Shopify and Squarespace are just different enough to make them tricky to compare, but they do share some important similarities that they’re often discussed together when considering e-commerce tools.
When it comes to choosing your e-business platform, it’s all a matter of what you need and what you prefer. That said, here are some things to consider:
Which is cheaper?
Naturally, if you’re going to invest into something and stick to it for a while, pricing plans are the first thing to keep in mind. There is a big difference here:
- Basic Shopify Plan: $29 ($26.10 if signed up to annual plan)
- Shopify Plan: $79 ($71.10 if signed up to annual plan)
- Advanced Shopify Plan: $299 ($269.10 if signed up to annual plan)
- Personal Plan $16 ($12 if signed up to annual plan)
- Business Plan $26 ($18 if signed up to annual plan)
- Basic Store Plan $30 ($26 if signed up to annual plan)
- Advanced Store Plan $46 ($40 if signed up to annual plan)
Squarespace’s pricing chart (the large number is the monthly fee if you bill annually).
Shopify is more expensive, but it also gives you more for your money. This higher price point carries many awesome features with it: Shopify offers much more advanced and far more comprehensive e-commerce tools compared to Squarespace, and this is often the clincher for both new and well-versed users.
Shopify also boasts an enormous app library, giving you a vast array of features to add onto your online shop and boost its productivity.
Whichever you think would suit your business better, both Shopify and Squarespace offer a free trial period of fourteen days, so you can try them both out and see which is a better fit.
Which has better customer service?
When it comes to handling support for their users, both Shopify and Squarespace do a very good job. In addition to standard FAQ and knowledge bases, both of these platforms offer support via email as well as live support, and Squarespace offers some training as well.
However, this is brought down by inflexibility. With Squarespace, there is no support offered by a phone call. The live chat sessions at Squarespace are only available Monday through Friday between 3 am and 8 pm EST, although they do answer emails 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
Shopify makes a point of helping you set up a successful store.
By contrast, Shopify’s support teams are much more accessible. This is one of the perks that the extra cost in their pricing plans covers for. The three main channels by which they offer customer care are emails, phone calls, and live chat sessions, and all of these are standing by ready 24 hours a day, seven days in a week.
Instant accessibility at such a high level is a lifesaver when you need emergency advice, and certainly a great convenience to users from significantly different time zones.
Which is more mobile-friendly?
As far as adaptability to mobile platforms goes, it’s a pretty tight race. According to a review published last year by FinancesOnline, both platforms are available on Android, iPhone and iPad, as well as being web-based (by the way, if you are interested, you can visit these two links: Shopify supported browsers list and Squarespace supported browsers list for more detailed information).
However, unlike Squarespace, Shopify is also compatible with Windows mobile and Mac operating systems. This means that a person who uses, for example, a Windows phone, and needs to manage their business on the go and always be up to date with everything happening, is more likely to opt for a Shopify-based online store, which they can access and manage away from their PC or laptop. While Windows phones aren’t exactly widespread, it’s still worth noting.
So, considering the degree of mobile friendliness, it basically all depends on the hardware that you (or your employees or coworkers) use. This can turn tricky, of course, because not every member of a group might use the same device(s), and that’s yet another plus in Shopify’s book – because it’s supported by two additional operating systems, it’s easier for a diversely equipped team to keep up.
What are the big stores, medium and small stores using?
Obviously, the size of your company is another crucial factor to consider when you’re deciding on the perfect e-commerce platform. It’s not just its current size you need to think about, either: it is very important to look ahead and try to estimate how much your business will expand in the next year, five years, or more.
Will your target audience change, or include some new groups? Will the merchandise you offer split off into some other niches or categories? There are a lot of elements in play which will influence the growth and expansion rate of your online store.
With all that in mind, your best bet is often to go online and check out the competition. Browse for stores and companies that offer products and services which are the same as or similar to your own.
Small and medium businesses, and maybe some startups, might be more at home with Squarespace, as it is more oriented towards small and medium-sized companies.
Shopify is the platform of choice for large enterprises and many freelancers, but also small and medium entities.
In the end, it all falls back to your own judgment. Not to worry, though – if you find your needs have changed over time, you can migrate.
Shopify vs. Squarespace wrap-up
Overall, Shopify tends to rate higher on most comparisons around the web, as shown in the table at the bottom of this page. Although it’s significantly higher subscription fees may feel too steep and intimidate some people away from this platform, it definitely more than makes up for it. Shopify’s key differentiator is the superior comprehensiveness of the e-commerce tools which it offers, and included in their customer support is the Shopify Experts team who can help you evolve your business in all areas, such as design, code, developing etc.
On the other hand, if you don’t need such an advanced platform and a support infrastructure, Squarespace is an excellent choice, even though e-commerce isn’t its primary field of play. Although it is more basic, its tools are more than enough to build a completely functional online store. Don’t forget that both Squarespace and Shopify have a free trial period of 14 days, so you give them both a test ride and see what works best without any financial risk on your side.
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