Shopify vs Squarespace: Which eCommerce Platform Wins?

Introduction

Choosing the right platform is a crucial decision for any eCommerce business. Whether you're starting an online store from scratch or looking to migrate from another platform, two names often come up: Shopify and Squarespace. Shopify is known for its focus on eCommerce, while Squarespace is a website builder that also offers eCommerce functionality. But which one is better for your business? In this article, we'll compare Shopify vs Squarespace based on pricing, ease of use, eCommerce features, design, SEO, marketing tools, and more to help you make an informed decision.

1. Shopify vs Squarespace: Overview of Both Platforms

Shopify Overview

Launched in 2006, Shopify has become the go-to platform for businesses looking to run an eCommerce store. It's designed specifically for online selling, offering a wide range of features that cater to businesses of all sizes, from small startups to global brands. Shopify supports everything from physical and digital products to subscription services, making it a versatile platform for any type of online business. Additionally, Shopify’s app ecosystem, which includes apps like the ReelTok app for integrating shoppable videos, makes it easy for businesses to enhance their online store with various functionalities.

Squarespace Overview

Squarespace was initially launched in 2003 as a website builder, primarily catering to creatives and small businesses that needed visually appealing websites. Squarespace later expanded to include eCommerce features, though its core remains a content-first platform. Its beautiful design templates and simple drag-and-drop editor are appealing to users who prioritize aesthetics and ease of use. While Squarespace can handle eCommerce, it lacks the depth and advanced features that Shopify offers specifically for online selling.

2. Pricing Comparison

Shopify Pricing

Shopify offers three main pricing tiers:

• Basic Shopify ($39/month) – Ideal for smaller businesses or startups, offering basic eCommerce functionality.

• Shopify ($105/month) – This plan includes more advanced features, such as professional reports and lower transaction fees.

• Advanced Shopify ($399/month) – Best for large businesses that need advanced reporting, international selling features, and custom pricing based on geography.

Shopify also charges a small percentage as a transaction fee if you don’t use Shopify Payments as your payment gateway. Additionally, businesses may need to purchase apps or premium themes, which can add to the cost.

Squarespace Pricing

Squarespace’s pricing is more straightforward, with four tiers:

• Personal ($16/month) – No eCommerce features, intended for simple websites.

• Business ($23/month) – Allows eCommerce functionality but includes transaction fees.

• Basic Commerce ($27/month) – Transaction fees are removed, and additional commerce tools are included.

• Advanced Commerce ($49/month) – Offers more advanced eCommerce features like abandoned cart recovery and the ability to sell subscriptions.

Squarespace has fewer additional costs compared to Shopify, but its eCommerce features are not as robust, meaning larger businesses might need to invest in external tools to meet their needs.

3. Ease of Use: Shopify vs Squarespace

Shopify Ease of Use

Shopify’s interface is designed with eCommerce in mind, making it easy for users to set up a store and start selling quickly. The platform walks users through store setup, product listings, and payment options with intuitive guides. For those who want more control, Shopify’s use of Liquid (its templating language) allows for significant customization, though non-developers may find this a bit complex.

Squarespace Ease of Use

Squarespace is known for its drag-and-drop editor, making it one of the easiest platforms to use for website creation. The platform is ideal for users who want a simple, visually appealing website with minimal technical work. However, its eCommerce functionality is not as streamlined as Shopify’s. Managing product listings and setting up payment options are straightforward, but adding custom features like shoppable videos can be more challenging compared to Shopify.

4. eCommerce Features Comparison

Shopify eCommerce Features

Shopify excels in eCommerce, offering a wide range of features designed specifically for online stores. Some of the standout features include:

• Product Management: Easy to add, organize, and manage products. Supports both digital and physical products.

• Payment Gateways: Shopify integrates with over 100 payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Shopify Payments.

• Inventory Management: Advanced inventory tracking for multiple locations.

• Multi-channel Selling: Sell directly on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and TikTok using integrated apps like ReelTok.

• App Store: Thousands of apps for additional functionality, such as integrating shoppable videos or advanced analytics.

Squarespace eCommerce Features

Squarespace offers basic eCommerce features that are sufficient for smaller online stores.

• Product Management: Manage physical, digital products, and services, though the interface is less specialized for large inventories.

• Payment Gateways: Supports PayPal, Stripe, and Square. Fewer payment options than Shopify.

• Inventory Management: Limited inventory tracking compared to Shopify’s advanced features.

• Multi-channel Selling: Not as robust, though basic integrations with social platforms are available.

• Built-in Tools: Squarespace includes built-in tools for SEO and email marketing, but it lacks an app store for adding more complex eCommerce features.

5. Design and Templates

Shopify Design

Shopify offers over 70 themes, with both free and paid options. Each theme is optimized for eCommerce and includes product-focused layouts, shopping cart functionality, and mobile optimization. Shopify’s themes are customizable, allowing users to adjust layouts, colors, and fonts to match their brand. However, more extensive design customization may require knowledge of Liquid or hiring a developer.

Squarespace Design

Squarespace is known for its visually stunning templates, with a focus on clean, modern designs. All templates are mobile-responsive and highly customizable through the drag-and-drop editor. Squarespace’s templates are ideal for businesses that prioritize aesthetics, such as photographers, artists, or service providers. However, for larger eCommerce businesses, the design options may feel limiting in terms of product display and user experience, especially compared to Shopify’s specialized eCommerce templates.

6. SEO and Marketing Tools

Shopify SEO and Marketing

Shopify is built with SEO in mind, providing users with control over essential SEO elements like meta titles, descriptions, and alt text. It also includes features for generating sitemaps and optimizing URLs. Shopify integrates easily with Google Analytics and Facebook Ads, allowing users to track performance across multiple channels. Additionally, Shopify’s app store offers tools for email marketing, loyalty programs, and shoppable videos, helping businesses expand their marketing reach.

Squarespace SEO and Marketing

Squarespace includes built-in SEO features like customizable URLs, meta descriptions, and alt text for images. It also has a robust blogging tool, which is beneficial for content marketing and driving organic traffic. Squarespace offers email marketing directly within the platform, making it easier for users to manage all their marketing efforts in one place. However, it lacks the advanced marketing integrations and tools available on Shopify, such as detailed sales analytics or integrations with shoppable video platforms like ReelTok.

7. Integrations and Apps

Shopify Integrations and Apps

Shopify’s app store is one of the most significant advantages of the platform. With thousands of apps available, users can find tools for anything from email marketing and loyalty programs to product reviews and inventory management. Shopify’s integration with popular apps like ReelTok allows businesses to offer shoppable videos, creating interactive shopping experiences directly within their online stores. The sheer volume of available apps makes Shopify highly scalable and customizable.

Squarespace Integrations and Apps

Squarespace has fewer third-party integrations compared to Shopify, but it does offer some built-in features like social media integration, email marketing, and basic analytics. Squarespace’s app selection is more limited, meaning businesses with specific needs, like dropshipping or subscription services, may find themselves outgrowing the platform.

8. Customer Support and Community

Shopify Customer Support

Shopify offers 24/7 customer support through live chat, email, and phone, making it easy for users to get help whenever they need it. Shopify also has an extensive knowledge base and community forums where users can find answers to common questions or connect with other store owners.

Squarespace Customer Support

Squarespace’s customer support is available via live chat and email, though it lacks phone support. Support hours are also more limited compared to Shopify. However, Squarespace has a detailed help center and active community forums where users can find solutions to most problems.

9. Best Use Cases for Shopify vs Squarespace

Best for Shopify

Shopify is ideal for businesses that are focused entirely on eCommerce, particularly those looking to scale quickly or handle large inventories. With its advanced eCommerce features, extensive app store, and integrations for tools like shoppable videos, Shopify is best for growing brands that need flexibility and the ability to customize their store as they expand.

Best for Squarespace

Squarespace is best suited for small businesses or creatives who want a visually appealing website with eCommerce functionality. It’s ideal for service-based businesses, photographers, or artists who need a beautiful website and plan to sell a few products or services on the side. For businesses focused on content over commerce, Squarespace is a strong contender.

Conclusion

When comparing Shopify vs Squarespace, it’s clear that Shopify offers more robust eCommerce features, making it the best choice for businesses that prioritize online selling and plan to scale. Squarespace, on the other hand, is perfect for smaller businesses that need a simple, visually stunning website with light eCommerce features. Ultimately, the choice between Shopify and Squarespace depends on your business goals, size, and future plans for growth.