Choosing the right platform for your e-commerce website is crucial—it affects your brand’s design, user experience, and sales potential. Two of the most popular options are Squarespace and Shopify, but which one is best for your business?
At Purple Moon Designs, a leading E-Commerce Website Developer in Glasgow, we specialize in crafting high-performing online stores. In this guide, we’ll compare Squarespace vs. Shopify regarding design flexibility, e-commerce features, pricing, and scalability to help you make the right choice.
Why Platform Choice Matters
Your website serves as the online identity of your brand. A well-designed e-commerce site should:
✅ Reflect your brand identity
✅ Offer seamless shopping experiences
✅ Be easy to manage
✅ Scale with your business
Both Squarespace and Shopify excel in design and e-commerce, but they cater to slightly different needs. Let’s break them down.
2. Design & Branding: Which Platform Looks Better?
Squarespace: Sleek, Modern & Design-First
✔ Stunning Templates: Squarespace is known for its award-winning, visually stunning templates, making it ideal for brands that prioritize aesthetics (e.g., fashion, art, and lifestyle businesses).
✔ Customization: Drag-and-drop editor with deep design control (fonts, colours, spacing).
✔ Mobile Optimization: All templates are fully responsive.
❌ Limited Flexibility: Advanced customizations may require CSS knowledge.
Best for: Creative brands that want a beautiful, portfolio-style store with light e-commerce needs.
Shopify: Powerful E-Commerce with Solid Design
✔ E-Commerce Focus: Templates are built for sales, with transparent product displays and checkout flows.
✔ More Themes: 100+ free and paid themes (though fewer ultra-minimalist options than Squarespace).
✔ Custom Code Access: Full access to custom code through Liquid (Shopify’s templating language), as well as complete control over CSS and HTML.
❌ Design Limitations: Some themes feel “template-like” without customization.
Best for: Businesses that prioritize sales functionality over ultra-high-end design.
Winner for Design: Squarespace (if aesthetics are #1).
Winner for E-Commerce Design: Shopify (better for conversions).
3. E-Commerce Features: Which Platform Sells Better?
Squarespace: Simple but Limited
✔ Built-in Tools: Inventory management, coupons, and basic analytics.
✔ Low-Tax Plans: No transaction fees on higher-tier plans.
✔ POS Lite: Simple in-person selling with Squarespace’s built-in POS system.
❌ Fewer Apps: Limited access to third-party integrations when compared to Shopify’s extensive app ecosystem.
❌ Dropshipping Support: Not ideal for print-on-demand or AliExpress suppliers.
Shopify: The E-Commerce Powerhouse
✔ Unmatched Sales Tools: Abandoned cart recovery, multi-channel selling (Amazon, Instagram, eBay), and 8,000+ apps.
✔ Dropshipping Support: Seamless integration with platforms like Shopify Marketplace (formerly Oberlo), Printful, and DSers.
✔ Scalability: Handles high-volume stores with ease.
✔ Global Selling: Multi-currency, international shipping, and tax automation.
❌ Transaction Fees: Unless using Shopify Payments.
Winner for E-Commerce: Shopify (by far).
4. Pricing: Which Fits Your Budget?
When choosing between Squarespace and Shopify, pricing plays a key role. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Squarespace starts at £12/month (Personal plan), with 0% transaction fees on its Commerce plans. Perfect for small brands and creatives seeking a budget-friendly, design-centric platform.
- Shopify begins at £25/month (Basic plan), but charges 2% transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments. It’s the better choice for serious online sellers who need advanced sales tools.
Best for Budget-Conscious Brands: Squarespace
Best for Scaling Businesses: Shopify
Verdict:
- Squarespace is cheaper for small stores.
- Shopify offers more value for growing businesses.
5. SEO & Marketing: Which Helps You Rank Better?
Squarespace SEO
✔ Clean code & automatic sitemaps.
✔ Built-in blogging (good for content marketing).
❌ Limited SEO apps.
Shopify SEO
✔ Advanced SEO plugins (like Smart SEO).
✔ Better URL structure for product pages.
✔ Integrates with Google Shopping & Facebook Ads.
Winner for SEO: Shopify (more tools for growth).
6. Which Should You Choose?
Pick Squarespace If You…
- Want a visually stunning website?
- Sell fewer than 50 products.
- I prefer an all-in-one platform.
Pick Shopify If You…
- Need advanced e-commerce features.
- Plan to scale (dropshipping, subscriptions, global sales).
- Want more integrations (email marketing, CRM, automation)?
7. Need a Professional E-Commerce Website?
At Purple Moon Designs, we’re experts in Shopify and Squarespace development. Whether you need a high-converting Shopify store or a brand-focused Squarespace site, we can help.
📞 Call Us: +44 7700 173884
Final Verdict: Shopify vs. Squarespace
- For Design & Simplicity → Squarespace
- For Sales & Scalability → Shopify
Still unsure? Book a free consultation with our Glasgow-based team to find the best solution for your brand!
