Squarespace makes it pretty impossible to set up a checkout process for offline payments, unless you like imperfect workarounds. Either Squarespace is simply unaware of such a need (seems unlikely) or their business model is beholden to the payment processors (they probably get a cut off the transaction back from the processor) - the suppression of such a basic feature is otherwise inexplicable.
I am venting my frustration here, because I like Squarespace, and would like them to fix this. In comparison -
Ecwid - extremely easy to use, great features set, design ethos - Soviet housing block utilitarian;
Shopify - works well except for the usurious toll they take on every transaction, including offline
WordPress/WooCommerce - the Rube Goldberg site builder with a Dewey Decimal System inspired admin dashboard
Why do I like Squarespace - in one word - design. Simple to use admin dashboard that does not hurt my eye or sensitivities, as well as outstanding website design. Where does Squarespace fall short - basic features critical to commerce such as offline checkout (and other finer customisation details, but lets stick to offline checkout today).
CURRENT WORKAROUNDS FOR OFFLINE CHECKOUT
- Create a 100% Discount Code so customers can checkout without a card. Issue - you are literally offering the customer a 100% discount since you can't even change the words (automatic description "Save 100% on any order" appears at checkout and in order conf email)
- Wishlist extension . Issue - the faq says this substitutes the checkout process, i.e., you cannot have some customers adding to Wishlist and others checking out with carded payments. This solution would be great for those whose entire business is offline but for others who have a mixed customer base (some with credit cards, some debit cards, some paying through bank transfers, others at store) this does not seem to be the solution
- Square for Offline - this is not available outside the USA! It is 2020, and the rest of the world is not so shabby as to be ignored
Squarespace should rightly be proud about its design, and its Values , one of which is Simplify. Surely offering a simple solution to add Offline checkout is possible and long overdue? Anthony Casalena, are you listening, because no one else at Squarespace apparently is.
