When the Super Bowl comes around, it’s not just the game that has people talking—it’s the commercials. One of the biggest spenders in this advertising spectacle is Squarespace, a website builder known for its sleek templates and all-in-one platform. For the 11th time, Squarespace is securing a spot in the Super Bowl, despite the eye-watering cost of doing so. With the price of a 30-second Super Bowl ad jumping from $7 million in 2024 to a staggering $8 million in 2025, the question arises: Who’s really footing the bill for these extravagant marketing stunts?
The High Cost of Super Bowl Ads
Super Bowl ads have long been regarded as prime real estate for marketers, offering unparalleled exposure to a massive audience. In 2024, the game was watched by an estimated 210 million people, and Squarespace made a big splash with an ad directed by and starring legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese. With such high viewership, it’s easy to see why brands are willing to invest heavily in Super Bowl commercials.
But that investment doesn’t come from thin air. Companies that shell out millions for a few seconds of airtime need to recoup that cost somewhere, and that often means passing expenses down to customers. While Squarespace touts its user-friendly website-building platform, customers may be paying more than they realize to help finance these marketing extravaganzas.
Are Squarespace Users Covering the Cost?
Squarespace’s pricing structure already puts it on the more expensive side of the website builder market. Plans start at $16 per month for personal websites and go up to $65 per month for advanced e-commerce features. While the platform offers an elegant design experience and all-in-one convenience, its costs can quickly add up, especially for small business owners and freelancers.
One of the key criticisms of Squarespace is its lack of scalability and flexibility compared to other platforms. Users are locked into Squarespace’s hosting, meaning there’s no easy way to migrate a website elsewhere without rebuilding from scratch. Additionally, while Squarespace does offer built-in SEO tools and marketing features, it lacks the level of customization and built-in features like UltimateWB or third-party integrations available on platforms like WordPress .
The Bigger Picture: Marketing vs. Value
Investing in high-profile advertising campaigns is a calculated risk for any company. For Squarespace, the repeated Super Bowl appearances indicate a strong belief that the exposure is worth the cost. But for customers, the question remains: Is the product itself evolving at the same rate as its marketing budget?
While Squarespace undoubtedly excels in design and ease of use, some users may feel that their subscription fees are contributing more to flashy commercials than to meaningful platform improvements. Meanwhile, other website builders, such as UltimateWB, provide greater flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency without locking users into a single web hosting ecosystem.
Final Thoughts
Squarespace’s 2025 Super Bowl ad will undoubtedly be another visually stunning, attention-grabbing production. But behind the glitz and glamour, customers should consider whether they’re truly getting the best value for their money. As Super Bowl ad costs continue to skyrocket, businesses and individuals looking for a reliable, cost-effective website-building solution may want to explore alternatives that invest more in their product than in their commercials.
At the end of the day, it’s not just about having the most memorable Super Bowl ad—it’s about delivering real value to the people who make those ads possible: the paying customers.
