Squarespace Credit Card Processing Reviews & Complaints
Company Overview
Squarespace is a website builder with a focus on e-commerce businesses, although it also provides hosting for blogs or occasion-specific websites. Like BigCommerce or Volusion, Squarespace allows users to design, build, and launch a functional web store that can accept credit card payments online using the merchant account services of Stripe or PayPal.
Location & Ownership
Squarespace has been in operation since 2004 and is headquartered at 8 Clarkson St New York, NY 10014. The company also has offices in Portland, Oregon, and Dublin, Ireland. Anthony Casalena is listed as the founder and CEO of Squarespace.
Pros: | Cons: |
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Various payment options. | Limited advanced features. |
Easy integration with website. | Higher transaction fees. |
User-friendly interface. | Limited customization options. |
Secure transactions. | Potential for delayed payouts. |
24/7 customer support. | Restricted to Squarespace sites. |
Squarespace Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
Total Online Complaints | 15+ |
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Live Customer Support | Yes |
Most Common Complaint | Customer Service |
Low-to-Moderate Complaint Total
While Squarespace is known more for its web hosting services than e-commerce solutions, its overall reputation does not suggest a high volume of scam or rip-off allegations. Most reviews come from users engaged with its content creation aspect rather than merchants specifically. However, recent trends indicate an increase in negative feedback. Common issues raised by users include poor customer service, technical glitches, unexpected charges, difficulties with SEO, and subpar website integration. Additionally, there are claims regarding the non-availability of an advertised $100 Google AdWords credit.
Squarespace Lawsuits and Fines
No significant class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints against Squarespace have been uncovered. Merchants considering non-litigious means to address grievances are advised to report their experiences to appropriate regulatory bodies, as suggested here.
Squarespace Customer Service Options
Similar to Stripe, Squarespace does not provide live phone support, instead offering live chat and email ticketing. This lack of phone support might deter some business owners who prefer more direct communication channels. In light of the rising complaints, particularly those highlighting customer service issues, Squarespace’s rating in this area has been adjusted to a “B.” To align with the standards of top-rated customer service providers, Squarespace’s customer support system necessitates improvements.
Squarespace Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
Product & Service Complaints | 59 |
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Billing & Collection Complaints | 31 |
Advertising & Sales Complaints | 3 |
Guarantee & Warranty Complaints | 0 |
Delivery Complaints | 5 |
Nearly 100 Complaints
Squarespace is not accredited with the Better Business Bureau and currently shows an “A+” rating based on 98 complaints filed in the last 36 months. 59 of the complaints were due to a problem with a product or service, 31 were billing or collections issues, 3 were due to advertising or sales problems, and 5 were issues with delivery. Only 26 of these 98 complaints were resolved by the company to the satisfaction of the merchant. The remaining 72 were resolved to the dissatisfaction of the merchant or received no final response.
What Merchants Say
In addition to the 96 complaints posted to Squarespace’s BBB profile, the company has also received 22 informal reviews. All of those reviews are negative in tone. One unanswered review filed against the company expresses concern about Squarespace’s lack of customer support:
Horrible customer service! I’ve been emailing all day because they won’t call you because squarespace can’t find my email account. They dont care if you pay them for services. They won’t help at all and they don’t care if your locked out of your account. Pretty much happy to make you pay for an account that they won’t let you back in and they will run you around all day and do nothing. Worse that calling insurance companies.
Merchants in this situation would benefit from learning how to cancel their service without paying a fee. Early Termination fees are typically the most expensive term in a merchant agreement.
A “D” Rating
In light of the company’s complaint total and resolution ratio, and the lack of any dedicated customer support number, we have adjusted the BBB’s rating to a “D” for our purposes.
Squarespace Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
Flat Rate | 2.9% + $0.30 |
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Squarespace Transaction Fee | 3.00% |
Personal Website Plan | $16 Per Month |
Business Website Plan | $26 Per Month |
Basic Commerce Plan | $30 Per Month |
Advanced Commerce Plan | $46 Per Month |
Early Termination Fee | $0 |
PCI Compliance Fee | $0 |
Equipment Lease Terms | None |
Stripe and PayPal Integration
Squarespace incorporates Stripe and PayPal for online payment processing, aligning Squarespace’s contract terms closely with those of Stripe and PayPal. Both Stripe and PayPal typically charge a transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 for all transactions. Additionally, Squarespace imposes a 3% transaction fee under its Website plan for businesses, while its Online Store plans do not include additional transaction fees. Notably, Stripe has been highlighted for its policy on holding funds, with numerous complaints regarding abrupt fund holds and challenges in resolving these issues swiftly, partly due to limited live customer support.
Squarespace Pricing Plans
Squarespace’s subscription plans are categorized into “Websites” and “Online Stores,” with options for monthly payments or annual billing at a discounted rate. The “Personal” and “Business” packages fall under Website plans, while “Basic” and “Advanced” packages are classified as Commerce plans. The pricing is as follows: the Personal Website plan at $16 monthly ($12 annually), the Business Website plan at $26 monthly ($18 annually), the Basic Commerce plan at $30 monthly ($26 annually), and the Advanced Commerce plan at $46 monthly ($40 annually).
Additional Plan Features
Despite the challenges associated with Stripe, particularly in customer support and fund holds, Squarespace is recognized for offering extensive features beyond basic payment processing. Merchants can access a variety of services including a custom online store, hosting, SEO tools, customer analytics, inventory and shipping management, and integrated accounting solutions. Starting with a free trial, the plans are flexible with month-to-month billing, allowing merchants the option to cancel at any time. This comprehensive offering positions Squarespace as a valuable platform, offering significant utility beyond what Stripe alone provides.
Squarespace Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
Employs Independent Resellers | No |
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Advertises Deceptive Rates | No |
Discloses All Important Terms | Yes |
No Widespread Sales Issue
Squarespace appears to primarily market its services through its website and traditional advertising methods. There is no indication at this time that the company employs independent sales agents or engages in telemarketing, and we are currently unable to locate any negative Squarespace reviews that accuse the company’s sales staff of deceptive or aggressive tactics. One complaint filed against Squarespace cited confusion over the company’s 14-day free trial offer, claiming that it was deceptively promoted, but this appears to be an isolated incident.
This compares favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
No Deceptive Marketing
Additionally, the Squarespace website does not appear to quote misleading rates or selectively disclose terms. That said, we always recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to find and eliminate any hidden fees that are suspected.
Our Squarespace Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
Decent All-In-One E-Commerce Platform
Squarespace rates as a reliable e-commerce solution for merchants. The company’s use of Stripe has not impacted its rating too harshly, and the low-commitment, low-cost service Squarespace provides boosts its rating even in the face of rising complaint totals filed against the company. Squarespace’s rating may change as we continue to receive comments on this review, but for now, it compares favorably to the top overall e-commerce platforms.
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MM
Caution! Scam! Squarespce web site didn’t give you the 100$ Google Adwords credit you sign for when you purposing a year subscription. You enter your “credit code” on the Google Adword site and they will charge you anyway the amount in your credit card!! You haven’t any change to get a refound!!
Attention!! Fraude! Le site web de Scarespace ne donne pas réellement le crédit de 100$ de Google Adwords prévu dans le contrat d’un an. Vous entrez le code dans Google et ils vous chargent quand même sur votre carte de credit. Vous avez aucune chance d’avoir un remboursement après!!
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