When it comes to building an online presence for your business, choosing the right platform is crucial. Squarespace and Etsy are two popular options for online sellers, but they have different features and target different audiences. In this article, we will compare Squarespace and Etsy to help you decide which platform is best for your business.
Squarespace is a website builder that offers a range of features to help you create a professional-looking website. It is a popular choice for businesses that want to sell products online, as it offers e-commerce tools such as inventory management, payment processing, and shipping integration. On the other hand, Etsy is a marketplace that specializes in handmade, vintage, and craft items. It provides a platform for small businesses and individual sellers to reach a large audience of buyers who are looking for unique and creative products.
In this article, we will compare Squarespace and Etsy in terms of their features, pricing, ease of use, and target audience. We will also provide tips on how to choose the right platform for your business based on your needs and goals. Whether you are a small business owner, a freelancer, or an artist, this article will help you make an informed decision about which platform to use for your online presence.
Etsy: Pros and Cons
Etsy is a well-established online marketplace that has become a go-to for many small business owners and creators. Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding if Etsy is the right platform for you.
Pros
- Established community: With over 81 million active buyers, Etsy has a large and loyal customer base. This can make it easier to get your products in front of potential buyers and increase your sales.
- Ease of use: Etsy is designed specifically for e-commerce and is relatively straightforward to use. You can quickly list your products, set up your shop, and start selling.
- Built-in marketing tools: Etsy provides a range of built-in marketing tools, such as promoted listings and social media integration, to help you reach more customers.
- Low fees: Etsy charges a low listing fee and takes a small commission on each sale. This can make it a more affordable option for small businesses.
Cons
- Limited control over branding: With Etsy, you are limited in terms of how much you can customize your shop’s branding and design. This can make it harder to stand out from the competition and build a strong brand identity.
- Competition: With so many sellers on the platform, it can be challenging to get your products noticed and stand out from the competition.
- Limited payment options: Etsy only accepts a limited number of payment options, which can be inconvenient for some buyers. This can result in lost sales if potential customers are unable to use their preferred payment method.
- Limited control over customer data: Etsy owns the customer data collected through the platform, which can limit your ability to market to your customers outside of the platform.
Overall, Etsy can be an excellent platform for small businesses and creators looking to reach a large and established customer base. However, it is essential to consider the platform’s limitations and whether they align with your business’s needs and goals.
Squarespace: Pros and Cons
When it comes to Squarespace, there are several advantages and disadvantages that online sellers need to consider before choosing this platform.
Pros
- Customization options: Squarespace provides a wide range of customization options that allow you to create a unique and professional-looking online store. You can choose from a variety of stylish templates and customize them to fit your brand and products.
- Integrated website builder: Unlike Etsy, Squarespace provides a platform where you can build your e-commerce website independently. This means that you are not building upon an existing website, and you have complete control over the design and functionality of your online store.
- SEO-friendly: Squarespace is designed to be SEO-friendly, which means that your online store has a better chance of ranking higher in search engine results pages. Squarespace provides built-in SEO features that help you optimize your store for search engines.
- Mobile-responsive: Squarespace templates are mobile-responsive, which means that your online store will look great on any device, including smartphones and tablets.
Cons
- Limited marketplace: Unlike Etsy, Squarespace does not have a built-in marketplace. This means that you will need to promote your online store and drive traffic to it yourself.
- Transaction fees: Squarespace charges transaction fees on all sales made through your online store. These fees can add up quickly and eat into your profits.
- Learning curve: Squarespace can be more challenging to use than Etsy, especially if you are not familiar with website design and development. It may take some time to learn how to use all of the features and customize your online store to your liking.
Overall, Squarespace is a great option for online sellers who want more control over their e-commerce website’s design and functionality. However, it may not be the best choice for those who are just starting and want to take advantage of a built-in marketplace.
Etsy vs Squarespace: Features Comparison
When choosing between Etsy and Squarespace, it’s important to consider the features that each platform offers. Here’s a breakdown of how the two compare in terms of blogging, ecommerce, design flexibility, and analytics.
Blogging
Squarespace is known for its robust blogging capabilities. The platform offers a variety of features, including the ability to schedule posts, create custom URLs, and tag and categorize posts. Additionally, Squarespace’s blog editor is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to create and edit blog posts.
On the other hand, Etsy’s blogging capabilities are limited. While you can create a blog on your Etsy shop, the platform doesn’t offer the same level of customization and functionality as Squarespace. If blogging is a priority for your business, Squarespace may be the better option.
Ecommerce
Both Etsy and Squarespace offer ecommerce capabilities, but they differ in their approach. Etsy is a marketplace that connects buyers and sellers, while Squarespace is a website builder with ecommerce functionality.
Etsy is an excellent option for businesses that sell handmade, vintage, or unique items. The platform offers a built-in audience and a streamlined checkout process, making it easy to sell products. However, Etsy takes a percentage of each sale, which can cut into your profits.
Squarespace, on the other hand, is a good option for businesses that want more control over their ecommerce experience. The platform offers a variety of ecommerce tools, including the ability to create custom product pages, manage inventory, and process payments. Additionally, Squarespace doesn’t take a percentage of each sale, which can be a big advantage for businesses with high sales volumes.
Design Flexibility
Squarespace is known for its sleek, modern designs and flexible templates. The platform offers a variety of customization options, including the ability to change fonts, colors, and layouts. Additionally, Squarespace’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to create custom pages and layouts.
Etsy, on the other hand, is more limited in terms of design flexibility. While you can customize your shop to a certain extent, the platform doesn’t offer the same level of control as Squarespace. If design is a priority for your business, Squarespace may be the better option.
Analytics
Analytics are an important part of any ecommerce business, and both Etsy and Squarespace offer analytics tools. Squarespace’s analytics are particularly robust, offering detailed information about website traffic, sales, and customer behavior. Additionally, Squarespace integrates with Google Analytics, giving businesses even more data and insights.
Etsy’s analytics are more limited, but they still offer valuable information about shop performance. The platform provides data on views, favorites, and sales, as well as information about customer demographics and search terms.
Overall, both Etsy and Squarespace offer unique features and benefits. When choosing between the two, it’s important to consider your business’s specific needs and priorities.
Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, both Etsy and Squarespace have their strengths and weaknesses.
Etsy has a clean and intuitive user interface that is optimized for browsing and purchasing handmade and vintage items. The platform is designed to make it easy for sellers to list their products and manage their inventory. Additionally, Etsy has a strong community of buyers and sellers, which can be helpful for new sellers who are looking to build their brand and connect with potential customers.
On the other hand, Squarespace is a website builder that offers more customization options and control over the design of the website. This can be both a strength and a weakness, depending on the user’s experience and skill level. While Squarespace is relatively easy to use for those who are familiar with website builders, it may be more challenging for beginners who are not as familiar with the platform.
In terms of pricing, Squarespace offers a range of plans starting at $12 per month, while Etsy charges a listing fee of $0.20 per item and takes a 5% commission on each sale. While this may seem like a disadvantage for Etsy, it is important to note that the platform provides a built-in audience and marketing tools that can help sellers reach a wider audience.
Overall, both Etsy and Squarespace are relatively easy to use, but each platform has its strengths and weaknesses depending on the user’s needs and experience level.
Pricing Comparison
When it comes to pricing, both Squarespace and Etsy have different approaches. Squarespace has three pricing plans that allow you to start an online store on your website. They have the Business plan, the Commerce Basic plan, and the Commerce Advanced plan. The Business plan costs $18 per month, the Commerce Basic plan costs $26 per month, and the Commerce Advanced plan costs $40 per month. The higher the plan, the more features you get, such as abandoned cart recovery, advanced shipping, and discounts.
On the other hand, Etsy charges a listing fee of $0.20 per item and a transaction fee of 5% on the sale price of each item. Additionally, there is a payment processing fee of 3% + $0.25 per transaction. This means that if you sell an item for $20, you will pay a total of $1.45 in fees to Etsy. While this may seem like a lot, it is important to note that Etsy provides a marketplace for your products, which can increase your visibility and potentially lead to more sales.
It is also worth noting that Squarespace does not charge any transaction fees, which can be a significant advantage if you sell a high volume of products. However, it is important to consider the overall cost of using Squarespace, including the cost of hosting and any additional features you may need.
Overall, the pricing structure of Squarespace and Etsy is quite different, and which platform is more cost-effective for you will depend on your specific needs and the volume of products you sell.
Customer Support
When it comes to customer support, both Etsy and Squarespace offer different levels of assistance.
Etsy has a reputation for providing excellent customer support. They have a comprehensive help center with articles covering a wide range of topics, from setting up your shop to shipping and returns. They also have a community forum where you can ask questions and get advice from other sellers.
In addition, Etsy offers email and phone support for sellers. They have a team of experts who can help you with any issues you may encounter. However, it’s worth noting that phone support is only available to Etsy Plus and Etsy Premium sellers.
Squarespace also offers customer support, but it’s not as extensive as Etsy’s. They have a help center with articles and video tutorials, but they don’t have a community forum. Squarespace offers email support 24/7, but they don’t have phone support.
Overall, both platforms offer customer support, but Etsy’s is more comprehensive. If you’re a seller who values having access to a community forum and phone support, Etsy may be the better option for you. However, if you’re comfortable with email support and don’t need a community forum, Squarespace may be a suitable choice.
Integration Capabilities
When it comes to integration capabilities, both Squarespace and Etsy offer different features. Squarespace provides a robust e-commerce platform with various built-in features, while Etsy is a niche marketplace with limited integration capabilities.
Squarespace offers built-in integrations with several popular third-party tools, including Google Analytics, Mailchimp, and Xero. Additionally, Squarespace has an API that allows developers to create custom integrations and connect to other platforms.
On the other hand, Etsy has limited integration capabilities. The platform offers integrations with some third-party tools, such as QuickBooks and ShipStation, but these are limited to specific plans. Etsy also has an API, but it is only available to sellers who meet certain requirements.
If you are looking for a platform with robust integration capabilities, Squarespace is the better option. However, if you are primarily selling on Etsy and do not require many integrations, then Etsy may be sufficient for your needs.
Overall, when it comes to integration capabilities, Squarespace has a clear advantage over Etsy.
User Reviews
We scoured the internet for user reviews of both Squarespace and Etsy to get a sense of how real people feel about each platform. Here’s what we found:
Squarespace User Reviews
Squarespace users praise the platform’s sleek and professional-looking templates, as well as its user-friendly interface. Many users also appreciate the ability to customize their sites with CSS and HTML, which allows for more flexibility in design. However, some users have reported frustration with the platform’s limited e-commerce functionality, particularly when it comes to managing inventory and processing orders.
Etsy User Reviews
Etsy users generally appreciate the platform’s focus on handmade and unique products, as well as the ability to connect with a community of like-minded sellers and buyers. Many users also appreciate the platform’s built-in marketing tools, which can help drive traffic to their shops. However, some users have reported frustration with Etsy’s fees, which can add up quickly, as well as the platform’s limited customization options.
Overall, user reviews suggest that both Squarespace and Etsy have their pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your individual needs and goals.
Conclusion
After comparing Etsy and Squarespace, we have found that both platforms have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Etsy is the better choice for small businesses that sell handmade, vintage, or unique items. It has a large and established community of buyers and sellers, making it easier to market your products and reach a wider audience. Additionally, Etsy provides a user-friendly interface that is optimized for browsing and purchasing handmade and vintage items.
On the other hand, Squarespace is a good option for businesses that sell digital or physical products, or services. It offers an easy-to-use builder for blogs and ecommerce sites, award-winning themes with stylish designs, and marketing tools and SEO functionality built-in. Squarespace also provides fantastic website analytics and connected services.
Ultimately, the choice between Etsy and Squarespace will depend on your specific needs and goals. Consider what you are selling, who your target audience is, and what features are most important to you. By doing so, you can make an informed decision and choose the platform that is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using Squarespace for ecommerce?
Squarespace provides a powerful website building tool that is perfect for artists and creatives looking to showcase their work online. It offers stunning templates and tools for SEO and marketing, making it easier for businesses to attract customers and increase sales. Squarespace also offers a range of features that are specifically designed for ecommerce, including inventory management, payment processing, and shipping integrations.
What are the advantages of selling on Etsy?
Etsy is an e-commerce marketplace focused on handmade, vintage, and craft products. It provides a platform for small retailers to sell their products online and reach a wider audience. Etsy offers a range of features that are specifically designed for small businesses, including listing tools, payment processing, and shipping integrations. It also provides a community of like-minded sellers, which can be helpful for networking and support.
Can I integrate Squarespace with my Etsy shop?
Yes, it is possible to integrate Squarespace with your Etsy shop. Squarespace provides a range of integrations that allow you to connect your Etsy shop to your Squarespace website. This can help you to manage your inventory, process payments, and track orders more efficiently.
What are the differences between Squarespace and Etsy?
Squarespace is a website building tool that is designed for artists and creatives looking to showcase their work online. It offers a range of features that are specifically designed for ecommerce, including inventory management, payment processing, and shipping integrations. Etsy, on the other hand, is an e-commerce marketplace focused on handmade, vintage, and craft products. It provides a platform for small retailers to sell their products online and reach a wider audience.
Is it better to sell on Squarespace or have an Etsy shop?
The answer to this question depends on your specific needs and goals. Squarespace is a great option if you are looking to build a powerful online presence and showcase your work to a wider audience. It offers a range of features that are specifically designed for ecommerce, making it easier to manage your inventory, process payments, and track orders. Etsy, on the other hand, is a great option if you are looking to sell handmade, vintage, or craft products. It provides a platform for small retailers to sell their products online and reach a wider audience.
Why do some sellers stop selling on Etsy?
There are a number of reasons why some sellers may stop selling on Etsy. Some sellers may find that the fees associated with selling on Etsy are too high, while others may struggle to compete with other sellers on the platform. Additionally, some sellers may find that they are not getting the level of support or exposure that they need to be successful on the platform. Ultimately, the decision to stop selling on Etsy will depend on the individual seller’s needs and goals.
