Shopify and Squarespace are the two most popular website builders that allow users to create and manage online stores with ease using a drag-and-drop interface.
Initially, Squarespace was primarily designed as a website-building platform but has since beefed up its eCommerce tools, positioning itself as a strong contender against Shopify.
Shopify was created specifically for eCommerce from the get-go but has likewise expanded its offerings to include more content-related features, aiming to match Squarespace’s strengths.
So, which one is better for your eCommerce efforts? The answer isn’t necessarily black and white. So this Squarespace vs Shopify blog helps you confidently pick a side as we explore the ins and outs of either platform:
• Squarespace: Superior Design Capabilities for an Aesthetic Edge
• Shopify: Extensive Toolkit for Growing Your Online Store
• Shopify vs Squarespace eCommerce Overview
• The Best of Both Platforms: Integrating Shopify With Squarespace
• Get Expert Help: eCommerce Solutions To Scale Your Online Business
Squarespace: Superior Design Capabilities for an Aesthetic Edge
While Shopify boasts comprehensive eCommerce tools fit for an array of business sizes, Squarespace shines in a particular domain: design aesthetics and customization options.
As we discuss Squarespace eCommerce vs Shopify, let’s look at the latter and what makes Squarespace a visual standout.
Template Library
At the heart of Squarespace’s visual appeal lies its extensive library of templates. These templates are not just numerous but are crafted with an eye for contemporary design trends, ensuring that every digital storefront not only looks professional but is also brimming with personality.
This is where Squarespace edges out Shopify, whose template variety, while respectable, doesn’t quite match the artistic flair of its competitor.
Product Presentation
When it comes to showcasing products, Squarespace offers tools that can elevate the shopping experience to new heights. Its platform allows for intricate product detail pages, complete with high-resolution images that can be further enhanced with zoom capabilities or interactive lightbox features. Moreover, the option to incorporate 360° imagery provides a dynamic way for customers to engage with products, offering a closer look from every angle.
While Shopify also provides a solid foundation for product display, the platform’s capabilities in this area tend to be more utilitarian, focusing on functionality over flair.
Ease of Use
Both platforms champion ease of use with their intuitive drag-and-drop editors, allowing merchants to construct and customize their sites effortlessly without needing a background in web development. However, Squarespace takes this simplicity a step further by integrating its sophisticated design elements directly within its editor.
So, even for those who are new to the world of eCommerce, creating a visually stunning online store can easily be a reality.
To this: For starting businesses and independent sellers, the allure of Squarespace’s design-first approach can be strong. The platform’s superior visual capabilities offer a way to stand out in a crowded market, especially for brands whose identity leans heavily on visual storytelling.
Still, it’s crucial to weigh these benefits against Shopify’s comprehensive eCommerce functionalities, particularly for businesses with ambitions to scale quickly.
So, as you dive deeper into Squarespace eCommerce vs Shopify, consider Spotify’s advantages over the other.
Shopify: Extensive Toolkit for Growing Your Online Store
When it comes to expanding your eCommerce business, Shopify stands out with its comprehensive toolkit designed for growth. Shopify and Squarespace both equip you with the essentials for online selling, but Shopify takes it a step further, especially for those looking to scale up their operations.
Here’s a look into where Shopify edges over Squarespace.
Sales Channels
Shopify offers seamless integrations with a variety of sales platforms. You can effortlessly connect your store with major marketplaces and social media channels, including Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, TikTok, Amazon and Walmart, diversifying your sales avenues and boosting visibility.
Payment Options
Payment flexibility is another area where Shopify shines. It supports a broad spectrum of payment gateways, from popular options like Apple Pay and PayPal to pay-later services such as Affirm and Klarna, and even extends to international and cryptocurrency payments. Squarespace, while supporting basics like PayPal, Stripe and Apple Pay, doesn’t match Shopify’s breadth.
Shipping Solutions
For logistics, Shopify’s integrations with major carriers like USPS, UPS, DHL and dropshipping services streamline shipping processes. It offers tools for calculating rates, printing labels and accessing discounts. While Squarespace can handle the basics, Shopify’s offerings are more robust and scalable.
App Integration
Shopify’s ecosystem boasts thousands of apps, covering everything from social selling and loyalty programs to customer experience enhancements and sales automation. This vast array of integrations surpasses Squarespace’s more limited selection, offering Shopify users unparalleled flexibility and customization options.
Though Squarespace supports key integrations and allows for custom code solutions, Shopify’s plug-and-play options provide a smoother, more reliable experience for scaling businesses.
To this: While small or new businesses might not immediately need these advanced features, those with the intent to grow fast will find Shopify’s extensive toolkit invaluable.
Shopify vs Squarespace eCommerce Overview
Considering all the factors we mentioned above, it really comes down to what you’re stepping into the eCommerce world with and what you aim to get out of it. Both platforms offer a solid foundation for solo entrepreneurs or small to medium-sized businesses eager to carve out their space in the online marketplace.
Still unsure between Squarespace vs Shopify? Let’s break it down quickly for you.
Shopify Is the Top Choice for Brands That Want To Quickly Launch an eCommerce Store With the Intent To Scale Operations Fast
Shopify lets you dive into the essentials straightaway: setting up your storefront, listing your products and generating sales.
And for those who like to take their business face-to-face, Shopify doesn’t leave you hanging. With its Shopify point-of-sale (POS) system, you can effortlessly transition between online and in-person sales, giving you the versatility of modern retail demands.
Squarespace Is the Top Choice for Brands That Need a Website That Marries Compelling Content With eCommerce Functionalities
Squarespace offers a canvas for those who see their online presence as a mosaic of content with eCommerce as one of the pieces, not the entire picture. It’s the path for creators and service providers who want to blend eCommerce with compelling storytelling, showcasing their work or services through visually stunning portfolios.
While Squarespace does equip you with eCommerce tools, including a POS system for those in the U.S., its heart lies in building a content-rich website that captivates and sells.
Shopify and Squarespace pricing plans overview:
| Shopify | Squarespace | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Plan | Price | |
| Lite | $9 | Personal | $23 |
| Basic | $29 | Business | $33 |
| Standard | $79 | Basic Commerce | $36 |
| Advanced | $299 | Advanced Commerce | $65 |
| Plus | $2,000 | Enterprise | Upon request |
Note: Prices are cost per month.
Related read: Shopify vs. Shopify Plus: Which One is Right For Your Business?
The Best of Both Platforms: Integrating Shopify With Squarespace
Marry the robust eCommerce tools of Shopify and Squarespace’s sleek design capabilities. The Shopify Buy Button is a pivotal feature facilitating the Squarespace vs Shopify integration. Or, you could also simply add Shopify links to your Squarespace site.
The Shopify Buy Button is a nifty feature that lets you sell your products on practically any website or blog with just a simple embed code. It’s like a portable checkout that brings your Shopify store’s selling power to other online spaces (like Squarespace), making it easy for customers to buy without leaving the site they’re on.
Here’s a straightforward guide to integrating Shopify with Squarespace:
Adding Shopify Buy Buttons
The Shopify Buy Button allows you to sell products on your Squarespace site through Shopify’s custom code. Here’s how you can add Shopify Buy Buttons:
Step 1: Prepare Your Shopify Account
Before anything else, ensure your Shopify store is set up and that you have products ready to sell. The Shopify Buy Button is available on all Shopify plans, so there’s no need to upgrade for this feature.
Step 2: Generate a Shopify Buy Button
• Navigate to the Sales Channels section in your Shopify admin and click on the “+” icon to add a channel.
• Choose the Buy Button from the list of options.
• Select the product or collection you want to create a button for. Shopify will then generate a customizable button for you.
• Customize the button’s appearance to match your Squarespace site’s aesthetics.
• Click Generate Code once you’re satisfied with the button’s look.
Step 3: Integrate With Squarespace
• Log in to your Squarespace account and navigate to the page or post where you want the Shopify Buy Button to appear.
• Click an insert point and choose Embed from the menu. A new window will pop up.
• Click the </> icon in the URL field to switch to code input mode.
• Paste the code snippet you generated from Shopify into the box.
• Click Apply to confirm the changes.
Step 4: Test the Integration
After embedding the Shopify Buy Button into your Squarespace site, it’s crucial to test the functionality to ensure everything works seamlessly. Try purchasing a product from your site to verify that the checkout process is smooth and secure.
You want to stay aware of the user experience, ensuring that the transition from browsing to buying is as seamless as possible for your customers.
Note: Using the Shopify Buy Button doesn’t require you to shift your entire website from Squarespace to Shopify. But keep in mind that transactions will be processed through Shopify, not Squarespace. This means your inventory, sales and customer data will be managed in Shopify.
Adding Links
Beyond the Shopify Buy Button, you can easily guide visitors from your Squarespace site to your Shopify store using these methods:
• Navigation links: Add links in your menu that go straight to your Shopify store for direct access.
• Text links: Insert clickable links in text, such as blog posts or product descriptions, leading to Shopify.
• Button blocks: Use Squarespace’s buttons to create calls-to-action that take users to specific products or your Shopify storefront.
• Clickthrough URLs: Make images clickable, directing users to your Shopify items or shop page when they click.
By taking these steps, you’ll be able to merge Squarespace’s robust design features with Shopify’s eCommerce strengths through the Shopify Buy Button. This Squarespace eCommerce vs Shopify integration offers a complete online selling experience, leveraging the best of both platforms.
eCommerce Solutions To Scale Your Online Business
The powerful features and benefits both platforms bring to the table are exactly why entrepreneurs often find themselves deciding between Shopify vs Squarespace eCommerce when launching an online store.
However, selecting either platform is just the start; the key to truly excelling in the eCommerce space lies in gaining deep insights into how you can bring users to your site and understanding their behavior.
Thrive can help you in these areas. Some of our services are:
• eCommerce optimization
• eCommerce paid advertising
• Shopify web design
• Shopify optimization
Talk to our eCommerce team — start and scale your online shop.
