Squarespace vs. Shopify: Which Is the Best Choice for Store Owners?
If you’re ready to launch (or level up) your online store, you’ve probably run into this question a thousand times: Should I build my site on Squarespace or Shopify?
Both platforms are powerhouses in their own right, but they serve different types of businesses. And as a Squarespace Circle partner, I spend my days helping founders and service providers choose platforms that actually fit their goals (instead of forcing them into the wrong tech).
So let’s break it down: Squarespace vs. Shopify, and what store owners need to know about each to make the right choice for both their business and their customers.
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Why Store Owners Love Squarespace
Squarespace is known for its sleek templates and user-friendly editing tools, but there’s more under the hood than just pretty fonts and drag-and-drop sections.
Key advantages for store owners:
It’s an all-in-one platform. Your website, blog, portfolio, and shop live under one roof with no juggling needed.
It has user friendly, stunning templates with responsive design that help your site or store look premium without a ton of custom coding.
It’s perfect for founders who want to update products, images, or promotions themselves without hiring a developer.
It has a ton of built-in integrations for shipping, taxes, accounting, and marketing.
It’s a low barrier to entry: Affordable pricing tiers that scale as you grow.
And because I’m a Squarespace Circle partner, my clients also get 20% off their first year and extended trial periods — which gives you space to experiment before locking into a plan. (Learn more here!)
Shopify: The E-Commerce Powerhouse
To be fair, Shopify is the gold standard for large-scale e-commerce. If you’re running a big inventory, managing hundreds of SKUs, or need advanced shipping logic, Shopify has tools that make it a breeze.
What Shopify does best:
It has robust inventory management, (which is ideal for businesses with complex product catalogs.)
It has a plethora of advanced integrations and thousands of apps for customization.
It allows multi-channel selling by easily integrating with Amazon, eBay, Instagram, and TikTok.
It has a Point of Sale (POS)! This is strong retail hardware for in-store and in-person syncing.
The trade-off? Shopify can feel overwhelming if you don’t need all those bells and whistles, and it’s quite hard to get the design looking flawless if you’re a DIYer. Not to mention the costs (monthly plans + apps + transaction fees) can add up quickly for small-to-mid-size store owners.
Squarespace vs. Shopify: Head-to-Head for Store Owners
Who Squarespace Is Best For
You’re a boutique store owner with a curated product line, (think: wellness brands, beauty, specialty food, lifestyle products, apparel, home goods.)
You want a site that’s more than just a store; it’s also your portfolio, blog, or booking platform.
You’re more focused on brand storytelling and design.
You value simplicity and cost-effectiveness, without sacrificing professionalism.
Who Shopify Is Best For
Shopify is probably the right fit if:
You’re running high-volume sales with hundreds of products and many SKUs
You need advanced e-commerce features like wholesale pricing or advanced shipping rules.
You have the budget (and time) to invest in apps, add-ons, or a dedicated designer and developer.
Why I Recommend Squarespace (Most of the Time)
For most Knight Theory™ clients (creative founders, service providers, hospitality brands, boutique retailers, etc.) Squarespace hits the sweet spot. It’s professional, streamlined, easy to manage on your own, and absolutely gorgeous when styled right.
And because I work within Squarespace every day, I know how to push it far beyond the basic templates. As a Circle partner, I can unlock perks, stretch the design system, and give you a store that feels custom without the custom-dev price tag. (Humble brag!)
BUT….If you are a business that clearly would better benefit from building on Shopify, I won’t be the designer to steer you in the wrong direction for your own benefit. (We can build a Shopify site with you for a custom project, if you ever need help.)
The Bottom Line: Squarespace vs. Shopify
Both platforms are excellent, but the “best” one depends on your goals. If you’re running a major e-commerce operation, Shopify is built for that kind scale. But if you’re a small-to-medium business that values design, storytelling, and simplicity, Squarespace is the smarter choice. It gives you everything you need (and nothing you don’t), while keeping your costs lean and your site beautiful.
My final advice? Do your own digging, utilize all of the free trials you can, and decide what platform gets you fired up to follow your passions. (P.S. Knight Theory™ clients get 10% off annual hosting plans with our Squarespace partnership.)
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Thinking about opening your online store? Let Knight Theory™ design it right. As a Squarespace Circle partner, we’ll craft a site that sells your products and your story.
