Overview of BigCommerce, Wix, and Squarespace
If youre ready to launch an online store in the U.S., choosing the right platform is your first big decision. Three names usually come up: BigCommerce, Wix, and Squarespace. Each has its own vibe, unique strengths, and features that fit different types of businesses. Here’s a quick intro to help you get familiar with what sets them apart for American entrepreneurs and small business owners.
What Makes Each Platform Unique?
| Platform | Main Strength | Best For | Pricing Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| BigCommerce | Robust eCommerce tools and scalability | Growing businesses or those with large catalogs | Monthly subscription, no transaction fees on most plans |
| Wix | User-friendly drag-and-drop builder, lots of templates | Small shops, beginners, creatives | Monthly subscription, free plan available (limited eCommerce) |
| Squarespace | Sleek design options, all-in-one website builder | Design-focused brands and service providers selling online | Monthly subscription, no free plan for eCommerce |
Why These Platforms Are Popular in the U.S.
The U.S. market values ease-of-use, flexibility, and strong support for payment options like credit cards and PayPal. All three platforms offer English-language support and are tuned into American business needs—whether you’re selling nationwide or just getting started locally.
A Quick Glance at Core Features
| BigCommerce | Wix | Squarespace | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Domain Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile-Responsive Templates | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No-Code Editing Tools | No (more technical) | Yes (very easy) | Yes (intuitive) |
| Email Marketing Integration | Yes (built-in & apps) | Yes (built-in & apps) | Yes (built-in) |
| Builtin Payment Processing for U.S. | Multiple gateways (PayPal, Stripe, etc.) | Wix Payments + others like PayPal/Square | Stripe & PayPal standard integrations |
Each platform gives you the essentials to launch a U.S.-friendly online store—what matters most is how these strengths fit your goals and style. In the next sections, we’ll dive deeper into how each one supports your business as you grow.
2. Key Features for American Online Stores
Payment Integrations
When it comes to selling online in the U.S., accepting popular payment methods is a must. Here’s how BigCommerce, Wix, and Squarespace stack up:
| Platform | Main Payment Options | U.S.-Friendly Gateways | Transaction Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BigCommerce | Credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay | Stripe, Square, Authorize.Net, Braintree | No extra fees (besides payment provider) |
| Wix | Credit cards, PayPal, Wix Payments | Square, Stripe, Authorize.Net (third-party) | 0% with Wix Payments; varies with others |
| Squarespace | Credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay | Stripe (main), PayPal, Afterpay (limited) | 0% (except on Personal plan) |
Tax Settings for U.S. Sellers
Navigating sales tax can be tricky in the States! Each platform offers tools to help automate tax collection across different states and cities:
- BigCommerce: Built-in automated tax calculation through Avalara AvaTax; covers state and local taxes.
- Wix: Automated U.S. sales tax calculations via Avalara for Premium plans; manual settings also available.
- Squarespace: Manual or automatic tax rates by state; integrates with TaxJar for more advanced needs.
Shipping Options That Work in the U.S.
Your customers expect reliable shipping at checkout. Here’s what each platform offers for American merchants:
- BigCommerce: Real-time shipping quotes from USPS, FedEx, UPS; supports dropshipping apps and in-store pickup.
- wix: Custom shipping rules by region; real-time rates with USPS and Shippo integration.
- squarespace: Flat-rate or weight-based shipping; integrates with ShipStation for broader carrier options.
U.S.-Friendly Apps & Integrations
The right apps can make running an American online store much easier. Here are some highlights:
| Platform | E-commerce Apps Marketplace? | Popular U.S. Integrations | Email Marketing/CRM Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| BigCommerce | Extensive App Store (hundreds of options) |
Klaviyo, QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Ebay/Amazon integrations |
Klaviyo, Mailchimp, SAP, HubSpot |
| wix | wix App Market (many free/paid apps) |
Etsy integration, Dropshipping via Modalyst, E-commerce analytics tools |
wix Email Marketing, Mailchimp integration, Pipedrive CRM |
| squarespace | Simpler Extensions Gallery (fewer choices) |
Xero accounting, Dropshipper integrations (via third-party tools) |
squarespace Email Campaigns, Mailchimp (via Zapier) |
A Quick Recap of Core Features Comparison:
- If you want lots of built-in features and no transaction fees: BigCommerce is strong for growing stores.
- If you need easy setup and tons of design freedom: wix has great flexibility and app choices.
- If visual branding is top priority: squarespace offers sleek templates but fewer advanced e-commerce features.
This overview should help you start thinking about which e-commerce platform lines up best with your business goals—and fits the expectations of American shoppers!
3. Pricing and Value for U.S. Entrepreneurs
When you’re running a small business in the U.S., every dollar counts. Picking an eCommerce platform isn’t just about cool features—it’s about getting the best value without hidden fees eating up your profits. Let’s break down how BigCommerce, Wix, and Squarespace stack up on pricing, transaction fees, and what you actually get for your money.
Core Pricing Plans Compared
| Platform | Starting Monthly Price | Best for | Free Trial? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BigCommerce | $39 (Standard Plan) | Growing stores with complex needs | Yes (15 days) |
| Wix | $27 (Business Basic) | New & small shops needing flexibility | Yes (14 days) |
| Squarespace | $33 (Business Plan) | Design-focused small businesses | Yes (14 days) |
What U.S. Small Businesses Want Most:
- No surprise costs: Predictable pricing helps with budgeting.
- No or low transaction fees: Keep more of each sale.
- Scalability: Ability to upgrade as business grows without breaking the bank.
- Support included: Access to reliable help when needed.
Transaction Fees & Payment Processing
This is where things can get tricky—some platforms add extra transaction fees on top of what Stripe, PayPal, or credit card processors charge. Here’s how they compare:
| Platform | Platform Transaction Fee* | Payment Processor Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BigCommerce | $0 (None!) | PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.Net, others | You only pay processor fees; BigCommerce never takes a cut of your sales. |
| Wix | $0 (None!)** | Wix Payments, PayPal, Stripe, others | No extra fee if you use Wix Payments; third-party fees may apply otherwise. |
| Squarespace | 3% on Business Plan; $0 on Commerce Plans ($36+) | Stripe, PayPal, Afterpay (for Commerce plans) | If you want zero platform fees, upgrade to Commerce plan. |
*You’ll always pay standard credit card/payment processor fees (~2.9% + 30¢ per transaction), no matter the platform.
**Some payment gateways may have their own fees when used through Wix.
Add-Ons & Ongoing Costs to Watch For
- Themes/Templates:
Most built-in templates are free on all three, but premium themes may cost extra—especially on BigCommerce. - Apps/Plugins:
Additional features like email marketing or shipping calculators often require paid apps. Factor these into your budget. - Email & Domain:
Squarespace includes a free custom domain for one year; Wix often does too. BigCommerce doesn’t include email hosting by default. - Support:
24/7 support is standard for most paid plans across all three platforms—great for American entrepreneurs working after hours.
The Bottom Line for U.S. Stores:
If keeping upfront costs low and avoiding surprise fees matters most, Wix and BigCommerce come out strong—especially if you plan to scale. Squarespace is hard to beat for design-driven brands but be aware of the 3% fee on their basic business plan. Always review what’s included at each price level so your store gets what it needs without overspending.
4. Ease of Use and Customization
Why User Experience Matters for U.S. Online Stores
When setting up an online store in the U.S., user experience is key. American shoppers expect a smooth, intuitive website that works well on both desktop and mobile. As a store owner, you’ll also want a platform that’s easy to manage, update, and customize as your business grows.
Comparing BigCommerce, Wix, and Squarespace
| Platform | User-Friendliness | Templates & Design | Customization Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| BigCommerce | Moderate – More features mean a steeper learning curve for beginners, but helpful guides are available. | Professional templates focused on eCommerce; good for large catalogs. | Highly customizable with built-in options; deeper changes may require coding or developer help. |
| Wix | Very easy – Drag-and-drop interface is beginner-friendly and quick to learn. | Hundreds of modern templates; lots of creative freedom with design elements. | Flexible customization with visual tools; some limitations for advanced eCommerce features. |
| Squarespace | Easy – Clean dashboard and intuitive editing tools make setup simple. | Sleek, stylish templates perfect for small brands or creative businesses. | Good design flexibility within template limits; less control over advanced functionality without code. |
User Experience Highlights for American Shoppers
- Mobile Optimization: All three platforms offer responsive templates, but Wix and Squarespace stand out for visually appealing mobile designs out-of-the-box.
- Edit On-the-Go: Wix and Squarespace have user-friendly mobile apps to update your store anywhere—handy for busy entrepreneurs!
- Simplicity vs. Power: BigCommerce gives you more power for bigger stores but takes longer to master, while Wix and Squarespace are easier if you’re just starting out or selling a few products.
Branding Consistency for U.S. Markets
A strong brand presence is crucial in the competitive U.S. market. Both Wix and Squarespace make it simple to match your site’s look to your logo, colors, and messaging. BigCommerce lets you go even further if you need advanced customization—just be ready for a slightly steeper learning curve or consider hiring a designer for unique branding needs.
5. Which Platform Is Best for Your U.S. Online Store?
Choosing the right eCommerce platform is all about knowing what your business needs, where you see it going, and how much control you want over your online store. Here’s a quick guide to help you figure out which platform—BigCommerce, Wix, or Squarespace—fits best for different business types, sizes, and future plans in the American market.
Platform Comparison at a Glance
| Platform | Best For | Business Size | Growth Potential | Main Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BigCommerce | Serious online retailers & scaling businesses | Medium to Large | High (great for growing brands) | Robust features, strong inventory tools, built for scale |
| Wix | New businesses & creatives who want easy setup | Small to Medium | Moderate (simple upgrades available) | User-friendly drag-and-drop editor, lots of templates |
| Squarespace | Brands focused on visuals & design-driven products | Small to Medium | Moderate (best for portfolio-style stores) | Sleek templates, easy site-building, great for showcasing products visually |
How Each Platform Fits Different Business Goals in the U.S.
BigCommerce: Built for Bigger Ambitions
If you’re planning to grow fast or already have a solid customer base, BigCommerce offers advanced sales tools, multi-channel selling (think Amazon, Walmart), and plenty of features for handling large inventories. It’s popular with U.S. retailers who want flexibility and scalability without switching platforms as they expand.
Wix: Perfect for Getting Started Easily
If you’re launching your first online store or have a small side hustle, Wix makes everything simple. The drag-and-drop builder is great if you don’t have tech skills but want a professional look. It’s also affordable and lets you add more features as your business grows.
Squarespace: Show Off Your Style and Brand
If your brand is all about visuals—think fashion, art, or lifestyle products—Squarespace shines with beautiful templates made for showing off photos and designs. It’s ideal for U.S. entrepreneurs who care deeply about their brand image and want an easy way to create a stunning storefront.
The Bottom Line: Match Your Choice to Your Vision
The best platform depends on your current needs and where you see your business heading. Whether you’re building a massive retail operation or launching a boutique brand from home, matching your goals with the right platform will set your store up for success in the American market.
