Which Squarespace Plan is Right For You? (2024 Deep Dive)
Building a website on Squarespace is an excellent choice for creatives, entrepreneurs, and businesses looking for a stylish and easy-to-use platform. However, choosing the right plan can be tricky, especially if it’s your first time building a site, and you aren’t sure which plan you really need to pay for.
Squarespace offers several options tailored to different needs - from personal blogs to advanced eCommerce stores. This guide breaks down each plan, what it includes, and who it’s best for.
By the end of this deep dive, you’ll know exactly which Squarespace plan is right for your website.
Overview of Squarespace Plans:
Squarespace offers four main plans:
Personal – $16 per month / £12 per month (billed annually)
Business – $23 per month / £17 per month (billed annually)
Basic Commerce – $27 per month / £23 per month (billed annually)
Advanced Commerce – $49 per month / £35 per month (billed annually)
The beauty of Squarespace is that each plan comes with essential features, such as responsive design templates, secure hosting, SSL certificates, and 24/7 customer support. However, the plans differ in terms of features, storage limits, and eCommerce capabilities, and this is where you’ll want to get clear on who you are and what you’re looking to offer on your website.
Let’s dive into each plan and its key offerings. Starting with the cheapest plan, and let’s be the honest, the one more people will consider first…
1. Personal Plan: Perfect for Blogs, Portfolios and Simple Websites
Cost: $16 per month / £12 per month (billed annually)
Best For: Bloggers, hobbyists, portfolios, or personal websites with basic needs.
The Personal Plan is the most affordable option, ideal for individuals who need a simple, stylish website without advanced features like eCommerce. If your goal is to create a personal blog, showcase a portfolio, or share information online, this plan offers everything you need.
Features Included:
Free custom domain (for the first year).
Mobile-optimized, responsive design templates.
SSL security.
Unlimited bandwidth and storage.
Basic website metrics (page views, traffic sources).
While the Personal Plan offers great value, it lacks business tools such as promotional pop-ups, advanced analytics, and eCommerce features. It’s perfect for individuals who don’t plan to sell products or services through their website, and just want to keep things simple! Fun fact, when I first started my own business and this website, this was the plan I used!
2. Business Plan: Ideal for Small Businesses and Freelancers
Cost: $23 per month / £17 per month (billed annually)
Best For: Small businesses, freelancers, and those who need eCommerce with some advanced tools.
The Business Plan offers more features than the Personal Plan, including the ability to sell products. It’s the best option for small businesses, freelancers, and individuals who want to start a website with eCommerce potential, but don’t need a fully-fledged online store just yet.
Features Included:
Everything in the Personal Plan, plus:
Complete eCommerce functionality (with a 3% transaction fee).
Advanced website analytics.
Promotional pop-ups and banners.
Integration with third-party extensions.
$100 Google Ads credit.
Custom code injection and CSS customization - this one is super important for custom builds!
Professional email from Google (free for the first year).
This plan gives you the flexibility to start selling products or services online. However, the 3% transaction fee on sales makes it less ideal for larger online stores. If your site is primarily informational with some eCommerce needs, the Business Plan will suit you well. This is the plan that I personally recommend for most small to medium businesses I work with, as you get the added flexibility, for a great price!
3. Basic Commerce Plan: Designed for Growing eCommerce Sites
Cost: $27 per month / £23 per month (billed annually)
Best For: Growing online stores and businesses with a focus on eCommerce.
The Basic Commerce Plan is where Squarespace’s eCommerce functionality really shines. If you plan to run a dedicated online store, this plan offers everything you need to build, manage, and scale your business.
Features Included:
Everything in the Business Plan, plus:
0% transaction fees on sales.
Point of Sale (POS) functionality to sell in person.
Customer accounts (allowing customers to create and manage accounts).
Checkout on your domain (enhances trust and professionalism).
eCommerce analytics and merchandising tools.
Product reviews and additional marketing integrations.
The Basic Commerce Plan removes the 3% transaction fee, making it a better choice if you’re selling multiple products. You also gain access to helpful features like customer accounts and in-depth analytics, which help you grow your business and improve the customer experience.
4. Advanced Commerce Plan: The Ultimate eCommerce Experience
Cost: $49 per month / £35 per month (billed annually)
Best For: Established businesses, high-volume online stores, and those needing advanced eCommerce tools.
Finally, Squarespace’s most premium offering, the Advanced Commerce Plan is designed for businesses that need advanced eCommerce functionality and want to automate parts of their workflow. If you’re running a larger store or expect to grow significantly, this plan has everything you’ll need to operate efficiently.
Features Included:
Everything in the Basic Commerce Plan, plus:
Abandoned cart recovery (automatically emails customers who leave items in their cart).
Advanced shipping options (real-time carrier shipping rates).
Advanced discounting (set rules for sales, offers, and discounts).
Subscriptions (offer recurring billing for products or services).
Commerce APIs for more complex integrations.
With these advanced features, you can streamline operations, increase sales, and provide an optimized shopping experience. For businesses with serious eCommerce ambitions, the Advanced Commerce Plan offers the tools to scale and automate your store.
How to Choose the Right Plan for You
Now that you have a clear understanding of each plan, it’s time to assess your needs:
Personal Plan: Best for blogs, portfolios, or personal websites without the need for eCommerce or advanced features. It’s an excellent starting point for individuals on a budget.
Business Plan: Ideal for small businesses, freelancers, and those looking to start with basic eCommerce. This plan balances affordability and advanced features like custom code, Google ads credit, and basic eCommerce capabilities.
Basic Commerce Plan: Perfect for online stores that want to grow without paying transaction fees. If you plan to make eCommerce a key part of your business, this plan provides the essentials for scaling.
Advanced Commerce Plan: Tailored for high-volume stores and established businesses needing advanced features like abandoned cart recovery, real-time shipping, and subscriptions. If your store is growing quickly, this is the best choice.
Conclusion: Invest in the Right Plan for Your Website’s Future
Choosing the right Squarespace plan can make a big difference in how you build and grow your online presence. By understanding your goals - whether it’s showcasing your work, launching a business, or building a robust online store -you can select the plan that provides the features and value you need.
No matter which plan you choose, Squarespace offers professional designs, user-friendly tools, and the flexibility to scale your website as your needs grow. Take your time evaluating what you need today and what you might need as your site evolves. This way, you’ll make the right investment for the long-term success of your website.
Always invest in your future, and where you see yourself going!
That’s it! I hope I’ve made your decision a little easier for you today. Still not sure which plan to go with, or better yet, need some more help with your website to get it ready to launch? Let’s book a chat today and do this together!
