If you’ve ever tried to create a website, you’ve probably heard of Squarespace. It’s that all-in-one website builder that promises to make your life easier with its drag-and-drop interface and beautiful templates. You know, the one with those Super Bowl ads featuring celebrities telling you how simple it is to build a website. “[It’s] a website that makes websites.” And they’re not wrong – Squarespace has made website creation accessible to everyone from artists to Lao Publishers.
But if you’re using Squarespace for your business, you’ve likely encountered those persistent nudges to use Squarespace Payments. They appear like friendly reminders in your dashboard, pop up during your commerce setup, and show up in your email inbox. “Switch to Squarespace Payments!” they say. “Streamline your payment processing!” they promise. It’s like having a very enthusiastic friend who really, really wants you to try their favorite restaurant.
As online business owners, we’re often faced with decisions that can make or break our success. And while Squarespace’s built-in payment solution might seem like the obvious choice (they’re certainly enthusiastic about it), is it really the best option for your needs? One of the most crucial choices? Payment processing systems. While Squarespace Payments might seem like the obvious choice for Squarespace users (it’s right there in the name, after all), the reality is a bit more complex than that. Let’s dive into what the developer community really thinks about these options.
The Tale of Two Payment Systems
First, let’s clear up a common misconception: Squarespace Payments is actually built on Stripe’s infrastructure. It’s like getting your coffee from a reseller instead of directly from the roaster – same beans, different markup.
Why Stripe Often Wins the Race
1. Cost Effectiveness
Community feedback consistently points to Stripe as the more economical choice, especially for smaller businesses. As one developer noted, “Squarespace’s processing is actually insanely expensive at the lower-priced plans.” Think of it as paying extra for room service when you could just walk down to the restaurant yourself.
2. Flexibility and Integration
Stripe’s compatibility with platforms outside the Squarespace ecosystem (like Calendly) makes it the Swiss Army knife of payment processing. It’s like having a universal remote instead of one that only works with your TV.
3. Advanced Analytics
A crucial point raised by developers: Squarespace doesn’t support conversion tracking on their cart. For those running ads and wanting to optimize their campaigns, this is like trying to navigate with a compass that only points to “maybe.”
The Squarespace Payments Catch
Here’s where things get interesting:
- You need a more expensive Squarespace plan to use their payment system
- Once you remove Stripe integration, you can’t add it back
- Even embedding a Stripe button requires a higher-tier Squarespace plan
Looking Beyond the Usual Suspects
Some businesses are exploring alternatives beyond these two options, particularly looking for more advanced payment features. Here are some key capabilities worth considering:
Text-to-Pay
This feature lets your customers complete purchases via text message. Imagine sending a payment link directly to your customer’s phone – they click, pay, and they’re done. It’s particularly useful for service-based businesses or when following up on unpaid invoices. Services like Square and PayPal now offer this functionality.
Failed Payment Recovery
Ever had a customer’s payment fail because their card expired? Failed payment recovery automatically retries failed payments and sends smart reminders to customers to update their payment information. Stripe calls this “Smart Retries,” while PayPal has “Automated Reprocessing.” These features can help recover up to 20% of failed payments automatically.
Versatile Payment Methods
Beyond just credit cards, modern payment processors should support:
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Buy Now, Pay Later options (Affirm, Klarna)
- ACH direct deposits
- International payment methods
For more details on these features, you can check out:
Making Your Decision
Based on the community feedback, here’s a straightforward decision framework:
- If you’re running a Squarespace site and plan to stay within their ecosystem:
- Consider Stripe for lower transaction volumes
- Factor in the additional platform costs of Squarespace Payments
- If you’re planning to expand beyond Squarespace:
- Stripe is likely your better bet for long-term flexibility
- Keep in mind the integration limitations with Squarespace
The Bottom Line
While Squarespace Payments isn’t a bad choice per se, Stripe emerges as the more versatile and often more cost-effective solution. It’s like choosing between a multi-tool and a really nice hammer – both work, but one gives you more options for future projects.
Remember: The best payment system is the one that fits your specific needs and growth plans. Just make sure you’re not paying premium prices for basic features you could get elsewhere for less.