If you’re trying to build your first funnel online, two tools might pop up a lot: Kajabi and Squarespace. Both let you build websites, capture emails, and sell products or services. But they’re built for different types of creators. In this guide, we’ll break down which one is better for beginners who want to launch fast, start capturing leads, and build an actual sales system without tech overwhelm. Let’s get into it.
What Is a Funnel?
Before we compare, here’s a quick definition. A funnel is just a series of pages that turn strangers into subscribers, leads, or buyers. For example:
- A visitor sees your offer
- They enter their email to download a freebie
- They get a thank-you message
- They receive follow-up emails that lead to a paid offer
The goal is to build trust, offer value, and guide people to take action. And the right platform can help you do this quickly without hiring a developer.
Why Kajabi?
Kajabi was made for digital products and online businesses. It’s an all-in-one platform with tools for:
- Funnels
- Email marketing
- Online courses
- Memberships
- Payment processing
- Website hosting
Get your free 30-day trial, then $199 per month afterward
Key Features
Built-in course and membership site management
Email marketing and automation tools
Advanced analytics to track user engagement
Why We Recommend It
Storage and Bandwidth:
Unlimited hosting
There are no specific limits on bandwidth
Extras:
Marketing automation tools
Webinar and event tools
Pros & Cons
- All-in-one platform for educational content creators
- No need for third-party tools
- Excellent customer support
- Higher cost, making it less accessible for beginners
- Overwhelming features for those just needing an essential website
If you’re a coach, course creator, or want to sell something digital, Kajabi gives you everything under one login. It’s beginner-friendly and you don’t need extra plugins or tools.
Why Squarespace?
Squarespace is a general website builder. It’s great for portfolios, blogs, service-based businesses, and small online stores. You get beautiful templates, built-in hosting, and solid support. But it’s not made for funnels.
Starting from $23/month
Use code MYFIRSTWEBSITE at checkout for 10% off
Key Features
Beautiful, award-winning design templates
Built-in SEO and analytics tools
Mobile-optimized right out of the box
Why We Recommend It
Storage and Bandwidth:
Unlimited storage and bandwidth, allowing for extensive product listings and high traffic volumes without additional charges
Extras and Inclusions:
Mobile-optimized checkout to ensure a seamless shopping experience on smartphones and tablets
Built-in analytics to track visitor behavior and sales trends
Inventory, orders, tax, and customer management are integrated into the platform
Pros & Cons
- Beautiful, design-focused templates
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface
- There are no transaction fees on sales
- Limited e-commerce features compared to Shopify
- Fewer payment gateway options
You can build opt-in forms and landing pages, but you’ll need to integrate with third-party email tools like Kit or Zapier to set up automations. It works, but takes more time to set up and can feel clunky if you’re just starting.
Funnel Builder Comparison
Ease of Setup
Kajabi: Choose a “Freebie” funnel template and it auto-creates your opt-in page, thank-you page, and emails. Just customize the text and you’re ready.
Squarespace: You have to build each page manually and link forms to an email tool. You also have to figure out how to send the lead magnet and trigger follow-ups yourself.
Email Automation
Kajabi: Built-in email sequences, tagging, broadcast emails, and automations.
Squarespace: No email system unless you use Squarespace Email Campaigns or connect a third-party tool. Automations are limited or require extra apps.
Templates and Design
Kajabi: Clean and functional designs for lead capture, sales pages, and course delivery.
Squarespace: More visually polished, especially for photography, design, and service brands. But not funnel-optimized.
Mobile Optimization
Both platforms are mobile-friendly. However, Kajabi’s funnel templates are made with mobile lead generation in mind. Squarespace templates might need extra tweaks for forms and call-to-actions to show correctly on mobile.
Analytics and Tracking
Kajabi: Built-in analytics show how many leads you’re getting, open rates, and sales.
Squarespace: You get basic analytics like page views, but need to connect Google Analytics or another tool for funnel tracking.
Which One Should Beginners Use?
Use Kajabi if:
- You want to grow an email list fast
- You’re selling digital products, coaching, or memberships
- You want everything in one place
- You hate tech and want a done-for-you feel
Use Squarespace if:
- You just need a clean, simple website
- You’re a freelancer or creative who doesn’t need email funnels
- You plan to blog or showcase work
- You’re okay using separate tools for email and automation
Final Thoughts
If your goal is to build a sales funnel that captures leads and sells something online, Kajabi is the better platform for beginners. It handles everything in one place and is built specifically for this purpose. Squarespace is a strong website builder, but it requires more effort to transform it into a fully functional sales system. If you’re not tech-savvy or don’t want to stitch five tools together, stick with Kajabi.
