Accepting Payments with Squarespace Commerce
TL;DR:
- Squarespace Payments accepts major cards, Apple Pay, and buy-now-pay-later options
- Stripe integration gives you more payment methods and international reach
- PayPal Business accounts handle PayPal and Venmo transactions
- Square works best for businesses needing in-person and online payments
- Payment fees vary by plan, so check current rates before choosing
Payment Options for Your Squarespace Store
Getting paid should be straightforward. Squarespace gives you several ways to handle transactions, whether you're selling online, in person, or both.
Squarespace Payments
This is Squarespace's built-in payment system. Once connected, you can accept:
- Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX)
- Digital payments like Apple Pay
- Buy-now-pay-later options (Afterpay/Clearpay, Klarna)
- UnionPay and ACH transfers (US only)
Worth noting: Squarespace Payments isn't available everywhere yet. Check if it's live in your region before building your checkout around it.
Stripe Integration
Stripe works well if you need more payment flexibility. You get:
- All major credit and debit cards
- Digital wallets including Apple Pay
- Additional buy-now-pay-later services
- Better international payment support
Stripe tends to have more payment options than Squarespace Payments, especially for international customers.
PayPal Business Accounts
Connect a PayPal Business account to handle:
- Standard PayPal payments
- Venmo transactions
This covers customers who prefer PayPal over entering card details directly.
Square for Physical Sales
If you sell in person as well as online, Square bridges both worlds. It handles:
- In-person card and cash transactions
- Integration with your Squarespace inventory
- Fast processing through Square's hardware
Square works particularly well for cafes, pop-up shops, or any business with heavy foot traffic.
Squarespace vs Square: What's the Difference?
These are completely different companies:
Squarespace builds websites and online stores. Their payment system focuses on web transactions.
Square specializes in point-of-sale systems and physical payment hardware. They happen to integrate with Squarespace.
Don't mix them up when setting up your payments.
Choosing the Right Setup
Your best option depends on where and how you sell:
Online only: Squarespace Payments or Stripe work well. Stripe wins for international sales.
In-person only: Square handles this better than the others.
Both online and offline: Square plus Squarespace Payments gives you the most coverage.
International focus: Stripe and PayPal handle cross-border payments better than Squarespace Payments.
FAQs
Can I accept international payments on Squarespace?
Yes, through Stripe and PayPal. Squarespace Payments is more limited geographically.
Are there fees with Squarespace Payments?
Yes, and they vary by your plan. Check Squarespace's current pricing page for exact rates.
Can I set up recurring payments?
Yes, through Squarespace Payments or Stripe. This works well for subscriptions or membership sites.
Do I need a business bank account?
Most payment processors require business accounts for proper setup and lower fees.
Jargon Buster
Digital Wallets: Payment apps on phones or devices. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay are common examples.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Services that split purchases into installments. Afterpay and Klarna are popular options.
ACH Transfer: Electronic bank-to-bank transfers. Common in the US for direct payments without cards.
Point of Sale (POS): The system that processes payments when customers buy in person.
Wrap-up
Your payment setup affects how smoothly your business runs. Squarespace Payments works well for simple online stores, while Stripe gives you more options for complex needs. PayPal covers customers who prefer that platform, and Square handles physical sales best.
Most businesses benefit from offering multiple payment methods. The extra setup time pays off in fewer abandoned carts and happier customers.
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