How to Choose Your Website Platform: Shopify vs. Squarespace
We get it; just when you've finally wrapped your head around launching (or revamping) your brand, you're hit with another big decision: where is this strategic, personality-packed website of yours going to live? And how is your dream audience (i.e., your future #1 fans) supposed to find you, fall in love, and start connecting with you and your products?
If you're torn between choosing Shopify and Squarespace, you're not alone. These are our two go-to platforms at C+M Co., and each one shines in its own way, depending on how you want to run your business.
In this post, we will break down the pros and cons of both platforms so that you can find the right fit for you and your brand.
Shopify: For the Product-Based, E-Commerce-Focused Crowd
If you're focused primarily on E-commerce, Shopify is the website for you. It is a storefront platform specifically designed to support product sales, making it ideal for brands with a larger product catalog or those wanting customization options.
Shopify is the perfect fit if you…
✔ Are focused primarily on E-commerce
✔ Need advanced tools for inventory management, shipping, taxes, and payment gateways
✔ Plan to scale your store with hundreds (or thousands) of products
✔ Need a POS system that allows you to sell both online and in person
✔ Want access to E-commerce-specific apps and integrations
✔ Prefer a platform that is built purely for selling
Things to consider…
While it is helpful to have access to a wide selection of E-commerce-specific apps, the cost can increase quickly, adding extra costs to your subscription fee.
You may run into limitations with templates—customizing beyond the basics often requires hiring an experienced web developer.
The blog editor is somewhat outdated and clunky, making it frustrating for non-developers.
If you are not a web developer, Shopify can be confusing and sometimes intimidating to customize, especially during the initial setup.
Common Shopify Users: Retailers, dropshippers, subscription box sellers, brands scaling their online store presence
A few Shopify sites that we have worked on:
Squarespace: For the Design-Lovers, Service Providers & Small Shops
Squarespace is best suited for service providers and small, digital-focused businesses. If your goal is to offer services, share content, or sell a small selection of products, it just might be the right choice for you.
Squarespace is the perfect fit if you…
✔ Want a beautiful, content-rich site with light E-commerce capabilities
✔ Sell digital products, memberships, or small-scale service-focused products
✔ Need a site for a portfolio, blog, or service business
✔ Desire design flexibility and ease of use over advanced sales tools.
✔ Are a creative professional, small business, or someone building a brand-focused site
✔ Prioritize ease of use and intuitive design tools
THINGS TO CONSIDER…
E-commerce capabilities are often limited for larger product-based businesses, especially those located outside the USA.
There is no built-in shipping label printing, which adds time and cost through the use of third-party apps.
Although the platform includes many excellent tools, some are limited in their capabilities. For example, Squarespace’s Email Newsletter add-on is reasonably priced, but lacks some basic functionalities (e.g., no customer tagging or list segmentation).
The grid system may require custom coding from a developer to look good on all screen sizes, especially tablets or larger screens.
Common Squarespace Users: Artists, photographers, consultants, service providers, therapists, wellness brands, real estate professionals
A few Shopify sites that we’ve worked on:
Still not sure which is right for you?
That's where we come in. At C+M Co., we help clients discover which platform best suits their brand, and then we bring it to life with custom design, strategy, and support.
Ready to chat? Book a consultation or a website audit, and we can start your journey.
✿ Written By Tori Warkentin
Hey there! I’m Tori, the in-house writer at Cedar + Mint Co.! With a deep love for words and a passion for storytelling, I specialize in crafting engaging, insightful content that resonates with readers.
