Shopify vs Squarespace: Detailed Feature Comparison

Establishing a web store is a popular option these days, especially for those wanting to engage in digital sales. The modern eCommerce market is packed with various solutions that will suit even the most demanding e-merchants. In this review, we will compare Squarespace vs Shopify in terms of user-friendliness, accessibility, price, features, and help you decide which one fits your business better.

Squarespace vs Shopify. Brief Outline

Squarespace was founded back in 2004. Initially, it was a portfolio and blogging platform for content-based websites. But having spent quite some time in the eCommerce industry, it gradually shifted towards a SaaS-based CMS-type platform. Today, Squarespace is home to 4,848,164 live websites. It offers users easily-navigable tools, beautiful templates, and extensive features to build a commercially viable store. Moreover, to get started online, no coding skills are required.

Shopify was launched in 2006 and has grown into one of the leading eCommerce platforms ever since. At the moment, it powers 6,287,373 online retailers. This out-of-the-box solution has all the necessary tools to build a beautifully-looking online store. Shopify combines both user-friendliness and comprehensive functionality and is manageable even for the e-newbies. However, if you're willing to turn your store into a unique masterpiece, no need to worry - you'll easily get access to the CSS and HTML files.

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Google Trends provides the following figures regarding both cart's usage:

Shopify's popularity has outgrown Squarespace in the last 5 years. Nonetheless, your final choice should be based on the specific business needs and requirements.

Squarespace to Shopify Migration: How to Automate the Process

Squarespace vs Shopify. What’s in Common?

Squarespace and Shopify are both known for their user-friendly interfaces. They make website building accessible with easy-to-navigate dashboards and drag-and-drop functionality. This helps even beginners create professional websites effortlessly.

Both platforms excel in e-commerce capabilities. They support various payment gateways and offer inventory management tools. This makes it easy for businesses to manage their online stores efficiently.

A key feature of both Squarespace and Shopify is responsive design. Websites automatically adjust to fit any screen size. This ensures a seamless experience for users on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.

Squarespace and Shopify offer extensive template libraries. These templates are customizable, allowing users to create unique, visually appealing websites. The wide range of options suits different business needs and styles.

SEO and marketing tools are robust on both platforms. They include built-in SEO features, email marketing integrations, and social media tools. These help businesses improve search engine rankings and drive traffic to their websites.

Customer support is comprehensive with Squarespace and Shopify. They offer live chat, email support, and extensive knowledge bases. This ensures users can get help easily, enhancing their overall experience.

Hosted solutions

Both Shopify and Squarespace are hosted platforms. It means that you don't have to worry about the hosting account and domain name. They are already included in the pricing plans. If you click the Sign up button, your store will be ready just within a few minutes. Hosted platforms are simple to manage and provide you with all the updates and technical support. Additionally, these carts supply users with a free SSL Certificate. It helps to keep all the data that moves between a web server and browser secure.

Progressive eCommerce functionality

Squarespace is all about simplicity and design. Dealing with taxes, shipment inventory, product upload, and editing is incredibly easy. This website builder has in-built instruments for captivating customers' attention. Squarespace makes it possible to zoom images, turn them into slide shows, and create 360-degree visuals.

Here's a video from WebsiteToolTester on Squarespace vs Shopify comparison:

Unlike Squarespace, Shopify has been in an eCommerce business for much longer. It provides users with more advanced and flexible features: abandoned cart recovery, shipping calculation, discount codes, payment processing, simplified checkout, etc. All the necessary tools can be downloaded from an Official App Store.

Design and Templates

No matter which platform you choose - Squarespace or Shopify, they both offer lots of attractive and highly-responsive themes. Squarespace template store has over 60+ designs to choose from (e.g., the topics covered - portfolios, restaurants, real estate, professional services, etc.). They are all modern, sleek, and mobile-responsive. The company mainly aims at creative people and photographers.

Shopify, on the other hand, has 10 free and 72 paid templates. They are also up-to-date and will suit different businesses (e.g., health, beauty, clothing, toys, etc.). Moreover, there are hundreds of 3rd party themes on other marketplaces. Themeforest is the most popular one. It has 1000+ different designs and templates for selection.

It is possible to personalize your store through custom edits. Squarespace enables adding HTML with a Code Block and CSS - using CSS Editor. Shopify HTML and CSS codes can be edited on the Shopify Admin page.

While Shopify templates are stylish, elegant, and more customizable, many users express a thought that aesthetically (which is quite subjective, though), Squarespace templates are more appealing.

Find out more about Squarespace vs Shopify in our detailed BigCommerce vs Shopify vs Squarespace comparison

SEO Capabilities

If we compare Squarespace vs Shopify SEO score, according to eCommerce platforms research, Shopify stands second in the list after Magento. It was created with SEO in mind and helps you get the highest search ranking. Shopify creates a page title and meta description automatically based on the content of your page. Users can take advantage of all the in-built tools and SEO apps available at the App Store. Squarespace SEO capabilities, on the contrary, are a bit limited. It is possible to add meta titles and edit descriptions. And that's practically it. All the other aspects (e.g., alt text) are not included.

Ease of Use

Building an online store with Shopify and Squarespace is equally easy and fast. They have clear and modern dashboards with understandable menus. Both solutions use a drag-and-drop function for adding products. You just click the needed element, move it, and drop it to the page. And voila - it's ready! In case you feel a little lost - the visual prompts will guide you through the way.

Shopify Basic provides robust features for setting up your e-commerce venture effortlessly. From customizable templates to secure payment gateways, it offers a comprehensive toolkit for online entrepreneurs. Additionally, Shopify integrates seamlessly with various SEO tools, enhancing your store's visibility on search engines.

On the other hand, Squarespace excels in creating visually stunning websites with its creative design options. It's ideal for those who prioritize aesthetics and want a polished online presence. Squarespace also supports basic SEO functionalities, allowing you to optimize your site's content for better search engine rankings.

In conclusion, whether you choose Shopify or Squarespace, you can expect user-friendly interfaces, powerful e-commerce capabilities, and integration with essential SEO tools to help you succeed in the competitive online market.

Blogging Functionality

Squarespace, along with Shopify, are popular website builders that have integrated blogging functionality. It's a handy tool for eCommerce stores these days. Experienced marketers and business owners are aware of the qualitative benefits of a blog in terms of SEO and customer engagement.

Although Squarespace provides its clients with a wider scope for action since it was a blogging platform from the very beginning. It lets you easily insert content into any sidebar or page with the help of summary blocks. Other blogging features include in-built analytics, archiving, and search options.

Shopify, on the contrary, does not have such extensive functionality. Its primary focus is eCommerce. However, the pre-designed blog module can assist you in gaining an audience and generating traffic. You can easily write and publish posts, add images, media files, categories, tags, etc.

Squarespace vs WooCommerce: Which Solution is Better?

Squarespace vs Shopify. What Are The Key Differences?

When comparing Squarespace and Shopify, the primary distinction lies in their core functionality. Squarespace is a versatile website builder designed to help users create visually stunning websites with ease. It offers a wide array of templates and design tools, making it ideal for creative professionals, bloggers, and small businesses seeking an elegant online presence.

On the other hand, Shopify is a specialized e-commerce platform tailored for online retailers. Its robust features, including inventory management, payment processing, and shipping integration, cater specifically to the needs of e-commerce businesses looking to sell products online. Shopify Basic provides essential tools for starting an online store, while its SEO tools enhance visibility in search engine results.

Another key difference between the two platforms is their approach to customization and scalability. Squarespace provides a more intuitive, drag-and-drop interface that allows users to customize their sites without requiring extensive technical knowledge. This simplicity, however, can be limiting for businesses with complex needs.

Shopify, while also user-friendly, offers greater flexibility through its extensive app marketplace and APIs, enabling users to add custom functionalities and scale their stores as their business grows.

Lastly, pricing structures and support services differ between Squarespace and Shopify. Squarespace offers a range of pricing plans that include website building and basic e-commerce features, with higher tiers providing more advanced options.

Shopify, in contrast, has pricing plans specifically designed for varying levels of e-commerce activity, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can find a suitable plan. Additionally, Shopify provides 24/7 customer support and a wealth of resources tailored to online sellers, whereas Squarespace's support, while comprehensive, is more geared towards general website management.

Support

If you're encountering challenges with store management, Shopify Basic provides robust customer support options. Shopify offers 24/7 customer support through email, phone, and live chat, ensuring rapid response times. Additionally, their official website hosts a comprehensive support section featuring forums, reference literature, video tutorials, and FAQs.

In contrast, Squarespace support, while comprehensive, lacks phone support for direct customer assistance. You can contact them via email, live chat, or forums. They provide a broad range of video guides and helpful materials for users.

Pricing

All in all, Shopify is pricier than Squarespace. This is because it provides more advanced and comprehensive eCommerce tools to help you run a business. Shopify has three pricing plans:

Shopify also has a lower-priced Shopify Lite plan for $9 per month and the enterprise-level Shopify Plus plan with extra features, starting at $2000 per month.

Additionally, the company offers a 14-day free trial.

Squarespace, contrarily, has a 14-day free trial and four pricing options:

• 2 plans for websites (Personal and Business)
• 2 plans for online stores (Basic and Advanced)

All plans have eCommerce integration. However, the Basic and Advanced plans offer more advanced features. Also, keep in mind that you won't be able to sell products through the Personal plan. It has lots of restrictions and limited capabilities.

Commerce Basic: Empower Your Business with Simplified Solutions

In today's fast-paced market, staying ahead requires more than just a great product – it demands streamlined operations and efficient commerce solutions. Commerce Basic offers an all-in-one platform designed to simplify your business processes. From inventory management to seamless payment integration, our user-friendly tools are tailored to meet the needs of small to medium-sized enterprises. With Commerce Basic, you can focus on what you do best – growing your business – while we handle the complexities of commerce.

Commerce Advanced

Commerce Advanced is a comprehensive platform designed for businesses looking to scale their online presence on an ecommerce website. It offers advanced tools and features that cater to the needs of growing e-commerce enterprises, ensuring seamless operations and enhanced customer experiences. With robust analytics, personalized marketing options, and efficient inventory management, Commerce Advanced empowers businesses to optimize their sales strategies and drive significant growth.

By leveraging state-of-the-art technology, this platform provides an integrated solution for handling everything from order processing to customer support. Its user-friendly interface and customizable features make it easy for businesses to adapt and thrive in the competitive digital marketplace. Whether you're looking to expand your product line or improve customer retention, Commerce Advanced offers the capabilities to meet your business goals.

App Marketplaces

Shopify has a massive App Store with more than 2000 both free and paid apps. They are divided into different categories, e.g., design, marketing, sales, finances, reporting, etc. Apart from this, Shopify offers many SEO and marketing apps to facilitate store management. These tools do not require any tech skills and are available for everybody.

Squarespace, on the other hand, offers users a restricted number of official apps.

In case you are already using Squarespace and want to expand your store's functionality, migrate from Squarespace to Shopify with Cart2Cart. In addition, watch our video guide to get an idea of how an automated migration works:

Payment Gateways

Shopify allows you to accept payments from almost anywhere and in most currencies. It supports more than 100 payment gateways, including the most popular ones - PayPal, Amazon Pay, Stripe, and even cryptocurrency. Additionally, it is possible to use Shopify's gateway - Shopify Payments with no transaction fees. Shopify plans offer flexibility to scale your business, with options suitable for small startups to large enterprises.

Unfortunately, Squarespace is very limited in the number of payment options. It integrates with Stripe - its primary payment gateway. Besides, you can also choose between PayPal or Apple Pay.

What are the Advantages of Squarespace over Shopify?

• Better choice for content-based websites. If you aim at displaying the content (e.g., images or a personal blog), Squarespace will be a more subtle and flexible solution than Shopify.

• Beautiful templates. The quality of Squarespace templates is higher, and they are clear and elegant. Many Squarespace templates are created for those who want to blog or share their music portfolios, art, or photography. The visual effects include parallax scrolling, text that gracefully fades in and out, etc.

• Free Typekit fonts and discounted Getty images. Squarespace's partnership with Typekit gives Squarespace customers more than 65 free Typekit fonts. Print types are important factors that influence the customer's business plan brand perception. Getty Images is another of Squarespace's partners. It is one of the world's leading creators and distributors of high-quality images and videos. Thanks to this partnership, Squarespace website owners get an exclusive rate for Getty images from Getty at the affordable cost of $10 per photo.

• Extensive styling options. Style Editor tool will assist you in business plan store customization. It is easy to use even for a non-technical person. With the help of Style Editor, you can adjust colors, background images, typography, the opacity of images, the width of the sidebar, any spacing and padding, and page-specific styles.

Check out the in-depth Wix vs Shopify vs Squarespace comparison

What are Advantages of Shopify over Squarespace?

• Shopify dashboard. This software works both for IOS and Android systems and allows you to integrate online stores with physically located shops. POS features comprise a card reader, barcode scanner, cash drawer, and receipt printer. It gives you a possibility to sell anywhere, keeping your stock count synced automatically.

• Automated EU VAT calculation. Value Added Tax (VAT) applies to all goods and services bought and sold for use or consumption in the European Union. Owing to the Automatic calculation of EU VAT, Shopify store owners can save lots of time and sell products straight to the EU countries. Squarespace Value Added Taxes, contrarily, have to be entered manually as individual "tax rates."

• Gift cards and discount codes. Gift cards and discount codes will enhance the store's performance and attract more customers. They usually send gifts to family or friends. Therefore, if the gift card option is available, they will do it more often. Unfortunately, Squarespace doesn't support redeemable gift cards, gift certificates, or vouchers.

• Shopify integrations. Shopify integrates with the world's eCommerce giant - Amazon. Hence, Shopify users can add Amazon as their Sales Channel, create Amazon listings, link them to the stores, and fulfill orders directly from a single Shopify Admin Panel. Shopify also cooperates with Facebook. Store's customers can easily browse your products using the new Shop section on Facebook. Moreover, Shopify has partnered with Pinterest. All the products pinned from Shopify online store automatically become Buyable Pins on Pinterest.

• Shopify "Buy button." This button is the simplest way to add eCommerce functionality (including product pages and secure checkout). It's fully responsive and looks nice both on desktops and mobile screens. It is possible to customize it to match your brand appearance. With the "Buy button," you can sell products on WordPress, Tumblr, Joomla, Drupal, Wix, and Weebly, etc.

• Shopify advanced reporting features. If you need a platform with professional reporting functionality, Shopify is a much better option than Squarespace. Shopify analytics offers more extensive data and detailed statistics, including sales, finances, customers, acquisition, and behavior reports. Besides, Shopify allows you to create your custom reports.

Check out our infographic to get a better understanding of the migration process via Cart2Cart:

FAQ Block

What is best, Shopify or Squarespace?

Squarespace offers flat prices and excels at designing customized content. Shopify provides a comprehensive e-commerce solution (multichannel sales inventory management etc.). SquareSpace makes simple online sales ideal. Shopify enables ecommerce to be a key focus in international markets.

Should I switch from Squarespace to Shopify?

Shopify offers a lot more customization options than Squarespace provides. Because of the code used on shopify it is almost unexplored. Despite Shopify being a dream for the coders this app is as simple as it is for noncoders.

What can Shopify do that Squarespace can't?

The Squarespace platform and Shopify are simple enough for a beginner. Unlike most other websites, Shopify offers more flexibility for backends. Shopify allows the development of a wide variety of Shopify apps for converting more customers into sales. April 23, 2023.

Is it worth it to sell on Squarespace?

Easily customizable tools are included for ecommerce businesses of all sizes. Squarespace offers an excellent option for online shops. The template is elegant and reflects your products and is easily customizable. You may also modify layouts and designs for your branding. November 5 - 2021.

Squarespace vs Shopify. Which one to choose?

Also, we've prepared the list of other worthy Shopify alternatives for small business stores. Make sure to check it out!

To sum it up, deciding which platform to choose, depends on what type of website you want to run. The key difference between Shopify and Squarespace is that Shopify is more comprehensive and functional when it comes to eCommerce because it is entirely eCommerce-oriented.

Overall, both Squarespace and Shopify allow you to establish a stunning website quickly. Whatever your choice, you'll get powerful eCommerce features and beautiful responsive templates.

So, don't miss the chance to enhance the overall look and functionality of your store. Perform the free Demo Migration and decide which platform is your go-to destination.