When developing a new website, there are many things to keep in mind. Some of the most important concerns are cost and usability. Building a Squarespace website is a fantastic option for both.

But what is Squarespace?

Basically, it’s a platform which allows you to build and manage a website with very little technical skill. Just about anyone who can use a computer could build a basic site using Squarespace. It’s also a much cheaper option than engaging a professional web developer.

With that in mind, let’s dive into how to build a Squarespace website.

Starting Your Squarespace Ecommerce Website

To get started with Squarespace, you first need to have an account. Once you create an account or sign in, it is time to make a start on building your Squarespace Ecommerce Website. You can easily login using a Facebook or Twitter account as well as using Gmail.

building-a-squarespace-ecommerce-website-featured

Once you log in, you will be taken straight to the Squarespace dashboard. Here you can visit any previous Squarespace sites you’ve created, as well as start creating a new site.

Once you have logged into your builder and start to create a new site, Squarespace will show you a range of website templates that are ideal for a range of websites.

Within the templates dashboard there are multiple categories, many of which are aimed at a single industry or business field.

These templates are created to target individual sites. Some of the categories include health and fitness and photography templates. However, this doesn’t mean you need to use a photography template for a photography website.

Rather, it’s what Squarespace thinks a photographer’s site would probably look like.
Find the right template for you from this dashboard. A great feature is that you can preview the templates before starting your site build.

This allows you to see the template and if it suits your brand or business. It also means that a new website won’t show up in your created websites that you need to delete if you decide you don’t like that template.

The first thing to edit should be the site title, by clicking on the edit title within the header. You can also add a site logo here.

Squarespace also offers a logo maker. Be sure to check this out to make a quick and easy logo for your site. At ProfileTree we have also compared the Squarespace logo maker VS the WIX logo maker.

https://profiletree.com/wix-logo-maker-vs-squarespace/
Squarespace makes it incredibly simple to create an ecommerce site. Image credit: Squarespace.

Designing on Squarespace

With Squarespace there is a lot of design flexibility. Within the design navigation menu there are options to change your template, or change site styles. You can also create a 404 error page, a checkout page and a lock screen.

Within the styles options, you can change most of the design, look and feel of the site including the colours, fonts, the navigation and header of the site. Here you can edit the width of the site and spacing between elements.

All elements within the 404 page, checkout page and a lock screen page can be edited similarly to the rest of the site. The site logo can be added as well as text information.

A 404 page appears where a user clicks on a broken link, or enters an incorrect URL on your site. Different widgets can be easily added to the 404 page, to make it as personal and friendly as possible. This prevents them from simply exiting your site when a 404 is displayed.

Most users will feel uncomfortable with a 404 error page, therefore by adding a comfortable design to it, you can use it to add value to the rest of your site.

Users can also add custom CSS to their site on Squarespace. This gives users the ability to change the design of the site as well as creating movable functions.

To add CSS to different blocks of the site, which are the different sections, we will need to use the Squarespace block identifier, which is an extension used on your browser. To get this head to the extension store of your browser and add it to your browser.

You will then click on the extension while on your site and you will see the names of all the different blocks on your site. Click on the block you wish to edit and it will copy the name to your clipboard. With this name we want to add it to the CSS.
CSS is a simple coding language which allows you to change the visual elements of your site, including text size and font, spacing, image dimensions and backgrounds.

Squarespace Ecommerce | Squarespace | What is Squarespace? | How to Build a Website in Squarespace

Squarespace Upgraded Plans

When you first start to design your site on Squarespace, you have a 14 day free trial.

This means the website is published for the world to see. After the fourteen days, you will need to upgrade your Squarespace site to a premium plan otherwise the site will be taken down and be marked to be deleted.

This is a massive negative of Squarespace, as it forces you to pay for a premium plan otherwise your site could be deleted entirely.

Overall there are two Squarespace Ecommerce website plans. These are the Basic and Advanced plans. The basic plan costs £20 a month when billed yearly, otherwise the plan will cost £24 a month when billed on a monthly basis.

The advanced plan is a bit more expensive, as you might expect. The cheapest plan costs £30 a month when billed yearly and £37 a month when billed on a month by month basis. With each plan, you get access to many similar features including security, support, and a free domain if you buy an annual plan.

With ecommerce plans, sales features are essential to a website succeeding. There are no transaction fees, therefore all revenue generated by the website is yours. You can sell as many products as you want. There is a commerce metric feature, a feature for customer accounts, a checkout function and more.

You can even sell products on Instagram with the ecommerce plan. A vital feature with these plans is a mobile optimised website and checkout. This feature is essential as over half of searches online are made on a mobile/tablet device.

With the advanced plan, you receive additional features. One of these additional features is subscriptions. This will allow you to start selling a subscription based service on your site. Examples of these would be Spotify and Netflix.

Users will also be able to recover their cart on your site if they abandon it. You can also calculate advanced shipping options such as the costs for using couriers such as FedEx and UPS.

You will also get full control over your store and its discounts due to an additional flexible discount feature. Lastly users of this advanced plan can sell digital gift cards that can be redeemed within the checkout area of the site.  Emphasize the expertise and experience of Lucrative Studio in Squarespace website design. Mention any specific skills or services they offer, such as custom template design, e-commerce integration, or SEO optimization.

There’s also a feature to handle all the orders of the site more efficiently called Order API. This allows you to integrate your Squarespace site with your stock management system.

If you would like to check out more of our Squarespace tutorials, check out the playlist on our YouTube channel.

Squarespace SEO | Squarespace | Build a Website in Squarespace | SEO | Squarespace Tutorial

Adding and Managing Products: Building Your Squarespace Ecommerce Empire

Adding and managing products in your Squarespace store is the heart of your ecommerce operation. From crafting enticing product pages to streamlining inventory, this section will equip you with the knowledge and tools to build a flourishing online empire:

Creating Product Pages that Convert:

  • Visual Storytelling: Captivate audiences with high-quality, well-lit product images showcasing features and benefits from multiple angles.
  • Compelling Descriptions: Craft engaging product descriptions that highlight key features, answer potential questions, and inspire purchase.
  • Pricing Strategies: Set competitive prices while ensuring profitability. Consider offering discounts, bundles, or variations to cater to different budgets.
  • Variants and Options: Expand your reach by offering product variations like size, color, or customization options. Squarespace lets you easily manage these configurations on individual product pages.
  • SEO Optimization: Sprinkle relevant keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags to attract organic search traffic. Use clear, descriptive product names for easy browsing.

Importing and Exporting Products for Effortless Efficiency:

  • CSV Power: Leverage the magic of CSV files to bulk import or export multiple products at once. Save time and avoid manual data entry.
  • Template Magic: Download Squarespace’s pre-formatted CSV templates for effortless data organization. Ensure your file matches the required format for seamless import.
  • Inventory Updates: Streamline inventory management by updating stock levels through CSV imports. Keep your customers informed and avoid overselling.

Organizing Inventory with Collections for Easy Navigation:

  • Categorize for Clarity: Group similar products into logical collections like clothing categories, tech accessories, or seasonal offerings.
  • Navigation Nirvana: Make browsing a breeze by featuring your Collections prominently on your storefront, menus, or dedicated landing pages.
  • Cross-Selling Champions: Suggest related products within Collections to encourage customers to explore and add more to their carts.
  • Featured Favorites: Highlight exceptional or new arrivals with dedicated “Featured” Collections, drawing attention to your top offerings.

Bonus Tips for Product Page Optimization:

  • Add videos or 360° product views: Enhance customer engagement and understanding of your products.
  • Leverage social proof: Showcase customer reviews and testimonials to build trust and encourage purchase.
  • Offer clear and transparent shipping information: Be upfront about shipping costs and timelines to avoid surprises.
  • A/B test different elements: Experiment with headlines, call-to-action buttons, or product page layouts to see what resonates best with your audience.
Ecommerce Website With Squarespace | Squarespace | Squarespace Templates | Ecommerce Website Design

Streamlining Transactions in Your Squarespace Store

Transforming your Squarespace store into a sales powerhouse means creating a seamless checkout experience for your customers. Here’s how to enable payments, customize checkout, and offer enticing deals:

1. Integrating Payment Gateways: Opening the Door to Transactions

  • Partner Up: Connect your Squarespace store with popular payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, or Square to securely process payments.
  • Global Reach: Consider offering multiple payment options to cater to shoppers from different regions and payment preferences.
  • Fee Awareness: Be mindful of transaction fees associated with each gateway and factor them into your pricing strategy.
  • Clear Instructions: Provide step-by-step instructions on how to connect your chosen gateway within Squarespace’s Commerce panel, ensuring easy setup.

2. Customizing the Checkout Process: Paving a Smooth Path

  • Essential Information: Collect only necessary customer details like name, email, shipping address, and payment information to streamline the process.
  • Brand Alignment: Customize the checkout page design to match your brand’s aesthetics, creating a cohesive shopping experience.
  • Checkout Options: Offer guest checkout for speedy purchases or encourage account creation for repeat customers and personalized experiences.
  • Shipping Strategy: Integrate with shipping providers like UPS or FedEx to offer real-time shipping rates and options based on customer location.
  • Mobile Optimization: Ensure a smooth checkout experience across devices, including mobile phones and tablets.

3. Setting Up Discounts and Coupons: Delighting Shoppers with Savings

  • Discount Codes: Create unique codes for percentage discounts, fixed amounts, or free shipping to incentivize purchases and drive sales.
  • Targeted Promotions: Offer discounts for specific products, collections, or customer groups to create tailored experiences.
  • Special Occasions: Utilize coupons for seasonal sales, holidays, or new product launches to generate excitement and boost conversions.
  • Easy Application: Ensure customers can easily apply coupons during checkout with a visible field for code entry.

Bonus Tips for Checkout Optimization:

  • Display order summaries: Provide a clear breakdown of items, pricing, and shipping costs before payment to avoid surprises and build trust.
  • Offer guest checkout: Allow customers to purchase without creating an account to reduce friction and potential cart abandonment.
  • Display security badges: Reassure customers about the safety of their transactions with visible security seals and badges from trusted payment providers.
  • Enable abandoned cart recovery: Send automated emails reminding customers about unfinished purchases, leading to potential sales recovery.

Configuring Taxes and Shipping: Ensuring Clear Costs and Convenient Delivery in Your Squarespace Store

Building trust and providing transparency are key to a successful online store. Setting up accurate taxes and offering convenient shipping options are crucial components of achieving this. Let’s dive into the details of configuring these crucial aspects in your Squarespace store:

1. Navigating the Tax Maze: Setting Up Rates for Different Regions

  • Location, Location, Location: Familiarize yourself with tax regulations applicable to your target audience and business location.
  • Automated Assistance: Utilize Squarespace’s built-in tax tools like TaxJar for automatic tax rate calculation based on customer location.
  • Manual Magic: If needed, manually configure tax rates for different regions or countries by specifying zip codes or state/province information.
  • Transparency Matters: Clearly display tax rates during checkout and on product pages to avoid surprises and maintain customer trust.

2. Shipping Solutions: Adding Methods and Rates

  • Variety is the Spice of Shipping: Offer different shipping methods like standard, expedited, or free shipping to cater to various customer preferences and budgets.
  • Real-Time Rates: Consider integrating with shipping providers like UPS or FedEx to offer real-time shipping cost calculations based on weight, dimensions, and destination.
  • Flat Rates for Familiarity: For consistency, you can also set flat rates for specific regions or order values.
  • Shipping Zones: Divide your target audience into shipping zones based on location to simplify rate determination and pricing.

3. Unleashing the Power of Real-Time Calculated Shipping:

  • Transparency Triumphs: Real-time shipping provides upfront cost clarity for customers and reduces order abandonment due to unexpected charges.
  • Boosting Conversions: Offering competitive and accurate shipping options can be a strong conversion driver, making customers feel they’re getting the best value.
  • Logistics Optimization: For businesses shipping larger or heavier items, real-time rates can help ensure accurate cost calculations and prevent undercharging.
  • Tech Integration Power: Seamless integration with shipping providers simplifies real-time calculation and automatically updates rates, saving you time and effort.

Bonus Tips for Tax and Shipping Configuration:

  • Display estimated taxes and shipping costs: Provide customers with a ballpark figure during browsing to manage expectations.
  • Offer free shipping thresholds: Encourage larger orders by offering free shipping above a certain order value.
  • Communicate shipping policies clearly: Include information about processing times, delivery timelines, and any limitations in your store’s FAQ or shipping page.
  • Stay updated on regulations: Tax and shipping regulations can change periodically. Ensure you stay informed and update your store settings accordingly.

Uncovering Insights to Optimize Your Squarespace Store

Data is the compass that guides your ecommerce journey. By delving into Squarespace Analytics, you can unlock invaluable insights that fuel growth and elevate your store’s performance. Let’s explore the key metrics, assessment strategies, and reporting power at your fingertips:

1. Key Metrics: Navigating Your Data Dashboard

  • Traffic Insights:
    • Total visits: Number of individual visits to your store.
    • Unique visitors: Number of distinct individuals who visited your store.
    • Traffic sources: Breakdown of where visitors come from (organic search, social media, paid ads, etc.).
  • Sales Performance:
    • Orders: Number of completed purchases.
    • Revenue: Total amount of money generated from sales.
    • Average order value (AOV): Average amount spent per order.
    • Best-selling products: Identify top-performing items.
  • Customer Behavior:
    • Conversion rate: Percentage of visitors who make a purchase.
    • Cart abandonment rate: Percentage of visitors who start a checkout but don’t complete it.
    • Top landing pages: Most visited pages on your store.

2. Assessing Traffic Sources and Top Products:

  • Traffic Detectives: Pinpoint which traffic sources drive the most sales and conversions to optimize your marketing efforts.
  • Product Stars: Identify your best-selling products to inform inventory management, product development, and marketing campaigns.
  • Seasonal Trends: Track sales patterns over time to uncover seasonal trends and plan promotions accordingly.

3. Exporting Reports for Deeper Insights and Sharing:

  • Data Export: Squarespace allows you to export detailed reports in CSV or Excel format for further analysis or sharing with stakeholders.
  • Customization: Filter and customize reports to focus on specific metrics, time periods, or product categories.
  • Collaboration: Share reports with team members or external consultants for collaborative insights and decision-making.

Bonus Tips for Data-Driven Optimization:

  • Set clear goals: Define specific KPIs (key performance indicators) aligned with your business objectives to measure progress and success.
  • Track trends: Monitor data over time to identify patterns, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
  • Experiment and adapt: Test different strategies, measure their impact, and refine your approach based on data-driven insights.
  • Seek external expertise: Consider consulting with data analysts or ecommerce experts for advanced analysis and recommendations.

FAQ: Building Your Squarespace Ecommerce Empire

Q: Is Squarespace the right platform for my ecommerce store?

A: Squarespace is user-friendly and offers features ideal for beginners and established businesses alike. Consider your store size, budget, and desired functionality before making a decision.

Q: Can I build a custom design for my Squarespace store?

A: While template-based, Squarespace provides ample customization options for colors, fonts, layouts, and product pages. Third-party developers offer custom code injection for advanced design modifications.

Q: How much does it cost to build a Squarespace ecommerce store?

A: Squarespace offers various pricing plans with ecommerce functionality. Choose the plan that best suits your needs and budget. You’ll also need to consider domain name and payment gateway fees.

Q: How can I drive traffic to my new Squarespace store?

A: Utilize SEO optimization, paid advertising, social media marketing, email marketing, and content marketing to attract target audiences and increase site visibility.

Q: What resources are available to help me learn more about building a Squarespace ecommerce store?

A: Squarespace offers extensive official guides, tutorials, webinars, and community forums. Numerous blogs and online resources also provide valuable tips and insights.

Conclusion: Squarespace – Your Launchpad to Ecommerce Success

Building a successful online store requires dedication, planning, and the right tools. Squarespace empowers aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs alike with a user-friendly platform, powerful features, and endless possibilities.

This guide has equipped you with the knowledge and actionable steps to navigate every stage of your Squarespace ecommerce journey. From choosing the perfect template to analyzing key data, optimizing the mobile experience, and marketing your store, we’ve covered it all.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *