Final verdict
Format and Square Online both offer unique advantages, but they cater to different user needs.
-
Format (Overall Grade: 5.8/10)
is tailored for creative professionals such as photographers, artists, and designers. It excels in providing visually appealing, customizable templates and features like client proofing and an integrated online store. However, its interface can be less intuitive, and its feature set may be limited for broader website needs. When comparing Format vs Square Online, Format is ideal for users seeking a platform to showcase their portfolios with high-quality imagery and mobile-friendly designs. -
Square Online (Overall Grade: 7.2/10)
stands out for its comprehensive ecommerce capabilities and seamless integration with Square’s suite of payment processing and business management tools. It offers a flexible website builder with a focus on ecommerce, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to manage their online presence, sales, and operations efficiently. Considering Format vs Square Online, Square Online is better suited for businesses seeking a robust, all-in-one solution for both online and in-person sales.
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.0 |
7.4 |
|
Ease of use |
8.3 |
8.4 |
|
Ecommerce |
5.2 |
7.3 |
|
Website Editors |
7.5 |
6.6 |
|
Product testing options |
8.3 |
7.8 |
|
Price |
7.9 |
7.5 |
|
Hosting quality |
5.0 |
7.8 |
|
Website speed optimization |
5.0 |
6.2 |
|
Plugins and integrations |
4.9 |
7.6 |
|
Marketing features |
5.3 |
7.4 |
|
Customer support |
7.0 |
6.7 |
|
Security |
7.4 |
8.5 |
|
AI capabilities |
0.0 |
7.4 |
|
User Management |
2.8 |
5.2 |
Best for ecommerce
5.2
7.3
Verdict
: Square Online is the superior choice for ecommerce, offering a more comprehensive set of features and better scalability compared to Format.
-
Format
: Format is designed for creative professionals like photographers and artists, providing basic ecommerce functionalities. It includes features like inventory management, discounts, and multiple currency options. However, when comparing Format vs Square Online, Format’s ecommerce capabilities are limited, making it less suitable for businesses looking to scale their online operations. -
Square Online
: Square Online excels in ecommerce with features like product listing and inventory management, payment processing, shipping and fulfillment, and marketing tools. It offers a range of customizable templates and integrates seamlessly with Square’s payment and POS systems. This makes Square Online a robust solution for businesses aiming to manage their online presence and sales efficiently.
Best for informational & business websites
7.2
7.4
Verdict
: Square Online slightly outperforms Format for informational and business websites, thanks to its comprehensive set of tools and seamless integration with Square’s ecosystem.
-
Format
: Format is tailored for creative professionals, offering nearly 100 customizable templates that are perfect for showcasing portfolios. Its drag-and-drop interface is user-friendly, but some may find its feature set limited for broader business needs. With a score of 7.2, Format is a solid choice for creatives looking to display their work beautifully. -
Square Online
: Square Online, scoring 7.4, provides a robust platform for businesses transitioning from physical to online operations. It offers a variety of customizable templates and integrates directly with Square’s payment and business management tools, making it ideal for retailers, restaurants, and service businesses. Its ease of use and comprehensive features make it a slightly better option for business websites compared to Format.
Detailed comparison
Design functionalities & templates
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
7.0
7.4
🏆
Winner: Square Online.
If you’re looking for a platform that offers more creative control and a wide array of design features, Square Online is the preferred choice.
Format is a website builder specifically designed for creatives, offering nearly 100 customizable templates tailored for various artistic disciplines. It emphasizes high-quality imagery and mobile-friendly designs, ensuring portfolios look professional on any device. While it offers easy-to-use features and e-commerce tools for selling work directly, some users find its interface less intuitive and its feature set somewhat limited for broader website needs.
Compared to Format, Square Online offers a flexible website builder with a focus on e-commerce, providing a variety of design options through integration with platforms like Weebly. Users can customize their sites extensively, choosing from themes and preset styles to best represent their brand. While the exact number of templates available directly from Square is not specified, the integration with Weebly provides about a hundred themes, including 15 for online stores, emphasizing professional design and mobile responsiveness. This setup caters well to users seeking a blend of ease of use and e-commerce functionality without requiring deep technical knowledge.
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Ease of use
Ease of useReflects the platform’s overall user-friendliness.Score
Components:
- Learning curve (40%): Quickness and ease of getting started.
- Interface design (30%): Simplicity and intuitiveness of layout.
- User guidance (20%): Quality of tutorials and support.
- Flexibility (10%): Adaptability to various user skills.
8.3
8.4
🏆 Winner: Square Online
. With a score of 8.4, Square Online slightly edges out Format, which scored 8.3. Both platforms offer intuitive, user-friendly interfaces, but Square Online’s comprehensive set of tools for ecommerce and seamless integration with Square’s broader ecosystem make it a slightly more accessible option for users.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: Square Online
. While both platforms offer solid learning resources, Square Online’s comprehensive guides, video tutorials, active community forums, and accessible customer service make it a more robust learning resource for users.
For ecommerce
EcommerceMeasures the platform’s effectiveness in supporting online business activities.Score Components:
- Ecommerce themes and templates (20%): Variety and design of templates.
- Product management (25%): Ease of managing and organizing products.
- Payment options (25%): Variety and convenience of payment methods.
- Ecommerce features (20%): Features for managing an ecommerce store.
- Integration (10%): Compatibility with external e-commerce tools and services.
5.2
7.3
When it comes to ecommerce, Square Online outperforms Format with a score of 7.3 against Format’s 5.2. Square Online is designed to help businesses create professional, fully integrated online stores and websites, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to manage their online presence, sales, and operations efficiently within a single ecosystem. On the other hand, Format is a website builder specifically designed for creative professionals such as photographers, artists, designers, and illustrators, offering basic ecommerce functionalities for selling physical and digital products.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
4.0 |
6.8 |
|
Product page customization |
5.5 |
7.6 |
|
Payment processing and commissions |
4.5 |
7.9 |
|
POS capabilities |
0.0 |
9.0 |
|
Payment gateways |
6.5 |
7.5 |
|
Product numbers |
5.0 |
7.0 |
|
Additional ecommerce features |
3.5 |
7.2 |
Format ecommerce features:
- Inventory management and tracking
- Discounts
- Multiple currency options
Square Online ecommerce features:
- Product Listing and Inventory management
- Payment Processing and POS features
- Shipping and Fulfillment
- Marketing features
Ecommerce themes & templates
Format does not offer ecommerce specific templates, limiting its appeal for businesses looking to create a comprehensive online store. On the other hand, Square Online offers a range of ecommerce templates designed to meet various business needs, enabling users to customize their sites to match their brand identity. It includes dynamic styling tools, personalized user experiences, and integrated payment solutions, including Square’s own payment gateway.
Product page customization
Format offers limited specific details on product page customization directly, but its e-commerce features suggest a focus on showcasing products through high-quality imagery and detailed descriptions. In contrast, Square Online allows for extensive product customization, with up to 250 variations per item, like different sizes or versions, through “Selectable Options” in the item details section of your online store. Additionally, “Item Modifiers” allow for further customization by letting customers choose options or input custom text, such as engraving names on jewelry, without affecting inventory levels.
Payment processing
Format integrates with major payment gateways, including Paypal and Stripe, but charges a commission on sales and does not have built-in POS (Point of Sale) capabilities. Square Online supports a variety of payment options including Square Pay, Apple Pay, Cash App Pay, Google Pay, and Afterpay, catering to diverse customer payment preferences. The platform charges a transaction fee of 2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction for its free plan, with a discounted fee available on the Premium plan. Additionally, Square offers comprehensive POS capabilities, with a range of hardware solutions that seamlessly integrate with its online store and point of sale systems, ensuring a unified management system for both online and in-person sales.
Website Editors
Website EditorsEvaluates the platforms’ website building and editing capabilities.Score Components:
- Customization tools (40%): Range and power of editing features.
- Editor usability (30%): User experience within the editor.
- Design flexibility (20%): Freedom in layout and design changes.
- Update and maintenance ease (10%): Simplicity of updating and maintaining the site.
7.5
6.6
🏆
Winner: Format
. Format, with a score of 7.5, offers a variety of features for creating online portfolios. It provides nearly 100 professionally designed templates and thousands of design variations without requiring any coding. Users can express creativity with custom pages, incorporating unique gallery layouts, colors, text formatting, and custom code embeds. The templates and pages are fully responsive, ensuring a mobile-first experience. Format also supports direct video hosting, high-quality image rendering, and easy template switching to give sites a new look. Additionally, it includes studio management tools, e-commerce capabilities, and SEO tools.
Square Online’s website builder, scoring 6.6, is designed for businesses looking to establish an online presence with ease, focusing on e-commerce functionality. It offers limited customization options, aiming to simplify the design process, yet includes essential e-commerce and marketing tools suitable for a variety of business needs. The platform supports an unlimited number of products and integrates with Square’s payment processing, albeit with limited external payment options. While Square Online is user-friendly and efficient for quickly setting up a website, it may not cater to those seeking extensive design flexibility or advanced e-commerce features.
Mobile editor/app
4.0
5.5
🏆
Winner: Square Online
. Both Format and Square Online do not offer a dedicated mobile app for editing websites. However, they do allow users to manage and edit their websites using a mobile browser.
Format’s mobile editing experience is essentially the same as its desktop version, which can make it difficult to use on a smartphone. On the other hand, Square Online’s mobile browser version comes with certain limitations but still provides a more user-friendly experience compared to Format.
In summary, while neither platform offers a perfect mobile editing experience, Square Online is the winner in this category due to its slightly better mobile browser version and higher mobile editor score.
Product testing options
Product Testing OptionsAssesses the options for trying out platform features before commitment.Score Components:
- Trial quality (40%): Extent and usefulness of the trial or free version.
- Feature accessibility (30%): How many features are available to test.
- Trial duration (20%): Length of the trial period.
- Ease of transition (10%): Smoothness of moving from trial to paid plans.
8.3
7.8
Overall Result
:
Format wins
. Format scores 8.3 in product testing options, slightly higher than Square Online’s 7.8. Format offers a 14-day free trial with the possibility to test premium features, and a 30-day money back guarantee. Square Online, on the other hand, provides a longer 30-day free trial, but requires users to enter their billing information. It also lacks a money-back guarantee.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free Plan |
No | Yes |
|
Trial Duration |
14 days | 30 days |
|
Testing Premium Features |
Yes, during free trial | Yes, during free trial (billing info required) |
|
Money Back Guarantee |
30 days | No |
Price
PriceLooks at the cost-effectiveness and value for money of each platform.Score Components:
- Plan value (40%): What each pricing tier offers.
- Transparency and clarity (30%): Clearness of pricing structures.
- Flexibility of plans (20%): Range of options to suit different budgets.
- Hidden costs (10%): Additional expenses not included in the plan.
7.9
7.5
Format and Square Online have similar price scores, but they cater to different audiences. Format is more suited for creative professionals looking to showcase their portfolios, while Square Online is designed for businesses looking to create professional online stores and websites.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free |
No offering at this amount. |
Free ($0/month): For businesses who want to start selling online fast. Online payments with 2.9% + 30¢, basic-site layouts and design controls, tax calculation, unlimited items, SEO tools, blog feature, Facebook ads. |
|
$10-$20 |
Basic ($12.00/month): Offers core services like mobile-optimized site, up to 10 web pages, and up to 70 high-resolution images. 3 client galleries, up to 2GB file transfers. No video uploads or custom code editor. Value for price: 5.0 |
No offering at this amount. |
|
$20-$30 |
Pro ($24.00/month): Includes all from Basic, plus unlimited web pages, 1500 high-resolution images,15 mins video hosting, 100GB cloud storage, a free custom domain, Online Store with up to 15 products, 50 client galleries and up to 5GB file transfers. Value for price: 7.5 |
Plus ($29/month): For businesses looking to drive online growth and streamline operations. Includes all the features of the free plan, plus, free custom domain for a year, professional branding, custom embed code, manage multiple sites, pre-orders, abandoned cart recovery, free shipping and delivery progress bar, product reviews, discounts, website statistics. Value for price: 7.5 |
|
$30+ |
Pro Plus ($36.00/month): Adds on Pro features with priority support, unlimited pages and high-res images, 120 mins video hosting, and 1TB cloud storage. Online Store with up to 1000 products, 250 client galleries and 10GB file transfers. Value for price: 8.5 |
No offering at this amount. |
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.
Hosting quality
Hosting
qualityExamines the reliability and performance of the hosting solutions.Score Components:
- Uptime (40%): Consistency and reliability of website availability.
- Speed (30%): Loading times and performance.
- Bandwidth and storage (20%): Sufficiency of resources provided.
- Data centers (10%): Quality and distribution of hosting infrastructure.
5.0
7.8
🏆
Winner: Square Online
Square Online outperforms Format in hosting quality, with a higher score of 7.8 compared to Format’s 5.0. Square Online offers hosting with unlimited bandwidth and an uptime of 99.96%, although it does not provide an uptime guarantee. The platform does not disclose the type of hosting it provides or the locations of its data centers. On the other hand, Format offers hosting but does not provide any further information about the type of hosting, uptime, uptime guarantee, or data center locations.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes |
Yes, with unlimited bandwidth |
|
Type of hosting: |
Not specified |
Not specified |
|
Uptime: |
Not specified |
99.96% |
|
Uptime Guarantee: |
Not specified |
No |
|
Data Centers: |
Not specified |
Not specified |
Website Speed Optimization
Website Speed OptimizationEvaluates optimization of website loading timesScore Components:
- PageSpeed Score (30%): Google’s score indicating performance optimization.
- Loading Time (30%): The average time until a website is fully interactive.
- Mobile Optimization (15%): Optimization effectiveness for mobile devices.
- Resource Optimization (15%): Optimizing images, scripts, and other heavy resources.
- CDN Usage (10%): Use of CDN to enhance speed across geolocations.
5.0
6.2
🏆 Winner: Square Online
Both Format and Square Online prioritize website performance and page speed, but Square Online has a slightly higher website speed optimization score.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
Image and video optimization |
Lazy Loading, Code Minification, Caching, Image optimization |
|
Performance Tools |
Not specified |
Not specified |
|
Key Strategies |
Image and video optimization |
Lazy Loading, Code Minification, Caching, Image optimization |
|
Load Times |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
|
Page Speed Scores Range |
Not specified |
Not specified |
|
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Not disclosed |
Not provided |
Format, a website builder designed for creative professionals, focuses on image and video optimization to enhance website speed. However, it does not provide specific information on its load times, PageSpeed score ranges, and Core Web Vitals improvements.
On the other hand, Square Online, a comprehensive website builder designed for businesses, employs strategies such as lazy loading, code minification, caching, and image optimization to improve website speed. Like Format, Square Online does not provide specific details on its load times, PageSpeed score ranges, and Core Web Vitals improvements. Despite the lack of detailed information, Square Online has a slightly higher website speed optimization score, making it the winner in this category.
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Plugins and integrations
Plugins and integrationsMeasures the range and effectiveness of additional plugins and integrations.Score Components:
- Variety of options (40%): Range of available add-ons.
- Integration smoothness (30%): Ease of integrating plugins into the site.
- Quality of plugins (20%): Functionality and reliability of the options.
- Custom integration capabilities (10%): Support for custom or third-party integrations.
4.9
7.6
🏆 Winner: Square Online.
With a score of 7.6, Square Online offers a wide array of app integrations that facilitate various aspects of business operations, including eCommerce, accounting, marketing, and employee management. These integrations provide the tools for deeper business insights, personalized customer engagement, streamlined operations, and financial management, enhancing the overall utility and efficiency of the Square Online platform for business owners.
On the other hand, Format, scoring 4.9, offers support for a limited selection of plugins/integrations, including Adobe Lightroom, Mailchimp, and Google Analytics. However, its overall capabilities for expansion through plugins and integrations are notably limited, posing a challenge for users looking for a more extensive suite of tools to customize and enhance their website’s functionality.
Marketing Features
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
5.3
7.4
🏆
Overall Winner: Square Online
. Square Online offers a more comprehensive set of marketing features, including advanced SEO tools, email marketing, social media integration, analytics and reporting, and ads and promotions. Format, while offering a range of marketing features, is more limited in its capabilities, particularly in terms of social media integration and analytics.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SEO Tools |
Basic SEO tools for page titles, meta descriptions, and image alt tags |
Comprehensive SEO features including customizable URLs, title tags, meta descriptions, and automatic mobile optimization |
|
Email Marketing |
Basic email marketing features with integration of branded email and email form subscriptions |
Advanced email marketing features with the ability to create, send, and track email campaigns |
|
Blogging |
Basic blogging features with blog posts and comments |
Basic blogging features with the ability to add and edit blog posts |
|
Social Media Integration |
Direct Instagram integration for displaying Instagram feed on the website |
Advanced social media integrations including tagging products in Instagram posts and stories, and creating a Facebook Shop |
|
Analytics and Reporting |
Integration with Google Analytics for tracking visitor traffic and page views |
Comprehensive suite of analytics and reporting tools including real-time analytics, customer insights, and detailed sales reporting |
|
Ads and Promotions |
Basic promotional features including discounts and discount codes |
Comprehensive suite of tools for creating, managing, and promoting an online store, including marketing automation, sales features, SEO and marketing tools, and pop-up advertisements for promotions |
Customer Support
Customer supportEvaluates the quality and availability of support options.Score Components:
- Response time (40%): Speed of support responses.
- Support quality (30%): Effectiveness and helpfulness of the support.
- Availability (20%): Range of support channels (phone, chat, email).
- Resource richness (10%): Quality of self-help and educational materials.
7.0
6.7
🏆 Winner: Format
. Comparing Format vs Square Online, Format takes the lead in this category with its 24/7 customer support available through email and live chat. The round-the-clock availability ensures that users can get assistance whenever they need it, which is particularly beneficial for creative professionals working on tight deadlines.
Square Online, on the other hand, offers customer support through phone, live chat, and email, but with more limited hours. General inquiries are handled from 6 AM to 6 PM Pacific Time on weekdays, and account issues are addressed Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 9 PM EST. While Square Online provides more extensive support for premium plan users, including 24/7 phone support, its overall availability is not as comprehensive as Format’s.
Security
SecurityLooks at the platforms’ security measures and data protection.Score Components:
- Data protection (40%): Safeguards for user and customer data.
- SSL and encryption (30%): Implementation of secure connections.
- Compliance (20%): Adherence to industry security standards.
- Regular updates (10%): Frequency of security updates and patches.
7.4
8.5
🏆
Winner: Square Online
. Square Online takes the lead in security with a score of 8.5, compared to Format’s 7.4. Square Online prioritizes user privacy and data security through encryption, adherence to industry standards, and constant security monitoring. It also provides free SSL security for every site, crucial for encrypting data and ensuring that personal and financial information remains confidential and protected.
Format, while offering encrypted data storage and strict access controls, does not provide specific details about its security measures. However, it does offer SSL security across its plans, a fundamental security feature for any website.
AI Capabilities
AI capabilitiesMeasures the effectiveness of AI-driven features and tools.Score Components:
- Automation efficiency (40%): Impact of AI on streamlining processes.
- Personalization (30%): AI-driven customization for users or customers.
- AI-Assisted design (20%): Role of AI in website design and functionality.
- Data analysis (10%): Use of AI in interpreting user data and analytics.
0.0
7.4
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Personalized Design |
|
|
|
SEO Optimization |
|
|
|
Customer Behavior Analysis |
|
AI-powered personalized product recommendations |
|
Sales Predictions |
|
|
|
Inventory Management |
|
|
|
Content Generation |
|
AI assistance in creating website content and menu generation |
🏆 Winner: Square Online
. Square Online, with a score of 7.4, utilizes AI to enhance the ecommerce experience and streamline operations. Its AI features focus on customer behavior analysis, personalized shopping experiences, and content generation.
Format, on the other hand, does not have any AI capabilities. This lack of AI features may limit the platform’s ability to provide personalized experiences and automate certain tasks.
User Management
User ManagementAssesses the platforms’ capabilities in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility.Score Components:
- Role Customization (40%): Flexibility in creating and defining user roles and
permissions. - Ease of Management (30%): User interface and tools for managing users.
- Access Control (20%): Effectiveness of access control measures for different user
levels. - Scalability (10%): Ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently.
2.8
5.2
🏆 Winner: Square Online
. Managing your online team with Format and Square Online involves different approaches to website editing access.
- Format allows only one user to manage and edit websites.
- Square Online allows multiple staff accounts, however the platform does not specify how many accounts are supported.
Additional Features
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SSL Certificate |
|
|
|
Custom Domain |
|
|
|
Free Custom Domain Included |
|
|
|
International Domains |
|
|
|
Mobile Responsive |
|
|
|
Page Speed |
|
|
|
Website Builder Mobile App |
|
|
|
Convert a Website To An App |
|
|
|
Website Analytics |
|
|
|
Multilingual Sites |
|
|
|
Multiple Users |
|
|
User Feedback
Users highly praise Format for its user-friendly website builder, particularly noting the ease of adding images and the effectiveness of customer service. Many reviewers appreciate the variety of modern templates and the platform’s suitability for users without technical expertise, especially photographers. Format’s mobile app and proofing section receive special mentions for their convenience and functionality. However, some users desire more customization options, particularly for mobile views, and mention minor limitations in template flexibility and SEO functionality. Overall, Format is celebrated for its ability to provide a professional online presence easily and efficiently, solving users’ needs for showcasing work and attracting new clients.
Users appreciate Square Online Store for its ease of setup, no initial payment requirement for registration, and dependable payment processing. The platform is lauded for its simple user interface, which allows for quick product sales and efficient inventory management. However, some users express dissatisfaction with the limited design customization options and the simplicity of the store layouts, noting that they do not match the design quality of competitors like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify. Additionally, limitations in scheduled order processing and a desire for more advanced features and better support for custom HTML and SEO were highlighted.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
FAQ
Who should use Format vs. Square Online?
Can I sell products on both Format and Square Online?
Which platform offers better design and customization options?
How do Format and Square Online compare in terms of ease of use?
Which platform is more affordable?
How do the platforms compare in hosting quality and website speed optimization?
Which platform offers better customer support?
Are there any AI capabilities on either platform?
Can I manage multiple users on both platforms?
What are users saying about Format and Square Online?
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