A resume is a mandatory requirement for white-collar and some blue-collar professions, but what do creatives use to showcase their work?
They carry an extra piece of a document called a portfolio, where they include imagery and paperwork involved in all the jobs they have done.
Traditional portfolios were cumbersome to carry with you, and modernization and digitization have scaled-down that portfolio into a more scalable type found digitally; as a website.
All creatives use these portfolio websites to display all their work, and below are some of the essential things a portfolio website must-have.
Later on, we will take a deeper dive into scrutinizing two influential portfolio website builders- Format Vs Squarespace.
 Start My Website With Squarespace
Vital Things a Portfolio Should Have
Attractive design
The very essence of being a creative or an innovator simply means that you have an eye for unique designs.
A freelancer’s portfolio website must then be nothing short of a majestic work of art that compels one to read more about the work included.
Design entails using unique layouts, cool fonts, attractive imagery, and an inviting color scheme. A portfolio website should be well balanced and comfortable on the eye.
The logo and tagline
These two are the first things that should catch the eye of the viewer of your website. The best logos and taglines are direct and straightforward.
The slogan should, however, be a bit descriptive and straight to the point.
It is what tells the viewer what you are about to reach. For example, if you are a website designer, go ahead and have a tagline like ‘ Australian-based website designer.
A compelling call to action
Your portfolio site has the purpose of scoring you the deals, and that is why it must have a compelling call to action.
Using a call to actions must be delivered with just the right amount of pressure, and it shouldn’t make the viewer feel forced.
Something like ‘request a quote’ or ‘allow me to help you create the best website’ are perfect examples that can make the reader feel welcomed and not forced.
High-quality imagery
The images on your portfolio website must be of the highest quality you can find.
The images you use will make the first impression on your viewer, and selecting the best of the best will work to your advantage.
Remember, the adage pictures are worth a thousand words, so capitalize on that and let it be your guiding light if you are the creative making a portfolio website.
Testimonials or customer reviews
People tend to be coursed into selecting a freelancer based on the work they have done before. And the best source to use for this info is past customers.
Testimonials are the best place you display what your past clients had to say about your work.
Services rendered
In brief, add a section where you include all the services you can provide for your clients. Sure, you may be a photographer, but possess supplementary skills extending to videography and graphic design, and here is where you write it down.
Your contact information
Here is where you include all the avenues you would love your potential clients to reach you.
Most portfolio websites incorporate their office address, email addresses, social media pages, and website links.
But you are not limited to that; if you are comfortable propounding your phone number, go right ahead.
About you and your work
The about you section should include a summary of who you are and mention your roots.
Telling your audience something up close and candid gives you an edge into connecting with them better. Include what inspires you and why it does.
It is a great way to make your brand and your work more relatable and unforgettable.
Content and projects you have worked on
Now, here is where you wow your viewer with the beauty of your work. Include images and a brief description of what the project entailed.
If the employer of that project is okay with being featured on your portfolio website, append their name. Also, enter ongoing projects you are working on.
FAQ section
When we peruse through most sites, we always find a FAQ section, and a portfolio website needs one too.
You could address three to five questions you are persistently asked about your profession to give your viewers a better understanding of who you are and what you do.
With that out of the way, let us begin looking into Format Vs Squarespace
Defining Format and Squarespace
What is Format?
Format is a Canadian launched company that deals with creating portfolio websites for creative free agents and professionals across different niches.
A user gets all the tools at their disposal to form a website that best represents them and what they do. Despite being launched in 2010, Format has an extensive outreach spreading to almost 200 countries globally.
Currently, Format hosts close to half a million creative portfolio websites. They are beloved because the site is very user-friendly, highly integrative, and has a very stunning dashboard.
Since it requires no prior coding knowledge, newbies find it very appealing. It currently hosts writers, singers, instrumentalists, photographers, filmmakers, models, and so many more.
What is Squarespace?
Squarespace is yet another powerful portfolio website builder that was launched in 2003. Its track record for almost two decades has earned them over two million websites.
Over the years, they have improved immensely and are now recognized as one of the best website builders with clients like creatives, business owners, blog writers, and virtual store owners.
Squarespace designs and themes are customizable, responsive, and very appealing that allows creatives to create the best site that is a replica of their personality.
It will enable photographers, both novices and pros, to use the site to create impressive and awe-inspiring portfolio web pages.
 Start My Website With Squarespace
So You Want to Build a Portfolio Website, But What’s the Right One For You?
Selecting the well-fitted website builder for you will depend on the following:
Your profession
When it comes to picking sides of Format Vs Squarespace, one has to start by selecting a site that is well vast with the profession they are under.
Admittedly, both have commendable characteristics we will be getting into later on, but one has to fit better in your career.
A virtual store portfolio website and photographers have different needs, dictating which is right for you.
Your preferences
Despite your profession being the guiding light, you might still relish what one site offers and choose to go with that. And so your personal preferences will also be a guiding light as to what you will select.
Your budget
Everything boils down to how deep your pockets are. If you have an unlimited amount to spend, then you are unbound by the plans offered.
Without a doubt, the most expensive packages tend to have more features, and if they are all you envision, then go right ahead.
On the flip side, if you are on a budget, you tend to go with plans that fit your pocket and have a least most of what you need to construct a decent portfolio web page.
Format vs Squarespace— What Should I Pick if I’m Building a Photography Website?
A photographer’s website will include more visual content than anything else and that from the get-go, it tells you precisely what you need- design flexibility and customizability—format Vs Squarespace has the following individual benefits for the creation of a photography web page.
Format
When we look at Format, it is firstly a highly regarded website portfolio creator that propounds you all the necessary tools to build a photography website from a blank canvas.
This is highly advantageous since you do not have a uniform portfolio photography site that resembles someone else’s site.
In addition to this, you get niche-set gizmos to aid in your creation procedure. You get to create a secure website with the capability to connect all your social media pages on the site.
The best part is that with each update on each side, a viewer gets to see.
What is more fascinating is the private client proofing media where you can share, send downloads, and check what your customers are saying. With Format, you get an all-rounded site.
Squarespace
From Squarespace, a photographer will also savor the plethora of template selection they have at their disposal in creating a photographer website.
In addition to the designing and creativity front, if your photography business sells merchandise and equipment, you can very well use this platform to do that. It allows the integration of eCommerce and blogging features.
On the package, you also get to use email marketing campaigns to widen your outreach. Google mapping and online form creation is also an added advantage that increases your brand visibility.
But that is not all; there is website performance tracking, which hands you analytical data showing retailed reports on webpage conversions and interactions.
Traffic is also measured. Lastly, Squarespace has a mobile-compatible app that allows you to edit and post on the go. This app is connected to your social media pages too.
Verdict
When it comes to website creation, you may go with any of the two sites as each has a commendable track. But when you flip the coin looking at Format Vs Squarespace from a business stance, Squarespace offers far more than any photographer would want.
It covers all bases from the creating, execution, and delivery. It even goes beyond that by providing a chance for the site owner to view their feedback and performance.
Of the two, Squarespace takes this one hand down!
 Start My Website With Squarespace
Getting Started With Format & Squarespace: Ease of use
Format Ease of use
Format offers its users an easy time to create their dream site from scratch. For someone with a bit of knowledge about website creation and a bit of practice, Format will not be an issue. However, for a novice giving it the first go, Format will have a bit of a challenge to begin.
The creating process is niche-specific, and this can be a bit of a drawback if your profession is not represented. Format allows you to link your socials, blogs, and web store with the website; you also get client proofing and stunning niche designs.
Squarespace Ease of use
Squarespace has a very engaging interface that gives you the ability to drag-and-drop all the elements featured on your website.
The DIY feel of the site makes it easy and fast for a newbie to get acquainted with. Suppose you have some coding background; Squarespace will be a bit more useful as you will fully utilize all the platform resources.
The site has an integrated WYSIWYG editor, in addition to an impressive logo maker. You get to connect your account to your social media, blog, virtual store, analytics, SEO instruments, Google maps, and a scheduling capability.
Verdict
The verdict on ease of use is a neck on neck argument that has both platforms sharing the glory. Each has commendable additions they bring on board, making Format Vs Squarespace equal based on ease of use.
Design and Templates
Format Templates
Format offers creatives designing their sites with twenty-three well-crafted portfolio templates. All 23 are free options and are compatible with all devices-mobile and computers. If you have coding additions, you are free to do so in the creative procedures.
The great thing about these twenty-three templates is that you can tweak them using different color schemes. And under each design, you can explore six separate styles. These are premium, horizontal, vertical, tiled, slideshow, and full screen.
As you create your website, you have the privilege to preview the work done, and this gives you a sneak peek at your creation. Many creators know how this is vital. While you work, you have access to your pages, their designs, and the settings.
Squarespace Templates
Squarespace number of templates surpasses the 23 that Format has, making the pool even more lucrative. The themes feature one hundred and five different designs.
This number is not a fixed figure, as Squarespace has a reputation for adding new ones after some time. Each design is responsive and editable to the freelancer’s liking. You can work on more than one project at a time and fully-customize each how you see fit and add some of your coding knowledge to use if you so wish.
Squarespace has twenty-nine ready-made cover page templates that are editable and personalized to create an appealing first website welcoming page. The intuitive drag and drop feature makes it fun and engaging.
Verdict
Format seems a bit limited compared to Squarespace, although Format evens the score with its six-style movability of the templates offering more options that anyone can think of. The coding enhancements allowed by both platforms emphasize that on template collection and customization, Format Vs Squarespace is a tie.
 Start My Website With Squarespace
Format vs Squarespace for eCommerce
Format
Format understands that selling via the internet is the in thing, and in that case, they have an in-built engine that enables one to link and create a comprehensive online virtual store. You can make it or attach it to the already established eCommerce site.
Via Format, your clients can make orders, pay for them, and even get to choose shipping options from a selection offered. You can comprehensively layout your stock, utilize the SEO tools, get notified in case of orders, and lastly, enjoy an array of the store’s characteristics laid out for you.
The free plan allows you to upload up to three products, but the paying programs offer you more space. You may also relay discounts and incentives through the market.
Squarespace
Squarespace portfolio internet page creator links your web store too. Through the site, your clients can view a hundred of your products, make an inquisition, order, pay, and get shipping details.
Squarespace lets you create and establish small or medium virtual stores and provides so many parameters to satisfy the supply chain of goods fully.
Verdict
With eCommerce, any business owner goes with a platform that offers the maximum returns, and on this Format Vs Squarespace comparison, Squarespace takes up the mantle on this one. However, both will create a lovely eCommerce site.
Format vs Squarespace for Blogging
Format
Blogging is one of Format’s strengths because it comes in-built into the platform. It is a specific section that allows you to post, manage, and monitor the posts’ performance. You are free to use images, videos, presentations, and set up a publication framework for the latter.
Squarespace
In addition to what Format offers, Squarespace proffers a geotagging feature, URL personalization, and post scheduling. Bloggers have an added advantage of viewing how their posts do via Google Analytics.
You can also bring in another blog from other blog platforms like WordPress. Products can also be brought in from Shopify and the likes.
Verdict
Squarespace, in terms of their added blogging features, wins this section too. It renders more long-term beneficial additions that modern bloggers are on the lookout for a successful blog.
 Start My Website With Squarespace
Format vs Squarespace Cost
Format Pricing
For starters, you get a two-week trial period to utilize the website builder’s resources and see if they work for you. If it meets your criteria, you can choose one of three paid schemes.
The first is the Enthusiast, which is billed annually at the rate of six dollars per month. For this package, you have 15 pages, unbound blog posts, all design resources, a customizable domain, using it, and adding it to your email.
The following is the Pro with annual billing of twelve dollars per month. The month to month payments amounts to seventeen dollars monthly. Here you get unbounded pages and blog posts on your site.
You can include up to 30 products in your online store; you face no transactional fees, you have access to all themes, frameworks, and pages. Lastly, you get a free personalized domain for the first twelve months.
Lastly, there is the unlimited for twenty-five dollars billed annually. But if you chose to go for a per month payment scheme, you pay thirty-three dollars. In this scheme, you enjoy everything a Pro account has plus sell up to 1,000 products and full access to the premium themes.
You can pay an extra fifty dollars to get professional assistance from the technical support team to help you set up a full site for thirty minutes.
Squarespace Pricing
You also get a free trial period, and after that, you select one of four payment plans.
The lowest tier is the personal with the price tag of twelve dollars a month paid for annually. You get a personalized domain, SEO features, SSL security, unbound bandwidth, two contributors, and around the clock client support. Analytics on your website is also available.
The next tier is the Business cost is at eighteen dollars paid for per year too. Here, one gets additional unrestricted contributors; Google-provided email, superior blocks, integrations, web page analytics, advanced design personalization, eCommerce integration, and a three per cent transaction fee.
Next is the Basic order with the cost of twenty-six dollars paid for per year. You get client accounts, a feature to check out your domain, eCommerce metric checks, and social media syncing.
The topmost tier is advanced commerce, which goes for forty dollars monthly paid off for a year. You get gift cards, boosted shipping and incentive delivery, and other transit additions for this arrangement.
Verdict
Squarespace seems to be on the higher side of the scale, but the prices are justified for what they offer.
Format is a pocket-friendly option with features that can still build a decent site. You decide to choose will depend on the kind of internet page creation you are pursuing to achieve.
Domain and Hosting
Format
To get a domain name, even on the lowest tier, you must pay for the service. Once you do that, you get a free customized domain with a designated space on Format’s extensive servers.
Squarespace
Squarespace has a similar arrangement virtually. Once you acquire a domain, you automatically get hosted on the servers of the platform.
Verdict
Since they offer similar services in domain and web hosting, Format Vs Squarespace shares this victory.
 Start My Website With Squarespace
Customer Support Format vs Squarespace
Format Customer Support
To get a hold of Format’s client support team, you can either reach them via email, live chat, or the help center. You can get a hold of them on any day and at any time.
Squarespace Customer Support
Squarespace uses an extra feature in addition to what Format has, which are a ticketing system, FAQ, and a community forum. As well, it’s available around the clock.
Verdict
Squarespace has more avenues than Format, but that does not deter the fact that the quality of service is exceptional on both sides. They are all available 24/7.
SEO and Rankings
Format SEO Tools
Under Formats payment plans, you get all the necessary SEO tools needed to boost your website and make it visible to your target audience.
You get two methods, the Content, and the Global plans, that are fine-tuned to your liking. You get Instagram synching that facilitates speedy image and video uploads.
Squarespace SEO Tools
The SEO parameters for Squarespace are optimized. They offer the best to boost site visibility, meta-tagging, social media connectivity, index hiding, and exceptional metric on your websites.
Verdict
Format Vs Squarespace sites are both remarkable builders when it comes to SEO tools employed on the sites. They offer both their clientele what they require to get to the top.
All in all, Squarespace seems to have taken this one too by a minimal feature where you can hide your page from search engine indexing.
 Start My Website With Squarespace
Format vs Squarespace Conclusion
Format Vs Squarespace sites are both first-class portfolio website creators since they offer their clientele what they need.
They are both easy to use with a user-friendly interface.
They both allow coding personalization options, prodigious functionality, a variety of designs and templates, and a plethora of beneficial SEO tools fashioned to make your portfolio website the talk of the town.
And you mustn’t forget that they both allow blogging, eCommerce development, and social media connectivity.
Among their tip-top similarities, Squarespace seems to have taken a bigger slice of the cake, offering a bit extra than what Format offers.
Indeed, they are all great software, but with a relatable edge, Squarespace wins this one. In conclusion, feel free to select any of the two as they are both builders of the first order.
They essentially have everything needed to get you the website; you have always wanted to have, so if your budget allows for Format, go for it.
If it goes for Squarespace, go for it too, you won’t regret it. The race of Format Vs. Squarespace was a close one for sure.
