Creating a successful Squarespace store in 2025 has never been more accessible for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and digital creatives. Squarespace’s modern templates, intuitive visual editor, and advanced eCommerce tools make it simple to create a stunning online store without any coding knowledge.
The platform combines design freedom with essential tools like inventory tracking, payment integration, and shipping options, all under one roof. This complete Squarespace tutorial gives you everything you need to build a fully functional, mobile-optimized, and visually engaging storefront.
You’ll discover how to select a high-converting Squarespace template, organize your product pages with rich media and CMS collections, configure taxes and shipping zones, and connect a secure payment gateway like Stripe or PayPal.
If you want to build a polished and profitable Squarespace eCommerce site, this guide will help you start strong, launch confidently, and grow your brand online.
Every step in this 2025 walkthrough is designed to help you create a store that stands out, performs well, and scales with your goals.
Table of Contents
- What is Squarespace?
- Why choose Squarespace?
- Key Features of Squarespace
- Follow these 11 Steps to Create an Online Store on Squarespace
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. What is Squarespace?
Squarespace is an all-in-one website builder and eCommerce platform designed for users who want to create professional websites without needing to code.
Founded in 2003, it has grown into a leading solution for entrepreneurs, creatives, and small business owners looking to build stylish online stores, portfolios, blogs, and more.
It offers a wide range of modern templates, a visual drag-and-drop editor, and built-in tools for selling products, managing content, and optimizing for search engines.
From hosting to security, everything is managed under one platform, making Squarespace a popular choice for anyone seeking a streamlined and visually stunning online presence.
Pros:
✔ Sleek, Designer-Made Templates: Squarespace offers professionally designed, visually striking templates that make your store look polished right out of the box.
✔ All-in-One Platform: Hosting, security, design, and eCommerce tools are bundled together, so you don’t need multiple services.
✔ Built-In SEO Features: From custom meta tags to clean URLs, Squarespace includes essential SEO tools to improve your store’s visibility in search results.
✔ Easy-to-Use Interface: The drag-and-drop editor is intuitive and ideal for beginners who want creative control without touching code.
✔ Mobile-Responsive Design: All templates are mobile-friendly, ensuring your store looks great on every screen size.
Cons:
❌ Limited Payment Gateways: Squarespace mainly supports Stripe and PayPal. If you need broader payment integration, options are restricted.
❌ Fewer Apps and Extensions: Compared to platforms like Shopify, Squarespace has a smaller app marketplace, limiting advanced customization.
❌ Not Ideal for Large Stores: While great for small to mid-size shops, Squarespace lacks the inventory management power needed for very large catalogs.
❌ No Multi-Currency Checkout: Selling internationally is possible, but multi-currency support at checkout is not yet fully built in.
❌ Advanced Customization Requires Code: You can do a lot visually, but deep changes often require knowledge of CSS or JavaScript.
2. Why choose Squarespace?
Choosing to use Squarespace for your online store in 2025 means getting access to a platform that blends elegant design with practical eCommerce tools.
Its clean interface, designer-quality templates, and all-in-one setup make it a standout option for beginners and professionals alike who want to build a brand, not just a website.
The platform offers everything needed to launch and manage an effective eCommerce website, from secure payment processing and mobile-ready layouts to built-in SEO features that help your products get discovered online.
For creators, freelancers, and small businesses, Squarespace delivers a seamless experience that prioritizes design, usability, and speed.
Thanks to integrated marketing tools, customizable product pages, and round-the-clock support, Squarespace empowers sellers to focus more on growing their brand and less on backend complexity.
3. Key Features of Squarespace
Squarespace delivers an all-in-one solution with eCommerce features tailored for both new sellers and growing brands. Its feature set allows users to build a polished, high-performing store without needing to code or manage third-party integrations.
Here are the key features that make Squarespace a top eCommerce choice in 2025:
1. Designer-Quality Templates
Stand out with beautifully crafted Squarespace templates that are fully responsive and easy to customize for your brand.
2. Visual Drag-and-Drop Editor
Quickly build and arrange your store layout using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface – no technical skills required.
3. Built-In Product Management
Add products, organize them into categories, track inventory, and manage variants from a centralized product dashboard.
4. Integrated Payment Processing
Accept secure payments directly connected to your store through Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay.
5. Mobile-Optimized Storefronts
Ensure a flawless shopping experience on any device with a responsive design built into every theme.
6. Free Custom Domain
Get a free domain for your first year when signing up for an annual plan, perfect for building brand trust.
4. Follow these 11 Steps to Create an Online Store on Squarespace
1. Creating Your Squarespace Account
Step 1: Visit Squarespace.com
Go to the official Squarespace.com and click on the “Get Started” or “Start Free Trial” button.
Step 2: Choose a Template
Browse through the wide range of eCommerce templates and pick one that fits your brand style. Don’t worry, you can change or customize it later.
Step 3: Create an Account
Sign up using your email address, or log in through your Google or Apple account. This will take you to your website editor dashboard.
Step 4: Name Your Site
Enter a store name or temporary title. This can be updated at any time in your site settings.
Step 5: Access the Site Editor
Once inside the dashboard, you can begin editing your Squarespace store using the drag-and-drop visual editor.
Step 6: Start Your Free Trial
Squarespace gives you a 14-day free trial, so you can explore all features before selecting a paid plan.
2. Choosing the Right Template for Your Store
Step 1: Visit Squarespace’s Template Library
Go to Squarespace Templates to browse available eCommerce templates.
Step 2: Filter by Store Type or Category
Use filters like “Online Store,” “Portfolio,” or “Products” to narrow your search to templates built for selling online.
Step 3: Preview Templates in Action
Click on each template’s Live Demo to see how it looks and behaves across desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
Step 4: Assess Visual Fit
Evaluate the layout, image use, font style, and product display. Choose one that aligns with your brand’s identity and customer expectations.
Step 5: Check Built-In Features
Make sure the template supports product pages, shopping cart, custom sections, and any layout needs you might have (e.g., blog or video).
Step 6: Start Editing Your Template
Click “Start with [Template Name]” to begin customizing it in the Squarespace site editor. Don’t worry, you can tweak or switch later.
3. Designing Your Storefront
Step 1: Access the Site Editor
From your Squarespace dashboard, click on “Edit Site” to open the visual editor where you can build each page of your store.
Step 2: Set Up Your Homepage Layout
Drag and drop sections like banners, text, product showcases, and email sign-up forms. Use a clear visual hierarchy to guide visitors.
Step 3: Add Your Branding
Upload your logo, choose your brand colors, and set consistent fonts. These choices reinforce your brand identity throughout the store.
Step 4: Customize Page Structure
Edit or add pages under “Pages” in the left sidebar. Organize them into navigation menus like “Home,” “Shop,” “About,” and “Contact.”
Step 5: Insert Product Blocks
Display featured products or categories using product blocks on the homepage. You can filter them by tags or collections.
Step 6: Design for Mobile
Click the mobile icon in the preview bar to fine-tune your design for smartphones and tablets. Ensure CTA buttons and images scale well.
Step 7: Save and Preview Your Store
Once you’ve completed a section, click “Save.” Use the “Preview” option to check your store’s appearance before going live.
4. Adding and Managing Products
Step 1: Navigate to the Products Page
From your Squarespace dashboard, go to the left panel and click “Pages” > “Store” > “Products.” This is where all your items are listed.
Step 2: Add a New Product
Click the “+” icon or “Add Product” button. You’ll be prompted to choose a product type: Physical, Digital, Service, or Gift Card.
Step 3: Enter Product Details
Add your product name, description, and images. You can also create product galleries for multiple images or variants.
Step 4: Set Pricing and Inventory
Under the pricing tab, enter your base price, optional sale price, and set stock levels. Enable inventory tracking to manage availability automatically.
Step 5: Organize with Categories and Tags
Use categories and tags to keep your products organized. These help customers filter and search through your store easily.
Step 6: Customize Variants (If Needed)
For products with sizes, colors, or other options, use the “Variants” tab to add custom options like Small/Medium/Large or Red/Blue.
Step 7: Manage Existing Products
You can edit, duplicate, or remove any item directly from the product list. Use drag-and-drop to reorder them as they appear in your storefront.
5. Setting Up Product Categories and Inventory
Step 1: Navigate to the Store Page
From your Squarespace dashboard, click on Pages > Store > Products. This is where your items are listed and managed.
Step 2: Create Product Categories
Open a product, scroll to the Organization section, and type in a Category name (e.g., T-Shirts, Accessories, or Bestsellers). Hit Enter to save or reuse tags across products.
Step 3: Add Tags for Filtering
Use tags for more flexible sorting, like “New Arrival,” “On Sale,” or seasonal collections. These help power product filters and enhance searchability.
Step 4: Apply Categories to Multiple Products
In the Products panel, you can bulk-edit multiple items. Select all relevant products, then add or change categories and tags in one action.
Step 5: Set Up Inventory Tracking
Open a product and go to the Inventory section. Toggle on Inventory tracking, then set available stock quantities. Squarespace will auto-update inventory as sales occur.
Step 6: Add Low Stock Notifications
Enable low stock alerts so you’re notified when items reach a set minimum. This helps avoid overselling and maintains customer satisfaction.
Step 7: Monitor and Adjust Inventory
Access real-time stock updates from your Inventory panel under Commerce > Inventory. Use filters to view by stock level, category, or status.
6. Configuring Checkout and Payment Options
Step 1: Go to Payment Settings
In your Squarespace dashboard, click on Commerce > Payments. This section allows you to connect your preferred payment processors.
Step 2: Connect a Payment Processor
Choose from supported gateways like Stripe, PayPal, or Square. Click “Connect” and follow the on-screen steps to log in and authorize the connection.
Step 3: Enable Credit Card Payments
Once Stripe is connected, customers can pay using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and other credit/debit cards securely.
Step 4: Offer PayPal at Checkout
If your audience prefers PayPal, enable it for a fast, trusted one-click checkout experience.
Step 5: Set Your Default Currency
Navigate to Commerce > Settings > Currency to define your store’s currency. This ensures pricing and taxes are calculated accurately.
Step 6: Customize the Checkout Page
Go to Commerce > Checkout to modify how the checkout page looks and behaves. Add a custom message, brand colors, or promo details.
Step 7: Add Customer Fields (Optional)
Want to collect extra info (like phone numbers or special instructions)? Use the Checkout Form Customization section to add new fields.
Step 8: Test the Checkout Process
Before launching, use test modes in Stripe or PayPal to simulate a full checkout experience. This ensures everything works flawlessly.
7. Managing Shipping, Taxes, and Regional Settings
Step 1: Set Up Shipping Zones
Go to Commerce > Shipping. Click “Add Shipping Option”, then define your regions (such as US, Canada, or Worldwide) and set flat rates, weight-based rates, or carrier-calculated shipping.
Step 2: Choose Shipping Methods
Select from flat rate, free shipping, or weight-based shipping. If you prefer dynamic rates, enable real-time carrier calculations with USPS or FedEx (available via extensions).
Step 3: Add Custom Shipping Labels
Give each shipping option a clear name-like “Standard 3–5 Day” or “Express 1–2 Day”-so customers know what to expect.
Step 4: Configure Tax Settings
Navigate to Commerce > Taxes. Squarespace can automatically calculate sales tax in regions like the U.S. using TaxJar integration, or you can set custom tax rates manually.
Step 5: Set Regional Currencies and Formats
Visit Settings > Language & Region to choose your site language, currency display, and date/time formats. This creates a localized experience for international buyers.
Step 6: Enable VAT or GST (If Needed)
If you sell to regions with Value Added Tax (VAT) or Goods and Services Tax (GST), configure these in the tax settings so the correct charges are applied at checkout.
Step 7: Test Your Regional Setup
Preview the checkout experience from different countries. Use VPN or test orders to confirm that shipping, taxes, and formats change based on buyer location.
8. Optimizing for Mobile and Responsive Design
Step 1: Preview Your Site on Mobile
From the Squarespace editor, click the mobile icon in the top-right preview bar. This shows how your site appears on smaller devices.
Step 2: Check Text and Button Sizing
Ensure that headlines, body text, and CTA buttons are easy to read and tap. Avoid overcrowding or overlapping elements.
Step 3: Reorder Mobile Layouts with Section Controls
Use the drag-and-drop editor to reposition content. Sometimes layouts that look great on desktop may need adjustment on mobile.
Step 4: Optimize Images for Speed
Upload compressed image files to reduce load time. Squarespace automatically scales images, but smaller file sizes boost mobile performance.
Step 5: Remove Cluttered or Wide Sections
Disable non-essential content like large slideshows or wide grid layouts that can slow down or distort mobile views.
Step 6: Customize Mobile Styles (Advanced)
For design flexibility, inject custom CSS via Design > Custom CSS. You can fine-tune padding, font sizes, or hide specific elements on mobile.
Step 7: Test on Multiple Devices
Use real devices or browser-based emulators to test responsiveness on iPhones, Android phones, and tablets. Make adjustments accordingly.
9. Using SEO Tools to Improve Visibility
Step 1: Set Custom Page Titles and Descriptions
Go to Pages > Gear Icon next to each page > SEO tab. Add unique page titles and meta descriptions with relevant keywords for better indexing.
Step 2: Customize Slugs for Clean URLs
Edit each page or product’s URL slug to include important keywords. Keep it short, clear, and easy to understand (e.g., /leather-wallet instead of /product-1).
Step 3: Use Heading Tags Properly
Organize content using H1, H2, and H3 tags. Make sure each page has one clear H1 heading with your target keyword for proper SEO structure.
Step 4: Add Image Alt Text
Click on every image and add alt text that describes the image with related keywords. This improves both SEO and accessibility.
Step 5: Enable SSL and Site Visibility
Navigate to Settings > Website > Security and confirm that SSL is enabled. Then go to Marketing > SEO and ensure your site is visible to search engines.
Step 6: Use Built-In Squarespace Analytics
Review performance data under Analytics > Search Keywords. This tells you what people searched before landing on your site, helping refine your strategy.
Step 7: Connect to Google Search Console
Integrate your site via Marketing > SEO > Google Search Console. This helps track performance, submit sitemaps, and fix crawl issues directly.
10. Connecting a Custom Domain
Step 1: Go to Domains in Settings
Navigate to Settings > Domains in your Squarespace dashboard. Here, you’ll find options to purchase a new domain or connect an existing one.
Step 2: Choose “Use a Domain I Own”
Click on “Use a domain I own” if you already purchased one from another registrar. Enter your domain name and press Continue.
Step 3: Select Domain Provider
Squarespace will ask where your domain is registered. Choose the correct domain provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Google Domains) or select Other if it’s not listed.
Step 4: Update DNS Settings
Log in to your domain registrar’s dashboard. You’ll need to update your DNS settings by pointing the domain to Squarespace’s nameservers or entering A and CNAME records provided by Squarespace.
Step 5: Verify Connection
After saving the DNS changes, go back to Squarespace and click “Refresh”. It may take up to 72 hours for the domain to fully connect.
Step 6: Set as Primary Domain
Once connected, mark it as your primary domain so it shows in your browser bar instead of the Squarespace subdomain.
Step 7: Enable SSL
Under Settings > Advanced > SSL, turn on Secure (HTTPS). This protects user data and boosts SEO.
11. Launching Your Squarespace Store
Step 1: Preview Your Entire Site
Click the “Preview” button to experience your store like a customer. Check for broken links, missing images, or formatting issues on both desktop and mobile.
Step 2: Complete All Required Pages
Ensure you’ve added essential eCommerce pages such as Home, Shop, Product, About, Contact, Shipping & Returns, and Privacy Policy.
Step 3: Test the Checkout Process
Place a test order using real products and live payment gateways. This verifies that your checkout, payment, and confirmation emails function properly.
Step 4: Connect a Custom Domain
Make sure your custom domain is connected and verified. This improves your brand’s credibility and SEO performance.
Step 5: Enable Site Visibility
Go to Marketing > SEO and confirm that “Hide site from search engines” is turned off. This allows Google and Bing to start indexing your store.
Step 6: Review Mobile Responsiveness
Use the mobile preview and test your store on actual smartphones to ensure all buttons, layouts, and content display perfectly.
Step 7: Publish Your Site
When everything is ready, click Settings > Site Availability > Public, then hit Save. Your Squarespace store is now live!
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoiding these common pitfalls can save you time, boost performance, and improve the overall success of your Squarespace store.
1. Ignoring Mobile Responsiveness
Failing to test your site on phones and tablets can lead to a poor user experience and lost sales.
2. Not Customizing SEO Settings
Leaving default page titles, meta descriptions, or slugs reduces your store’s visibility on search engines.
3. Forgetting to Enable Site Visibility
If your site is hidden from search engines (a default setting), your pages won’t be indexed or ranked on Google.
4. Using Low-Quality Product Images
Blurry or inconsistent photos reduce trust and discourage conversions.
5. Skipping Test Orders
Launching without testing your checkout, payments, and email workflows may cause errors and confusion.
6. Leaving Placeholder Text or Images
Unedited demo content damages brand credibility and makes your store look unprofessional.
7. Inconsistent Design Choices
Using too many fonts, colors, or layouts disrupts your visual branding and user flow.
Conclusion
Building a professional, fully functional Squarespace store in 2025 is easier than ever thanks to its drag-and-drop builder, sleek templates, and eCommerce-friendly features. From setting up products and customizing design to configuring payments and launching your store, the entire process is designed to empower creators of all skill levels.
By following this step-by-step walkthrough, you can create a visually appealing, mobile-ready store that drives both traffic and conversions. Every stage – from domain setup to SEO optimization – plays a vital role in your success.
Stay consistent with updates, track performance using built-in analytics, and fine-tune your store to meet customer needs. A well-designed Squarespace eCommerce website isn’t just a sales tool – it’s a foundation for your brand’s long-term growth.
FAQ
1. Can I sell products on Squarespace without coding?
Yes, Squarespace’s visual builder and eCommerce tools let you build and run a full store with zero coding required.
2. Does Squarespace support digital product sales?
Absolutely. You can sell digital downloads like eBooks, PDFs, and music files with automated email delivery after purchase.
3. Is Squarespace good for SEO in 2025?
Yes. Built-in SEO tools, clean URLs, mobile responsiveness, and image alt-text support make it competitive for search rankings.
4. How do I accept payments on my Squarespace store?
You can connect to Stripe, PayPal, or Afterpay to accept major credit cards, wallets, and buy-now-pay-later options.
5. Can I use my own domain name?
Yes, you can connect a custom domain you already own or purchase a new one directly through Squarespace.
6. Is Squarespace mobile-friendly?
Definitely. All Squarespace templates are fully responsive and optimized for smartphones and tablets by default.
7. Can I track store performance and traffic?
Yes. The Squarespace Analytics dashboard offers real-time insights on sales, traffic sources, visitor behavior, and more.
