Store Pages vs Product Blocks on Squarespace
TL;DR:
- Store pages are the main hub for your entire product catalog
- Product blocks let you feature specific products on other pages
- Store pages handle all product management and organization
- Product blocks only display products that already exist in your store
- Both link to the same detailed product pages
- Use store pages for your main shop, product blocks for promotions
Store pages and product blocks serve different purposes in your Squarespace store setup. Getting clear on when to use each will help you build a better shopping experience.
Store Pages Are Your Main Shop
Store pages handle the heavy lifting for your online store. This is where customers browse your full product range and where you manage everything behind the scenes.
What Store Pages Do
Store pages display multiple products in a grid or list format. Your template determines the exact layout options, but most include features like hover effects, category filtering, and breadcrumb navigation.
You can organize products using tags to create different collections. A clothing store might use tags like "summer," "winter," or "accessories" to help customers find what they want.
The Site Styles panel controls how your store pages look. Changes here affect the entire store section, keeping everything consistent with your brand.
Setting Up Categories
Tags are the key to organizing your store. Add relevant tags to each product when you create it. Squarespace automatically creates category pages based on these tags.
For example, if you tag products with "sale," Squarespace creates a sale category page showing only those items. Customers can filter by these categories without leaving your store.
Product Blocks Are for Highlighting
Product blocks let you showcase specific items outside your main store pages. Think of them as spotlights for featured products.
Where to Use Product Blocks
Product blocks work well in blog posts, on your homepage, or in dedicated promotional pages. You might use them to highlight new arrivals, seasonal items, or products mentioned in a blog post.
They're also useful for creating custom landing pages. If you're running a campaign for a specific product line, you can build a page mixing product blocks with text and images.
What Product Blocks Can't Do
Product blocks don't create new products. They only display items that already exist in your store pages. You still need to add products through the Commerce section first.
You can customize what information each product block shows. Hide prices for a cleaner look, or remove descriptions to save space.
Which Should You Use?
Use store pages for your main shopping experience. Customers expect to find your full product range in one place, with proper navigation and filtering options.
Use product blocks for marketing and promotion. They're perfect for featuring specific products in context, like showcasing a winter coat in a blog post about cold weather fashion.
Getting the Balance Right
Most successful Squarespace stores use both. Store pages handle the bulk of sales, while product blocks support marketing efforts and improve the browsing experience.
Don't overuse product blocks. Too many scattered around your site can feel overwhelming and distract from your main store.
TL;DR:
- Store pages are the main hub for your entire product catalog
- Product blocks let you feature specific products on other pages
- Store pages handle all product management and organization
- Product blocks only display products that already exist in your store
- Both link to the same detailed product pages
- Use store pages for your main shop, product blocks for promotions
FAQs
Can I add new products using product blocks?
No, product blocks only showcase products already added through store pages. You need to create products in the Commerce section first.
Can I style product blocks differently from my store pages?
Yes, you can customize individual product blocks. You can also mix them with other content blocks to create unique layouts.
How do I organize products into collections?
Use tags when creating products. Squarespace automatically creates category pages based on these tags, making it easy for customers to filter products.
Do product blocks affect my store's SEO?
Product blocks can help SEO by featuring products on relevant pages. For example, featuring a product in a related blog post can improve that product's visibility.
Jargon Buster
Store Pages: The main pages where all your products are displayed together, forming your online shop's catalog.
Product Blocks: Individual blocks that display specific products on non-store pages like blogs or custom pages.
Tags: Labels you add to products to organize them into categories and collections.
Site Styles: Squarespace's design panel where you control colors, fonts, and layout options for your entire site.
Wrap-up
Store pages and product blocks work together to create a complete shopping experience. Store pages handle the main shopping flow, while product blocks support your marketing and content strategy.
Focus on getting your store pages right first. Once your main shop is working well, add product blocks strategically to highlight key items and improve the overall browsing experience.
Ready to build a better Squarespace store? Join our community of web designers at Pixelhaze Academy for more detailed guides and expert support.