Squarespace Business vs Commerce Plans: Which One to Choose?
Are you confused between the Squarespace Business vs Commerce plans? Well, I was also in the same situation when I started this website.
If you want a short answer, I can say that the Squarespace Business plan is good for those looking to grow their audience and start accepting online payments. The Commerce plans are suitable for those looking to have advanced ecommerce on their website.
In this article, we will compare both the Squarespace Business and Commerce plans. Based on our experience of using Squarespace, we will help you decide which plan is right for you. Let’s get started.
Squarespace Business vs Commerce Plans
Based on my experience as a Squarespace web designer, I can say that the Business Plan is suitable for users who need a professional website with basic e-commerce features, while the Commerce Plans are designed for users who want access to more advanced e-commerce functionality.
At a glance, both the Business plan and the Commerce plans offer useful features for creating and managing an online store on your website. You can have a look at the image below that shows the Squarespace pricing.
The big difference here is that the Business plan is limited in terms of ecommerce functionality and features. In addition to that, it has a 3% transaction fee. The Commerce Plans charge 0% transaction fees.
You can check out the Squarespace pricing to have a look at the features of every plan available.
In my opinion, the Squarespace Business plan is more suitable for anyone looking to grow an audience or wanting to have a small online store with very basic features. The Commerce plans are a good pick for those serious about their online store and want to have access to all the e-commerce tools that Squarespace offers.
You can watch the YouTube video below by David Alex to learn more about the Squarespace commerce plan.
Squarespace Commerce Basic vs Advanced.
I have also written an article that compares Squarespace Business vs Personal, you can check it out if you want.
Feel free to start your Squarespace free trial and use my code MEHDI10 to get 10% off.
Squarespace Business Plan Features
The Squarespace Business Plan offers many useful features to create a professional website and build your brand.
Here are some of the features included in the Squarespace Business Plan:
1. Unlimited Bandwidth and Storage
With the Squarespace Business Plan, you'll enjoy the freedom of unlimited bandwidth and storage. This means you won't have to worry about your website's performance, even during periods of high traffic.
Your website can handle a lot of visitors without slowing down or experiencing downtime. Plus, the unlimited storage ensures that you can upload and store as much content as you need.
Whether it's high-resolution images, videos, or extensive blog archives, Squarespace allows all of that. So you can say goodbye to storage limitations and focus on creating the content that matters most to your audience.
2. Advanced Analytics
Understanding your website's performance is essential for business growth. That's where Squarespace's advanced analytics come in. With this feature, you get valuable insights about visitor behavior.
You can track user engagement, page views, and conversion rates. By analyzing these metrics, you'll have useful data to make informed decisions about your website's content and design.
This helps you identify which pages are performing well and which might need improvement. As a result, you can fine-tune your online presence for maximum impact.
3. Squarespace Commerce
The Squarespace Business Plan goes beyond a professional website by including Squarespace Commerce. This means you can easily set up an online store and start selling products and services directly from your website.
Squarespace allows you to integrate with many payment providers such as Stripe and Paypal. This ensures smooth and secure transactions, while inventory management tools help you keep track of your products.
In addition to that, you have the flexibility to customize checkout options to match your brand's identity. As a result, this provides your customers with an easy and professional shopping experience.
4. 24/7 Customer Support
Building and maintaining a website can sometimes present challenges. That's why Squarespace's 24/7 customer support comes to the rescue. With the Business Plan, you have access to assistance whenever you need it.
Whether you're facing technical issues, have questions about your website's features, or need guidance on design and customization, help is just a click away.
Knowing that expert support is available around the clock makes you comfortable when building your website. So Squarespace customer support will make you feel that you're never alone on your website-building journey.
5. Mobile-Friendly Design
Your website must look and function well on all devices, from desktop computers to smartphones. With Squarespace's mobile-friendly design, you don't have to worry about compatibility issues.
That’s because your website is automatically optimized for mobile. As a result, this provides an excellent user experience for visitors accessing it from their phones or tablets.
Having a mobile-friendly website is very important for users and search engines as well. That’s because responsive websites are favored by all search engines.
With Squarespace mobile-friendliness built in, you can confidently reach and engage with audiences across various devices.
6. SEO Features
To attract more visitors to your website, it's essential to optimize it for search engines. That's precisely what Squarespace's SEO features enable you to do.
You can fine-tune your website's settings, such as meta titles, descriptions, and URLs, to improve its visibility in search engine results. This means that when potential customers search for products or services related to your business, your website is more likely to appear in their search results.
Squarespace provides you with the tools and guidance to enhance your website's SEO. As a result, it helps you connect with a broader audience and drive organic traffic to your site.
If you want to learn more about Squarespace SEO, I recommend that you read my article about the topic: Is Squarespace Good for SEO?
7. Professional Email from Google
Your online brand image matters, and having a custom email address powered by Google Workspace elevates your professionalism. With this feature, you can create a custom email address using your domain name, such as yourname@yourbusiness.com.
This not only reinforces your brand identity but also builds trust with your customers. In addition to that, Google Workspace offers a suite of tools like Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive.
These productivity tools enhance your email communication and collaboration capabilities. With professional email, you're equipped with the tools and credibility to engage effectively with your audience and partners.
8. CSS and JavaScript Customization
While Squarespace provides many beautiful templates to start with, you may want to customize your website's design and functionality further to align with your unique vision.
This is where CSS and JavaScript customization come into play. With the Business Plan, you have the flexibility to modify your website's code. This feature allows you to create a truly custom website.
So whether you have specific design preferences or need additional features, the ability to customize CSS and JavaScript empowers you to make your site stand out. You can work with developers or use your coding knowledge to achieve the exact look and functionality you want.
9. Premium Integrations and Blocks
To enhance your website's capabilities and functionality, the Squarespace Business Plan allows you to add premium integrations and Plugins.
These integrations allow you to extend your site's features by easily integrating third-party tools and services. Whether you want to integrate social media feeds, embed videos, or connect with e-commerce platforms, you can do so with ease.
These premium integrations and plugins empower you to craft a website that meets your specific needs and engages your audience effectively.
If you think you’re ready to start selling on Squarespace, take the first step by trying out your Squarespace free trial. Experience the power of Commerce plans without any commitment. Start your journey to online success today.
Squarespace Commerce Basic Plan Features
Here are some of the features included in the Squarespace Commerce Basic Plan:
1. All Features of The Business Plan
The Squarespace Commerce Basic Plan builds upon the powerful features provided by the Business Plan. This means you get access to all the features included in the Business plan.
So you will have even more functionality and features in the Commerce Basic plan. So you can take advantage of everything.
2. E-Commerce Analytics
Understanding the performance of your online store is critical to its success. With e-commerce analytics, you can dive deep into your sales data and track the effectiveness of your e-commerce strategies.
Monitor metrics like conversion rates, sales by product, and customer behavior to make data-driven decisions for your online store's growth.
Whether you're editing your product offerings or optimizing your checkout process, e-commerce analytics provide the insights you need to succeed.
3. Integrated E-Commerce Metrics
As an online seller, it's essential to track your revenue and understand the sources of your traffic and sales. Integrated e-commerce metrics provide you with detailed insights specifically related to your products.
You can easily monitor your sales revenue, analyze which products are performing well, and identify the channels driving traffic to your online store.
Armed with this data, you can refine your product offerings and marketing strategies to maximize your e-commerce success.
4. Abandoned Cart Recovery
Cart abandonment is a common challenge for online sellers. However, with the Squarespace Commerce Basic Plan, you have a powerful feature at your disposal: abandoned cart recovery.
This feature allows you to recover potentially lost sales by sending automated reminders to customers who added products to their carts but didn't complete their purchases.
These gentle reminders can significantly boost your conversion rate, turning abandoned carts into completed transactions. It's an effective way to recapture revenue and ensure that potential customers don't slip through the cracks.
5. Point of Sale(POS) for In-Person Sales
If your business involves both online and in-person sales, the Squarespace Point of Sale(POS) feature in the Commerce Basic Plan is a game-changer. This functionality easily connects your online and offline sales channels. As a result, this can simplify the management of your entire business.
You can use the Squarespace Commerce app on your mobile device to accept payments, process orders, and manage inventory whether you're at a physical store, a pop-up event, or a trade show.
The integration ensures that your inventory is always up to date, preventing overselling, and simplifying your operations. This feature provides a useful approach to sales management. This makes it easier to serve your customers, no matter where or how they choose to shop.
Squarespace Commerce Advanced Plan Features
Here are some of the features included in the Squarespace Commerce Advanced Plan:
1. All Features of Commerce Basic Plan
The Squarespace Commerce Advanced Plan builds upon the solid e-commerce foundation of the Commerce Basic Plan. This means you get access to all the features included in the Commerce Basic Plan.
This will allow you to have a powerful set of tools to grow your online store. You will get access to all the Squarespace advanced e-commerce features to make your store stand out.
2. Advanced E-Commerce Functionality
For online businesses with more advanced e-commerce needs, the Commerce Advanced Plan offers a suite of advanced functionality. You can set up subscription products, which allow customers to subscribe to receive products on a recurring basis.
Whether it's a monthly subscription box or a quarterly magazine, this feature simplifies the process for both you and your customers. In addition, you can offer gift cards that provide a convenient and flexible way for customers to make purchases and share the gift of your products with others.
These advanced e-commerce capabilities allow you to create a more dynamic and engaging shopping experience for your customers.
3. Advanced Shipping Options
Shipping is a critical aspect of e-commerce, and the Commerce Advanced Plan offers advanced shipping options to meet diverse customer needs. You can provide flexible shipping choices, including expedited shipping, international shipping, and store pickup options.
This flexibility allows you to cater to a broader audience. So with these advanced shipping features, you can offer your customers a variety of delivery options. As a result, this will enhance their satisfaction and increase the likelihood of repeat business.
4. Automatic Discounts
Boosting sales and encouraging repeat business is made easy with the automatic discounts feature. You can implement automatic discounts based on various criteria, such as order value or specific products.
For example, you can offer a discount when customers spend a certain amount or provide a discount on selected products during a promotional period. These automatic discounts are applied automatically at checkout. It’s a good way of encouraging customers to complete their purchases.
This is a powerful feature to increase sales, drive customer loyalty, and create a sense of urgency around your promotions.
5. Commerce API Access
For developers and businesses with specific integration needs, the Commerce Advanced Plan provides access to the Squarespace Commerce API. This API allows you to build custom integrations and extend your online store's functionality.
Whether you want to integrate with third-party inventory management systems, connect with external analytics tools, or implement unique features tailored to your business, the Commerce API grants you the flexibility to do so.
It's a valuable resource for businesses that require customized solutions to meet their e-commerce goals.
In conclusion, Squarespace offers a range of powerful features through its Business and Commerce Plans, catering to the diverse needs of website owners and online retailers.
Whether you're establishing a professional online presence or running a thriving e-commerce store, these features provide you with the tools and capabilities to succeed.
Carefully consider your business goals, the scale of your operations, and your budget to determine which plan and set of features align best with your specific needs.
What is Not Included in Squarespace Business Plan?
While the Squarespace Business plan is a good choice for small businesses, it lacks some advanced e-commerce features that you might need.
So if you need any additional advanced e-commerce features below, the Commerce plans are undoubtedly your best choice.
Here are some of the features that are not included in the Squarespace Business Plan:
Checkout on Your Domain: Customers remain on your custom domain name throughout the checkout process, eliminating the need for redirection to secure.squarespace.com.
Customer Accounts: Enable customers to easily create accounts and ensure faster checkouts for repeat buyers.
Enhanced Analytics: Track revenue alongside traffic sources for your products and get deeper insights into your business performance.
Related Products: Showcase related products within the same category at the bottom of your product detail page, encouraging more sales.
ShipStation Label Printing: Bulk print shipping labels, available for US, Canada, UK, and Australia regions.
Automatic Sync with Xero: Seamlessly integrates with Xero accounting software, a boon for US users looking for efficient financial management.
Squarespace Pricing
Let's talk about the money stuff. I mean the prices and fees for Squarespace plans. So, first up, we have the Squarespace Business plan. It's a good starting point for your online presence, and it costs $23 per month when you pay for a year upfront.
But hold on, if you're thinking about selling products online, that's where the Commerce plans come into play. The Commerce Basic plan, which is great for getting your products out there, costs $27 per month.
If you're really serious about selling online and want all the bells and whistles, there's the Commerce Advanced plan for $54 per month. You can check out the official Squarespace pricing page for more details.
Squarespace Transaction Fees
Now, let's dive into fees. With the Business plan, there's a thing called a transaction fee. It's like a small cut they take from every sale you make. So they charge you 3% of the sale plus the fee from the payment processor.
On the other hand, both Commerce plans give you a 0% transaction fee. So that would save you more money, especially if you’re making a lot of sales.
Keep in mind that while price is important, it's also important that you're getting what you pay for. So think about your website goals and what features you will need. It's a mix of numbers and what works best for your business.
When to Upgrade from a Squarespace Business Plan to a Commerce Plan?
Squarespace allows you to easily upgrade from Squarespace Business plan to any Commerce plan. You can do that at any time you want.
So I think you should upgrade from the Squarespace Business plan to a Commerce plan if you don’t want to pay the 3% transaction fees. If you also need access to advanced e-commerce features, a Squarespace Commerce plan is the right choice.
If you need features like subscription products, abandoned cart recovery, gift cards, and automatic discounts, the Commerce Plans provide all that.
So in conclusion, upgrading to a Commerce Plan is driven by your website's growth and specific needs. Evaluate how the added features align with your goals and perform a cost-benefit analysis.
Which Plan Should You Pick?
Choosing a Squarespace plan depends on your website goals. For showcasing your work or business, the Business plan is a good start. You can also pick this plan if you just want to sell a few products and don’t need all the e-commerce features.
However, If you want to start a good online store and sell a lot of products online, the Commerce plans are key.
The Commerce Basic plan is for beginners in online selling, while the Commerce Advanced plan is for those serious about a full-fledged online store.
If you sell a lot of products, Commerce plans will save you from transaction fees. So decide based on your website's purpose, how much you're selling, and how advanced you want your store to be. It's about finding the right plan for your needs.
Conclusion: Squarespace Business vs Commerce
In conclusion, the Squarespace Business plan is for professional websites with basic ecommerce features. On the other hand, Commerce Plans cater to users needing more advanced ecommerce functionality.
The choice is yours to decide between Squarespace Business and Commerce plans. If you're starting small and need a professional online presence, the Business Plan has you covered. But for ambitious ecommerce growth, the Commerce Plans bring advanced features and a lot of potential.
It's all about aligning your goals with the right plan. So pick your corner and let Squarespace support your journey to online success.
Again, don’t forget to start your Squarespace free trial and see what features you’re going to use when building your website. That would give you an idea of the right plan for you.
So start your trial now and use my code MEHDI10 to get a 10% off offer and a free domain name for the whole year.
Thank you for reading this article. I hope we helped you make your decision to pick the right plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs with their answers for more information:
1. Are there transaction fees with the Commerce Plans?
No, Squarespace does not charge transaction fees on the Commerce Plans. This makes it advantageous for businesses looking to maximize their revenue.
2. Can I integrate a physical store with my online store?
Yes, both the Commerce Basic and Advanced Plans offer Point of Sale (POS) capabilities, allowing you to seamlessly manage in-person and online sales.
3. Is the Commerce Advanced Plan suitable for my business?
Consider the Commerce Advanced Plan if you need features like subscription products, gift cards, dynamic shopping experiences, flexible shipping options, automatic discounts, and custom integrations.
4. Can you upgrade from business to commerce on Squarespace?
Yes, you can upgrade the Squarespace Business plan at any time to any Commerce plan. That will help you to accommodate your evolving business requirements. With just a few clicks, you can change your Squarespace plan easily.
5. Is Squarespace's Business plan worth it?
The Squarespace Business plan is worth it if you don't need advanced e-commerce features such as abandoned cart recovery and customer accounts. It’s a good choice if you're just starting out with e-commerce and you only have a few products to sell.
More Squarespace Blog Posts: