So, you’re thinking about launching an online store and wondering, is Squarespace good for ecommerce? Choosing the right platform can feel overwhelming, right? You want something that looks amazing but is also easy to manage and helps you drive traffic to make sales. Let’s cut to the chase. Squarespace built its name on stunning design, and it definitely delivers on that front, even with their ecommerce features. But is it enough to build a successful e-commerce store? Let’s take a look into what makes Squarespace tick for online businesses. At SEO Locale we prefer to build new websites in Woocommerce or Shopify, but if you are looking to build your own ecommerce site on Squarespace you may have some success with a DIY on that platform.
Squarespace for Ecommerce: What’s the Deal?
Squarespace is like that friend who always looks effortlessly stylish – they just get it. What Squarespace lacks in ease of use, it makes up for tenfold in looks – which is no small achievement, given that judgments on a company’s credibility are 75% based on the company’s website design. It’s built for people who want a beautiful online presence without needing to code everything from scratch. And yes, that includes your online store. Think sleek customizable templates, gorgeous product displays, and a consistent aesthetic across your site.
But beyond looks, Squarespace has upped its game in recent years, adding powerful Squarespace ecommerce features that let you manage everything from inventory management to shipping, right from your dashboard. But like any platform, it has its pros and cons.
Pros of Choosing Squarespace for Your Online Store
First, let’s talk about what makes Squarespace a contender for ecommerce. Here’s what we liked:
Visually Stunning Templates That Scream “Buy Me.”
Squarespace’s templates are hands down their biggest selling point. They’re modern, sophisticated, and designed to showcase your products in the best possible light. And the best part? All these templates squarespace offers are fully responsive.
This is a must, since more and more people are shopping on their phones. In fact, projections show the US alone will have over 187 million mobile shoppers by 2024. Squarespace takes care of that seamlessly, ensuring your site looks just as good on a smaller screen. Need some inspiration? Check out these popular Squarespace ecommerce templates:
- Hester: Clean, minimal, and perfect for showcasing products.
- Vandam: Bold, dynamic, and ideal for a brand with an edge.
- Alameda: Modern and airy, a great choice for lifestyle brands.
Remember, these templates are just the starting point – you can customize them with your branding, images, and content to create a unique online store.
Built-in Features to Get You Selling Fast
So, Squarespace looks pretty – but can it handle the practicalities of running an online store? You bet. They’ve got you covered with built-in features like:
- Unlimited product listings: List as many products as your heart desires – no restrictions here.
- Payment Gateway Integration: Easily accept credit card payments and even PayPal through Stripe and PayPal integrations, making checkout a breeze.
- Inventory Management: Say goodbye to manual spreadsheets. Squarespace tracks stock levels and even sends low-stock alerts.
- Shipping and Taxes: Configure shipping options based on product weight or location. They even allow for automatic tax calculations, saving you hours of number-crunching headaches.
- Automatic Discounts and Gift Cards: Everyone loves a good deal. Set up automated discounts for specific products or entire orders, and offer gift cards to entice those shoppers.
Built-In SEO Features
You’ve got a stunning online store—great. Now, how do you actually get people to find it? This is where SEO – or search engine optimization – comes in. The higher your site ranks on Google and other search engines, the better. Higher ranking equals more visibility and ultimately more sales.
Squarespace offers some solid built-in SEO tools that help improve your ranking:
- Mobile Optimization: Google loves a mobile-friendly site. Lucky for you, Squarespace has this built-in.
- SSL Certificates: This one’s technical, but essential – it shows search engines that your site is trustworthy. Every Squarespace site automatically gets an SSL certificate.
- Customizable Page Titles and Descriptions: These are like mini-ads for your pages on search results, and Squarespace makes them easy to edit.
While these built-in tools give you a great head start, it’s important to note that for more advanced SEO strategies you’ll need to go beyond the basics, just like with most website builders. An SEO agency can help take you to the next level.
Cons – Where Squarespace Could Up Its Ecommerce Game
Alright, we’ve gushed about the good. But, let’s be real – no platform is perfect. Here’s what we found could use some improvement:
Limited Flexibility
While Squarespace is user-friendly, its simplicity can also be limiting. This especially applies if you need very specific features for your store. For instance, if your business model involves drop shipping or relies heavily on third-party apps, Squarespace’s app store isn’t as extensive as some of its competitors, like Shopify, which is the jack-of-all-trades of online stores.
Can Be Pricey for Growing Businesses
To sell, you’ll need one of Squarespace’s ecommerce plans, priced between $23-$52/mo, billed annually. You can try out the features risk-free with a 14-day free trial or save some cash using a discount code like WBE10 at checkout. While not overly expensive, the cost can add up as your business grows, especially if you need those advanced ecommerce features requiring higher-tier plans.
So, is Squarespace Good for Ecommerce… or Not?
In a nutshell, is Squarespace good for ecommerce? The answer depends on your priorities. If you’re starting out and want an attractive, easy-to-use platform with everything built-in, Squarespace is a strong contender. It’s particularly awesome for creative entrepreneurs and small businesses selling physical products, who prioritize aesthetics without sacrificing functionality.
However, if you’re a fast-growing business needing extensive customization and third-party integrations, or if you anticipate needing complex features down the line, you might want to weigh your options and consider platforms like Shopify that prioritize those aspects. Ultimately, the right platform depends on your business’s specific needs and goals.
Squarespace is an excellent option for individuals and small businesses wanting to launch their online store quickly. While the platform offers users great-looking design options, its strength lies in its ecommerce functionalities including things like unlimited product listings, a payment gateway, and automatic discounts. We would recommend pairing your ecommerce website up with ecommerce SEO to help get it found on Google.
Still, the key factor for figuring out if Squarespace is good for ecommerce ultimately rests in the unique needs and circumstances of your particular business needs.
