TPOP vs Squarespace: which one to choose for your online store?

When it comes to launching an online store, the choice of e-commerce platform is crucial to the success of the project. Among the best-known options, Squarespace has made a name for itself in recent years thanks to its ease of use and the elegant aesthetics of its templates. But today there are other specialized solutions, including TPOP, which stands out for its European vision, eco-responsibility and native integration of Print on Demand (POD). In this detailed comparison, we take an in-depth look at the strengths and potential limitations of each of these platforms, to help you make an informed choice.

Far from being a simple duel, the aim of this article is to give you an overview of the possibilities offered by TPOP and Squarespace, and above all to underline the growing interest in a solution like TPOP, which aims to be transparent, modular and committed to responsible production.

We'll also look at the extent to which Squarespace is suitable for certain projects, particularly for creative people looking for sites with a polished design and professional presentation. But is it really enough for e-tailers who want to grow quickly and smoothly, while taking advantage of the benefits of POD and avoiding commissions? Let's take a look at the different aspects of this comparison.

Looking for alternatives to Squarespace?

Squarespace was founded in 2003 in New York.

Initially, the platform was primarily a website and blog creation tool for individuals and small businesses. The focus soon shifted to aesthetics and ease of use, enabling non-technical users to design a professional site thanks to elegant templates and an intuitive interface. This "design first" approach has made Squarespace a household name, winning over many entrepreneurs looking for a premium online presence.

Over time, Squarespace has added e-commerce functionality to meet the needs of designers wishing to sell their products or services online. These features, while interesting, are not as specialized or advanced as those of historically e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, or other emerging solutions more focused on certain aspects such as Print on Demand.

So, for users looking for native POD integration, a strong focus on eco-responsibility or more flexible pricing, Squarespace can present certain limitations. This is why many merchants are now turning to alternative solutions such as TPOP, which offer a more global approach and are sometimes better adapted to the specific needs of modern e-commerce.

Comparison table

To highlight the differences and similarities between Squarespace and TPOP, here's a table summarizing the key features of each platform. You'll notice that many criteria (commission, POD integration, eco-responsible approach) are TPOP's strength, while Squarespace relies above all on design and an intuitive interface to seduce its users.

As you can see, Squarespace's major strength lies in its fluid site creation interface and sophisticated designs.

On the other hand, TPOP stands out for its all-in-one approach to Print on Demand, its total absence of commission and its commitment to eco-responsibility.

TPOP highlights

To better understand why TPOP is a credible alternative for Squarespace users (or any other platform, for that matter), let's take a look at the main advantages of this solution.

No commission

One of the biggest obstacles to the growth of an online store is often the commission charged on every sale made. Some platforms charge a percentage of revenues, which can weigh heavily on merchants' profit margins, especially when sales volumes start to climb.

With TPOP, you don't have to worry about these kinds of fees. No commission is applied, and the platform's main source of revenue is its monthly subscription packages (FREE, Unlimited and BUSINESS) or POD billing, which is entirely separate from the subscription fee for greater transparency. In this way, you're free to develop your store without feeling that you're "losing" a percentage of your revenue with each transaction.

Integrated Print on Demand

Print on Demand is one of the key value-creation levers for many e-tailers. Whether you want to offer personalized t-shirts, tote bags, sweatshirts, smartphone cases or posters, POD lets you explore a catalog of creative products without having to manage logistics or inventory. On many platforms, however, it's necessary to use third-party applications (often paying and sometimes complex to configure).

With TPOP, everything is designed for the POD from the outset. Product selection is integrated into the ecosystem, configuration is seamless and production is handled in-house. This saves you precious time, reduces potential sources of error and, above all, ensures total consistency between your store and the print service. This consistency is reflected in orders tracking, returns management and customer service quality, all of which are simplified by the direct integration of all the necessary modules.

Eco-responsibility

Today, it's impossible to ignore the importance of eco-responsibility in the e-commerce sector. Consumers are increasingly aware of the ecological impact of their purchases, and as a merchant, it's in your interest to offer an approach that meets their needs.

TPOP is one of the few platforms to make such an extensive commitment. Green accommodation, choice of organic cotton textiles, certified water-based inks, zero-plastic packaging, a production circuit located in Europe... These are just some of the features that make TPOP a partner of choice for brands keen to limit their environmental footprint. This dimension can be a real marketing argument, enabling you to stand out in a market sometimes saturated with standardized products that show little respect for the planet.

Easy to install

The main obstacle to creating an online store often lies in technical configuration: hosting, installation, domain settings, update management, module compatibility, etc. TPOP, like Squarespace, focuses on simplicity of use and eliminates most of these technical constraints. You get a turnkey site, with hosting and sub-domain included. If you want to go even further in terms of personalization, you can even use your own domain name and fine-tune the site's appearance using style sheets (CSS).

This reduces the learning curve, so you can concentrate on what really matters: creating your visuals, optimizing your product catalog, setting up marketing campaigns and managing your customer relations.

Responsive customer support

Difficulties with initial configuration, SEO optimization or orders management can arise at any time, especially when you're just starting out in e-commerce. In these situations, it's often a lifesaver to be able to rely on responsive, competent customer service. TPOP prides itself on its available support, capable of answering both technical and more general questions, in both French and English.

In addition, the platform offers a free academy, with tutorials and educational resources, to support every merchant in understanding the tools and making their project a success. Squarespace also offers good support, but is less specialized when it comes to Print on Demand, an area that still requires specific knowledge and particular follow-up.

Flexible pricing

With TPOP, you can choose from three subscription packages to suit different needs and budgets:

• Free: ideal for getting started free of charge and testing the solution.
• UNLIMITED (€19.99): access to advanced features such as advanced customization (CSS), a personalized domain, the ability to add a blog or sell external products.
• BUSINESS (€249.99): designed for high-volume stores and agencies of all sizes, this package gives access to an exclusive product catalog and a complete set of features for merchants looking to move up a gear.

This flexibility allows you to grow your store without having to change platforms or migrate all your data. Squarespace, on the other hand, often imposes a fixed subscription fee depending on whether you choose Personal, Business or e-commerce (Basic or Advanced). While the transition is relatively straightforward, the price tiers can quickly escalate, without necessarily offering the most suitable e-commerce options for the POD.

Why merchants prefer TPOP vs. Squarespace

To better illustrate the reasons why many e-tailers decide to switch from Squarespace to TPOP, here is a summary of the key advantages often mentioned:

1. Transparent pricing: on Squarespace, there's no direct commission on sales (provided you opt for an e-commerce offer, which implies a more expensive subscription), but a monthly fee that may be higher than expected if you wish to activate certain advanced features (sell an unlimited number of products, retrieve e-mails via newsletter, etc.). TPOP, on the other hand, charges no commission and offers clear, scalable subscriptions, including a totally free subscription. You know exactly what to expect financially, and the fact that no percentage is deducted from each sale means your business can grow unhindered.
2. Integrated POD; Squarespace has not designed its platform around Print on Demand. It is therefore necessary to use third-party extensions such as Printful, Printify, or other solutions. This entails additional costs, potential compatibility issues, and sometimes a less fluid user experience. TPOP, on the other hand, has made Print on Demand the central pillar of its offering, providing a selection of products with sustainable materials and integrated logistics. POD management is carried out directly within the platform, facilitating the addition of new references, orders tracking and customer relations.
3. Asserted eco-responsibilitySquarespace, as a generalist American company, does not particularly emphasize ecological commitments or sustainable practices. Today, however, many brands and e-tailers are placing this issue at the heart of their strategy, in response to growing consumer demand. TPOP stands out from the crowd thanks to its green accommodation, range of organic textiles, use of water-based inks and zero-plastic packaging. This argument can play a decisive role in winning the loyalty of customers who are increasingly sensitive to the ecological impact of the products they buy.
4. Simplicity and performance: Squarespace is often praised for its intuitive interface and elegant templates. However, from a strictly e-commerce point of view, it's not always the best-performing platform. It's perfectly suited to a blog or showcase site, but if your ambition is to grow your online store considerably, you may quickly feel certain limitations, particularly in terms of catalog management or specific sales functionalities. TPOP, on the other hand, offers a complete e-commerce environment, designed from the outset with merchants in mind. It's easy to get to grips with, while offering a wide range of settings and configurations to adapt to the specific needs of your business.
5. Specialized support for e-commerce and POD: Squarespace offers serious customer support, but focused more on site and portfolio design. Questions relating to logistics, POD or the specific problems of advanced e-commerce can go unanswered. TPOP, as a specialized player, is better placed to deal with the specific demands of Print on Demand, the choice of textiles, the management of shipping costs or the SEO optimization of an international boutique. This expertise translates into more relevant support, and therefore greater long-term customer satisfaction.
6. Scalability and growth prospects: Squarespace users who want to grow their store may be held back by limitations on the number of products sold or the volume of traffic included in the subscription, as well as by the lack of advanced features (multilingual management, specialized dropshipping, etc.). On TPOP, the FREE, Unlimited and BUSINESS tiers allow you to progress smoothly: you start for free, then switch to a more comprehensive subscription when you feel your store needs it. This philosophy proves comfortable, and avoids the hassle of migrating or changing platforms as your business grows.

FAQ

To answer some common questions more precisely, here is a series of questions frequently asked by users interested in a comparison between TPOP and Squarespace:

1. Squarespace does not charge a commission per sale. Is this more advantageous than TPOP?

Squarespace doesn't charge any direct commission, but its e-commerce subscription is still relatively expensive compared with TPOP's Unlimited offer, which is the cheapest on the market: 19.99 EUR per month for the unlimited package. What's more, to access the full range of advanced sales functions, Squarespace sometimes requires you to upgrade to higher packages. TPOP, on the other hand, charges no commission and offers several modular packages, including a totally free offer, which is often more advantageous for merchants.

2. Is it possible to design a site with TPOP as well as Squarespace?

Yes, TPOP offers extensive customization options. You can choose a theme, customize the appearance via simple settings or even intervene at CSS level to achieve a unique aesthetic. Squarespace remains renowned for its design templates, but TPOP also offers professional, elegant layouts, as well as plenty of scope for formatting.

3. How does TPOP manage Print on Demand?

Everything is handled in-house: you upload your visuals, choose your products (t-shirts, sweatshirts, accessories...), TPOP takes care of printing and shipping. orders are processed centrally, so you don't have to juggle with third-party applications. With Squarespace, you need to use external integrations (such as Printful or Printify), which involves additional costs and logistical complexity.

4. What are the advantages of green hosting for my e-commerce site?

Opting for green hosting, like the one offered by TPOP, helps reduce your site's carbon footprint. What's more, it's a relevant marketing argument to put forward to customers who are increasingly sensitive to environmental issues. It can reinforce your brand's positive image and attract consumers keen to contribute to more planet-friendly practices.

5. What about Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

Both Squarespace and TPOP offer integrated SEO functionality. TPOP, however, is designed specifically for e-commerce and Print on Demand stores, with SEO tools adapted to the display of product sheets and categories. Squarespace also offers basic SEO tags and options, but its more "showcase site" orientation means that it may be less advanced in this respect for e-commerce.

6. Is TPOP's BUSINESS formula really essential for getting started?

Not necessarily. It all depends on the scale of your project. The FREE and Unlimited packages allow you to launch a fully-fledged store. The BUSINESS package is best suited to established e-tailers, or those who are planning a substantial sales volume from the outset and wish to benefit from exclusive features and products.

7. Is Squarespace more suitable if I want to create a blog first?

Squarespace has an excellent reputation for creating elegant blogs and portfolios. TPOP, meanwhile, also offers a blog module accessible from the Unlimited package. If your priority is to publish editorial or photographic content on a very regular basis, Squarespace can satisfy you. However, if your objective is to effectively monetize this content or sell print-on-demand derivative products, TPOP will quickly prove more interesting.

8. Can I easily manage my marketing campaigns (emailing, promotions, etc.) with TPOP?

Yes, TPOP provides you with marketing and SEO tools, and you can also integrate third-party services for your newsletters, automated marketing or advertising campaigns. The platform is designed to support product promotion and customer retention. Squarespace also offers email marketing functions, but these may be less specialized for print-on-demand sales.