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Read time : 6 min
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Published on 04-07-2024
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Article
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Read time : 6 min
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Published on 04-07-2024
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Squarespace vs BigCartel: Which Is Best for Your Online Store?

Aakanksha Sharma
Aakanksha Sharma
Content Marketer
Squarespace vs BigCartel: Which Is Best for Your Online Store?

Trying to decide between BigCartel and Squarespace for your online store? You're not alone. Many people find themselves weighing these options, looking for the best fit for their business. With this guide we'll compare the two platforms side by side, focusing on what matters most to you as a store owner.

Whether you're an artist planning to sell your creations or a small business looking to expand online, understanding the differences between BigCartel and Squarespace is key. Each has its strengths and we're going to dive into what sets them apart, so you can choose the one that aligns perfectly with your vision and goals.

What is BigCartel?

When considering platforms for an artist stepping into the online market, BigCartel often emerges as a standout choice. It’s not just another eCommerce platform; it’s a haven for creators who are new to online sales. Its streamlined process – from selecting a theme to listing products and arranging shipping – is refreshingly simple.

What truly sets BigCartel apart is its commitment to affordability, particularly appealing to small-scale artists and creators. The platform's low monthly fees and absence of sales commissions alleviate financial worries. Plus, its compatibility with well-known tools like PayPal enhances its accessibility. For emerging artists, BigCartel isn’t merely a platform; it’s the first step towards turning their passion into a business, all without getting bogged down by the complexities of eCommerce.

What is Squarespace?

Squarespace stands out as a comprehensive solution for building a website or online store. This platform is a boon for those without technical backgrounds. With a selection of over 100 contemporary templates, adding personal touches to a website is straightforward and enjoyable. Squarespace’s strength lies in its integration of eCommerce capabilities – from setting up an online store to incorporating a shopping cart and secure checkout system.

But Squarespace isn’t just about aesthetics. It offers a full suite of tools for marketing, email campaigns, analytics, and continuous customer support. This integrated approach ensures a cohesive and efficient experience for users. Ideal for small businesses, freelancers, and service providers, Squarespace is synonymous with both style and substance, offering an intuitive route to a compelling online presence.

Key Differences between BigCartel and Squarespace

When deciding between BigCartel and Squarespace for your e-commerce needs, it's important to understand their distinct features. Here's a straightforward comparison to help you choose the right platform for your online store:

  1. Target Audience:
  • BigCartel: Best for small stores with limited inventory. Offers a free starter plan for up to 5 products, with paid plans beginning at $9.99/month.
  • Squarespace: Geared towards larger stores requiring advanced features. Pricing starts at $26/month.
  1. Design and Customization:
  • BigCartel: Provides simpler, modern themes suitable for straightforward store setups.
  • Squarespace: Offers stylish, designer templates with extensive customization options.
  1. Customer Support:
  • BigCartel: Has limited support hours, catering to basic customer service needs.
  • Squarespace: Provides 24/7 support for a wide range of issues and inquiries.
  1. Shipping Integration:
  • BigCartel: Requires manual entry of shipping details for each product.
  • Squarespace: Integrates with shipping carriers for real-time shipping rate calculations at checkout.
  1. Payment Options:
  • BigCartel: Accepts PayPal and credit cards.
  • Squarespace: Supports all major credit cards, Apple Pay, and PayPal.
  1. Mobile Optimization:
  • BigCartel: Offers basic mobile site-building features.
  • Squarespace: Designs are optimized for an excellent appearance on all devices.

To summarize, BigCartel is a great fit for smaller shops or those just starting out with a limited budget, Squarespace caters to businesses seeking more advanced functionalities and scalability. Your choice will depend on the level of control and support you desire for your online store. Whichever you choose, both platforms offer straightforward paths to launching your store.

Pricing and Transaction Fees: BigCartel vs Squarespace

Deciding on an eCommerce platform is also about what hits your wallet. Let's face it, when you're running a small business, every dollar counts. That's why understanding the pricing and transaction fees of platforms like Squarespace and BigCartel is so crucial.

Before starting, you want to sum up the overall cost of selling your products. Some platforms might seem cheaper at first glance, but transaction fees can add up. On the other hand, a higher subscription might offer more value in the long run. Let's break down the costs of Squarespace and BigCartel to see which one might be the better deal for your budget and business needs.

Features Squarespace BigCartel
Monthly Prices Three plans costing $12/month, $20/month and $40/month Starts at $9.99/month
Plan Features - More storage with higher plans - Up to 100 products
- Unlimited products
- Advanced e-commerce features
Transaction Fees - 3% on all sales - Flat 5% on all plans
- Drops to 2.5% for sales over $10,000/year
Additional Payment Fees None (processed through Squarespace) - PayPal fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Support 24/7 customer support Limited support hours
Overall Suitability Better for larger stores with more features Ideal for smaller shops, simpler and more budget-friendly

BigCartel Vs Squarespace: Pros and Cons

You were probably waiting for this section to come up, weren’t you? I get it. It’s easier to absorb a direct list of pros and cons while evaluating the platforms. So, here you go -

Pros of Using BigCartel

  • Low monthly fees starting from just $9.99, making it a budget-friendly option for small stores.
  • User-friendly interface that's easy to navigate, requiring minimal technical know-how.
  • Straightforward PayPal integration for convenient customer payments.

Cons of Using BigCartel

  • Limited customization with reliance on BigCartel's store themes.
  • Advanced features like abandoned cart reminders and sales reports are limited to paid plans.
  • Dependence on PayPal, which could be a drawback if there are service interruptions.

Pros of Using Squarespace

  • Offers advanced eCommerce features suitable for growing stores, such as detailed reports, abandoned cart reminders, and customer loyalty programs.
  • Strong support system with a dedicated customer service team for assistance.
  • More favorable transaction fees for stores with higher sales volumes.

Cons of Using Squarespace

  • Higher subscription costs, particularly for more extensive plans.
  • Requires a bit more technical knowledge, with a slightly steeper learning curve for setup and customization.
  • Comparatively limited in third-party app integration.

BigCartel or Squarespace: Which Is Best for Your Business?

Choosing between BigCartel and Squarespace for your business comes down to several factors:

  1. Cost:
  • BigCartel: It's ideal for small stores, especially if you're cautious about expenses. With plans from $9.99/month and no transaction fees, it's tailored for modest operations. Take an online jewelry shop, for example, listing about 50 products and making $1,000 monthly. The annual cost with BigCartel would be around $120, which is economical given the sales volume and product count.
  • Squarespace: Although starting at $12/month with a 3% transaction fee, its features may offset costs in other business areas. For a growing business, say doubling sales to $2,000 monthly, Squarespace's fees could total around $360 annually, but its additional features might enhance overall business performance, outweighing the higher costs.
  1. Ease of Use:
  • BigCartel: Its simplicity suits small, straightforward operations. A small handmade jewelry business with a $2,000 - $3,000 monthly turnover and about 50 products would find BigCartel's basic plan and templates adequate for its needs.
  • Squarespace: If you foresee rapid growth, Squarespace's scalable platform and extensive features, like marketing tools and sales reports, could be more beneficial, especially if you're aiming to expand significantly, both in product range and revenue.
  1. Features:
  • BigCartel: Best for businesses focusing on essentials. A small clothing store prioritizing cost-effectiveness would find BigCartel's streamlined interface and lower fees more suitable.
  • Squarespace: More fitting for larger operations needing advanced features. A more extensive clothing boutique would benefit from Squarespace's comprehensive tools like marketing campaigns and loyalty programs.
  1. Products:
  • BigCartel: Optimal for physical goods. A t-shirt store would benefit from BigCartel's focus on physical product sales, offering an easy setup for product pages and secure payment options.
  • Squarespace: Better for selling digital products or subscriptions. If you're selling digital artwork or templates, Squarespace's automated delivery and subscription options would be more advantageous.

Conclusion

So there you have it, a full rundown on two of the top ecommerce platform options out there, Squarespace and BigCartel. At the end of the day, you can't go wrong with either choice. Both offer beautiful templates, solid features, and an easy to use interface to help you build a stylish online store.

If design, branding and a robust set of built-in features are most important to you, Squarespace is probably your best bet. Their elegant templates and powerful tools make it easy to create a high-end shopping experience for your customers without needing to know how to code.

On the other hand, if you're on a tight budget and want an inexpensive way to start selling online fast, BigCartel should do the trick. Their simple pricing and pared-down features provide an affordable ecommerce solution to get your products in front of customers right away.

Whichever platform you choose, the most important thing is that you take that first step to turn your creative passion into an online business. Stop waiting for the perfect solution and just get started. You can always switch to another provider down the road once your shop is up and running. The time is now - go out there and make your dreams of becoming an entrepreneur a reality!