Final verdict
Square Online vs Durable.co both offer unique advantages, but they cater to different user needs and preferences.
-
Square Online (Overall Grade: 7.2/10)
is a comprehensive website builder tailored for businesses looking to establish a strong online presence. It excels in ecommerce functionalities, offering a range of customizable templates, seamless integration with Square’s payment processing, and robust business management tools. Square Online is ideal for retailers, restaurants, and service businesses aiming to transition from brick-and-mortar to online sales efficiently. -
Durable.co (Overall Grade: 6.8/10)
leverages artificial intelligence to simplify the website creation process, making it an excellent choice for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Its AI capabilities allow users to build professional websites quickly without coding skills. While it may lack some advanced ecommerce features, Durable.co provides a user-friendly experience with a focus on ease of use and rapid setup, making it suitable for those looking to establish an online presence effortlessly.
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.4 |
7.0 |
|
Ease of use |
8.4 |
8.2 |
|
Ecommerce |
7.3 |
5.0 |
|
Website Editors |
6.6 |
8.1 |
|
Product testing options |
7.8 |
7.2 |
|
Price |
7.5 |
8.3 |
|
Hosting quality |
7.8 |
5.0 |
|
Website speed optimization |
6.2 |
6.5 |
|
Plugins and integrations |
7.6 |
6.4 |
|
Marketing features |
7.4 |
7.7 |
|
Customer support |
6.7 |
6.6 |
|
Security |
8.5 |
7.7 |
|
AI capabilities |
7.4 |
7.5 |
|
User Management |
5.2 |
4.3 |
Best for ecommerce
7.3
5.0
Verdict
: Square Online is a more comprehensive solution for ecommerce, especially for businesses transitioning from physical to online sales, while Durable.co is ideal for quick and easy website creation with basic ecommerce features.
-
Square Online
: Square Online excels in providing a seamless transition from brick-and-mortar to online sales, making it particularly suitable for retailers, restaurants, and service businesses. It offers robust ecommerce features, including advanced payment processing, inventory management, and POS capabilities. With a score of 7.3, it is a strong contender for businesses looking for an integrated solution. -
Durable.co
: Durable.co leverages AI to simplify the website creation process, making it an excellent choice for small businesses and entrepreneurs who need to establish an online presence quickly. While it offers essential ecommerce features like secure payments and lead capture forms, it lacks the depth and scalability of Square Online, reflected in its score of 5.0.
Best for informational & business websites
7.4
7.4
Verdict
: When comparing Square Online vs Durable.co for informational business websites, both platforms score equally at 7.4, but they cater to different user needs. Square Online is ideal for businesses looking for a comprehensive, integrated solution, while Durable.co excels in simplicity and speed with its AI-driven approach.
-
Square Online
: Square Online is a robust platform designed to help businesses transition from physical to online operations seamlessly. It offers a variety of customizable templates and easy drag-and-drop tools, making it suitable for retailers, restaurants, and service businesses. The integration with Square’s suite of payment processing and business management tools makes it a powerful choice for businesses looking to manage their online presence and operations efficiently. However, its focus on ecommerce might be more than what is needed for a simple informational site. -
Durable.co
: Durable.co leverages AI to simplify the website creation process, making it an excellent choice for small businesses and entrepreneurs who need a professional online presence quickly. The platform’s AI capabilities allow users to build a business website in seconds without any coding skills. This makes Durable.co particularly beneficial for those looking to establish an online presence without the complexity of traditional web development. While it may lack the extensive design options of Square Online, its ease of use and speed make it a strong contender for informational business websites.
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.
7.4
7.0
🏆
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.
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.
Compared to Square Online, Durable.co’s website builder offers a unique approach by prioritizing AI-powered customization over a large library of pre-built templates. Despite offering around 30 AI-generated templates, the emphasis is on unique designs tailored to user preferences.
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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.
8.4
8.2
🏆 Winner: Square Online
. With a score of 8.4, Square Online slightly edges out Durable.co (8.2) in terms of ease of use. Square Online’s drag-and-drop interface and comprehensive set of tools for ecommerce make it a user-friendly choice, especially for businesses looking to expand online.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: Square Online
. While Durable.co leverages AI assistance for an effortless user experience, it currently offers limited educational resources. On the other hand, Square Online provides comprehensive guides, video tutorials, active community forums, and accessible customer service, making it a more robust platform for learning.
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.
7.3
5.0
Square Online and Durable.co both offer ecommerce capabilities, but they cater to different needs. Square Online is a comprehensive solution, particularly tailored for retailers, restaurants, and service businesses, aiming to provide a seamless transition from brick-and-mortar operations to online sales. On the other hand, Durable.co leverages artificial intelligence to simplify the website creation process, making it an ideal solution for those looking to establish an online presence without the complexity of traditional web development.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
6.8 |
4.5 |
|
Product page customization |
7.6 |
5.5 |
|
Payment processing and commissions |
7.9 |
6.0 |
|
POS capabilities |
9.0 |
3.0 |
|
Payment gateways |
7.5 |
7.0 |
|
Product numbers |
7.0 |
4.0 |
|
Additional ecommerce features |
7.2 |
5.0 |
Square Online ecommerce features:
- Product Listing and Inventory management
- Payment Processing and POS features
- Shipping and Fulfillment
- Marketing features
Durable.co ecommerce features:
- Product pages
- Secure payments with Stripe
- Lead capture forms
- Marketing tools
Ecommerce themes & templates
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. Durable.co, on the other hand, offers pre-built website templates that can be adapted for online product sales, but it lacks traditional ecommerce features found in platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce.
Product page customization
In Square Online, you can add up to 250 variations per item, like different sizes or versions, through “Selectable Options” in the item details section of your online store. Durable.co offers customization options for product pages on their platform. Their AI-powered website builder allows for easy customization of product pages, where users can add sections, change images, and edit titles and SEO settings to suit their needs.
Payment processing
When it comes to payment processing, Square’s website builder 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. Durable.co partners with Stripe to offer secure and versatile payment processing solutions, charging a 3.1% plus $0.30 fee per credit card transaction for invoices. This collaboration enables businesses to handle various payment methods, including POS transactions, through Stripe’s comprehensive payment gateway infrastructure.
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.
6.6
8.1
🏆
Winner: Durable.co
. Durable.co, with a score of 8.1, offers a user-friendly, AI-powered platform designed to help users swiftly create business websites without the need for coding knowledge. It boasts a wide range of features, integrated SEO, and marketing tools, complemented by business management features like CRM, invoicing, and an AI assistant to enhance operational efficiency. However, despite its ease of use, it falls short in offering the advanced functionalities required for developing more complex websites, limiting its suitability for more sophisticated web projects.
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
5.5
5.5
🏆
Draw: Square Online vs Durable.co
. Both Square Online and Durable.co do not have a dedicated mobile editor app. However, they allow users to manage and edit their websites using a mobile browser. This can be convenient for making quick changes on the go, but it may come with certain limitations compared to the full desktop version. Therefore, both platforms have the same score for their mobile editor, making it a draw in this category.
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.
7.8
7.2
Overall Result
:
Square Online wins
with a score of 7.8 against Durable.co’s 7.2. Square Online offers a 30-day free trial with the possibility to test premium features, although billing information is required. Durable.co, on the other hand, does not offer a free trial for their paid plans but provides a 30-day money-back guarantee and a free plan with limited features.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free Plan |
Yes | Yes |
|
Trial Duration |
30 days | No free trial for paid plans |
|
Testing Premium Features |
Yes, during the 30-day trial | Yes, during the 30-day refundable period |
|
Money Back Guarantee |
No | 30 days |
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.
7.5
8.3
Durable.co offers a more affordable range of plans, but Square Online provides a more comprehensive set of features, especially for businesses with specific needs and high volume.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free |
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. |
Free Plan ($0/month): Offers basic features for individuals or aspiring entrepreneurs, including a subdomain, email support, and AI assistant. And up to 3 website pages. |
|
$10-$20 |
No offering at this amount. |
Starter ($15/month): For solopreneurs/small businesses, includes a custom domain, priority support, and more advanced features as well as up to 10 website pages. Value for price: 6.0 |
|
$20-$30 |
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 |
Business ($25/month): Tailored for established businesses, offering extensive CRM features, unlimited promotions, and up to 100 website pages. Value for price: 8.0 |
|
$90+ |
No offering at this amount. |
Mogul ($95/month): Designed for managing multiple businesses with a single account, offering the most comprehensive features. Offers up to 5 websites with unlimited pages. Value for price: 9.5 |
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.
7.8
5.0
Winner: Square Online
. Square Online offers unlimited bandwidth and a 99.96% uptime, although it does not provide an uptime guarantee or disclose its data center locations. Durable.co, on the other hand, includes hosting in all its plans with varying storage and bandwidth limits, but does not provide uptime statistics or information about its data centers. Despite the lack of some information, Square Online’s hosting quality score is higher, making it the winner in this category.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes, with unlimited bandwidth |
Yes, included in all of their plans |
|
Data Centers: |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
|
Type of hosting: |
Not specified |
Not specified |
|
Uptime: |
99.96% |
Not disclosed |
|
Uptime Guarantee: |
No |
No |
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.
6.2
6.5
🏆 Winner: Durable.co
Both Square Online and Durable.co have implemented various strategies for speed optimization, but Durable.co takes the lead with a slightly higher Website Speed Optimization score and a clear focus on Core Web Vital improvements.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
Lazy Loading, Code Minification, Caching, Image optimization |
Server Optimization, Image Optimization, Caching, Code minification, Lazy Loading, CDN |
|
Performance Tools |
Not specified |
Not specified |
|
Key Strategies |
Lazy Loading, Code Minification, Caching, Image optimization |
Server Optimization, Image Optimization, Caching, Code minification, Lazy Loading, CDN |
|
Load Times |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
Not published |
|
Page Speed Scores Range |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
Not published |
|
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Not provided |
Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements |
Square Online, a comprehensive website builder designed for businesses, implements various strategies for speed optimization, including lazy loading, code minification, caching, and image optimization. However, the load times and PageSpeed scores vary depending on the optimization and complexity of the website. Unfortunately, Square Online does not provide any information on their Core Web Vital improvements.
On the other hand, Durable.co, an AI Website Builder tool designed for businesses, also implements various strategies for speed optimization, including server optimization, image optimization, caching, code minification, lazy loading, and CDN. However, Durable.co does not publish aggregate data or benchmarks specific to sites hosted on their platform. Despite this, Durable.co places a clear emphasis on Core Web Vital improvements, focusing on Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) improvements. This focus on Core Web Vitals gives Durable.co a slight edge over Square Online in terms of website speed optimization.
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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.
7.6
6.4
🏆 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 span from free options to premium services, allowing businesses to tailor their Square setup to their specific needs.
On the other hand, Durable.co, with a score of 6.4, doesn’t offer its own plugins or extensions. Instead, it integrates with a variety of third-party tools and services to add functionality to your website. These integrations are not directly managed by Durable, so the number of available options and their pricing structures can vary.
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.
7.4
7.7
🏆
Overall Winner: Durable.co
. Durable.co edges out Square Online with a slightly higher score, indicating a more comprehensive set of marketing tools. Both platforms offer a similar range of features, but Durable.co’s AI capabilities and advanced analytics may provide an edge for businesses looking for more automated and data-driven marketing strategies.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SEO Tools |
|
|
|
Email Marketing |
|
|
|
Blogging |
Basic blogging features |
More advanced blogging features |
|
Social Media Integration |
Integrations with major platforms |
Comprehensive social media management tools |
|
Analytics and Reporting |
Comprehensive suite of analytics and reporting tools |
Advanced analytics with real-time data monitoring |
|
Ads and Promotions |
Comprehensive suite of tools for ads and promotions |
Targeted advertising options and performance tracking |
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.
6.7
6.6
🏆 Winner: Square Online
. In the comparison of Square Online vs Durable.co, Square Online edges out with a slightly higher customer support score. Square Online offers a range of support options, including phone, live chat, and email, with availability from 6 AM to 6 PM Pacific Time on weekdays and extended hours for account issues. Premium plan users benefit from 24/7 phone support, making it a robust option for businesses needing consistent support.
Durable.co also provides comprehensive support through phone, email, and live chat, available Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. While Durable.co’s support is efficient and prompt, it lacks the extended hours and 24/7 availability that Square Online offers, which can be crucial for businesses operating outside standard hours.
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.
8.5
7.7
🏆
Winner: Square Online
. Square Online and Durable.co both prioritize user data privacy and security, but Square Online edges out with a higher security score of 8.5 compared to Durable.co’s 7.7. Square Online provides free SSL security for every site, which is crucial for encrypting data and ensuring that personal and financial information remains confidential and protected. This level of security is essential for building trust with customers, as it secures online transactions and sensitive data.
Durable.co also uses SSL encryption and has a robust firewall to oversee and thwart any suspicious activities. However, it falls slightly short in comparison to Square Online’s comprehensive security measures.
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.
7.4
7.5
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
AI Builder |
Square Online does not have an AI website builder |
Durable.co offers an AI website builder |
|
AI Ecommerce features |
Personalized product recommendations |
Personalized product recommendations and AI-driven chatbots |
|
AI Content Generation |
AI-generated photo environments, email copy, and website content |
AI-generated blogs, social media posts, and marketing copy |
|
Additional AI Features |
Team announcements, auto-imported services, and kitchen categories |
Predictive maintenance, AI-powered inventory management, and predictive analytics for supply chain management |
🏆 Winner: Durable.co
. Durable.co, with a score of 7.5, offers a comprehensive AI website builder, AI ecommerce features, AI content generation, and additional AI features. Its AI capabilities are designed to simplify the website creation process and enhance the user experience.
Square Online, with a score of 7.4, does not have an AI website builder. However, it does offer AI ecommerce features, AI content generation, and additional AI features. Its AI capabilities are designed to enhance the shopping experience and increase operational efficiency.
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.
5.2
4.3
🏆 Winner: Square Online
. Both Square Online and Durable.co have different approaches to user management.
- Square Online allows multiple staff accounts, however the platform does not specify how many accounts are supported.
- Durable.co’s free plan doesn’t permit adding extra users; only the account owner can edit the website. In the Starter and Business Plans, one additional user can edit the website, bringing the total to two users. The Mogul Plan allows for the creation of multiple businesses under one account, each with its own website. Additional users can edit each website, but the exact number is not publicly disclosed.
Unfortunately, neither platform provides a detailed breakdown of user roles and access levels.
Additional Features
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|
|---|---|---|
|
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 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.
Durable.co, on the other hand, does not have any reviews on the G2 platform. This lack of user feedback makes it challenging to gauge user satisfaction and experiences with the platform. However, its AI-driven approach to website building is designed to simplify the process, which could be appealing to small businesses and entrepreneurs looking for a quick and easy solution to establish an online presence.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
FAQ
Which platform is better for ecommerce, Square Online or Durable.co?
Can I use Square Online and Durable.co for creating informational business websites?
How do Square Online and Durable.co compare in terms of design functionalities and templates?
Which platform is easier to use, Square Online or Durable.co?
What are the main differences in pricing between Square Online and Durable.co?
Which platform offers better customer support, Square Online or Durable.co?
How do Square Online and Durable.co fare in terms of website speed optimization?
Which platform has better AI capabilities, Square Online or Durable.co?
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