Shopify and Squarespace are two of the most popular platforms for building eCommerce sites. However, which one is better to use, Squarespace or Shopify? This question has been asked many times, and there are mixed reviews on both sides. Let us discuss them in detail and determine which one is better.
Features of Shopify vs. Squarespace
Ease of use
Shopify uses a drag and drop feature that makes it very easy to build a website. The feature is also available in Squarespace, but it is not as user-friendly when compared to Shopify.
Product types
Shopify allows you to sell physical products, digital goods and even subscription-based services. It also offers a wide range of themes that you can use for creating customized websites. Squarespace only supports selling digital products such as software and ebooks, which is why it may not be the best option if your business sells physical or non-digital items.
Multiple payment options
Shopify offers multiple payment gateways, which allow customers to choose their preferred method of online transactions. For example, you can offer Paypal as a gateway for making payments on your website if it is the most popular option in your country or region. You also have 100+ plans that will help improve sales and marketing efforts so you can grow your eCommerce business.
Ease of installation
Shopify is straightforward to install and manage to allow you to save time in setting up a website for your business. You just need an internet connection, log-in details, and the right skills so that you can build a site with Shopify quickly. Squarespace also offers a quick installation option, but it is more expensive than Shopify.
Pricing Plans
The price of using the basic plan for both platforms are similar at $29/month. However, if you want more features, then the costs for both platforms differ. Shopify offers more than 35 plans, while Squarespace has just 15 of them.
Plugins and Integrations
Both platforms have their own plugin stores where you can find tools to add specific features on your site, such as analytics or SEO optimization . The pricing for these plugins also differs from one platform to the other, and it also depends on the features they offer.
Customer Support and Community
Shopify has an active community where you can find information related to the platform and learn from other people’s experiences. Squarespace does not have a large user base, so it is harder to get valuable tips and tricks for your site. Another drawback of using this platform is that it does not have live chat customer support, which can be helpful in times of emergencies.
Sales features
The sales feature is essential if your eCommerce site sells products online. Shopify offers a large number of sales options, while Squarespace has fewer options. You can also use the app store to add more features such as abandoned cart recovery software, email marketing apps, and many more.
Conclusion
In terms of the features discussed in this article, Shopify has the edge over Squarespace. However, you need to assess your business to determine which one suits you best.
