Have You Outgrown Squarespace? 7 Signs It’s Time To Move To Shopify
We love Squarespace for ecommerce, but when your business requires more advanced e-commerce tools, marketing automation, and multi-channel integrations, Shopify often becomes the next logical step.
Use this guide—and the tables below—to decide whether you’ve outgrown Squarespace and are ready for a platform built from the ground up for online stores.
1. Social Selling & Multi-Channel Integrations Are Becoming a Headache
For many store owners, the ability to sell across Instagram, TikTok, Amazon, eBay, and other marketplaces is critical. Let’s see how Squarespace and Shopify compare.
| Feature | Squarespace | Shopify | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native Instagram Shopping | Sync products to Meta catalog for Instagram, but no direct order sync back to Squarespace. | Built-in Instagram channel; customers can browse/purchase directly via IG shop with orders syncing automatically. | Shopify’s direct integration is more seamless. |
| TikTok Shopping | No built-in TikTok commerce integration (manual workarounds or third-party scripts required). | Native TikTok integration; can sync products, run in-app ads, and allow checkout links. | Easier multi-channel sales on Shopify. |
| Selling on Amazon, eBay, Other Marketplaces | No official integrations. Must use third-party or manual listings. | Official apps (e.g. Shopify Marketplace Connect) let you manage Amazon, Walmart, eBay directly from Shopify. | Shopify centralizes your entire multi-channel strategy. |
| Facebook & Other Social Channels | Basic Facebook integration for product catalog, but no advanced multi-channel management. | Direct Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube channels; product sync with full store data integration. | Shopify offers a complete social selling ecosystem. |
Why It Matters: Selling on multiple channels grows your revenue. If Squarespace is forcing tedious manual listing or incomplete integrations, Shopify simplifies multi-channel management—and drives more sales.
2. Your Discounts & Promotions Feel Limited
Struggling to create complex discounts (e.g., BOGO, tiered pricing) or stack multiple promo codes? Here’s how each platform handles promotions:
| Feature | Squarespace | Shopify | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Types of Discounts | % off, flat-rate, free shipping. “Buy X, Get Y” only on advanced plan (still limited). | Supports % or $ off, free shipping, automatic BOGO, tiered pricing, stackable discounts. | Shopify offers broader discount rules to boost AOV. |
| Automatic vs. Manual | Codes can be created, but advanced auto-apply logic is limited and requires top-tier plan. | Native auto discounts (e.g., “Spend $100, get 10% off automatically”) on all plans. | Shopify’s auto discounts help you run smoother promotions. |
| Abandoned Cart Incentives | One abandoned cart email (24 hrs after), can include a generic code but no unique ones. | Multi-step cart recovery (via Shopify Email or apps) with unique code generation. | Shopify’s multi-email approach lifts recovery rates. |
| Stackable Promotions | Not supported—only one discount per order. | Multiple discount codes (up to five) allowed per order. | Shopify’s stacking enables more creative promos. |
Verdict: If you plan to use complex promotions, run multiple discounts, or rely on BOGO deals, Shopify’s discount engine is far more robust.
3. You’re Losing Customers at Checkout
The checkout experience can dramatically affect your conversion rate. If you want express checkouts, more payment gateways, or post-purchase upsells, check out this comparison:
| Feature | Squarespace | Shopify | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supported Payment Methods | Credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Afterpay/Klarna (select regions). | Credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm, etc. | Shopify supports more gateways globally. |
| Express Checkout | Apple Pay for quick checkout if enabled; no brand-specific express flow. | Shop Pay for accelerated checkout across all Shopify stores, plus Apple/Google Pay. | One-click Shop Pay can reduce abandonments. |
| Checkout Customization | Limited (basic logo, colors). No integrated post-purchase upsell. | Highly customizable (esp. on higher plans). Apps for post-purchase upsells. | Shopify’s checkout is more flexible for advanced e-commerce. |
Verdict: Shopify’s checkout offers more payment choices, faster flows, and the potential for upsells. This can significantly boost conversions and AOV (average order value).
4. You’re Stuck in “Manual Mode” and Need More Automation
As your store grows, you need automation to save time and reduce human error.
| Feature | Squarespace | Shopify | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abandoned Cart Recovery | One email ~24 hrs after cart abandonment. Limited customization. | Single reminder built-in; expanded to multi-step email or SMS with apps. | Shopify’s multi-stage approach recovers more sales. |
| Inventory Alerts | Manual tracking, no built-in “back in stock” notifications without code. | Apps or Shopify Flow can email/text customers automatically. | Shopify can handle robust automations with minimal coding. |
| Post-Purchase Follow-Ups | Basic order confirmation. Extra sequences require manual steps or external solutions. | Built-in marketing automation for review requests, upsells, thank-you emails. | Seamless post-purchase flows on Shopify. |
| Custom Workflows (If/Then Logic) | Not available natively. | Shopify Flow (Advanced/Plus) offers trigger-based automation. | Shopify Flow streamlines complex tasks. |
Verdict: For scaling stores, Shopify’s extensive automation tools—particularly via Shopify Flow and third-party apps—can eliminate many time-consuming tasks.
5. International Expansion (Currencies & Taxes)
Selling globally requires multi-currency support and robust tax/duty calculation.
| Feature | Squarespace | Shopify | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Currency Display | Single-currency checkout only. Third-party scripts can show other currencies, but checkout is in one currency. | True multi-currency checkout with Shopify Payments (130+ currencies). | Shopify localizes the entire transaction. |
| Automatic Tax Calculation | U.S. taxes automated; VAT/GST requires manual setup. | Automatic calculations for multiple countries/states, plus Avalara integration. | Saves time and reduces tax errors. |
| Localized Checkout & Duties | No built-in duty/import tax calculation. | Display duties & import taxes at checkout (Advanced/Plus), local payment methods. | Shopify prevents surprise fees for international shoppers. |
Verdict:
If you plan to expand globally, Shopify’s multi-currency checkout, advanced tax handling, and ability to calculate duties make it far less painful than Squarespace.
6. Your Shipping Needs Are Outpacing Squarespace
Shipping complexity increases with your store’s growth. Here’s what each platform can handle:
| Feature | Squarespace | Shopify | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real-Time Carrier Rates | Available on Commerce Advanced for some U.S. carriers. Limited global options. | Built-in real-time rates from USPS, UPS, DHL on most plans. | Shopify covers more carriers globally. |
| Shipping Rules & Profiles | Basic weight/price-based rules. Product-level shipping requires workarounds. | Shipping Profiles allow distinct rules for product groups. Advanced apps add complexity. | Easy to set unique shipping rates/conditions on Shopify. |
| Label Printing & Fulfillment | Can print labels (U.S. only). Other carriers require third-party solutions. | Discounted label printing for USPS, UPS, DHL. Integrates with major 3PLs. | Shopify reduces shipping headaches at scale. |
Verdict:
Shopify wins for complex shipping configurations, global coverage, and an integrated label-printing workflow.
7. You Want Better Analytics & Reporting
Growing businesses need data-driven insights to refine strategy.
| Feature | Squarespace | Shopify | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-In Reporting | Basic traffic data, limited sales insights. | Advanced reports (sales by product/channel, conversion funnels, marketing attribution). | Shopify’s analytics go deeper and are more actionable. |
| Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) | Manual exports/spreadsheets if you want CLV stats. | Built-in customer reports (return rate, average spend); advanced apps for deeper insights. | Helps identify top customers & segments. |
| Marketing & Attribution | Mostly reliant on Google Analytics; limited multi-touch attribution. | Native marketing dashboards + multi-touch attribution. Broad analytics app marketplace. | Holistic view of campaign performance. |
| Data Exports & Custom Reports | Limited analytics export, mostly orders/customers in CSV. | In-depth data export, custom reporting, wide range of BI/analytics integrations. | Shopify lets you automate custom reports or import data into external tools easily. |
Verdict: If you need detailed reporting, advanced segmentation, and a data-first approach to marketing, Shopify’s analytics and app integrations will serve you better.
When Squarespace May Be Enough
Small Catalog: You only sell 10–50 products and don’t need advanced SKUs or variations.
Design + Branding Focus: Your website is mainly about showcasing content or portfolios, with minimal e-commerce needs.
Simple E-Commerce Needs: Basic shipping, straightforward discounts, limited automation.
When Shopify Is the Better Fit
Social Media/Marketplace Selling: You want to expand on Instagram, TikTok, Amazon, eBay—without hacking third-party workarounds.
Advanced Discounting & Promotions: You rely on BOGOs, stackable codes, tiered pricing, or loyalty programs.
Diverse Payment Methods: You want Shop Pay, Google Pay, local payment options, or BNPL solutions.
Complex Shipping: You need real-time rates, multiple shipping rules, or discounted label printing.
Data-Driven Growth: You want robust analytics, multi-touch attribution, customer lifetime value reporting, and marketing dashboards.
Automation & Scalability: You’re tired of manual tasks and want multi-step abandoned cart sequences, back-in-stock alerts, or custom if/then workflows.
The Last Word: Squarespace vs. Shopify
Squarespace has evolved into a decent e-commerce option—especially for businesses with smaller catalogs, who primarily need a beautiful website and basic online store functionality.
Shopify remains the top choice for serious online retailers, offering greater flexibility, advanced features, and ecosystem support (apps, integrations, marketing automations) to scale your store.
If you check off multiple items under “When Shopify Is the Better Fit,” consider migrating or at least test-driving Shopify with a free trial. The time you save and the additional revenue you generate from powerful discounts, better checkout options, and automation can pay for the migration costs many times over.
Ready for a Seamless Squarespace to Shopify Migration?
If you’ve read through these signs and feel ready to make the move, we’ve got you covered with our Done-for-You Migration Service. Here’s how we make it simple:
Free Consultation – We’ll chat about your current store, goals, and any special requirements (shipping rules, custom code, etc.).
Stress-Free Migration – Our team securely transfers your products, customers, orders, and even SEO redirects into Shopify. We’ll also help you configure payment gateways, shipping rates, and automation tools.
Smooth Launch & Ongoing Support – We’ll QA your new store, make sure everything’s running smoothly, and train you on Shopify’s features. If you have questions post-launch, we’re still here to help!
