Squarespace Commerce Features and Setup Guide
TL;DR:
- Commerce features are available across Basic, Core, Advanced, and Commerce Advanced plans
- You can sell globally but payment options vary by region and processor
- Shipping options include flat rate, weight-based, free shipping, and carrier calculated rates
- Supports physical products, digital downloads, and subscription services
- Payment processors include Stripe, PayPal, and Squarespace Payments (region-dependent)
- Built-in inventory management with automatic out-of-stock handling
- SSL security included for all transactions
Squarespace Commerce gives you a solid foundation for selling online, whether you're starting small or scaling up. The platform handles most of the technical heavy lifting, so you can focus on your products and customers.
Available Plans and Global Sales
Commerce features are built into all Squarespace plans, but the specific tools you get depend on your billing plan. Basic plans cover the essentials, while Commerce Advanced includes features like abandoned cart recovery and advanced shipping options.
You can sell to customers worldwide, but there are some practical considerations. Payment processors support different countries and currencies, so check compatibility with your target markets before committing to a plan.
To control where you ship, set up shipping zones in your store settings. This lets you limit delivery to specific regions or offer different shipping rates based on location.
Shipping Setup
Squarespace offers several shipping options that work for most businesses:
- Flat rate shipping – charge the same amount regardless of order size
- Weight-based rates – calculate shipping based on total order weight
- Free shipping – absorb shipping costs into your product prices
- Carrier calculated rates – real-time rates from shipping companies (higher-tier plans only)
The carrier calculated option is particularly useful if you ship varied product sizes, as it gives customers accurate shipping costs at checkout.
For businesses using print-on-demand or drop shipping, Squarespace Extensions can connect you with fulfillment services that handle shipping automatically.
What You Can Sell
Squarespace supports three main product types:
Physical products – tangible goods you ship to customers
Digital downloads – files customers receive immediately after purchase
Services and subscriptions – recurring billing for ongoing services
Before setting up your store, check that your products comply with Squarespace's terms and your chosen payment processor's requirements. Some processors restrict certain product categories or require additional verification for high-risk businesses.
Subscriptions work well for businesses with recurring revenue models. You can set up weekly, monthly, or annual billing cycles for products or services.
Payment Processing
Your payment options depend on your location and target market:
Squarespace Payments – Squarespace's own processor, available in select regions with competitive rates
Stripe – widely available with strong international support
PayPal – familiar to customers and available in most countries
Each processor supports different currencies and has its own fee structure. If you're selling internationally, choose a processor that supports your customers' preferred payment methods.
Check processor availability in your region before finalizing your store setup, as this affects which features you can use.
Inventory and Order Management
Squarespace handles basic inventory management automatically. When items go out of stock, they're marked as unavailable and customers can't purchase them.
You can track stock levels manually or connect to third-party inventory management services through Squarespace Extensions. This is helpful if you sell across multiple channels or need automated stock updates.
Order management includes basic fulfillment tracking and the ability to issue refunds through your payment processor. For more complex needs, consider integrating with dedicated fulfillment services.
FAQs
Can customers buy out-of-stock items?
No, Squarespace automatically prevents purchases when items are marked as sold out. You'll need to restock and update inventory levels before customers can buy again.
How do I set up subscriptions?
Enable recurring payments for specific products in your store settings. You can choose billing frequency and set up automatic renewals.
Can I connect to third-party inventory services?
Yes, use Squarespace Extensions to integrate with inventory management and fulfillment services. This is particularly useful for drop shipping or multi-channel selling.
Do I need to handle tax calculations myself?
Squarespace can calculate taxes automatically based on your location and tax settings. For complex tax situations, consider consulting a tax professional.
Jargon Buster
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) – Encryption that protects customer data during transactions. All Squarespace sites include SSL by default.
VAT (Value Added Tax) – A consumption tax applied to products in many countries. Squarespace can calculate VAT automatically if configured.
SCA (Strong Customer Authentication) – Security requirement for online payments in Europe. Most modern payment processors handle this automatically.
Abandoned cart recovery – Automated emails sent to customers who add items to their cart but don't complete the purchase.
Wrap-up
Squarespace Commerce covers the essentials for most online businesses without requiring technical expertise. The platform handles security, basic inventory management, and integrates with reliable payment processors.
Start with a plan that matches your current needs and upgrade as your business grows. The most important decisions are choosing compatible payment processors for your target market and setting up shipping options that work for your products.
Ready to dive deeper into Squarespace? Join our community for ongoing support and advanced tutorials: https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership