Squarespace vs. Shopify: Which Platform Actually Fits Your Vibe?

Education

1 Aug

Picking a website platform is like choosing a sidekick—you want one that matches your style, gets the job done, and won’t make life harder.

Squarespace and Shopify are two big players in the website game, but they’re totally different. Here’s the lowdown on why Squarespace could be your perfect match if you’re looking for an easy-to-use, all-in-one website platform that’s way more than just your digital space. Let’s dive in!

Squarespace: The Creative’s Dream

Squarespace is the platform you go to if you want a website platform that is easy-to-use, offers templates and can be your all-in-one software for website, email marketing, scheduling + more.

Who’s It For?

Creators, influencers, freelancers, anyone in the service-based side of business
Small biz owners who want a strong online presence with less hassle
Anyone who needs a website where e-commerce is less then 50% of their business sales.

Shopify: The E-Commerce Powerhouse

Shopify is here for one reason: to help you sell. Built specifically for e-commerce, it’s a sales-focused platform that can power any online store, whether you’re just starting out or scaling up. If you’re all about running a digital storefront, Shopify can take you there.

Who’s It For?

E-commerce entrepreneurs with a focus on growth
Larger online stores and retailers
Brands looking for advanced sales tools and POS integrations

Where They Differ: Squarespace vs. Shopify

1. Design & CustomiSation

Squarespace: Has always been known for it’s excellent design features, especially since the launch of 7.1 Fluid Engine (serious game changer). Squarespace offers templates to use when you get started but TBH they are pretty boring. If you want to DIY, check out some killer templates from Creative Market, Pearler and ILoveCreatives. Looking for a custom-build? Yep, you’ve come to the right place—get in touch with us here.
Shopify: Simple and sales-focused. They introduced section based, block style designing which has made editing on Shopify super user-friendly. As with Squarespace, Shopify themes are limited and basic, I suggest looking at premium or semi custom ones from Creative Market.

2. E-Commerce

Squarespace: Small to mid size shops? No problem. But it does come with some roadblocks for really executing the best UX. If your physical products are a side-hussle to your primary services, Squarespace will get it done. Online course, digital downloads and video libraries are perfect on Squarespace too. All of Squarespace’s digital product offerings come with their subscriptions. We sell digital downloads here on Squarespace and the set-up is painless, easy to use/update and works for us.
Shopify: It’s like the Swiss Army knife of e-commerce tools and this is what the platform is literally built for. So if your business is selling physical products as the primary focus, Shopify is for you. Shopify gives you features like multi-channel selling, inventory management, and even advanced shipping options. Plus, you can integrate with heaps of 3rd party apps.

3. Marketing

Squarespace: Has the tools to get it done, but there are limitations and again, depends on your business and what you prioritise.
1. Email marketing – Available however additional and limited customisation options (which is kinda disappointing).
2. Socials – Integrates easily with Instagram and Facebook
3. Blogging – Hands down, the best options directly on Squarespace. While the design tools are still on v7.0 (i.e not fluid engine) you can customise the shit out of it with code.
4. SEO – Offers built in design standards especially around mobile compatibility. While Squarespace will automatically pull the content from each page, I’d suggest adding keywords and TOV sounding copy in yourself for page title and descriptions. That alone, is more then what most people do.
Shopify: Has the tools, with it’s own limitations BUT offers more 3rd party app options.
1. Email marketing – Available however additional and limited. Options for paid 3rd party apps though.
2. Socials – Integrates easily with Instagram and Facebook
3. Blogging – Interface is rubbish but there are apps like Bloggle to work-around.
4. SEO – Offers built in design standards especially around mobile compatibility. While Shopify also automatically pull the content from each page, I’d suggest adding keywords and TOV sounding copy in yourself for page title and descriptions. That alone, is more then what most people do.

Why We’re All About Squarespace

At Digital Moves, we’re Squarespace specialists because we believe that every business can have their dream website and manage it themselves. We exist to build custom bad-ass websites that empower our clients with the tools to update and manage it. Want us to make regular updates? No problem. We offer retainer options and even keep space in our books for existing client updates. Even when we have finished working together, we still keep an eye on your website—because we really care about what we do.

Want to collaborate and build something cool? Dive right in here.