Is Squarespace Online Store Free?

Squarespace offers a range of tools and features for building professional websites, including online stores. However, it is not entirely free. Here is a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with using Squarespace for an online store:

1. Free Trial

• Free Trial Period: Squarespace offers a free trial period of 14 days, allowing you to explore the platform and build your site without any commitment. This trial includes access to all features, including e-commerce functionalities.
• Extensions: While the initial trial period is 14 days, you may be able to extend this by reaching out to Squarespace support.

2. Paid Plans

If you decide to continue using Squarespace after the trial period, you will need to choose one of their subscription plans. Here are the plans suitable for setting up an online store:

Personal Plan

• Cost: $16/month (billed annually) or $23/month (billed monthly)
• E-commerce Functionality: This plan does not support online stores; it is primarily for building a basic website or blog.

Business Plan

• Cost: $23/month (billed annually) or $33/month (billed monthly)
• E-commerce Functionality: Includes basic e-commerce features.
• Transaction Fees: 3% transaction fee on sales.
• Features: Unlimited products, customizable templates, mobile-optimized websites, 24/7 customer support, SSL security, etc.
• Limitations: Lack of advanced selling tools like customer accounts, subscriptions, and no integration with third-party extensions specifically designed for e-commerce.

Basic Commerce Plan

• Cost: $27/month (billed annually) or $36/month (billed monthly)
• E-commerce Functionality: Full-featured online store solution.
• Transaction Fees: No transaction fees (only standard payment processor fees apply).
• Features: All Business Plan features plus customer accounts, checkout on your domain, e-commerce analytics, powerful merchandising tools, and more.

Advanced Commerce Plan

• Cost: $49/month (billed annually) or $65/month (billed monthly)
• E-commerce Functionality: Most comprehensive e-commerce features.
• Transaction Fees: No transaction fees.
• Features: All Basic Commerce Plan features plus advanced shipping, advanced discounts, abandoned cart recovery, automated workflows, and more.

3. Additional Costs

While the above costs cover the basic subscription, there are additional considerations: - Domain Name: Squarespace provides a free custom domain for the first year if you opt for an annual plan. After that, domain names have a renewal cost. - Extensions: Some e-commerce stores may require additional functionality provided by third-party integrations or extensions, which might incur extra costs. - Email Marketing: Email campaigns can be managed within Squarespace but might require additional subscription costs if you exceed the included quota.

Practical Steps to Set Up an Online Store on Squarespace

1. Sign Up for a Free Trial: Visit the Squarespace website and sign up for the 14-day free trial to start building your online store.
2. Choose a Template: Select a template that suits the aesthetic and functional needs of your online store.
3. Add Products: Go to the “Commerce” section of the dashboard to add products, manage inventory, set prices, and configure product variants.
4. Configure Store Settings: Set up payment gateways (like Stripe or PayPal), shipping options, tax settings, and other details specific to your store.
5. Customize Your Store: Use the design editor to customize the look and feel of your store.
6. Upgrade to a Paid Plan: Before your free trial ends—or as soon as you’re ready to take your store live—upgrade to an appropriate paid plan to maintain access to e-commerce features.
7. Launch Your Store: Once everything is set up, publish your site and start promoting your store.

Considerations

• Budgeting: Carefully consider your budget, keeping in mind both the fixed subscription costs and variable costs like domain renewal, marketing, and any additional third-party services.
• Scalability: Evaluate your current needs and potential growth. It might be beneficial to start with a higher-tier plan if you anticipate needing advanced commerce features in the near future.
• Support and Resources: Squarespace offers comprehensive online resources and 24/7 support to help you set up and maintain your online store, a valuable resource for new users.

Conclusion

Squarespace is not free for online stores beyond the initial 14-day trial. Depending on your needs, the Business, Basic Commerce, or Advanced Commerce plans offer varying levels of e-commerce functionality at different price points. Assess the features included in each plan and consider your long-term business requirements to choose the most appropriate option.