The Shopify Vs Squarespace Endgame: Which Is Better For Your Business Model?
Thinking of starting an online store? One of the most important components to consider is which platform to use to power your eCommerce site. We know it can be an ordeal to pick the right website builder for your eCommerce store. But the Shopify vs Squarespace eCommerce war boils down to your requirements. While Shopify is for sincere sellers with large eCommerce stores requiring powerful online tools, Squarespace- a factotum website builder, comes with a few additional eCommerce features if you’re looking for commencing online retail. The sale features are less progressive than Shopify, but it’s more affordable. But how do you choose between Shopify vs Squarespace? But first, let’s decipher the features and interface and other additional factors in both the platforms.
Shopify
Shopify is increasingly becoming the favourite eCommerce platform among online retailers. Like smartphones, Shopify has many viable applications that you can download and pre-install, extending default and introducing new features. The interface and setup are better than the competition and other alternative apps. The Shopify subscription starts at $29/mo. And if you use their inbuild credit card processor, you will be only charged the standard 2.9 percent plus 30 cent rate. The higher plan you upgrade to, the lower the per-transaction fee is charged. The downside to Shopify is the limited capability to change the checkout page. So, if you’re trying to re-design the checkout page, drop Shopify from your list.
Squarespace
Squarespace is an eCommerce platform designed to assist the creation of websites and online stores with features domain registration and web hosting included. Akin to BigCommerce and Shopify offers pre-designed templates but of great quality and versatility to speed up the development of personalized websites. Unlike WordPress, you cannot download Shopify, although it offers different features for exporting data. The most popular plan among customers is 28 Euros per month with an advantage of an unlimited amount of products and optimized web for mobiles or creating unlimited customer accounts. Another plan commences from 42 euros per month, offering features created for more ambitious companies, i.e. recovery of abandoned carts, gift cards or API for orders. The cons of Squarespace is its limited payment options and the absence of autosave i=options for the editors.
The e-commerce business model is incredibly productive for vendors and the platforms, helping the retail business owners scale from modest to 9 figure businesses. But before you commit to one, here are a few factors to consider:
Do not jump the bandwagon and research
Much like other components of the business, do your homework on each platform. Make sure you understand what you’re signing up for, considering the functionality of your business model. Whether the online tools offered are tailored for your eCommerce store to operate successfully or not. Pro tip: Don’t base your purchase solely on the market reputation. It is easy to fall for the hype, but not every platform is right for every business.
Interface
The sale of your product heavily depends on the user interface. Before you sign for a specific platform, ensure your teams can manage and function smoothly with the tools and other features offered by the platform. If the interface is confusing or clunky, it could pose problems or unprecedented inefficiencies anytime. An eCommerce platform is employed to make the customer happy by streamlining the process. Therefore, if the primary roles are not accomplished, it’s a wrong fit for your team.
