Trying to pick the right platform for your online store can feel like a big puzzle, especially when you’re thinking about how it’ll actually look. You’ve got Squarespace, which everyone knows for its super pretty designs, and then there’s BigCommerce, a real powerhouse for selling stuff. So, when it comes to making your shop look good and stand out online, which one actually does a better job? Let’s break it down and see.

Key Takeaways

• Squarespace is known for its beautiful, ready-to-use themes and a really easy drag-and-drop editor, making it great for beginners.
• BigCommerce has a lot more themes, but many of them cost extra, and customizing them can be a bit trickier if you’re not into coding.
• Squarespace lets you move almost anything around on your page, giving you a lot of freedom with how things look.
• BigCommerce’s design tools are more structured, so you can only put elements in certain spots, which limits how creative you can get.
• Even though BigCommerce has more themes, Squarespace often wins when it comes to how good those themes actually look and how simple they are to work with for a nice-looking store.

Squarespace Design Prowess

Squarespace has carved out a niche for itself, especially when it comes to design. It’s known for sleek, modern templates and a user-friendly interface. Let’s explore what makes Squarespace a strong contender in the design arena.

Squarespace’s Refined Theme Selection

Squarespace doesn’t overwhelm you with thousands of themes. Instead, they focus on quality over quantity. Their templates are carefully curated, offering a polished and professional look right out of the box. This is great if you want a site that looks good without a ton of customization. The Squarespace eCommerce examples are a testament to the platform’s design capabilities.

Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Interface

One of Squarespace’s biggest strengths is its drag-and-drop interface. It’s designed to be easy to use, even if you don’t have any coding experience. You can move elements around, add content blocks, and customize your site without having to write a single line of code. This makes it a great option for beginners or anyone who wants to get their site up and running quickly.

High-Resolution Image Integration

Squarespace understands the importance of visuals. It makes it easy to upload and display high-resolution images, which is crucial for creating a visually appealing website. The platform also offers built-in image editing tools, so you can crop, resize, and optimize your images without having to use a separate program.

Squarespace’s focus on design means that your website will likely look good from the start. The platform’s templates are modern and professional, and the drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to customize your site to your liking. This can save you time and money, as you won’t need to hire a designer to create a visually appealing website.

BigCommerce Design Capabilities

BigCommerce offers a different approach to design compared to Squarespace. While Squarespace focuses on simplicity and ease of use, BigCommerce provides more extensive options, especially for those comfortable with code. Let’s explore what BigCommerce brings to the table in terms of design.

Extensive Theme Store Options

BigCommerce boasts a larger theme store than Squarespace, offering a wider variety of templates. The BigCommerce theme store has over 240 themes. These themes are categorized by industry, making it easier to find a design that suits your specific product offerings. You can also find themes on marketplaces like Themeforest. While many themes come with a price tag (often in the $200-$300 range), there are also a handful of free themes available for those on a budget or seeking simpler designs. Choosing the right theme is the first step in setting up your online store’s look and feel. BigCommerce is a highly recommended e-commerce platform.

Customization Through Coding

One of BigCommerce’s strengths is its flexibility for customization. If you have coding knowledge (HTML, CSS), you can significantly alter the appearance of your chosen theme. BigCommerce runs on the Stencil framework, which is more developer-friendly than some older platforms. This means you can go beyond basic template adjustments and implement custom features and designs. This level of control is a major advantage for businesses that want a truly unique online presence. BigCommerce gives you full control over HTML and CSS.

Limited Design Flexibility

While BigCommerce offers more customization options than Squarespace, it can also feel less intuitive for users without coding skills. The platform uses a module-based design system, where you add and arrange pre-built elements on your pages. While this provides structure, it can also limit your freedom in terms of element placement and overall design creativity. Achieving a truly unique and polished look may require custom coding or hiring a developer. BigCommerce is best for traditional eCommerce storefronts.

BigCommerce’s design approach is geared towards businesses that need robust e-commerce functionality and are willing to invest time or resources into customization. While the initial design process might not be as straightforward as Squarespace, the platform’s flexibility allows for a highly tailored online store experience.

Theme Quality and Quantity Comparison

Squarespace’s Superior Theme Aesthetics

Squarespace is often praised for its visually appealing and modern themes. The platform focuses on quality over quantity, offering a curated selection of templates designed with aesthetics in mind. Squarespace groups templates with similar structures and functionalities into families. For example, the Brine family of templates is known for its versatility and dynamic features. While templates within a family share a core foundation, they can look radically different. Squarespace achieves this through the robust customization options for elements like:

• Fonts
• Colors
• Layout variations
• Image and content placement

BigCommerce’s Broader Theme Library

BigCommerce boasts a more extensive theme library compared to Squarespace. This includes both free and premium options, catering to a wider range of industries and design preferences. However, the sheer number of choices can sometimes be overwhelming, and the quality may vary significantly. It’s important to carefully evaluate themes before committing to one. BigCommerce takes the crown in this app and plugin competition.

Cost Considerations for Premium Themes

Both Squarespace and BigCommerce offer premium themes that come at an additional cost. With Squarespace, the pricing of which will be with your subscription plan. BigCommerce’s premium themes can range in price, and it’s essential to factor this into your overall budget. Consider the features and level of customization offered by each theme to determine its value. Free themes might seem appealing, but they often lack the advanced features and support of premium options.

Choosing between Squarespace and BigCommerce themes really comes down to what you value more: a smaller selection of highly polished designs or a larger, more diverse library with varying levels of quality. Think about your brand’s aesthetic and the specific features you need before making a decision.

User Experience and Design Control

Squarespace’s Beginner-Friendly Editor

Squarespace really shines when it comes to ease of use, especially for those just starting out. The platform’s editor is designed to be super intuitive, so you don’t need to be a tech whiz to get a good-looking site up and running. It’s all about drag-and-drop functionality, making it simple to add, move, and customize elements on your pages.

• Simple interface.
• Easy to learn.
• Great for beginners.

I remember when I first tried building a website, I was completely lost. Squarespace’s editor made it feel like I was putting together a puzzle, not coding a website. It’s a game-changer for non-techy people like me.

BigCommerce’s Module-Based Design

BigCommerce takes a slightly different approach with its module-based design. Instead of free-form drag-and-drop, you’re working with pre-defined sections and modules that you can arrange and customize. This can be a bit more structured, which some people might find helpful, but it also means you have less freedom in terms of pure design. It’s a trade-off between ease of use and complete control. If you want to compare e-commerce platforms, BigCommerce is worth considering.

Freedom of Element Placement

When it comes to placing elements exactly where you want them, Squarespace and BigCommerce differ quite a bit. Squarespace offers a good amount of flexibility, allowing you to drag and drop elements within a grid system. BigCommerce, while powerful, can feel a bit more rigid due to its module-based structure. If you’re someone who wants pixel-perfect control over your design, you might find Squarespace more appealing. However, BigCommerce does give you full control over HTML and CSS, making it technically the more flexible solution if you are familiar with coding.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Feature	Squarespace	BigCommerce
Element Placement	Flexible within a grid system	Module-based, less free-form
Coding Knowledge	Not required for basic customization	Helpful for advanced customization
Overall Control	Good balance of ease and control	More control, steeper learning curve

Visual Previews and Dashboard Access

Okay, so you’ve been tweaking your online store’s design, but how do you actually see what it looks like before the whole world does? And how easy is it to even get to the place where you make those changes in the first place? Let’s break down how Squarespace and BigCommerce handle visual previews and dashboard access. It’s kind of a big deal, because nobody wants to launch a store that looks like it was designed in 1995.

Squarespace’s Live Site Preview

Squarespace really shines when it comes to showing you what’s up. Their live site preview is super slick. As you make changes in the editor, you see them reflected almost instantly on a version of your site. It’s like having a mirror that shows you exactly what your customers will see. This is great because you don’t have to constantly save, refresh, and cross your fingers that everything looks right. It just does. Plus, it’s all pretty intuitive, so even if you’re not a web design whiz, you can usually figure things out without too much trouble. It’s a big plus for ease of use.

BigCommerce’s Visual Store Builder

BigCommerce has a visual store builder, and it’s… okay. It’s not bad, but it’s not quite as seamless as Squarespace. You can see changes in real-time, but sometimes it feels a little clunkier. Like, you make a change, and there’s a slight delay before it shows up. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it can be a little annoying, especially if you’re trying to fine-tune something. Also, the interface can feel a bit overwhelming at first, especially if you’re not used to working with more complex e-commerce platforms. It’s got a lot of options, which is good, but it can also be a bit much to take in all at once.

Quick Access to Design Tools

Squarespace keeps things pretty simple. The design tools are right there in the main dashboard, easy to find and use. It’s all very streamlined and user-friendly. BigCommerce, on the other hand, can feel a little more scattered. You might have to dig around a bit to find the specific design settings you’re looking for. It’s not a huge problem, but it can add a few extra clicks to your workflow. Here’s a quick comparison:

• Squarespace:
  • Design tools are easily accessible from the main dashboard.
  • Live preview is seamless and intuitive.
  • Beginner-friendly interface.
• BigCommerce:
  • Design tools might require some digging to find.
  • Live preview can be a bit clunky.
  • More complex interface, better for those with some experience.

Ultimately, both platforms let you preview your store’s design and access the tools you need to make changes. But Squarespace definitely has the edge when it comes to user-friendliness and a smooth, real-time preview experience. If you’re new to e-commerce or just want something that’s easy to use, Squarespace is probably the better choice. If you need more advanced features and don’t mind a steeper learning curve, BigCommerce might be a better fit.

Optimizing for Online Store Aesthetics

Squarespace’s Photo-Centric Approach

Squarespace really shines when it comes to visual appeal, especially if you’re selling products that benefit from high-quality imagery. Its templates are designed to showcase photos beautifully, making it a great choice for businesses where visuals are key to driving sales. Think jewelry, art, or even gourmet food – anything that looks amazing in a picture will do well on Squarespace. The platform’s built-in image editing tools and focus on clean, modern design help create a polished and professional look.

BigCommerce’s Ecommerce-Focused Themes

BigCommerce, on the other hand, gears its themes more towards functionality and sales conversion. While they might not be as visually striking as Squarespace’s, they’re built with the specific needs of an online store in mind. This means features like prominent "add to cart" buttons, clear product descriptions, and easy navigation are prioritized. If you’re selling a large volume of products or need advanced features like product filtering and faceted search, BigCommerce’s themes are a solid choice. It’s all about eCommerce SEO and making it easy for customers to find and buy what they need.

Achieving a Professional Online Presence

Ultimately, both platforms can help you create a professional online presence, but they approach it from different angles. Squarespace focuses on visual elegance and simplicity, while BigCommerce emphasizes functionality and sales optimization. Choosing the right platform depends on your specific needs and priorities. Consider what kind of products you’re selling, who your target audience is, and what kind of brand image you want to project. A well-designed online store is crucial for success, so take the time to choose the platform that best aligns with your vision.

It’s important to remember that aesthetics are subjective. What looks good to one person might not appeal to another. The key is to create a store that is visually appealing to your target audience and that accurately reflects your brand identity. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different themes and layouts until you find something that works for you.

Wrapping It Up: Which One Wins for Design?

So, after looking at everything, it’s pretty clear that both Squarespace and BigCommerce have their own good points when it comes to design. Squarespace is really good if you want something that looks amazing right out of the box and is super easy to use, even if you’re not a tech wizard. It’s got those sleek templates and a drag-and-drop thing that just makes sense. BigCommerce, on the other hand, gives you a lot more freedom if you know how to code or want to get really specific with things. It’s got more themes, but sometimes they don’t look as polished as Squarespace’s. Basically, if you’re all about looks and simplicity, Squarespace is probably your best bet. But if you need to build something really custom and have some technical skills, BigCommerce might be the way to go. It just depends on what you’re trying to do and how much control you want over every little detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which platform is better for a new online store?

Squarespace is great for people who want a beautiful website that’s easy to build, especially if they care a lot about how it looks. BigCommerce is better for bigger businesses that sell a lot of stuff online and need strong tools for managing their products and sales.

How do the prices compare between Squarespace and BigCommerce?

Squarespace usually costs less to start with. BigCommerce can be more expensive, but it offers more advanced features for growing businesses, so it might be a better deal in the long run if you plan to sell a lot.

Which platform has better-looking designs and themes?

Squarespace is known for its amazing, modern designs and simple drag-and-drop tools. BigCommerce has more themes available, but they don’t always look as sleek as Squarespace’s, and many of them cost extra money.

Is Squarespace or BigCommerce easier to use for designing a store?

Squarespace is super easy to use, even if you’re not good with computers. Its editor lets you move things around freely. BigCommerce is a bit more complex and uses blocks or modules, so you can’t always place things exactly where you want.

What kind of marketing and sales tools do they offer?

Squarespace has tools for email campaigns and basic SEO. BigCommerce has more powerful tools for selling across different places online, managing many products, and advanced SEO.

Who should pick Squarespace, and who should pick BigCommerce?

Squarespace is best for smaller businesses or those that really focus on design. BigCommerce is best for larger businesses that need strong sales features and plan to grow a lot.