Squarespace vs. Shopify

Oooh, you’re ready to launch your online store! You’ve got the products, the branding, and a dream of becoming the next Jeff Bezos minus the weird obsession with space travel. But now comes the big question: Shopify or Squarespace? You’ve heard of them both by now, as they are two of the most popular website building platforms in the world, or at least you’ve seen their Super Bowl commercials. So which is best for you?

Here’s my two cents, with a little Destiny’s Child analogy mixed in. In short, the way I see it, Shopify is the Beyoncé of e-commerce, while Squarespace (which I LOVE) is… well, let’s just say it’s the Kelly Rowland. (Who is also amazing in her own right, but she is simply not Beyoncé. It’s ok, none of us are either.)

Capabilities

When you think “e-commerce,” Shopify is probably first name that pops into your head. Like when you think “pop goddess,” Beyoncé should immediately come to mind. Obviously. With 2.1 million active users (and counting), Shopify is the undisputed queen of e-commerce. Meanwhile, Squarespace is kinda like Kelly Rowland—talented and beautiful for sure, but you’re not exactly playing “Dilemma” on repeat. And while Squarespace does have plenty of e-commerce capabilities that are quite capable of meeting a small business’ needs, Shopify was designed with e-commerce in its DNA first and foremost. Its only mission is to create a thriving online store.

Squarespace is great for so many other things … websites, blogs, portfolios, but maybe not the first choice when it comes to serious e-commerce. By serious, I mean stores with over 50 products, and those products include variations, customizations, etc.

Apps

Shopify is backed by a massive app store filled with over 7,000 apps that can turn your basic online store into a full-blown e-commerce empire. Need a special feature? There’s an app for that. Want to integrate and sell on your favorite social media platform? There’s an app for that too.

Squarespace, on the other hand, has a more limited range of integrations and apps. And while you can definitely do a lot with Squarespace’s built-in features, if you need something more specialized, you might find yourself feeling so crazy right now.”

Pricing

Shopify’s pricing plans are definitely steeper than Squarespace’s, but you’re getting what you pay for: a top-tier e-commerce experience with all the bells and whistles. Dare I say, it’s everything you need and more? Think of it like paying for front-row Beyoncé tickets—yes, an investment, but the experience is worth every penny. (I would know. The one time I saw Beyonce in concert, I had back-row seats, in a football stadium no less, and the experience was sub-par. That might also be because she trotted Jay-Z out on stage way more times than necessary, which was unfortunately a major vibe-killer. Sorry, Hov.)

My sister and I in the nosebleeds at Beyonce’s concert. I think our seats were about half a mile away from the stage.

But back to Squarespace. Squarespace offers more affordable pricing plans, but when it comes to e-commerce, you might find yourself needing to pay extra for the features you really want. Either option offers great value for what you get, but it’s just a matter of choosing and paying for what you actually need.

Support

Both Shopify and Squarespace have solid support, but Shopify shines a little more here by offering 24/7 support by phone, email, and live chat. Squarespace has an award-winning support team, but it is limited to email and live chat.

So, what’s the final verdict?

Shopify is still the undisputed Queen Bey of e-commerce. It’s built for selling, packed with powerhouse features, and ready to take your online store from a side hustle to a full-fledged empire. If you’re serious about e-commerce—like, “I want to run a business, not just sell a few things here and there”—then Shopify is your best bet.

That said, Squarespace isn’t exactly the lesser known child of destiny in this scenario (bless her heart). It’s got style, ease of use, and plenty of built-in features that make it an excellent choice for small businesses, service providers, and smaller online stores. But if you’re dreaming of a massive e-commerce operation, you might find yourself hitting some limitations.

Bottom line? If you want to sell online with all the bells and whistles Shopify is where it’s at. But if you just need a beautiful, functional, and user-friendly site that happens to have e-commerce capabilities, then Squarespace will absolutely do the job—and do it well.

If you’re still unsure which platform is best for you, let’s chat! I can help you make the right call before you dive in.

–LINDSEY illicreative.com