BigCommerce vs Squarespace (2024 comparison) – Forbes Advisor UK

If you are interested in an e-commerce platform, BigCommerce and Squarespace are two well-known players worth comparing. But the right one for you will depend on factors like your budget, goals, and preferences. In this guide, we compare BigCommerce and Squarespace side by side so you can make the most informed decision.

BigCommerce vs Squarespace: In Brief

BigCommerce and Squarespace are two reputable e-commerce platforms that require a subscription. They offer unlimited storage, design templates, marketing tools, search engine optimization (SEO) features, multiple payment options, and more. While BigCommerce is a more robust e-commerce solution, Squarespace is a general website builder with built-in e-commerce capabilities.

Because BigCommerce offers more advanced features, it may be a better option for entrepreneurs and small business owners who have been around for a while and are looking to scale. Meanwhile, Squarespace may be a better option for startups and new businesses looking for a simple, easy-to-use tool to get their online store up and running. Let’s take a closer look at how BigCommerce and Squarespace compare.

SELECTED PARTNER OFFER

Big trade

starting price

$29 per month

(billed annually)

starting price

$29 per month

(billed annually)

Why did we choose this?

BigCommerce is a comprehensive e-commerce platform with tons of features. With this tool, you can sell a large inventory of products without worrying about transaction fees, regardless of the plan you choose. Its comprehensive e-commerce tools, such as selling in multiple currencies, product ratings and reviews, real-time shipping quotes, product filtering, and an abandoned cart saver, can help you take your online store to the next level.

Plus, BigCommerce is compatible with over 600 apps, so you can seamlessly integrate it with other tools you may already be using. Some of the most popular integrations include QuickBooks, Mailchimp, ShipperHQ, and Searchspring.

For and against

• Scalable e-commerce features
• No transaction fees
• Ability to sell in multiple currencies

• A steep learning curve is required
• Very basic templates that are difficult to customize
• Plans can be expensive

SELECTED PARTNER OFFER

Square space

starting price

£12 per month

(billed annually)

starting price

£12 per month

(billed annually)

Why did we choose this?

Squarespace is a website builder with basic e-commerce tools. It stands out for its ease of use and affordable pricing. You can choose from hundreds of beautiful, professional-looking templates that are easy to customize, even if you don’t consider yourself a tech expert. Squarespace also offers a ton of marketing tools, such as powerful blogging, performance analytics, and membership options.

Its e-commerce features can help you get your online store up and running quickly. With a Squarespace store, your customers can create their own accounts to speed up the checkout process and check out on your domain instead of a third-party website.

Learn more: Read our Squarespace review.

For and against

• All plans include free custom domains
• Solid blogging capabilities
• Stunning, modern templates

• Limited e-commerce capabilities
• Only four payment options
• No telephone support

We have used the same currency listed on the UK suppliers websites. Use our currency converter to convert to British Pounds.

BigCommerce vs Squarespace Comparison

While BigCommerce and Squarespace have a lot in common, there are also a number of notable differences between the two tools. The table below will show you how they compare.

price list

BigCommerce has three plans ranging in price from $29/month to $299/month billed annually. There is also an Enterprise plan that requires custom pricing and can be customized to meet your unique needs.

Squarespace plans cost between £12 and £35 per month when billed annually. BigCommerce offers a 15-day free trial, while Squarespace’s free trial lasts 14 days. While Squarespace initially seems cheaper, its £12 per month Personal plan is more focused on building websites. You can sell content and memberships, but for real ecommerce features, you’ll want to opt for the Commerce Basic or Commerce Advanced plans, which cost £23 and £35 per month respectively.

Ease of use

Because BigCommerce is packed with so many features, it can take some time and effort to learn how to use it, especially if you’ve never used an e-commerce platform before. Meanwhile, Squarespace has a reputation for being an intuitive, beginner-friendly tool that anyone can use.

Design templates

If you choose BigCommerce, you’ll have access to hundreds of templates designed for different industries, such as fashion, health and beauty, electronics, and more. The downside is that most of these templates cost extra and can be difficult to customize. Squarespace offers a variety of free, modern, easy-to-customize templates with a drag-and-drop interface.

SEO Tools

BigCommerce SEO features include meta descriptions, customizable URLs for all pages, and Google Analytics integration. For more advanced functionality, you can also use the SEOSpace SEO plugin.

When it comes to SEO, Squarespace keeps it simple with meta titles and descriptions, sitemaps, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), mobile optimization, and Google Search Console integration. There’s also a best practices checklist to help you get started.

E-commerce features

BigCommerce goes a step further with its powerful e-commerce tools, such as real-time shopping quotes, Google customer reviews, abandoned care recovery, product ratings and reviews, and multi-currency selling. Squarespace’s e-commerce features are basic, as the platform was designed as a general website builder rather than a comprehensive e-commerce software.

Payment Options

BigCommerce accepts over 65 payment gateways. However, Squarespace only accepts payments via Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Afterpay. Additionally, BigCommerce is compatible with more currencies.

Customer service

BigCommerce offers 24/7 phone, email, and live chat support. Squarespace support is available via email and chat, but there’s no phone support. Luckily, the Squarespace Help Center, which includes guides, videos, webinars, and a community forum, can help.

Cost of BigCommerce vs Squarespace

BigCommerce offers three plans, ranging from $29 to $299 per month when billed annually. There is also an Enterprise plan, which requires individual pricing. Squarespace has four plans, ranging from £12 to £35 per month when billed annually.

If you’re looking for the most cost-effective option, Squarespace is the way to go. However, if you don’t mind paying extra for a more robust e-commerce platform, BigCommerce may be worth the investment. Below, you’ll find more details about each of the plans offered by BigCommerce and Squarespace.

Big trade

Square space

Customer reviews and reputation

BigCommerce has a 4.2 out of 5-star rating from nearly 500 reviews on business software review site G2. Satisfied users praise its robust functionality, integrations, and scalable features. Negative reviews focused on its steep learning curve and higher price.

Squarespace has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on over 1,000 reviews on G2. While positive reviewers raved about the platform’s ease of use, those who disliked the tool commented on poor customer service and overly basic e-commerce features.

Best Alternatives to BigCommerce and Squarespace

BigCommerce and Squarespace are two of the many e-commerce solutions available. If you find that neither option meets your budget or needs, rest assured that there are plenty of other alternatives. We recommend checking out Weebly, Shopify, and Wix, three alternative platforms that made it onto our list of the best website builders of 2024. Here’s a quick rundown of how they compare:

Summary

BigCommerce and Squarespace are solid options if you’re looking to build and maintain an e-commerce store. However, if you have a large inventory or are looking to grow your business, BigCommerce may be the right fit for you. If you have a smaller store or are looking for a simpler, more affordable e-commerce platform, Squarespace may be a better choice.

BigCommerce best for:

• online stores with large stocks
• small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that hope to expand in the near future
• for those looking for a comprehensive e-commerce solution with all the amenities.

Squarespace best for:

• smaller online stores with a limited budget
• startups and small businesses that prefer a cost-effective e-commerce tool
• people who blog frequently and appreciate a platform with solid blogging capabilities.