Story: eCommerce CMS
If I personally develop an eCommerce website, I use Woo-commerce. I can test demand without an extra hosting server. I cannot apply it to the client project.
My client has a Woo-commerce website, but she is tried to switch Woo-commerce to Shopify. However, the previous developer did not complete it. Then, she asks me to do it.
What she cares about:
– Provided reference website which is developed by Squarespace
– Payment gateway
– Integration, Facebook shop, and Instagram shop
You can understand if you are a web designer, we don’t want to take over an incomplete project. It often consumes more time than developing from scratch. I research which is a better choice, Shopify with custom cording(Liquid programming) or Squarespace from scratch.
Shopify
Shopify Inc. is a Canadian multinational e-commerce company headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario. It is also the name of its proprietary e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. – Wikipedia
Yes, Shopify is a proudly eCommerce giant established in Canada.
Squarespace
Squarespace, Inc. is an American website building and hosting company which is based in New York City, United States. It provides software as a service for website building and hosting, and allows users to use pre-built website templates and drag-and-drop elements to create and modify webpages. – Wikipedia
According to an annual report, Squarespace generated $621.15 million in 2020. Squarespace is a subscription-based business. So, a forecast is bright.
Shopify vs Squarespace: Where’s the Best Home for Your Store in 2021?
©Tooltester
– when considering only eCommerce usage, price does not have much difference
– Online payment gateway has limited on Squarespace, Paypal, Stripe, ApplePay (default, a programmer can integrate Square)
– Shopify has a lot of payment gateway (processing fee is a consideration topic)
– Number of eCommerce themes is limited on Squarespace (Shopify has a lot, but it pays theme)
– Unique URL on Shopify, customizable on Squarespace
– Shipping
– Extention is limited on Squarespace
Shopify vs Squarespace (Which is the best eCommerce Builder?)
©Santrel Media
Price: Less than $30/mo *annual contract may require
Payment gateway: Shopify does not worry about it. Squarespace has limited, 3-4 choices. Square is for in-person, not online. The processing fee is a different topic.
Shopify: Ways to accept payments in Canada 🇨🇦
Squarespace: Checkout, payment, and taxes
– Theme: Shopify has a lot of eCommerce theme choices, but it’s not everything free(9 themes for free). Squarespace has 100+ free themes, but eCommerce themes are 5+.
Extention: Shopify has a massive app. Squarespace is basically build-in.
SEO: Shopify adds some words on URL. I don’t feel it’s a huge issue.
Usability: Squarespace may be easier than Shopify.
Shipping: Both have a good offer for shipping, but the price is different
Shopify vs Squarespace 2020 | Which is the best eCommerce Platform
©IWD Agency
– Squarespace may be more layout flexible than Shopify
– Shopify lite: Extra $9/mo to add products and sell them on website or FB, IG
– Shopify has tons of extension
– Mentioned above, Squarespace has well-design and customization, not always fit eCommerce
– I am not sure eCommerce starter needs to care about shipping at the beginning
– Export Squarespace website is limited
– Both platforms are available to integrate FB shop, IG shop
Conclusion: Global thinking or local winning
I compared Shopify and Squarespace, but it’s a very tough choice. Because if the client’s eCommerce succeeds, Squarespace may not be very flexible. Even so, I am not sure whether a client needs to think about such a long-term goal.
Realistically, I think it’s great if a client sells 5+ products within a month. The business growth depends on a client’s will. If a client aggressively takes action on digital marketing and SEO, it’s possible to happen and I would like to contribute it.
1 suggestion to everyone is please don’t stuck choosing the platform. Please don’t try to be perfect. Public your product on the market as soon as possible. Rethink about a target audience. An early failure is the best. This is what I am learning on “The Lean Startup”.
Reference:
Square: Square’s Payments API FAQ
StyleFactoryProductions: Shopify vs Squarespace — Which is Best?
