Which Platform is Right for Your Business?

E-Commerce Platforms – Shopify vs Squarespace

With countless options for website builders out there, how do you choose which one is best for you? Shopify and Squarespace are both similar platforms as they let you build your website and sell products online. But Squarespace was initially created for informative/content-based websites when Shopify was created specifically for e-commerce stores in mind. Since Squarespace introduced a built-in e-commerce tool, many businesses have been confused about which platform they should go with. Here’s the breakdown of Shopify vs Squarespace for online stores.

When you Should Choose Shopify

Shopify is my top recommendation for e-commerce, hands down. There’s a reason why the biggest brands use this platform (e.g. Fashion Nova, Kylie Cosmetics, etc) because it’s simply the best! Shopify was made specifically for e-commerce so no builder can compete with them in my opinion. It’s made for serious sellers that require powerful tools/apps and those who plan to grow their business. Shopify is perfect for you if:

• You have a larger inventory or serious about growing your online store
• You have a brick-and-mortar store or sell in person and needing POS integration
• Looking for extensive e-commerce features & wanting to add third-party apps
• Wanting to accept multi-currency, and more payment provider options for customers
• Needing better tax options
• Multichannel integration including FB, Instagram, Amazon, Google, Snapchat, etc.
• Wanting more features all around – Integrated product reviews, zoom-in pictures, etc.
• Needing dropshipping options
• Need advanced reporting features & inventory management features

Where Shopify Wins:

Payment Options, Inventory Management, Shopify App Store, SEO & Faster for Larger Inventories

Shopify is a lot better for the business end of things, rather than the aesthetics. However, their templates in their Theme Store are easy-to-use and a great way to get started. To create a unique design, you may need to invest in a designer & developer to get the look you’re envisioning.

When you Should Choose Squarespace

Squarespace has become a very popular option! I think it’s a great starter platform for new small business owners looking to get a website up & running, or for content-based websites with a smaller shop on the side. Squarespace is perfect for you if:

• You’re a new business owner looking for an easy drag-and-drop website builder to start off
• It’s your first website, and you need some guidance or unsure how websites work
• You have a smaller inventory (under 50 products) and don’t plan on growing your inventory
• Your main focus of the website isn’t only e-commerce but also focusing on an informative/content-driven website
• You’re not looking to add crazy features or apps, just wanting a simple shop up & running.

If you have 100+ products or plan to in the future, I recommend avoiding going with Squarespace. I had a previous client reach out to me, and wanted to switch from Shopify to Squarespace. She had over 350+ products! The product page loaded very slowly and it took forever for her to upload new products, compared to Shopify. Switching platforms can be time-consuming! Squarespace Commerce Plans Start at $26/month.

Where Squarespace Wins:

Ease of Use and Price

My Final Thoughts

It really comes down to what you’re looking for in a website! If you’re just starting off and your main focus isn’t just selling products, Squarespace might be a worth a shot. I recommend it if you’re a new business and needing more guidance to launch your first website. But if your main purpose is to grow your inventory and business, you’ll outgrow the Squarespace platform and it may not be worth the switch later on. If you’re a bigger business (or dreaming to be big!) then Shopify is the way to go. They focus more on the business end of things and not so much the aesthetic templates, but you can make it look good with some help from a designer & developer to make your vision come true.