Squarespace Commerce vs Wix eCommerce

Squarespace Commerce vs Wix eCommerce

When setting up an online store, choosing the right ecommerce platform is essential. Two popular options available are Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce. Both offer a range of features and customization options to help create an engaging and user-friendly online store. However, there are some key differences between the two platforms that may impact your final decision. In this article, we'll delve into the details and compare Squarespace Commerce vs Wix eCommerce across various aspects to help you make an informed choice.

An Overview of Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce Platforms

Squarespace Commerce is an all-in-one website builder and ecommerce platform that allows you to create a beautiful and responsive online store from scratch. It offers a range of templates that are fully customizable, and you can add various features such as inventory management, shipping options, and tax settings. With Squarespace Commerce, you gain access to a suite of marketing tools that can help you promote and grow your online store.

On the other hand, Wix eCommerce is an extension of the popular website builder, Wix.com. Wix eCommerce offers an easy-to-use platform that can help you set up an online store quickly. It provides a variety of ecommerce-optimized templates, which you can customize using the drag-and-drop editor. With Wix eCommerce, you also get features such as inventory management, order tracking, and multiple payment options.

One key difference between Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce is the level of customization available. While both platforms offer customizable templates, Squarespace Commerce allows for more advanced customization options, such as the ability to add custom code and integrate with third-party apps. Wix eCommerce, on the other hand, is more limited in terms of customization options but offers a simpler and more user-friendly interface for beginners.

Key Differences Between Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce

One of the main differences between Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce is the scope of features offered. Squarespace Commerce provides a more comprehensive set of features that can help you set up and manage your online store, whereas Wix eCommerce offers a streamlined set of features that are simple to use but may not be as extensive.

Another key difference is the customization options available with each platform. Squarespace Commerce offers more customization options with greater control over design elements, whereas Wix eCommerce offers a simpler drag-and-drop editor for customization.

Additionally, Wix eCommerce offers a wider range of payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and offline payments, whereas Squarespace Commerce only offers PayPal and credit card payments. This can be a deciding factor for businesses that want to offer their customers more payment options.

Squarespace Commerce also includes a built-in email marketing tool that allows you to create and send email campaigns to your customers, a feature that Wix eCommerce lacks. This can be a valuable tool for businesses that want to engage with their customers and promote their products through email marketing.

Which Platform is Better for Your Online Store: Squarespace Commerce or Wix eCommerce?

The answer to this question depends largely on your specific business needs and goals. Both platforms are well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses and offer different features and customization options. Squarespace Commerce is ideal for businesses that require a more comprehensive set of features and greater control over design, while Wix eCommerce is better suited for those who value ease of use and simplicity in their ecommerce platform.

One important factor to consider when choosing between Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce is the level of customer support you require. Squarespace Commerce offers 24/7 customer support via email and live chat, while Wix eCommerce offers phone support during business hours. If you anticipate needing frequent assistance with your online store, Squarespace Commerce may be the better option for you.

Another consideration is the pricing structure of each platform. Squarespace Commerce offers a flat monthly fee, while Wix eCommerce charges a percentage of each transaction made through your online store. If you anticipate a high volume of sales, the percentage-based fee structure of Wix eCommerce may end up costing you more in the long run.

Features Comparison: Squarespace Commerce vs Wix eCommerce

Let's compare the features offered by Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce:

• Inventory Management: Squarespace Commerce offers inventory management tools such as product variants, stock levels, and real-time inventory syncing. Wix eCommerce provides features that allow you to track your stock levels and alerts you to low inventory levels.
• Shipping Options: Squarespace Commerce provides a range of shipping options, including flat-rate, weight-based, and real-time shipping rates. Wix eCommerce allows you to connect with a range of popular shipping carriers such as FedEx, UPS, and USPS.
• Tax Settings: Squarespace Commerce offers automatic tax calculations based on the location of your customer and can handle complex tax rules. Wix eCommerce provides tax calculation based on location, as well as automatic VAT handling for European businesses.
• Payment Options: Squarespace Commerce allows you to accept payments via Stripe and PayPal, with additional options available via third-party integrations. Wix eCommerce offers a range of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and offline payment methods.
• Marketing: Squarespace Commerce offers a suite of marketing tools such as email campaigns, social media integration, and abandoned cart recovery. Wix eCommerce provides promotional tools such as discounts and coupons, as well as social media integration.

Apart from the features mentioned above, Squarespace Commerce also offers a built-in analytics dashboard that allows you to track your website's performance, including sales, traffic, and customer behavior. This feature can help you make data-driven decisions to improve your online store's performance.

On the other hand, Wix eCommerce features a drag-and-drop website builder that allows you to customize your online store's design without any coding knowledge. This can be beneficial for small business owners who want to create a professional-looking website without hiring a web developer.

Pricing Comparison: Squarespace Commerce vs Wix eCommerce

When it comes to pricing, Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce have similar pricing plans, with some differences in the features offered:

• Squarespace Commerce: Plans start at $26 per month with transaction fees of 0-3%. The basic plan includes features such as website analytics, unlimited products, and automatic tax calculation.
• Wix eCommerce: Plans start at $23 per month with transaction fees of 0-2.9% + 30 cents per transaction. The basic plan includes features such as unlimited bandwidth, 20GB storage, and integration with popular payment gateways.

Ease of Use Comparison: Squarespace Commerce vs Wix eCommerce

Both Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce are user-friendly platforms that offer an easy-to-use interface. However, there are some differences between the two:

• Squarespace Commerce: While Squarespace Commerce offers more comprehensive features, it can be slightly more complex to use for beginners. However, it does offer a range of online tutorials and resources to help new users get started.
• Wix eCommerce: Wix eCommerce offers a simple drag-and-drop interface that is easy to use, even for beginners. However, this simplicity may come at the cost of some of the more advanced features offered by Squarespace Commerce.

Design and Customization Comparison: Squarespace Commerce vs Wix eCommerce

Both Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce offer a range of customizable templates. However, there are some differences in terms of design and customization options:

• Squarespace Commerce: Squarespace Commerce offers a wider range of templates that are fully customizable, allowing you to have greater control over the design of your online store. You can use custom CSS to tailor the design further.
• Wix eCommerce: Wix eCommerce offers a range of ecommerce-specific templates that are easy to customize using the drag-and-drop editor. While the templates are limited, they are optimized for ecommerce and offer a clean and modern design.

SEO Capabilities Comparison: Squarespace Commerce vs Wix eCommerce

Both Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce offer SEO capabilities that can help you optimize your online store for search engines. Here are some key differences:

• Squarespace Commerce: Squarespace Commerce offers built-in SEO features such as customizable page titles, meta descriptions, and URLs. It also provides integrated Google Analytics to help track your website's performance.
• Wix eCommerce: Wix eCommerce offers basic SEO features such as customizable page titles, meta descriptions, and URLs. However, it lacks some of the more advanced SEO features offered by Squarespace Commerce.

Customer Support Comparison: Squarespace Commerce vs Wix eCommerce

Both Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce offer customer support to help you navigate any issues you may face. Here are some key differences:

• Squarespace Commerce: Squarespace Commerce offers 24/7 email support, live chat, and community forums. It also provides a range of online resources such as video tutorials and comprehensive documentation.
• Wix eCommerce: Wix eCommerce offers 24/7 customer support via phone and email. It also provides a range of online resources such as video tutorials and an extensive help center.

Pros and Cons of Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce

Here are some of the main pros and cons of Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce:

• Squarespace Commerce: Pros include a comprehensive feature set, greater design customization options, and built-in marketing tools. Cons include slightly higher transaction fees and a steeper learning curve for beginners.
• Wix eCommerce: Pros include a simple drag-and-drop editor, user-friendly interface, and built-in payment integration. Cons include limited design customization options and basic SEO features.

Examples of Successful Online Stores Built on Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce

Here are some examples of successful online stores built on Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce:

• Squarespace Commerce: Notable online stores built on Squarespace Commerce include Man Repeller, Lookbook Cookbook, and Blue Avocado.
• Wix eCommerce: Notable online stores built on Wix eCommerce include The Curated Gift Shop, Diamond Candles, and Brava Fabrics.

How to Choose the Best Ecommerce Platform for Your Business Needs

When choosing between Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce, consider your specific business needs and goals. Evaluate the range of features offered, pricing plans, customization options, ease of use, and customer support. It's also a good idea to look at examples of other businesses that have used each platform to get an idea of what's possible.

Conclusion: Which is the Best Ecommerce Platform - Squarespace Commerce or Wix eCommerce?

Both Squarespace Commerce and Wix eCommerce are excellent choices for setting up an online store. It ultimately depends on your specific business needs and goals. Squarespace Commerce offers a more comprehensive feature set and greater design customization options but may require more technical knowledge to use. Wix eCommerce provides a simpler drag-and-drop interface and is ideal for those who value ease of use and simplicity.