Comparison review of three online selling platforms

Squarespace, Etsy, and Shopify are all popular online selling platforms, but they serve slightly different purposes and have distinct features. If you’re an artist selling giclee fine art prints online we’ve prepared a comparison review of these platforms to help you understand their strengths and weaknesses:

Squarespace

Ease of Use
Squarespace is known for its user-friendly interface and intuitive website builder. It’s great for those who want to sell products alongside creating a visually appealing website.

Customisation
Squarespace offers a range of templates that you can customise to create a unique online store. It’s especially well-suited for businesses with a focus on aesthetics.

Pricing is generally higher compared to some other platforms, and there may be transaction fees unless you subscribe to the more expensive Commerce plans.

E-commerce Features
Squarespace has basic e-commerce functionality but is more geared toward small businesses or artists selling a limited number of products.

Payment Processing
It supports Stripe and PayPal for payment processing.

Etsy

Niche Marketplace
Etsy is primarily a marketplace for handmade, vintage, and unique items. It’s a great platform if your products fit within these categories.

Audience
Etsy has a large and established user base, which can be advantageous for sellers looking to tap into an existing customer base.

Fees
Etsy charges listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees. These fees can add up, impacting your profit margins.

Customisation
While you can create a shop and customise it to some extent, you have less control over the overall look and feel compared to platforms like Squarespace or Shopify.

Shopify

Versatility
Shopify is one of the most versatile e-commerce platforms available. It can be used for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises.

Customization
Shopify provides a wide range of customisable themes and apps, allowing you to create a highly tailored online store.

Scalability
Shopify is known for its scalability, making it suitable for businesses with ambitious growth plans.

Payment Processing
It supports multiple payment gateways and has its own payment system (Shopify Payments).

Pricing
While Shopify has monthly subscription fees, it often includes features like hosting and security, which can save you money compared to other platforms with additional hosting costs.

In summary, the choice between Squarespace, Etsy, and Shopify depends on your specific needs and business model:

If you want a visually appealing website with basic e-commerce capabilities, Squarespace is a good choice.
If you sell handmade or unique items and want to tap into an established marketplace, Etsy is worth considering.
If you need a highly customisable and scalable e-commerce platform with a wide range of features, Shopify is a strong contender.

Ultimately, it’s important to assess your business goals, budget, and the type of products you’re selling when choosing the right platform for your online store.

Pricing
While Shopify has monthly subscription fees, it often includes features like hosting and security, which can save you money compared to other platforms with additional hosting costs.

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