If you are in the e-commerce business, you are probably searching for the right platform. This Etsy vs Squarespace comparison might help you decide which one best suits your needs. Both platforms are ideal for e-commerce businesses. Each of them has its pros and cons that you have to know about before you decide on which one to get.
What Is Etsy?
It is an online marketplace that is mostly used by independent crafters and artists to sell their merchandise such as handmade jewelry, toys, clothes, and home decor. It is also used to sell vintage furniture, collectible art, craft supplies, and holiday items.
Unlike Walmart and Amazon, everything that is sold on Etsy is made, curated, sold, and collected by the sellers themselves. These sellers also manage their inventories and orders. They use Etsy as a middleman to attract customers and make money.
Etsy is an ideal platform for independent creators and entrepreneurs. It sorts out items into different categories to allow customers to narrow down their search. It also offers recommendations of relevant sellers and items based on their shopping and browsing history.
So, customers who are in search of specific items can simply use the search bar. They can also type in keywords to search for what they want to buy. Any person, regardless of whether they have an Etsy account or not, can purchase items on the site.
Once they choose the items that they like, they have to add them to their cart and checkout. Then, they have to pay for such items using their debit card, credit card, Etsy gift card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, or bank transfer.
Since Etsy sellers manage their inventory, they also have to ship the items themselves. They can choose the shipping method that they prefer. In the event of a shipping issue, they can contact Etsy customer support. Etsy features a tool that allows customers to check the order numbers and shipping confirmations of the items. They can also reach out to sellers directly.
What Is Squarespace?
It is a website builder for anyone who wants to have a website but does not have strong coding skills. This makes it ideal for online sellers and entrepreneurs who want to have their online stores. Squarespace has all the basic features you need to set up a website. It even has built-in e-commerce checkout tools, an SSL certificate, and a custom domain name.
To start using Squarespace, you need to set up an account and select a template for the website that you are going to build. Then, you have to edit it and add the elements that you need. If you are using it as an e-commerce space, you have to add the items that you are selling.
Squarespace is great because it is easy to use and it has all the basic features an online seller may need. It is also good for search engine optimization (SEO). Hence, your website has a chance to rank highly on the search engines.
It also includes features such as email marketing tools, point-of-sale extensions, drag-and-drop website designing and editing tools, social media integrations, domain name registration, appointment tools, website reports and analytics, tax tools, and checkout payment tools.
Essentially, Squarespace is an all-in-one system that you can use to build a comprehensive online shop for your e-commerce business.
Similarities between Etsy and Squarespace
Etsy and Squarespace are two platforms that are different yet similar in many ways.
- Both Etsy and Squarespace are great e-commerce platforms.
You can use Etsy and Squarespace to display your merchandise and attract customers. There is no need for you to set up your website from scratch. You can use the features of these platforms to upload photos of your items, write descriptions, and accept orders. Then again, Squarespace is better than Etsy when it comes to template designs.
- They have built-in payment systems.
There is no more need for you to set up your payment system because you can accept payment via these platforms. This is great because you can be sure that your customers will pay you. Once they place an order via these platforms, they have to check out and pay using their preferred mode of payment such as credit or debit cards.
- They have a massive online audience.
If you have just started your business, you may have a hard time looking for customers. Fortunately, you do not have to worry about this anymore when you use platforms such as Etsy and Squarespace. Each day, thousands of people go to these websites to search for merchandise. So, you are guaranteed online visibility. Your items will be seen by prospective customers.
- Both have customer support.
If you ever encounter any issues with customers, payment, or the system, you can always reach out to customer service representatives. Both Etsy and Squarespace offer customer support to those who use their platforms. However, Squarespace may have better customer service because you can reach out to them 24/7 via Twitter and email. You can also chat with them on weekdays from 4 AM to 8 PM.
Pros and Cons
Both Etsy and Squarespace are indeed great platforms for e-commerce business owners. Nevertheless, you have to know about their pros and cons before you make a final decision on which one to sign up to.
The Pros of Etsy
- Easy to use
- Quick to set up
- Easy to manage
- Has great online exposure
- Attracts a lot of customers
- Ideal for small business owners, crafters, and artists
The Cons of Etsy
- Fees are high
- A lot of competition
- Retailing is not allowed (except craft supplies)
- Design is limited
- Sales features are limited
The Pros of Squarespace
- Independent brand and store
- Offers control and freedom to users
- Features marketing tools
- Allows for search engine optimization
- Has an engaging and intuitive dashboard management
- Unlimited inventory for products
The Cons of Squarespace
- Does not have a lot of customers
- Additional effort is necessary to bring in online traffic
- Time-consuming
Are you finding this Etsy vs Squarespace review informative so far? Keep on reading…
Pricing Difference between Etsy and Squarespace
Both Etsy and Squarespace offer different plans for their users. This way, users can choose a plan that fits their preferences, needs, and budget.
Etsy offers Standard and plans to users. Etsy Standard is the default plan for sellers. It does not have any additional monthly cost. Etsy Plus, on the other hand, costs $10 per month.
Squarespace offers Personal and Business Plans to users. The Personal Plan costs $16 per month, while the Business Plan costs $18 per month. The Personal Plan includes blogging and back-end tools. It can also be integrated with Mailchimp and other email marketing tools. The Business Plan has extra features such as code customization and promotional pop-ups.
Squarespace also offers Basic and Advanced Commerce Plans. These plans are ideal for those who need to use the e-commerce functionalities of the platform. The Basic Commerce Plan costs $26 per month while the Advanced Commerce Plan costs $46 per month.
Conclusion
Both Etsy and Squarespace are awesome platforms for e-commerce. They come with useful features and affordable plans. They are also easy to use, set up, and manage. What’s more, they offer customer support to users.
With this being said, it is up to you which platform you will use. However, if you prioritize online traffic more than design, Etsy is more suitable for you. Etsy already has a lot of existing customers. So, you will not have a problem marketing your merchandise.
On the other hand, if you prioritize design over online traffic, Squarespace is the one for you. Here, you can choose from a wide range of templates. You can customize your website freely. Then again, you also need to exert additional effort to attract customers to your online store.
We hope you found this Etsy vs Squarespace review helpful!
