Squarespace vs Shopify: Which Website Platform Should You Use?
When you're planning a new website, one of the biggest decisions is choosing the right platform. And for many small businesses, service providers, and shop owners, it often comes down to two main options: Squarespace or Shopify.
I work with both, so I get asked this question a lot. And the truth is, one isn’t better than the other. They’re just different. The best choice depends on what you do, how you sell, and what your business needs right now.
So, if you're stuck between the two, here’s a breakdown to help you decide.
Shopify: Built for Selling Products
Shopify is made for ecommerce. If your business is focused on selling products, especially if you’re managing lots of stock or want to grow. Shopify is a strong, reliable platform.
It’s known for:
Handling large product catalogues with ease
Connecting with shipping providers and POS tools
Having built-in features for inventory, payments, and sales
Scalability. It can grow with your business
Complex merchandising capabilities
If your business is all about sales, and you want powerful tools to manage your shop, Shopify makes it easy. It’s built to convert visitors into buyers, and to support you as you grow.
Squarespace: Beautiful and Easy to Manage
Squarespace is an all-in-one website builder that’s perfect for people who need a website that looks great and is easy to update. If you're a service-based business, a creative, or selling a small number of products, Squarespace could be all you need.
Why people love it:
Clean, modern design templates
Easy to update with a drag-and-drop editor
Perfect for portfolios, blogs, and service pages
Built-in ecommerce that works well for small shops
Squarespace lets you keep everything in one place: your website, blog, shop, invoicing and even email marketing. It’s also quicker to set up and a bit easier to learn for beginners.
Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s the simple version:
Have more than 50 products or plan to grow big? Go with Shopify
Need a beautiful site that’s simple to manage? Try Squarespace
Service-based business or creative work? Squarespace is probably the better fit
Selling is your main focus? Shopify gives you more tools
If you're not sure what your business will look like in 6–12 months, I often suggest starting with the simpler option (usually Squarespace) and then scaling from there. You don’t have to build the biggest site straight away, just the right one for now.
Already Using One of These and Considering the Other?
You might already be using Squarespace or Shopify and wondering if the grass is greener on the other side. Here’s what to think about.
If you're on Squarespace but starting to sell more products, Shopify might be worth a look. It’s built for sales and makes handling inventory, shipping, and payments much easier as your store grows.
If you're on Shopify but only sell a few products and want more design flexibility or to focus more on content, Squarespace could be a better fit.
And here’s something not everyone knows, you can actually use both. For example, your main site can live on Squarespace, and you can use Shopify's Buy Button to embed product listings. That way, you get the best of both worlds: great design and powerful sales tools.
This setup is useful if you’re a service provider who wants to sell a few products or digital items without moving your whole site.
Still Unsure? I Can Help
I work with both platforms and help clients figure out what’s right for them. Whether that’s a simple service-based site on Squarespace or a custom Shopify store with all the eCommerce bells and whistles.
If you’re stuck or just want a second opinion, I’d love to help.
You can book a quick call with me here, or explore my recent website projects to see what’s possible.
