Squarespace Commerce for Your Online Store
TL;DR:
- Squarespace Commerce helps you sell products online with different plan options
- Connect payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, and Square
- Customize your store design and checkout process
- Sell internationally with multi-currency support
- Built-in marketing tools and analytics to track performance
- Extensions available for inventory management and bookkeeping
Setting up an online store with Squarespace Commerce is straightforward once you know the key steps. Here's what you need to know to get your store running and optimized for sales.
Getting Started with Your Store
First, you'll need to pick the right plan. Squarespace offers several commerce tiers, each with different features. The Basic Commerce plan covers essentials, while Commerce Advanced includes more sophisticated tools for larger businesses.
Start with the 14-day free trial to test everything out. This gives you time to set up your store and see if the platform works for your needs before committing to a subscription.
Building Your Store
Squarespace provides commerce-specific templates that make store setup easier. These templates are designed with product sales in mind, so they include the right page structures and layouts.
Adding Products and Pages
Create your product listings with descriptions, images, and pricing. The platform makes it simple to add new products and organize them into categories.
Design Customization
Adjust fonts, colors, and layout elements to match your brand. You can also add hover effects to product images to make your store more interactive.
Payment Processing
Connect your preferred payment processor to start accepting payments. Your options include:
- Squarespace Payments (integrated directly into the platform)
- Stripe (popular with online businesses)
- PayPal (familiar to most customers)
- Square (good if you also sell in person)
Each processor has different fee structures and features, so compare them based on your business needs. Most support multiple currencies if you're selling internationally.
Marketing Your Store
Squarespace includes several built-in marketing tools to help drive traffic and sales.
SEO and Social Media
Connect your store to social media platforms and use the built-in SEO tools to improve your search rankings. The platform handles basic SEO automatically, but you can customize meta descriptions and titles for better results.
Email Marketing
Set up email campaigns to stay in touch with customers. You can create promotional campaigns, abandoned cart reminders, and product announcements.
Discounts and Promotions
Create discount codes and run sales campaigns directly through the platform. This helps boost sales during slow periods or special events.
International Sales
If you want to sell globally, Squarespace supports international shipping and multi-currency payments. The specific currencies available depend on your payment processor.
Set up shipping zones and rates for different countries. You can also exclude certain regions if you prefer to limit where you ship.
Analytics and Performance
Track your store's performance with Squarespace's analytics tools. You'll see data on:
- Sales by product
- Customer behavior through the purchase funnel
- Traffic sources and visitor patterns
- Revenue trends over time
Use this data to identify your best-selling products and optimize your store layout and marketing efforts.
Extensions and Additional Features
Squarespace Extensions connect your store to other business tools:
- Bookkeeping software for managing finances
- Inventory management for tracking stock
- Marketing tools for advanced campaigns
The Square integration is particularly useful if you sell at markets, events, or have a physical location. It syncs your online and offline inventory.
This is the bit most people miss: regularly reviewing your analytics and adjusting your strategy based on what the data shows. Your initial setup is just the starting point.
FAQs
How do I start using Squarespace Commerce?
Sign up for the 14-day free trial to explore the features, then choose a subscription plan that fits your business size and needs.
Can I customize my store design?
Yes, you can customize colors, fonts, layouts, and add interactive elements like hover effects. The commerce templates provide a good starting point.
Does Squarespace support international selling?
Yes, you can sell and ship internationally with supported payment gateways and configurable shipping zones.
What payment processors work with Squarespace?
Squarespace Payments, Stripe, PayPal, and Square are the main options. Each has different fee structures and features.
Jargon Buster
Squarespace Payments – The platform's integrated payment processing system that handles transactions directly through your store
Hover Effects – Visual changes that happen when customers move their cursor over product images or buttons
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – Techniques to help your store appear higher in Google and other search engine results
Purchase Funnel – The path customers take from visiting your store to completing a purchase
Wrap-up
Squarespace Commerce gives you the tools to build and run a professional online store. The key is choosing the right plan for your needs, setting up reliable payment processing, and using the built-in marketing tools to drive sales.
Success comes from consistently monitoring your store's performance and making adjustments based on what your customers actually do, not just what you think they want. Start with the free trial, get your basic store set up, then expand features as your business grows.
Join Pixelhaze Academy for in-depth Squarespace training and expert support to get the most out of your online store.