How To Use Squarespace For Your eCommerce Business

Introduction.

Starting an online store can feel like a big task, right? From picking the right platform to setting everything up, it might seem like there’s a lot to figure out. But here’s some good news: building an eCommerce website doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

If you’ve been exploring options, you’ve probably come across Squarespace. Known for its beautiful templates and easy-to-use interface, it’s a popular choice for many small businesses. But is it right for your eCommerce needs? And how do you get started?

That’s what I’ll be walking you through today. I’ll show you how to use Squarespace to build an online store, sell products, and manage your business without needing a background in web design or coding.

Let’s dive in!

Why Choose Squarespace for eCommerce?

There are a ton of website builders out there, but Squarespace stands out for a few key reasons:

1. Simple Setup

You don’t need any tech skills to get started. Everything is drag-and-drop, so you can design a professional-looking website without hiring a developer.

2. Beautiful Templates

Squarespace offers sleek, modern designs that make your store look polished and professional. Plus, all the templates are mobile-friendly, so your site will look great on phones and tablets too.

3. All-in-One Platform

With Squarespace, you get everything in one place—hosting, domain registration, design tools, and eCommerce features. That means fewer moving parts to worry about.

4. Built-In Marketing Tools

It’s not just about building a website. Squarespace comes with tools for email marketing, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and even social media integration. These features can help you drive traffic to your store and grow your sales.

How Do I Set Up My Squarespace eCommerce Store?

Let’s break it down step by step.

Step 1: Sign Up and Choose a Template

Head over to Squarespace.com and sign up for a free trial. Once you’re in, you’ll be asked to choose a template.

Pick one that fits your brand and style. If you sell physical products, look for a template designed for eCommerce. If you’re a service-based business, choose one with booking or scheduling options.

Pro Tip: Don’t stress too much about picking the “perfect” template. You can customize it later.

Step 2: Add Your Products

Once your template is set, it’s time to add your products.

Go to the Commerce tab on your dashboard.
Click Add Product and choose the type (physical, digital, or service).
Upload product photos, write a description, and set your price.

Make sure your product descriptions are clear and include important details like size, color, or materials. High-quality images are also super important—they can make or break a sale.

Step 3: Set Up Payments

You’ll need a way to accept payments from customers. Squarespace supports popular payment processors like:

Stripe (for credit and debit cards)
PayPal
Afterpay (for installment payments)

You can set these up in the Payments section of your dashboard. Just connect your account, and you’re good to go.

Step 4: Configure Shipping

If you’re selling physical products, you’ll need to set up shipping options.

Go to Settings > Shipping.
Add shipping zones (where you’ll ship to).
Choose your shipping method: flat rate, weight-based, or carrier-calculated (like USPS or FedEx).

Don’t forget to factor in packaging costs when setting your shipping rates!

Step 5: Design Your Store

Now comes the fun part—customizing your site!

Use the drag-and-drop editor to arrange sections, add images, and tweak fonts and colors.

Some key pages to include:

Home (Your storefront)
Shop (Where customers browse products)
About (Your story and mission)
Contact (How customers can reach you)

Squarespace also lets you add a blog if you want to share updates, tips, or news with your customers.

Step 6: Launch and Market Your Store

Once everything looks good, it’s time to go live. Connect your domain (you can buy one through Squarespace or use an existing one), and hit the Publish button.

Now, how do you get people to visit your store?

SEO: Use keywords in your product descriptions, titles, and meta tags.
Email Marketing: Build a mailing list and send out newsletters with promotions or updates.
Social Media: Share your products on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.

Squarespace makes it easy to connect these channels directly to your site.

Pros and Cons of Using Squarespace for eCommerce

Before you make a final decision, here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons:

Pros:

Easy to use, even for beginners
Beautiful, mobile-friendly templates
All-in-one solution with built-in marketing tools

Cons:

Limited payment options compared to some other platforms
Transaction fees if you don’t use Squarespace’s payment processing
Not as many customization options as platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce

FAQs

1. Can I sell digital products on Squarespace?

Yes! Squarespace supports both physical and digital products. You can sell eBooks, digital downloads, online courses, or anything else that can be delivered electronically.

2. How much does Squarespace cost?

Squarespace offers several pricing plans, starting at around $16/month for personal sites. For eCommerce, you’ll need a Business plan or higher, which starts at $23/month. Keep in mind that higher-tier plans offer more features, like advanced analytics and promotional tools.

3. Does Squarespace handle taxes?

Yes. Squarespace can automatically calculate sales tax for U.S. and international customers. You can find this option under Settings > Taxes.

4. Can I switch templates later?

Yes! You can change your template anytime, though you might need to reconfigure some design elements.

Ready to Get Started?

Squarespace is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a simple, elegant solution to build your eCommerce store. It’s especially great for small businesses, creatives, and anyone who values design.

Now that you’ve got the basics down, what’s stopping you from launching your online store?

What’s one product or service you’re excited to sell?