Shopify vs Squarespace: Choosing the Best eCommerce Platform
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Differences in Functionality
- Usability
- Pricing
- Apps and Features
- Design and Customization
- Scalability
- Security and Payment Features
- Multi-Store Setup
- Conclusion
Article
Introduction
In the world of e-commerce platforms, two major players stand out: Shopify and Squarespace. While Shopify has been a leading platform for years, Squarespace is slowly catching up. In this article, we will delve into the differences between these two platforms, exploring their functionality, usability, pricing, available apps and features, design and customization options, scalability, security and payment features, and multi-store setup. By the end of this article, you'll have a clear understanding of which platform best suits your e-commerce business needs.
Differences in Functionality
Shopify and Squarespace might both help you build your online store, but they started out with different focuses. Squarespace initially served as a website builder, mainly catering to content-based sites like blogs and news magazines. It only added e-commerce features in 2013. On the other hand, Shopify was specifically designed with e-commerce in mind. It has grown into one of the most popular platforms, offering robust tools that are technically easy to use. This difference in origin and focus greatly influences the choice between the two platforms. Are you planning a content-based site with some e-commerce features, or is online selling your primary goal?
Usability
Both Shopify and Squarespace provide clean and easy-to-use interfaces. Squarespace's editor offers more freedom when it comes to design and layout, while Shopify's editor is also user-friendly and features drag-and-drop functionality. A noteworthy difference is that in Squarespace, you can see how the website will appear while designing it. In Shopify, however, you don't see the site as it will look once populated with content. In terms of technical know-how, both platforms are accessible to users of all levels. Shopify offers a remarkable knowledge base and round-the-clock support through live chat and email. So, whether you encounter any issues or require assistance, help is readily available.
Pros:
- Squarespace's editor provides more design freedom.
- Shopify offers extensive support and knowledge base.
Cons:
- Limited preview capabilities in Shopify's editor.
Pricing
Pricing is a crucial consideration for any business. Squarespace offers four types of monthly plans: Personal, Business, Basic Commerce, and Advanced Commerce. The Personal plan, priced at $18 per month, does not support online selling and is solely intended for building websites. For our purposes, we will focus on the Business, Basic Commerce, and Advanced Commerce plans. Squarespace's pricing ranges from $26 to $46 per month. Shopify, on the other hand, operates on a three-level plan system: Basic, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify, priced at $29, $79, and $299 per month, respectively. Additionally, Shopify offers Shopify Plus, a high-tier plan catering to large businesses that starts at approximately $2,000 per month. If you only require online payment and inventory management capabilities, you can opt for Shopify Lite, which costs $9 per month. It is important to note that Shopify payments come with transaction fees and credit card rates, ranging from 0.5% to 2.9%. Squarespace, on the other hand, does not charge transaction fees in its basic and advanced commerce plans but charges a three percent transaction fee in its business plan.
Pros:
- Squarespace offers budget-friendly options for small businesses.
- Shopify provides comprehensive plans for businesses of all sizes.
- Shopify Lite is ideal for merchants looking to sell on existing websites and social media platforms.
Cons:
- Transaction fees and credit card rates in Shopify.
- Squarespace's personal plan does not support online selling.
Apps and Features
When it comes to apps and features, Shopify surpasses Squarespace. Squarespace lacks an app store and only offers limited extensions. In contrast, Shopify boasts over 2,200 plugins, allowing users to find any functionality imaginable. The platform was designed specifically for online businesses, offering a wide range of convenient features. Advanced reporting options, point-of-sale features, automatic tax calculation, and many more can be easily integrated into a Shopify store. Squarespace, while lacking the same breadth of options, still provides enough features to get your online business up and running. Moreover, Squarespace offers built-in tools for marketing purposes, including an easy-to-use newsletter tool for email marketing and robust blogging tools for content marketing. However, Shopify's app store provides a vast array of apps and integrations to elevate your marketing efforts.
Pros:
- Shopify offers a robust app store with thousands of plugins and features.
- Squarespace provides built-in marketing tools, such as newsletter and blogging features.
Cons:
- Limited extensions and plugins in Squarespace.
- Shopify apps and plugins may add to overall costs.
Design and Customization
For those with an eye for design, Squarespace shines with its remarkable design themes and tools. It offers over 100 beautiful themes that are all free. However, it's essential to note that most of Squarespace's themes are tailored for portfolios, blogs, or magazines, which require a visually impactful design. The selection of e-commerce themes is limited, and customization might be necessary to suit your online selling needs. Squarespace's powerful editing features and elegant templates make it possible to create visually stunning displays. In comparison, Shopify provides 10 free themes and over 50 paid themes. While perhaps not as elegant and visually striking as Squarespace, Shopify's themes are user-friendly and designed specifically for e-commerce. Both platforms offer a range of customization options, but Squarespace's lack of third-party app installation allows users to start selling right away with minimal site maintenance.
Pros:
- Squarespace offers visually stunning design themes and powerful editing tools.
- Shopify provides user-friendly e-commerce themes and customization options.
Cons:
- Limited availability of e-commerce themes in Squarespace.
- Squarespace lacks third-party app installation.
Scalability
Scalability is a crucial factor to consider when choosing an e-commerce platform. Shopify, being founded to support e-commerce sellers, offers great scalability and includes many built-in features for small businesses looking to expand. Unlimited product listings, complex inventory management, marketing tools, and shipping features make it easier for businesses to grow on Shopify. Although Squarespace also offers unlimited product listings, its scalability is limited due to fewer e-commerce features and a lack of third-party applications for more complex needs. Exporting pages, products, or blogs from Squarespace can be challenging, and certain limitations apply. Shopify, on the other hand, allows seamless product import and export, making it an ideal platform for businesses with varying product types and large inventories.
Pros:
- Shopify offers robust scalability features and complex inventory management.
- Squarespace's unlimited product listings cater to growing businesses.
Cons:
- Squarespace lacks third-party applications for more complex e-commerce needs.
- Exporting data from Squarespace can be challenging.
Security and Payment Features
When it comes to security and payment features, both Shopify and Squarespace have robust offerings. Both platforms include SSL certificates and secured payments. However, Shopify outshines Squarespace in terms of payment options. Shopify offers numerous third-party payment gateways, providing users with over 100 payment options, including Amazon Pay and Google Pay. Shopify does charge transaction fees and credit card fees depending on the chosen plan. Squarespace, on the other hand, does not charge transaction fees in its basic and advanced commerce plans but charges a three percent transaction fee in its business plan. It supports PayPal, Apple Pay, and Stripe. In terms of third-party app installations and tight control over systems, both platforms have their limitations. Shopify's built-in security features for Shopify Payments and Squarespace's secure transactions with Stripe provide adequate security measures for e-commerce transactions.
Pros:
- Shopify provides a wide range of payment options and strong security features.
- Squarespace offers secure transactions and does not charge transaction fees in certain plans.
Cons:
- Transaction fees and credit card rates in Shopify.
- Limited payment options in Squarespace.
Multi-Store Setup
Shopify excels in multi-store setup capabilities, making it an ideal platform for businesses planning to expand to other countries or sell on multiple channels. Shopify is a multi-channel platform, allowing merchants to sell on numerous channels like Amazon, Facebook, and Instagram. With its strong point-of-sale feature, multi-location selling, and multi-currency setup, Shopify integrates seamlessly into various sales channels. Squarespace, while it allows selling on Facebook and Instagram, lacks a multi-currency setup. However, Squarespace's simplicity and basic e-commerce features make it a great option for a small business on a tight budget or solely focused on building a visually appealing content-driven website.
Pros:
- Shopify offers extensive multi-store setup options and multi-currency support.
- Squarespace is a budget-friendly option for small businesses and content-driven websites.
Cons:
- Squarespace lacks multi-store setup and multi-currency support.
- Shopify can add additional costs for advanced features and multi-store capabilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Shopify and Squarespace have their strengths and weaknesses in the e-commerce space. Shopify excels with its comprehensive features, robust scalability, extensive app store, and multi-channel capabilities. It is the go-to platform for businesses aiming to scale and expand globally. On the other hand, Squarespace offers visually stunning design themes, powerful editing features, and budget-friendly options for small businesses and content-driven websites. It provides adequate e-commerce features to get started, but its scalability and customization options are limited compared to Shopify. Ultimately, the choice between the two platforms depends on the specific needs and goals of your e-commerce business. Consider factors such as functionality, usability, pricing, apps and features, design and customization, scalability, security and payment features, and multi-store setup to make an informed decision.
Highlights
- Shopify and Squarespace are two leading e-commerce platforms with distinct advantages and features.
- Shopify was designed specifically for e-commerce, while Squarespace started as a website builder and later added e-commerce functionality.
- Differences in functionality, usability, pricing, apps and features, design and customization, scalability, security and payment features, and multi-store setup should be considered when choosing between the two platforms.
- Shopify offers a robust app store with thousands of plugins and features, while Squarespace provides built-in marketing tools and visually stunning design themes.
- Shopify excels in scalability, multi-channel capabilities, and extensive customization options, while Squarespace is a budget-friendly option with powerful editing features and content-driven design themes.
- Ultimately, the choice between Shopify and Squarespace depends on your e-commerce business needs and goals.
FAQ
Q: Can Squarespace support online selling?
A: Yes, Squarespace offers plans that support online selling. However, the Personal plan is solely for building websites and does not support online sales.
Q: Does Shopify charge transaction fees?
A: Yes, Shopify charges transaction fees, which vary depending on the chosen plan. The fees range from 0.5% to 2% for Shopify Payments transactions.
Q: Which platform is better for small businesses on a tight budget?
A: Squarespace is a budget-friendly option for small businesses due to its lower pricing plans and basic e-commerce features.
Q: Does Shopify support multiple currencies?
A: Yes, Shopify offers multi-currency setup, allowing merchants to display their products in multiple currencies, making it easier for global customers to shop.
Q: Can Squarespace be used for content-based websites?
A: Yes, Squarespace is a great option for content-based websites, such as blogs and news magazines. It offers powerful editing features and visually stunning design themes.
Q: Is Shopify suitable for businesses planning to expand globally?
A: Yes, Shopify is highly suitable for businesses aiming to expand globally due to its multi-channel capabilities, multi-currency setup, and extensive customization options.
