When it comes to building a website, Squarespace is often praised for its sleek templates and user-friendly design. As a drag-and-drop website builder, it allows beginners to create visually appealing sites without needing coding knowledge.
However, while Squarespace is beginner-friendly, is it the best choice for eCommerce? As businesses look for intuitive, scalable, and feature-rich platforms, the demand for a seamless online selling experience has never been higher.
This is where Shopify stands out. Designed specifically for eCommerce, Shopify offers an even easier setup process, built-in tools for selling, and the flexibility needed to scale a business efficiently. In this article, we’ll compare Squarespace and Shopify to see why Shopify is the better option for beginners looking to sell online.
When starting an online business or building a website, beginners need a platform that is easy to use, intuitive, and requires little to no technical skills. A truly beginner friendly platform allows users to focus on design, content, and selling rather than struggling with complex settings or coding.
Below are the four key factors that determine how beginner-friendly a platform is:
1. User Interface (UI) Simplicity
A beginner-friendly platform should have a clean, intuitive, and well-organized interface. The easier it is to navigate, the quicker users can learn how to use it.
Key aspects of a simple UI:
- Drag-and-drop editing allows users to move elements like text, images, and buttons without needing to adjust code.
- Clear navigation ensures a well-structured dashboard where users can easily find essential settings like store management, payments, or themes.
- A minimal learning curve allows new users to start building their website or store with little to no training.
For example, both Shopify and Squarespace offer a visual editor where users can modify their websites without technical knowledge. However, Shopify’s dashboard is more streamlined for eCommerce, while Squarespace’s interface is more geared toward content-focused sites like portfolios and blogs.
2. Customization Without Coding
Most beginners do not know how to code, so a platform should offer extensive customization options without requiring HTML, CSS, or JavaScript knowledge.
Key aspects of easy customization:
- Pre-designed templates make it easy to launch a professional-looking website without design experience.
- A simple theme editor allows users to change colors, fonts, and layouts with just a few clicks.
- App and plugin integrations help users add functionalities such as email marketing, SEO tools, or payment gateways without manual coding.
Squarespace allows users to customize templates, but options are somewhat limited. Shopify, on the other hand, offers more flexibility through its app store, allowing users to add features like live chat, automated emails, or product reviews without touching a single line of code.
3. Setup Process & Guidance
Beginners need a smooth onboarding experience with clear guidance on setting up their website or online store.
Key aspects of a beginner-friendly setup:
- Step-by-step onboarding tutorials guide users through account setup, domain connection, and website customization.
- Pre-built templates and starter sites allow users to select a template and quickly modify it to fit their needs.
- Built-in tooltips and help guides offer pop-up tips or guided walkthroughs to explain different features.
Shopify provides a guided setup wizard that helps users choose a theme, add products, set up payments, and configure shipping. Squarespace also offers a quick start guide, but it lacks built-in prompts for store-specific settings like payment processing and inventory management.
4. Scalability & Support
A truly beginner-friendly platform does not just help users get started it also helps them grow without unnecessary roadblocks.
Key aspects of scalability and support:
- 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, or phone ensures that beginners can get help whenever they need it.
- A rich knowledge base and community provide access to video tutorials, FAQs, and a user forum for troubleshooting.
- Easy upgrades and integrations allow businesses to add new features, upgrade their plan, and connect with third-party services as they grow.
Shopify excels in support with 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support, along with a large community of experts. Squarespace offers help documentation and chat/email support, but it lacks phone support and an extensive eCommerce-specific help section.
A truly beginner-friendly platform should be easy to navigate, customizable without coding, offer guided onboarding, and provide reliable support. While Squarespace offers simplicity, Shopify goes a step further by making it easier for beginners to set up, customize, and scale their online store without technical expertise.
Is Squarespace Truly Beginner Friendly?
Squarespace is known for being a beginner-friendly website builder, often recommended for individuals and small businesses looking to create a professional-looking website without technical expertise. It offers a drag-and-drop interface, pre-designed templates, and a no-code approach to customization. However, while Squarespace is easy to use for general website building, it has limitations when it comes to eCommerce, scalability, and third-party integrations.
Below is a detailed breakdown of its advantages and drawbacks for beginners.
Pros of Squarespace for Beginners
1. Drag-and-Drop Editor
Squarespace offers a fully visual, drag-and-drop editor that allows users to create and customize pages without coding. Users can add and rearrange text, images, buttons, and other elements simply by clicking and dragging them into place. This makes it easy for beginners to design a website with minimal effort.
However, unlike true drag-and-drop builders like Wix, Squarespace’s editor is section-based, meaning that while users can customize within set content blocks, they cannot place elements anywhere on the page freely. This can be a limitation for those looking for complete design flexibility.
2. Pre-Built Templates
One of Squarespace’s standout features is its collection of professionally designed templates. These templates are modern, visually appealing, and mobile-responsive, allowing users to launch a website quickly without needing to design from scratch.
Templates are categorized by industry (e.g., portfolio, blog, online store), making it easy to find one that suits a specific business or personal need. Users can then modify the colors, fonts, and layout to match their branding.
However, while the templates look great, they offer limited customization compared to Shopify’s more flexible theme editor and app integrations for further modifications.
3. No Need for Coding
Squarespace is built for non-technical users, meaning that everything from content editing to website styling can be done without touching a single line of code. The platform provides an intuitive settings panel where users can adjust fonts, colors, and page layouts through simple click-based controls.
For those with some coding knowledge, Squarespace does allow minor customizations through CSS, but most users will find that the built-in design options are sufficient. However, Shopify offers a better balance by providing both an easy-to-use editor and advanced customization options for those who need them.
Cons of Squarespace for Beginners
1. Limited eCommerce Capabilities
While Squarespace does support eCommerce, it is not designed as a dedicated eCommerce platform like Shopify. It offers basic features for selling products, but lacks advanced tools needed for scaling an online business. Some limitations include:
- Fewer payment options (supports only Stripe, PayPal, and Square)
- No multi-channel selling (Shopify allows selling on social media, Amazon, and marketplaces)
- Basic inventory management compared to Shopify’s advanced tools
For beginners looking to start an online store, Shopify provides a more streamlined experience with built-in payment processing, automated tax calculations, and a more powerful inventory system.
2. Less Intuitive for Scaling an Online Store
Squarespace works well for small businesses, but as a store grows, its limitations become more apparent. Scaling an online store requires:
- Flexible shipping options (Squarespace has limited integrations with shipping carriers)
- Robust analytics and reporting (Shopify provides more in-depth sales reports and insights)
- More automation tools (such as abandoned cart recovery, which is only available on higher Squarespace plans)
Shopify, on the other hand, is built for businesses that want to scale. It offers built-in tools for larger inventories, global sales, and automation, making it a better choice for long-term growth.
3. Limited Third-Party App Integrations
One of the biggest disadvantages of Squarespace is its lack of app integrations. Unlike Shopify, which has an extensive App Store with thousands of third-party apps, Squarespace offers a very limited number of extensions.
Some missing features include:
- Fewer marketing and sales automation tools
- Limited customization through third-party plugins
- Fewer options for adding advanced eCommerce functionality
Shopify’s App Store allows users to easily add features like email marketing, loyalty programs, live chat, and advanced shipping options—giving beginners more room to grow their business without needing a developer.
Why Shopify is Even Easier for Beginners
While Squarespace offers a simple website-building experience, Shopify makes it even easier especially for those looking to run an online store. Shopify is specifically designed for eCommerce, providing an intuitive setup process, a user-friendly dashboard, built-in selling tools, and extensive customer support. Below are the key reasons why Shopify is an even better choice for beginners.
1. Effortless Store Setup
Shopify provides a seamless onboarding experience that guides users through the entire store setup process.
- Step-by-step tutorials walk users through selecting a theme, adding products, setting up payments, and configuring shipping.
- Built-in setup wizard helps beginners complete essential tasks without confusion.
- Demo content and templates make it easy to visualize the final store before launching.
Unlike Squarespace, which focuses primarily on content-based websites, Shopify is built with eCommerce in mind, ensuring that even first-time store owners can get started quickly without feeling overwhelmed.
2. User-Friendly Dashboard
Shopify’s dashboard is clear, well-structured, and designed for efficiency.
- Intuitive navigation: Key sections such as orders, products, customers, and settings are easy to access.
- One-click actions: Adding a new product, setting discounts, or launching a promotion can be done effortlessly.
- No clutter: Shopify focuses on eCommerce essentials, unlike Squarespace, which includes extra website-building tools that may not be relevant for online stores.
This clean and simple interface ensures that beginners can quickly understand how to manage their store without needing technical knowledge.
3. More eCommerce Features Out of the Box
Unlike Squarespace, which requires users to upgrade plans or use third-party tools for advanced selling features, Shopify provides everything needed to run an online store right from the start.
- Built-in payment processing with Shopify Payments, supporting credit cards, PayPal, and multiple payment gateways.
- Automatic inventory tracking to keep products organized without manual updates.
- Marketing tools such as discount codes, email automation, and SEO-friendly features.
- Abandoned cart recovery to bring back potential customers who left without completing a purchase.
These features help beginners start selling right away, without needing extra apps or manual setup.
4. App Store for Additional Customization
Shopify offers a vast App Store with thousands of apps to extend the functionality of an online store.
- One-click integrations allow users to add live chat, reviews, subscription services, and more without coding.
- Marketing and automation tools like email campaigns, social media integrations, and analytics apps help store owners grow their business.
- Flexible store design options let users customize their website with apps that add extra features beyond Shopify’s built-in tools.
In contrast, Squarespace has a limited number of third-party extensions, restricting customization options for store owners who want more advanced functionalities.
5. 24/7 Customer Support
For beginners, having access to reliable customer support is crucial. Shopify offers:
- Live chat, email, and phone support 24/7, ensuring users get help whenever they need it.
- Extensive help center with step-by-step guides, FAQs, and video tutorials.
- Active community forums where users can get advice from other store owners and Shopify experts.
Squarespace, on the other hand, provides email and live chat support, but lacks 24/7 phone support, which can be a drawback for users who need immediate assistance.
Shopify is not just beginner-friendly, it’s optimized for eCommerce in a way that Squarespace is not. With its effortless store setup, user-friendly dashboard, built-in selling tools, customizable apps, and round-the-clock support, Shopify provides a smoother and more scalable experience for beginners.
Comparing Shopify & Squarespace for eCommerce
When choosing between Shopify and Squarespace for an online store, it’s essential to compare their features side by side. While Squarespace offers a simple and visually appealing website-building experience, Shopify is built specifically for eCommerce, making it the better choice for businesses looking to sell online. Below is a detailed comparison of both platforms based on key factors.
1. Ease of Use
- Squarespace: Offers a beginner-friendly drag-and-drop interface but is more suited for content-based websites rather than full-fledged online stores. Managing products and orders is straightforward but lacks advanced selling tools.
- Shopify: Designed for eCommerce with a clean, intuitive dashboard that scales with business growth. Users can easily manage inventory, payments, and marketing in one place.
Winner: Shopify – It’s just as easy to use as Squarespace but offers more scalability.
2. eCommerce Tools
- Squarespace: Provides basic eCommerce functionality, including product listings, a simple checkout process, and inventory management. However, it lacks advanced features like abandoned cart recovery, multi-channel selling, and automated tax calculations.
- Shopify: Comes with powerful built-in eCommerce tools such as payment processing, inventory tracking, abandoned cart recovery, and shipping automation. It also allows selling across multiple channels, including social media and marketplaces like Amazon.
Winner: Shopify – It offers all the essential eCommerce tools out of the box, making it the better choice for online stores.
3. Customization
- Squarespace: Provides professionally designed templates, but customization options are somewhat limited. Users can edit basic design elements but may find it restrictive when adding advanced features.
- Shopify: Offers customizable themes along with access to its App Store, where users can add advanced functionalities like email marketing, subscriptions, and customer loyalty programs.
Winner: Shopify – It allows more customization through apps and flexible theme editing.
4. Payment Integration
- Squarespace: Supports only a few payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and Square. Businesses looking for alternative payment options may face limitations.
- Shopify: Supports over 100 payment gateways, including Shopify Payments, which enables businesses to accept credit cards without third-party transaction fees (in certain regions).
Winner: Shopify – It offers more payment flexibility for businesses worldwide.
5. Customer Support
- Squarespace: Provides live chat and email support, but does not offer 24/7 phone support. This can be a drawback for users needing urgent help.
- Shopify: Offers 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone, ensuring users get assistance whenever needed. Additionally, Shopify has an extensive help center and community forums.
Winner: Shopify – Its round-the-clock customer support makes it the more reliable option for business owners.
While Squarespace is a good option for simple websites and small-scale selling, Shopify is the better choice for eCommerce due to its ease of use, powerful features, flexibility, and reliable support.
If your primary goal is to build and grow an online store, Shopify is the clear winner.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right platform depends on your specific needs. While both Squarespace and Shopify offer beginner-friendly website-building experiences, they serve different purposes. Below is a detailed breakdown of when to choose each platform.
Choose Squarespace If You Need a Simple Website or Blog
Squarespace is best suited for users who need a beautifully designed, content-focused website rather than a full-fledged online store.
Ideal for:
- Personal websites & portfolios – Artists, photographers, and creatives looking for a visually appealing online presence.
- Blogs – Writers and content creators who want a blog with built-in SEO tools and easy publishing options.
- Small business websites – Service-based businesses (like consultants, agencies, or freelancers) who don’t rely on eCommerce for revenue.
Why Choose Squarespace?
- Drag-and-drop simplicity – Easy-to-use design tools with pre-built templates.
- Aesthetic templates – Professionally designed layouts for a polished, modern look.
- Built-in blogging tools – Supports categories, tags, and SEO-friendly features.
- Basic eCommerce features – Allows product listings but lacks advanced selling tools.
However, if you plan to scale your business or need robust eCommerce features, Squarespace may feel limited over time.
Choose Shopify If You Want to Build & Grow an eCommerce Business
If selling online is your main goal, Shopify is the best choice. It is designed to help businesses launch, manage, and grow their online stores with ease.
Ideal for:
- New eCommerce businesses – Entrepreneurs starting an online store with little to no technical experience.
- Growing brands – Businesses that need advanced inventory management, payment processing, and marketing tools.
- Dropshipping & print-on-demand – Seamless integrations with suppliers and automation tools.
- Scalable enterprises – Large businesses that require multi-channel selling, custom checkout experiences, and advanced reporting.
Why Choose Shopify?
- Effortless eCommerce setup – Step-by-step onboarding and guided tutorials.
- Built-in eCommerce features – Payment processing, inventory tracking, abandoned cart recovery, and shipping automation.
- Extensive customization – Thousands of apps and integrations for marketing, sales, and customer engagement.
- Multi-channel selling – Sell on social media, Amazon, eBay, and other marketplaces.
- 24/7 customer support – Live chat, phone, and email assistance for any issues.
Unlike Squarespace, Shopify is built specifically for eCommerce, ensuring that even beginners can successfully launch and scale an online store.
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Conclusion
Shopify is the best choice for beginners looking to sell online, offering an intuitive setup, built-in eCommerce tools, scalability through apps, and 24/7 customer support. Unlike Squarespace, which is more suited for content-based websites, Shopify provides everything needed to launch and grow a successful online store. If you’re considering making the switch, Squarespace to Shopify migration services ensure a seamless transition, preserving your content, design, and functionality without downtime.
