Setting Up Your Squarespace Store
TL;DR:
- You need Squarespace 7.1 to access commerce features
- Choose from Basic to Commerce Advanced plans based on your needs
- Add products with quality images and detailed descriptions
- Set up payment processing for cards, PayPal, and mobile payments
- Configure shipping rates and tax settings for your regions
- Use the Orders panel to manage fulfilment and refunds
- Boost visibility with email campaigns and SEO
Choose Your Commerce Plan
You'll need Squarespace 7.1 to access any commerce features. If you're still on version 7.0, you won't see these tools in your dashboard.
Commerce functionality is available from the Basic plan upwards, but each tier offers different capabilities. The Basic plan covers essentials like product listings and basic checkout, while Commerce Advanced includes abandoned cart recovery, advanced shipping options, and commerce APIs.
Build Your Store Page
Start by creating a store page that matches your brand. You can sell physical products, digital downloads, services, and gift cards all from the same store.
Focus on your product listings. High-quality images make a huge difference to conversion rates. Write clear, detailed descriptions that answer the questions customers typically ask. Use product tags to help visitors filter and find what they're looking for.
Keep your product categories organised. If customers can't find what they want quickly, they'll leave.
Set Up Payment Processing
Squarespace handles payment processing through Stripe, which accepts major credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. This covers most customer preferences without needing multiple payment providers.
If you sell internationally, you can accept payments in different currencies. Squarespace automatically converts prices based on your customer's location.
For physical stores, you can use Squarespace's Point of Sale system to accept in-person payments that sync with your online inventory.
Configure Shipping and Taxes
Set up shipping rates based on your business model. You can offer flat rates, calculated shipping based on weight or location, or free shipping above certain order values.
For taxes, Squarespace can automatically calculate US sales tax if you're based in the States. For international sales or other regions, you'll need to set up tax rates manually based on your local requirements.
Manage Orders and Customers
The Orders panel is where you'll spend most of your time once sales start coming in. You can process orders, print shipping labels, add tracking information, and handle refunds from one dashboard.
Adding tracking numbers to orders keeps customers informed and reduces support queries about order status.
Marketing and SEO
Squarespace Email Campaigns integrate directly with your store data. You can send targeted emails to customers based on their purchase history or abandoned carts.
For SEO, make sure your product titles and descriptions include terms customers actually search for. Use the built-in SEO tools to add meta descriptions and alt text for images.
Regular blog content about your products or industry helps drive organic traffic to your store.
FAQs
How do I check if my site is on Squarespace 7.1?
Log into your dashboard and look for the "Commerce" section in the main menu. If you don't see it, you're probably on version 7.0 and will need to upgrade your site.
Can I set different shipping rates for different products?
Yes, you can create shipping profiles for different product types. Heavy items can have higher shipping costs while digital products can be set to free shipping.
What payment methods does Squarespace accept?
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Afterpay in supported regions. International payment methods vary by country.
Jargon Buster
Commerce Features: The collection of tools in Squarespace for running an online store, including product management, checkout, and order processing.
Payment Processor: The service that handles credit card transactions and transfers money from customers to your bank account.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Making changes to your website so it appears higher in Google search results.
Abandoned Cart Recovery: Automated emails sent to customers who added items to their cart but didn't complete the purchase.
Wrap-up
Getting your Squarespace store up and running involves several moving parts, but the platform handles most of the technical complexity for you. Focus on creating great product listings, setting up your payment and shipping options correctly, and then promoting your store through email and SEO.
The key is starting simple and adding complexity as your business grows. You don't need every feature activated on day one.
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