So you’ve got a product you love and a vision that genuinely excites you. Now it’s time to bring your business to life online. The big question is which platform should you choose to launch your store?
If you’re deciding between Shopify and Squarespace, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions I hear from new founders. While both platforms have their place, when it comes to launching and growing a product-based business, Shopify wins every single time.
Here’s why.
1. Shopify Is Built for Selling, Not Just Looking Good
Squarespace is undeniably beautiful. It’s clean, modern, and ideal for service providers, bloggers, and portfolio-style websites.
But ecommerce is Shopify’s entire purpose.
From inventory management and shipping to discount codes, taxes, and payment processing, Shopify is a true selling engine designed to support growth at every stage.
The short version:
Squarespace is a website platform with ecommerce features.
Shopify is an ecommerce platform with powerful website capabilities.
2. Shopify Grows With You
Whether you’re starting with one product or scaling to hundreds, Shopify adapts effortlessly.
You can easily add:
- Subscriptions
- Bundles
- Wholesale pricing
- POS systems
- Advanced analytics
- One-click upsells
- Access to 8,000+ apps
Squarespace simply cannot compete at this level. Most sellers hit limitations quickly.
3. Abandoned Cart Recovery Means More Revenue
Shopify automatically tracks abandoned carts and follows up with customers who leave before checking out. This feature alone often pays for itself.
Even the Basic plan includes abandoned cart recovery.
With Squarespace, this functionality is locked behind higher-tier plans and still offers fewer customization options.
4. Checkout Experience Directly Impacts Conversions
Shopify’s one-page checkout is one of the fastest and most trusted in ecommerce. It’s the same infrastructure used by brands like Allbirds, Kylie Cosmetics, and Gymshark.
It’s optimized, secure, and frictionless.
Squarespace’s checkout works, but it’s more limited and less conversion-focused. Customers notice the difference.
5. Built-In SEO and Performance Advantages
If you want Google to love your store, Shopify gives you a strong foundation:
- Clean, efficient code
- Fast page speeds
- SEO-friendly site structure
- Automatic sitemaps and robots.txt
Squarespace offers basic SEO tools, but many users report slower performance and more manual optimization.
6. Flexible Payment Options Without Extra Fees
With Shopify Payments, you can offer:
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Shop Pay
- PayPal
- Buy Now, Pay Later options like Afterpay and Klarna
All without additional transaction fees.
Squarespace limits payment flexibility and often charges extra unless you stick strictly to Stripe or PayPal.
7. Real Support When You Need It
Shopify provides 24/7 live chat and phone support. If something goes wrong during a launch or sale, help is available immediately.
Squarespace support is more limited and primarily email-based.
So, Which Platform Should You Choose?
If you’re a service provider, artist, or blogger focused on showcasing work, Squarespace is a solid option.
But if you are:
- Selling physical or digital products
- Building a real brand
- Planning to scale
- Looking for long-term support and flexibility
Shopify is the clear choice.
It’s the platform I’ve used to build over 1,100 stores. It powers both billion-dollar brands and first-time founders. More importantly, it saves you time, prevents missed sales, and eliminates the need for constant workarounds.
Ready to Launch the Right Way?
Whether you want to DIY with our Shopify Launch Kit or work with us on a full-service build, I’ve got you covered.
We’ve been Chicago’s top-rated Shopify experts since 2013, and we know exactly what it takes to build, launch, and scale a standout ecommerce brand.
Let’s make it real.
Book a free strategy call.
