Many of my customers who are comparing Etsy vs Squarespace. Those who decide to move to Squarespace from Etsy are asking the same common questions while choosing the right Squarespace platform to start with:

Should I use Squarespace 7.0 or 7.1?

What are the benefits of 7.1?

Can I migrate to Squarespace 7.1 if I already have Squarespace 7?

“Does Squarespace storage will meet my needs?”

“Should I use Squarespace Analytics vs Google Analytics ?”

“Do I need to hire a Squarespace SEO Consultant?”

Squarespace 7.1 is the successor of Squarespace 7.0 where Squarespace team has fixed many issues and has more focus on usability and space for customization.
Each version has pros and cons. With Squarespace 7.1 coming in 2020 most likely you are going to start with Squarespace 7.1.

It is very easy to find what version you have by looking at your index page. If you see word “Edit” in the top left corner it means you are already on Squarespace 7.1. Much information you can find on on dedicated Squarespace forums. Here we would try go over some of them.

What are the benefits of 7.1?

The main difference is the template approach. Squarespace 7.0 had many templates. These templates used different functionalities.

Squarespace 7.1 has a single template design that includes all function the Squarespace has.

Thus, it becomes very easy for the user to implement functions and features he needs regardless of the templates he picked for website he likes.

This is a really big improvement for the average site owner who can’t dive deep in details but have a straightforward set of functions.

Can I migrate to Squarespace 7.1 if I already have Squarespace 7?

It is impossible to do a migration. Thus you have to do it manually while migrating all the parts separately.

What you have to do is to export the database of products and then import it again to a newly rebuilt website.

On Squarespace forums you can find some tweaks of how to directly migrate using some scripts but the performance is not guaranteed.

“Should I use Squarespace Analytics vs Google Analytics ?”

Regardless of the version of the template, the goal of every site owner is to increase target traffic to his website and is in need of good analytical tool.

Both analytic tools are a good source of information. Squarespace analytics provide some basic straightforward data needed to understand how the site is performing in the beginning.

With the rise of audience and traffic getting more diverse a google analytics with its complex approach becomes a necessity for any successfully developed project.

Yes. You can start project and attach google analytics tool right away.

While there is no clear answer of what to choose comparing Squarespace Analytics vs Google analytics, the best bet is to use them both.

“If I compare selling on Etsy vs Squarespace shop. Where I would be better off selling my stuff?”

It is hard to give an exact answer as there are so many factors affecting the final result.

Both Squarespace storage and Etsy storage are unlimited. Though Squarespace storage is unlimited it is not advised to overload site. Unnecessary information or heavy images which could result in delay in site loading.

At a start it is easier to start with Etsy marketplace if you have little prior experience.

Etsy allows you to start selling right away while doing all marketing expenses for you.

Marketplace charges certain percentage as a fee for selling on the platform.

If you start a Squarespace shop it means you have to do advertising on. In case there is no fierce demand on your items it is hard to promote your site in google, especially during a first year.

To proceed with this strategy a help of SEO consultant would be of a great help.

SEO consultant can not only analyze your sale potential but also help you with strategy of moving your website towards better search results.

Etsy vs Squarespace.

Do you need a Squarespace SEO Consultant?

Moving forward with Squarespace means you have total control over your shop and do not depend on any marketplace. Usually it is chosen by existing merchants turning online. Those sellers already have a setup demand which they migrate it online, having some offline means of advertising. Almost no way for a newbie who wants to start fresh.

At the same time Etsy marketplace became overwhelmed with different group of sophisticated  sellers holding all first pages under popular categories of items for sale. Thus for a fresh to step in with the new items whether it is digital or physical staff is a hard task right now.

 So it is advisable to apply for help Squarespace SEO consultant even if you want to sell on Etsy marketplace.

As you can see there is no direct answer when comparing Etsy vs Squarespace even you hire Squarespace SEO consultant. Whatever path you choose the main thing to consider is how your customers going to find you and where you will get this customers from.