BigCommerce vs Squarespace
Please select two different options.
BigCommerce is a robust e-commerce platform known for its extensive features and scalability, while Squarespace is a user-friendly website builder with integrated e-commerce capabilities. Both platforms offer unique strengths and cater to different types of businesses.
General information
BigCommerce
Squarespace
Introduction :
BigCommerce is a popular e-commerce platform that was launched in 2009. It is not open source but is known for its user-friendly interface, robust features, and scalability. BigCommerce is widely used by businesses of all sizes due to its flexibility in customization, seamless integration with various third-party apps, and excellent customer support. It is a reliable choice for online retailers looking to create a professional and efficient online store.
BigCommerce is a popular e-commerce platform that was launched in 2009. It is not open source but is known for its user-friendly interface, robust features, and scalability. BigCommerce is widely used by businesses of all sizes due to its flexibility in customization, seamless integration with various third-party apps, and excellent customer support. It is a reliable choice for online retailers looking to create a professional and efficient online store.
Introduction :
Squarespace is a popular website building platform that was launched in 2004. It is not open source but is known for its user-friendly interface and beautiful design templates. Squarespace is a preferred choice for individuals and small businesses looking to create professional-looking websites without the need for coding skills. Its drag-and-drop functionality and integrated e-commerce features make it a convenient option for those seeking a visually appealing online presence.
Squarespace is a popular website building platform that was launched in 2004. It is not open source but is known for its user-friendly interface and beautiful design templates. Squarespace is a preferred choice for individuals and small businesses looking to create professional-looking websites without the need for coding skills. Its drag-and-drop functionality and integrated e-commerce features make it a convenient option for those seeking a visually appealing online presence.
Advantages :
- Easy to use and set up for beginners
- Robust SEO features for better visibility
- Wide range of customizable themes available
- Excellent customer support and resources
- Seamless integration with various third-party apps
Advantages :
- Easy to use for beginners
- Beautiful and professional templates
- Excellent customer support
- Integrated e-commerce functionality
- Mobile responsive designs
Disadvantages :
- Limited design flexibility compared to others
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Higher cost for advanced features
- Limited third-party integrations available
- Less customization options compared to competitors
Disadvantages :
- Limited customization options compared to WordPress
- Higher cost compared to open-source platforms
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Limited third-party integrations compared to Shopify
- Limited SEO capabilities compared to specialized platforms
Website users : Thousands
BigCommerce is used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice for e-commerce businesses of all sizes.
BigCommerce is used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice for e-commerce businesses of all sizes.
Website users : Millions
Squarespace powers millions of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice for individuals and businesses looking for a user-friendly website builder.
Squarespace powers millions of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice for individuals and businesses looking for a user-friendly website builder.
🟡 Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with BigCommerce requires some initial learning, but the platform offers resources and support to help users navigate the process.
Getting started with BigCommerce requires some initial learning, but the platform offers resources and support to help users navigate the process.
🟢 Difficulty : Easy.
Squarespace offers intuitive drag-and-drop tools, templates, and customer support, making it easy for beginners to create a website without technical skills.
Squarespace offers intuitive drag-and-drop tools, templates, and customer support, making it easy for beginners to create a website without technical skills.
Year launched : 2009
BigCommerce was launched in 2009, making it one of the earlier e-commerce platforms available for businesses to use.
BigCommerce was launched in 2009, making it one of the earlier e-commerce platforms available for businesses to use.
Year launched : 2004
Squarespace was launched in 2004, making it one of the earlier content management systems available for website creation and hosting.
Squarespace was launched in 2004, making it one of the earlier content management systems available for website creation and hosting.
Official website :
https://www.bigcommerce.com/
Official website :
https://www.squarespace.com/
Commercial details
BigCommerce
Squarespace
🟡 Open source : Partially.
BigCommerce is not fully open source, but it does offer some level of customization through the use of APIs and themes.
BigCommerce is not fully open source, but it does offer some level of customization through the use of APIs and themes.
🟡 Open source : Partially.
Squarespace is not open source, but does offer limited customization options through its developer platform and code injection features.
Squarespace is not open source, but does offer limited customization options through its developer platform and code injection features.
⚪ Free option : Unknown.
BigCommerce offers a free trial but does not have a permanently free option. Limited features may be available during the trial period.
BigCommerce offers a free trial but does not have a permanently free option. Limited features may be available during the trial period.
🟢 Free option : Yes.
Squarespace offers a free 14-day trial, but there is no ongoing free plan. Limited features available during trial period.
Squarespace offers a free 14-day trial, but there is no ongoing free plan. Limited features available during trial period.
🟢 Paid option : Yes.
BigCommerce offers a paid option with advanced features and capabilities, providing users with more customization and scalability for their online store.
BigCommerce offers a paid option with advanced features and capabilities, providing users with more customization and scalability for their online store.
🟢 Paid option : Yes.
Squarespace offers paid plans with additional features and customization options, providing value for users looking for more advanced functionality.
Squarespace offers paid plans with additional features and customization options, providing value for users looking for more advanced functionality.
Platform details
BigCommerce
Squarespace
🟢 Hosted : Yes.
BigCommerce offers a hosted option for users, providing a convenient and hassle-free solution for setting up and managing an online store.
BigCommerce offers a hosted option for users, providing a convenient and hassle-free solution for setting up and managing an online store.
🟢 Hosted : Yes.
Squarespace offers a fully hosted option, providing users with a seamless and hassle-free website building experience.
Squarespace offers a fully hosted option, providing users with a seamless and hassle-free website building experience.
🟢 Self host : Yes.
BigCommerce offers a self-hosting option through third-party vendors, giving users more control over their hosting environment and infrastructure.
BigCommerce offers a self-hosting option through third-party vendors, giving users more control over their hosting environment and infrastructure.
⚪ Self host : Unknown.
Squarespace does not offer a self-hosting option, but there may be third-party vendors that provide hosting services for Squarespace websites.
Squarespace does not offer a self-hosting option, but there may be third-party vendors that provide hosting services for Squarespace websites.
🟡 Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce supports headless features through APIs, allowing for decoupled front-end experiences with custom-built interfaces or third-party platforms.
BigCommerce supports headless features through APIs, allowing for decoupled front-end experiences with custom-built interfaces or third-party platforms.
🟡 Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Squarespace does not natively support headless CMS, but it can be achieved through third-party plugins and APIs for headless functionality.
Squarespace does not natively support headless CMS, but it can be achieved through third-party plugins and APIs for headless functionality.
🟡 Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not natively support static content generation but can potentially be achieved through popular plugins.
BigCommerce does not natively support static content generation but can potentially be achieved through popular plugins.
🟡 Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Static content generation is possible on Squarespace, perhaps via a popular plugin, offering flexibility for users who require this feature.
Static content generation is possible on Squarespace, perhaps via a popular plugin, offering flexibility for users who require this feature.
Key features
BigCommerce
Squarespace
🟡 Content management : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce offers content management capabilities through plugins, but it may not be as robust as platforms with native content management features.
BigCommerce offers content management capabilities through plugins, but it may not be as robust as platforms with native content management features.
🟢 Content management : Support natively.
Squarespace offers a user-friendly interface for managing content, making it a strong platform compared to others that may require additional plugins or customization.
Squarespace offers a user-friendly interface for managing content, making it a strong platform compared to others that may require additional plugins or customization.
🟡 Blogging : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not have native blogging capabilities but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins for blogging functionality.
BigCommerce does not have native blogging capabilities but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins for blogging functionality.
🟢 Blogging : Support natively.
Squarespace offers a user-friendly blogging platform with built-in features for creating and managing content, making it a strong choice for bloggers.
Squarespace offers a user-friendly blogging platform with built-in features for creating and managing content, making it a strong choice for bloggers.
🟢 E-commerce : Support natively.
BigCommerce offers a robust set of e-commerce features out-of-the-box, making it a strong platform for online businesses looking for comprehensive functionality.
BigCommerce offers a robust set of e-commerce features out-of-the-box, making it a strong platform for online businesses looking for comprehensive functionality.
🟢 E-commerce : Support natively.
Squarespace is a good platform for e-commerce with native features like inventory management, secure payments, and customizable storefronts.
Squarespace is a good platform for e-commerce with native features like inventory management, secure payments, and customizable storefronts.
🟡 Community forum : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not have native forum functionality but can be integrated with popular third-party forum plugins for community engagement.
BigCommerce does not have native forum functionality but can be integrated with popular third-party forum plugins for community engagement.
🟡 Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Squarespace does not have native community/forum features but can be enhanced with third-party plugins for this functionality.
Squarespace does not have native community/forum features but can be enhanced with third-party plugins for this functionality.
🟡 Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Support for content subscriptions/paywalls can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions on BigCommerce.
Support for content subscriptions/paywalls can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions on BigCommerce.
🟢 Content subscription : Support natively.
Squarespace supports content subscriptions and paywalls natively, allowing users to easily monetize their content and restrict access to paid subscribers.
Squarespace supports content subscriptions and paywalls natively, allowing users to easily monetize their content and restrict access to paid subscribers.
Other features
BigCommerce
Squarespace
🟡 Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not support multi-site natively but can be achieved through third-party plugins or extensions for managing multiple sites from a single dashboard.
BigCommerce does not support multi-site natively but can be achieved through third-party plugins or extensions for managing multiple sites from a single dashboard.
🔴 Multi-site : Not supported.
Squarespace does not support multi-site functionality natively or through a popular 3rd party plugin/extension.
Squarespace does not support multi-site functionality natively or through a popular 3rd party plugin/extension.
🟡 Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.
BigCommerce does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.
🟡 Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Squarespace does not natively support multi-language functionality but can be enhanced by third-party plugins for this feature.
Squarespace does not natively support multi-language functionality but can be enhanced by third-party plugins for this feature.
🟡 XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Support for XML sitemaps in BigCommerce is available through popular third-party plugins or extensions, enhancing SEO capabilities for users.
Support for XML sitemaps in BigCommerce is available through popular third-party plugins or extensions, enhancing SEO capabilities for users.
🟡 XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Squarespace does not natively support XML sitemaps but can be implemented using third-party plugins or extensions for enhanced functionality.
Squarespace does not natively support XML sitemaps but can be implemented using third-party plugins or extensions for enhanced functionality.
When choosing between BigCommerce and Squarespace, consider the size and complexity of your online store. BigCommerce is ideal for larger businesses looking for advanced features, while Squarespace is great for small to medium-sized businesses wanting a simple and visually appealing website. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your specific needs and goals.