BigCommerce vs Squarespace

2023. Squarespace acquires Google Domains



Squarespace, a website building platform, has acquired Google Domains from Google for $180 million, leading to Google's exit from the domain name registration business. Squarespace will now take over as the domain name registrar for the existing 10.1 million domains registered with Google Domains. This acquisition positions Squarespace as one of the world's largest domain name registrars, trailing only GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Tucows in terms of total registered domains. Google initially launched Google Domains in 2014, but it remained in beta until March 2022. The service was primarily seen by Google as a means to enhance its business email and app product, Google Workspace (formerly known as G Suite), as indicated by the sales copy on the Google Domains website.


2020. Squarespace adds support for memberships and paywalled content



Squarespace is introducing a new revenue-generating feature for websites built on its platform: Member Areas, enabling businesses to monetize exclusive content. This opens up possibilities for various scenarios, such as online publications implementing article paywalls, chefs offering paid access to cooking videos and recipes, or fitness instructors generating income from online classes. Squarespace supports different membership levels and facilitates the creation of member-only podcasts and newsletters. Moreover, site creators gain access to CRM data pertaining to each member, with plans to introduce additional segmentation tools in the future.


2018. BigCommerce raised $64 million



BigCommerce, an e-commerce service utilized by renowned brands such as Sony, Toyota, and over 60,000 other merchants, has successfully raised $64 million to expedite its business growth. BigCommerce offers its customers a comprehensive template to launch websites that include efficient shipping and payment tracking features. Additionally, it simplifies cross-selling on popular platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook. The company asserts that it can assist e-tailers in reducing costs by up to 80 percent. Recently, BigCommerce has introduced an integration with Instagram, enabling seamless in-app purchasing for consumers. Furthermore, the company has established partnerships with leading entities such as PayPal and Google, and intends to capitalize on cross-platform opportunities by intensifying its efforts in that regard.


2018. BigCommerce introduced new Google Shopping campaign management solution



BigCommerce, a leading ecommerce platform, has recently introduced a new integration with Google Shopping, allowing merchants to leverage its advantages. This integration empowers BigCommerce merchants with seamless configuration and generation of product data feeds specifically designed for Google Shopping. Furthermore, they can optimize their Google AdWords campaigns directly within the BigCommerce control panel, resulting in time saved, improved ad spend optimization, and increased sales and conversion rates. By utilizing Google Shopping, a cost-effective solution, ecommerce merchants can effectively connect with potential customers who are actively seeking the products they desire, thus driving relevant traffic to their online stores and ultimately benefiting their businesses.


2018. BigCommerce integrated with Akamai Image Manager



BigCommerce has recently partnered with Akamai, a globally recognized and highly reliable cloud delivery platform, to offer Akamai Image Manager to its extensive network of over 55,000 BigCommerce stores worldwide. This collaboration enables BigCommerce customers to enjoy the benefits of Akamai's advanced image optimization technology. Through Akamai Image Manager, BigCommerce merchants gain the capability to optimize their online images based on factors such as device type, image quality, and download size. This optimization process leads to accelerated page loading times, enhanced customer engagement, and ultimately improved website conversion rates.


2018. Squarespace introduced Conversion Metrics



The introduction of new Conversion Metrics in Squarespace provides valuable insights into the performance of buttons and forms, allowing you to assess visitor engagement and interaction on your website. These metrics enable you to understand how visitors engage with your website, whether it's by contacting you, booking services, subscribing to your mailing list, or responding to an event invitation. The Conversion Metrics offer features like Pinpoint engagement, Spot patterns, and Filter by device, providing comprehensive information to identify opportunities for optimizing conversions. Armed with this data, you can confidently make informed changes to forms and buttons, test alternative versions, refine their placement, choose effective wording, and experiment with different styling options. By leveraging these metrics, you can enhance the user experience and maximize the conversion potential of your website.


2017. BigCommerce integrates with Instagram



BigCommerce has introduced an exciting feature that empowers merchants to drive sales through Instagram. With this new integration, BigCommerce merchants are among the first to gain access to shopping on Instagram, enabling users to discover, browse, and make purchases directly from product posts within Instagram's iOS and Android apps. With over 800 million monthly Instagram users, and 80 percent of them following at least one business account, brands have a significant opportunity to connect with a wide audience and showcase their unique products and stories. Starting today, BigCommerce merchants can effortlessly tag products in their Instagram posts, providing users with instant access to contextual information such as pricing and product descriptions with just a single click. This seamless integration enhances the shopping experience and offers a convenient way for customers to explore and engage with products, ultimately driving more conversions and sales for BigCommerce merchants.


2017. BigCommerce expands relationship with PayPal



BigCommerce has announced an expanded collaboration with PayPal, aimed at providing businesses with a comprehensive suite of products and services to enhance sales opportunities. As of today, BigCommerce customers will enjoy increased capabilities to offer flexible consumer financing options through PayPal Credit, access innovative business financing via PayPal Working Capital, and gain valuable insights into their shoppers through the exclusive PayPal Marketing Solutions app, recently launched for BigCommerce customers. Since 2013, BigCommerce and PayPal have been trusted partners, working together to support merchants in growing their businesses through a comprehensive payment solution. BigCommerce's seamless integration with PayPal, powered by Braintree, enables business owners to effortlessly accept credit and debit cards, as well as offer the convenience of PayPal as a payment option. With this enhanced collaboration, BigCommerce customers can now leverage the power of PayPal's robust suite of products and services, empowering them to attract more customers, increase conversions, and optimize their overall sales performance. By providing flexible financing options, access to business financing, and valuable shopper insights, BigCommerce and PayPal are equipping businesses with the tools they need to thrive in the competitive ecommerce landscape.


2017. Squarespace released new analytics app



The newly launched Squarespace Analytics app for iOS and Android allows users to conveniently access essential insights and website analytics from any location and at any time. This app simplifies the process of incorporating analytics into daily workflows by presenting comprehensive business metrics through a user-friendly dashboard that has been specifically designed for smaller screens. Users can effortlessly check key metrics at a glance and further explore more detailed views to gain actionable insights. The app now includes a range of newly added metrics that offer the same comprehensive analytics available on desktop but with the convenience of mobile accessibility. Additionally, the app introduces an enhanced date picker feature, enabling users to access a broader range of historical data and select from new time frames or set custom date ranges.


2017. Squarespace introduced Gift Cards for Online Stores



Squarespace has recently introduced digital gift cards for Squarespace Online Stores, providing merchants with an additional means to boost sales and attract new customers. Selling gift cards offers various advantages beyond revenue generation. It encourages customers to spend more, as they often exceed the card's initial value. Furthermore, gift cards facilitate last-minute shopping, promote brand recognition, and help reduce return rates. Seamlessly integrated into your store, digital gift cards can be purchased and redeemed like any other product. This feature is accessible to all users on the Commerce Advanced plan, regardless of their location or the currency supported by Squarespace Commerce.