Squarespace Payment Methods for Your Store
TL;DR:
- Squarespace supports Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Afterpay (where available)
- Each payment method serves different customer preferences and regions
- Multiple payment options reduce checkout abandonment
- Setup is straightforward through Commerce settings
- Transaction fees apply to all payment processors
Getting your payment options right makes a real difference to your sales. Customers abandon carts when they can't pay the way they want to, so it's worth understanding what Squarespace offers and how each option works.
Squarespace keeps things simple with four main payment methods. Each one serves different customer needs, so you'll want to enable the ones that match your audience.
Stripe
Stripe handles credit and debit card payments directly on your site. It's the backbone of most Squarespace stores because it covers the basics that every shop needs.
Your customers enter their card details at checkout without leaving your site. The process feels seamless, and Stripe handles all the security behind the scenes. It works globally, though some card types perform better in certain regions.
The integration runs deep with Squarespace. Your order management, inventory, and reporting all work together because everything stays within the same system.
PayPal
PayPal gives customers another way to pay, especially useful if they don't want to enter card details directly. Many people trust PayPal for online purchases, particularly for smaller businesses they haven't bought from before.
Customers can pay through their PayPal account or use PayPal's guest checkout with a card. This flexibility means you're not losing sales from people who prefer one method over the other.
PayPal works well internationally and handles currency conversion automatically. If you're selling globally, this saves customers from worrying about exchange rates.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay speeds up checkout for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. When it works, it's faster than typing out card details, which means fewer abandoned carts.
The customer just confirms with Face ID, Touch ID, or their device passcode. Their payment and shipping details fill in automatically from what they've saved to their Apple account.
This only helps Apple device users, but if that's a big chunk of your audience, the conversion boost can be significant.
Afterpay
Afterpay lets customers split purchases into four payments over six weeks. It's particularly popular for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products where people might want to spread the cost.
The customer pays the first installment at checkout, then Afterpay handles the remaining payments. You get paid upfront, so there's no cash flow impact on your business.
Afterpay isn't available everywhere. Check Squarespace's current list of supported regions before counting on it for your store.
Setting Up Your Payment Methods
You'll find payment settings in the Commerce section of your Squarespace admin. You can enable or disable each method depending on what makes sense for your business.
Stripe comes enabled by default on most ecommerce plans. For the others, you'll need to connect your accounts through the setup process. Squarespace walks you through each one, and the integrations are straightforward.
Think about your customers when choosing which methods to offer. A local business might stick with Stripe and PayPal, while a fashion brand targeting younger customers might add Afterpay and Apple Pay.
Transaction Fees
Every payment method charges transaction fees. These vary by region and your Squarespace plan, so check the current rates in your admin area.
Generally, Stripe and PayPal have similar fee structures. Apple Pay typically costs the same as regular card processing through Stripe. Afterpay charges merchants a percentage of each sale.
Factor these costs into your pricing. The convenience of multiple payment options usually outweighs the fee differences, but it's worth understanding the numbers.
FAQs
Which payment methods should I enable for my store?
Start with Stripe and PayPal as these cover most customer preferences. Add Apple Pay if you have mobile traffic from Apple devices, and consider Afterpay if you sell products that benefit from payment plans.
Can customers pay without creating accounts?
Yes, all these payment methods work for guest checkout. Customers can complete purchases without signing up for your site or the payment services.
How quickly do I receive payments?
Stripe and PayPal typically transfer funds within 1-3 business days. Afterpay pays you immediately when customers make purchases. Exact timing depends on your bank and the payment processor.
What happens if a payment fails?
Failed payments show in your order management area. Stripe and PayPal provide failure reasons, and you can contact customers to retry with different payment details if needed.
Jargon Buster
Stripe – A payment processor that handles credit and debit card transactions directly on your website
PayPal – An online payment service that lets customers pay through their PayPal account or with cards as guests
Apple Pay – Apple's payment system that uses stored payment details and biometric authentication on Apple devices
Afterpay – A buy-now-pay-later service that splits purchases into four fortnightly payments
Wrap-up
Your payment options directly impact your conversion rates. Customers expect choice, and the easier you make it to pay, the more sales you'll close.
Start with the basics and expand based on what your customers actually use. You can always add more payment methods later as your business grows and you understand your audience better.
The setup process in Squarespace is designed to be straightforward, so you can focus on running your business rather than wrestling with payment integrations.
Ready to optimise your Squarespace store further? Join Pixelhaze Academy for detailed guides and expert support.