Advice needed: Small website with upcoming e-commerce launch

Hey everyone! I’m new here and could use some help. We’ve got a basic Squarespace site with just a homepage, newsletter signup, and FAQ. Our social media following is huge (500k) and we’re about to release our first merch.

I can work with Squarespace, but it’s kinda limiting. I’m thinking about moving to WordPress with a Shopify store before the merch drop. But since our site is pretty simple, maybe we should just use Shopify for everything?

Sticking with Squarespace would be easy, but I’m worried about the future. If we keep growing and need more from our website, what’s the best setup?

What do you think? Should we stay put, go WordPress + Shopify, or switch completely to Shopify? Thanks for any tips!

Hey FlyingEagle! Wow, that’s an exciting position to be in with such a massive following! :tada:

Have you thought about how much customization you might need down the line? Shopify’s great for e-commerce, but I’m curious - what kind of merch are you planning to drop? Some products might need special features that Shopify doesn’t offer out of the box.

I’ve seen a lot of growing brands start with Shopify and then hit a wall when they want to do something really unique. What if you need a super custom product configurator or a loyalty program that ties into your social media?

Maybe we could chat about your long-term vision for the brand? It might help figure out if Shopify alone will cut it or if you need the flexibility of WordPress.

Oh, and have you looked into any headless commerce solutions? They’re kinda complex, but they give you the best of both worlds - Shopify’s e-commerce power with total frontend freedom.

What do you think? I’m really curious to hear more about your plans!

hey there flyingeagle! i’d say go shopify all the way. it’s super scalable and can handle ur merch drop like a champ. plus, u won’t have to juggle multiple platforms. squarespace is neat but might hold u back. shopify’s got tons of apps to customize ur site as u grow. just my 2 cents!

Having worked with various e-commerce setups, I’d recommend going with Shopify for your entire site. Given your large social media following and imminent merch launch, Shopify’s robust e-commerce capabilities will serve you well. It’s scalable, so you won’t hit a ceiling as you grow.

While WordPress offers more customization, managing two platforms can be a headache. Shopify’s app ecosystem is quite extensive, allowing for significant customization without the complexity of WordPress.

Squarespace is great for simple sites, but you’ll likely outgrow it soon. With Shopify, you get a platform that can handle high traffic and sales volume, plus it integrates well with social media for marketing.

Consider the long-term: Shopify’s built-in analytics, inventory management, and marketing tools will be invaluable as your brand expands. It’s a solid foundation that can grow with your business.