Why we use Squarespace and Shopify - Which is Better?

When I started out at Auckland-based Laureate University; Media Design School, in 2012, I was studying graphic design and web design in my diploma.

I started out coding websites and web pages from scratch in Adobe Dreamweaver, and sometimes just simple notes software (which, secretly made me feel like some kind of computer genius in the 80’s, helping the hero break into an evil lair).

It was fascinating to me; learning HTML, CSS & even jQuery. I continued to know web design as something that takes months of wireframe creation and hard coding. I enjoyed it, but it certainly meant that I’d usually be spending a lot of time on one website at a time. Heaven forbid the client changed their mind and wanted something massively different part way through coding. My little heart can’t take it, just thinking about it.

Back then, web builders were pretty new and not really that great, so the best professional way to craft websites was certainly to code them. I remember trying out Wix after hearing about it from a colleague and while I’ve heard it’s improved, back then it was quite the train-wreck and I never went back.

Years later, at the end of 2018 when I was looking into creating my own website in the very early stages of our design studio, something prompted me to take a look at Squarespace because I was short on time and wanted to be able to very easily upload and change content without having to take days off from client work to update the site.

I was really amazed! I hadn’t known that I could use my professional CSS and custom code skills while also speeding up the overall build process and nailing better search engine ratings.

I also quickly understood that there’s a lot more to Squarespace than just ease. There are countless plugins and applications you can use, amazing digital marketing options and the ability to charge clients less.

Because a lot of our clients are start-ups and small businesses, we know that they’d much rather pay a set $5000 NZD and get absolutely everything sorted out and then be able to go in and make small changes and manage the sites themselves, instead of paying $15,000 NZD or more to set up an ecommerce website from a large agency and then have to pay upwards of $100NZD per hour to a developer, often to make very small changes.

After working with Squarespace for clients for about a year, I had a request from a client to craft her a website in Shopify because she had a vast amount of items to sell, and wanted the plugins only found over there. So, I got to work and learned on the job; quickly realising that Shopify requires even more custom code than Squarespace (if not using pre-made templates).

We don’t really have a preference for either builder and we choose based on client needs and requests.

Shopify and Squarespace are both powerful e-commerce platforms that allow businesses to sell products and services online. Here are some of the benefits of each platform:

Benefits of Shopify:

Shopify has powerful e-commerce functionality: Shopify is built specifically for e-commerce, so it offers more advanced e-commerce features like inventory management, product listings, order tracking, and shipping management.

Drag & drop editing: While Shopify can be a little more complicated than Squarespace, once you have a great template or site built by a professional, almost anyone can go in and use the drag-and-drop feature to move elements around for professional-looking edits without any design experience.

App integrations: Shopify has a large library of third-party apps and plugins that allow businesses to add functionality like email marketing, social media integration, and SEO optimisation to your store.

Large community: Shopify has a large community of users, developers, and designers, which means there are plenty of resources available for support and advice.

Payment processing: Shopify offers a built-in payment processing system, which can simplify the checkout process for customers.

Mobile app: Shopify offers a mobile app that allows businesses to manage their online stores from anywhere.

24/7 support: Shopify provides round-the-clock customer support through live chat, email, and phone, so you can get help whenever you need it, even if we’re on holiday or, you know…sleeping.

Shopify provides a user-friendly platform that allows you to start an e-commerce business quickly and easily. With its easy setup, drag-and-drop website builder, built-in e-commerce features, and app integrations, Shopify makes it easy to create a professional online store and manage your business.

Benefits of Squarespace:

Design flexibility: Squarespace is known for its stunning and customisable website templates, making it an ideal platform for businesses looking to create a visually appealing online store for a reasonable cost. It’s extremely easy to edit Squarespace websites and not easy to break like most code-based ways to build websites. Most businesses can easily add features such as interactive menus and forms without much effort, provided they have the higher tier platform subscription enabled.

All-in-one platform: Squarespace offers everything a business needs to build an online store, including website hosting, domain registration, and website design. This means businesses can build and manage their online store without needing to use multiple tools or platforms. This is one of our favourite elements about Squarespace and might even push it in front of Shopify by precisely 0.1 brownie point. Having everything in one place and not having to rely on third party apps to potentially bulk up the speed of your site and drive you crazy if they break is always a plus!

Integration with other Squarespace products: Squarespace also offers a range of other products, including email marketing and scheduling software, which can be integrated with the online store.

Easy to use: Squarespace is known for its user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for businesses to create and manage their online stores.

No transaction fees: Squarespace doesn't charge any transaction fees, which can save businesses money compared to other e-commerce platforms. This means businesses can keep more of their profits and reinvest them into growing their business.

Design Flexibility: Squarespace offers a wide range of customisable templates that are designed to showcase products in a visually appealing way. The platform provides users with the ability to create an attractive and professional-looking online store that is optimised for mobile devices.

Security: Squarespace takes security very seriously and provides SSL encryption to protect customer data. The platform also provides automatic software updates and backups to ensure that ecommerce websites are always up-to-date and protected from security threats. This is amazing because most hosts charge extra for this.

Marketing Features: Squarespace offers a range of marketing features to help businesses drive traffic to their ecommerce website. These features include email campaigns, social media integration, and SEO tools. This can really save you time and help if you’re a small business owner wearing lots of different hats and having to do everything yourself.

Squarespace is a good choice for ecommerce because it offers comprehensive features that are specifically designed for selling products online and promoting businesses of many kinds. The platform is easy to use, visually appealing, and secure, making it a great option.

Both Shopify and Squarespace offer their own unique set of benefits for both eCommerce and service-based businesses. Businesses and sole traders should consider their specific needs and goals when deciding which platform to use, or consult a professional.

If you’re still not sure which platform to use for your unique business, feel free to contact us for a totally free consultation. We love helping businesses get off the ground and thrive!