If you’re researching Squarespace for ecommerce, chances are that you’re a creative entrepreneur, service provider, or product-based business wondering if this all-in-one website platform can handle your online store. The short answer? Yes, but with a few caveats.
If we haven’t met, HI! I’m Bekah and I am a Shopify, Squarespace and Showit website designer helping you build a high-converting website. Want a designer to set up your Squarespace shop the right way and fast? I’ve helped dozens of entrepreneurs build beautiful, functional online stores that convert. Check out my Website in a Week service to launch with confidence.
As a website designer who has worked with hundreds of small business owners, I’ve built ecommerce sites on both Squarespace and Shopify. And while I love Squarespace for its clean templates and ease of use, it’s not always the right fit (especially if you’re planning to scale).
Let’s dive into what makes Squarespace a great (or not-so-great) choice for selling online.
Squarespace offers a seamless blend of visual design and ecommerce functionality that makes it a solid choice for:
If you’re starting from scratch, go to the Squarespace Templates page and filter by “Online Store.” Pick a design you like, you can customize it later!
{Already have a Squarespace site? Go to account.squarespace.com, select your site, and add a store page. I recommend placing it under “Not Linked” until it’s ready for launch.}
Once your store page is created, click the gear icon to access settings. Here’s what to update:
Click the “+” icon to add your first product. You’ll be prompted to choose a type:
Within each product, you’ll add:
Organize items into categories like “Books,” “Accessories,” or “Templates” to make navigation easier.
Go to Commerce > Setup and make sure you’ve configured:
Squarespace offers auto tax calculation, but make sure your business info is filled in accurately.
Connect to PayPal, Stripe, or Square for in-person transactions. Squarespace Payments is also available in certain regions.
Choose from:
You can also import settings from Etsy if you’re migrating.
If you’re using Squarespace 7.1, use sections to design the layout:
Use the paintbrush icon (Site Styles) to keep fonts, colors, and buttons consistent with your brand.
When editing individual product pages, you can choose from layouts like:
Add spacers, buttons, forms, or even image carousels using the classic editor. Pro tip: stack images vertically for a more editorial feel or use a carousel for mobile-friendly design.
Don’t miss these:
Toggle on the cart icon from your site header. Show item count to encourage checkouts!
Use waitlists to build hype around sold-out or upcoming items.
Feature bestsellers or new arrivals on your homepage.
Customize the emails your customers receive after purchase (order confirmation, shipping, etc.) to match your brand.
Allow repeat buyers to log in, view order history, and manage their info.
Offer coupon codes during launches or sales (think: Black Friday!).
{Psst… I’m hosting a free summit August 26-28 to help you plan a profitable Black Friday sale, even if you’ve never hit five figures. Click here to learn more.}
Yes! Choose “Digital Product” and upload the file you want customers to download after purchase.
Yes. Squarespace has built-in tax tools for many locations, but it’s still your responsibility to check compliance.
Technically, no, but performance can slow if you have a large catalog. Shopify is more efficient for bigger stores.
Squarespace makes it easy to bring your shop to life, without needing to be a tech genius. Whether you’re selling art prints, digital templates, or eco-friendly candles, the tools are there. Now it’s time to get building!
👉 Sign up for my free training to launch your Squarespace site this weekend.
Here’s where I’ll get personal. I’ve designed Squarespace ecommerce websites for coaches selling digital downloads, an author selling versions of her book, and even makers selling a small inventory of handmade goods. And it works beautifully for the right business model.
If you’re selling fewer than 20 products, want a clean, beautiful design, and prefer an all-in-one solution, Squarespace is a fantastic choice.
But if you’re planning to:
…then I recommend making the leap to Shopify.
👉 Here’s my full blog post comparing Shopify Designers (plus how much you can expect to spend): Shopify Website Designers for All Budgets
If you’re ready to try Squarespace for ecommerce, don’t forget to use a promo code!
Here is my personal Squarespace coupon to offer! Save 10% off your first subscription of a website using the code RRC10
If your priority is a simple, elegant storefront, and you’re not planning to scale into a full-fledged ecommerce empire, Squarespace might be exactly what you need.
But if you’re selling a higher volume of products or want total control over the shopping experience, Shopify is going to serve you better in the long run.
✨ READ MORE: Shopify Website Designers for All Budgets
Either way, your site should feel aligned, intentional, and ready to convert.
Need help deciding or launching your ecommerce site fast?
Let’s get your store online strategically and stress-free. Explore my Website in a Week service and let’s build a site that does the selling for you.
I’ve got messy hair and a thirsty heart.
I overshare my life, and have an ultra-expressive personality. Some words people use to describe me are: helpful, real, fun, creative, authentic, and kind.
Elphaba from Wicked is kind of my alter-ego (I was a fan LONG before the movie-adaptation - anyone else?!). I am always trying to forge my own path and make a difference in the World, somehow, someway, while also constantly criticizing myself and trying to become the better version of me.
Quality conversations + coffee come easy to me.
I’ve never had an issue connecting naturally with others (probs because I can go on and on about my life story, not that it is interesting, I just process externally...)