Does Squarespace Take a Cut of Sales?

Starting a new venture or expanding your online business brings up a lot of questions, especially when it comes to choosing the right platform. One common concern is whether the platform you choose will take a portion of your hard-earned sales.

Squarespace imposes a 3% transaction fee on sales made under the Business plan.

If you’re considering Squarespace for your website, you might be wondering about their policies on sales commissions. Let’s dive into the specifics of Squarespace’s transaction fees and what it means for your business.

Understanding Squarespace's Transaction Fees

Squarespace, a popular website building and hosting platform, implements transaction fees for specific scenarios. These fees are not arbitrary, but rather, they serve a particular purpose within the platform's business model.

Purpose of Transaction Fees

Transaction fees on Squarespace are primarily associated with the platform's eCommerce functionalities. It's a common question among users and potential users whether Squarespace takes a cut of the sales made through its platform.

They are designed to cover the costs of maintaining and enhancing the services that enable users to conduct business transactions smoothly and securely.

These services include but are not limited to, the development and upkeep of the eCommerce infrastructure, security measures to protect sensitive transaction data, and customer support for eCommerce-related queries and issues.

Choosing the Right Plan

When deciding which Squarespace plan to choose, it's important to consider the potential impact of transaction fees on your business. If you're just starting out or expect to have a low volume of sales, the Business plan might be a cost-effective choice.

However, if you're planning to sell a large number of items, upgrading to a Commerce plan could help you avoid significant transaction fees.

Squarespace Business Plan and Transaction Fees:

The Squarespace Business plan does indeed come with a 3% transaction fee for sales made through your website. This fee applies to physical products and services.

If you’re running an online store and want to sell products directly on your Squarespace site, the Business plan is the way to go. It provides more flexibility than the Personal plan, which has limitations on the number of products you can sell.

Waived Fees on Commerce Plans:

However, there’s good news! Squarespace waives the transaction fee on its Basic and Advanced Commerce plans. These plans cater to businesses and individuals who want to maximize their online presence and sales.

Depending on your country of operation, additional fees may apply due to payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe. For instance, these gateways typically charge 2.9% plus $0.30 for each successful online transaction. In some countries, Squarespace adds an extra 3% to this fee.

Why Choose Squarespace?

Despite the transaction fees, Squarespace remains a popular choice for businesses and creatives. Here’s why:

User-Friendly Design

You don’t need to hire a professional designer; Squarespace’s intuitive interface allows you to create a stunning website.

Support and Resources

Squarespace offers extensive support, including a blog and 24/7 email support. Their knowledge base and tutorials help you navigate any challenges.

Security and SEO

Squarespace provides a free SSL certificate for security. Plus, built-in SEO tools and marketing features help you rank higher in search engines.

Abandoned Cart Recovery

The Advanced Commerce plan includes a feature to recover lost sales by sending emails to customers who left their carts without completing the purchase.

While Squarespace does charge transaction fees, its overall benefits often outweigh the costs. As you explore the platform, keep these factors in mind to make informed decisions for your online business.

How Does Squarespace Make Money from Your Sales?

Payment Processing Fees

In addition to the transaction fees imposed by Squarespace on certain plans, users must also account for payment processing fees from external payment gateways. Platforms like PayPal and Stripe typically charge a fee for each transaction, which generally includes a percentage of the sale amount plus a fixed fee.

These additional costs can impact overall profitability, making it important to consider both Squarespace's and the payment processors' fees when planning your pricing strategy.

Enhanced eCommerce Features

Another way Squarespace makes money from your sales is by offering advanced eCommerce features in its higher-tier plans. The Basic and Advanced Commerce plans come with more sophisticated tools designed to enhance the shopping experience and boost sales.

These features include abandoned cart recovery, advanced shipping options, and more robust analytics. By subscribing to these higher-tier plans, businesses can benefit from these enhanced features, which help optimize sales and customer retention.

Subscription Fees

Squarespace primarily generates revenue through the subscription fees users pay for their chosen plans. These fees vary based on the plan's features and the level of eCommerce functionality provided.

By offering multiple tiers, Squarespace caters to different business needs and sizes, allowing users to upgrade their plans as their businesses grow.

Additional Services

Squarespace also offers various additional services and integrations that users can purchase to enhance their websites. These include professional email from Google Workspace, domain registration, and third-party integrations for additional functionality.

These services provide added convenience and functionality, enabling users to create a comprehensive online presence.

When choosing a Squarespace plan, it’s important to review the Squarespace plans and pricing to determine which one best fits your business needs and budget. Understanding the full scope of costs, including subscription, transaction, and payment processing fees, helps ensure you make an informed decision that supports your business's financial health.

Conclusion: Does Squarespace Take a Cut of Sales?

Squarespace does take a cut from sales, but only for those using the Business plan, which charges a 3% transaction fee. However, this fee is waived for users who opt for the Basic or Advanced Commerce plans.

The platform's transaction fees are designed to cover the costs of maintaining and enhancing their eCommerce services, ensuring smooth and secure transactions. Despite these fees, Squarespace's user-friendly design, robust support, and built-in SEO and marketing tools make it a popular choice for businesses and creatives.

When selecting a Squarespace plan, it's crucial to consider the potential impact of transaction fees and choose the one that best aligns with your business needs and budget.