Squarespace vs Shopify
Squarespace vs Shopify: Best Platform for a UK Online Shop?
Both promise a beautiful, easy online shop. But they're built for very different sellers.
Squarespace
Design-first website builder with ecommerce add-on.
Best for:
Creatives, makers and small boutiques where design matters most.
Pricing:
From £15/month
Pros
- + Stunning templates out of the box
- + Great for content + shop hybrids
- + Simple to use
- + All-in-one pricing
Cons
- − Weaker checkout than Shopify
- − Fewer payment options
- − Limited app ecosystem
- − Less scalable
Shopify
Purpose-built ecommerce platform.
Best for:
Anyone serious about ecommerce as their main revenue.
Pricing:
From £25/month + apps
Pros
- + Best-in-class checkout
- + Huge app ecosystem
- + Scales to enterprise
- + Multi-channel selling
Cons
- − Templates feel samey
- − Monthly + app fees add up
- − Less editorial flexibility
The verdict
If you sell <50 products and design is everything — Squarespace. If selling is the business — Shopify.
RIOT's take
Squarespace shops top out around £100k/year revenue before they outgrow it. If you think you'll cross that line, start on Shopify.
FAQs
Which has better SEO?
Squarespace edges it slightly for content-led shops. Shopify is fine but more rigid.
Can I sell internationally?
Both can, but Shopify Markets handles multi-currency and tax far better.
What about transaction fees?
Squarespace: 0% on Commerce plans. Shopify: 0% if you use Shopify Payments, otherwise 0.5-2%.
Need help choosing?
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