Why I Moved My Digital Products from Squarespace to Podia
Updated Oct 2024
My journey with online course platforms has been quite the adventure, filled with twists, turns, and a fair share of "aha" moments. From Podia to Squarespace, and back again, here's the story of how I found the right fit for my digital products.
Picture this: It's late 2019, and I'm exploring the world of digital products with Podia. Life's good, ideas are flowing, and then... 2020 arrives with its, well let’s just call them unexpected challenges. Suddenly, my focus shifted to blogging and 1:1 services, and Squarespace seemed like the better perfect fit for those needs at that time.
As time went on, Squarespace introduced Member Areas and Courses and I was genuinely excited. The prospect of having built-in digital product tools on a platform I already knew and loved was enticing. It seemed like the perfect solution.
But here's the thing about shiny new objects - sometimes the shine wears off, revealing a few limitations underneath. Don't get me wrong, Squarespace is still an excellent platform for many projects, and I remain a proud Squarespace Circle member and Community Leader. However, I've always believed in using the best tool for the job, and for digital products, I realized I needed to look elsewhere.
In my search for the ideal platform, I've explored options like Kajabi and Teachable. Each has its strengths, but none quite hit that sweet spot I was looking for. It was starting to feel like I was on an endless quest for the perfect solution.
That's when I remembered Podia. Like an old friend who got a cool makeover, it had evolved. Improved blogging capabilities? Check ✅ Enhanced website builder? Double-check ✅✅ It was like Podia had been quietly improving while I wasn't looking, and I was intrigued.
So, why am I telling you all this? Because whether you're a fellow web designer juggling client sites or a DIY enthusiast trying to wrap your head around digital products, I've been in your shoes. I've wrestled with the platforms, I've navigated the learning curves, and I've experienced the joy when things finally clicked.
In this post, I'll walk you through my decision to return to Podia, comparing its features with Squarespace and explaining why it's now my go-to platform for digital products. We'll dive into the details - the advantages, the considerations, and the "why didn't I think of that before?" moments.
Whether you're team Squarespace, curious about Podia, or just trying to make sense of the digital product landscape, this post is for you. Let's explore together and find the right platform for you.
Why Podia Won Me Over
1. Reliability and Ease of Use
One of the biggest draws of Podia is its reliability and ease of use. While Squarespace is known for its user-friendly interface, I found myself spending more time troubleshooting and tinkering with layouts than actually creating content. With Podia, things just... work.
Key benefits:
Less buggy experience compared to recent Squarespace issues
Intuitive web builder with consistent design across all screen sizes
More time for content creation, less time spent on technical issues
Personal experience: A particular pain point with Squarespace was (and is) the tablet view. While I've developed some workarounds, none are perfect. I really dislike having to tinker with mobile view separately on Squarespace when things should just stack beautifully with perfect spacing and no overlapping content. Podia solves this issue effortlessly, allowing me to focus on creating valuable content rather than endlessly tweaking layouts.
2. Comprehensive Feature Set
Podia offers a robust set of features that cater specifically to digital product creators. Here's how it compares to Squarespace:
Unlimited video storage (Squarespace has limitations depending on the plan)
Built-in communities (not available on Squarespace)
Easy upsells and bundling options (either not available or limited on Squarespace)
Built-in customer chat (extra cost on Squarespace, using a third-party tool)
Integrated affiliate program (extra cost on Squarespace, using a third-party tool)
Personal take: These integrated features have streamlined my workflow significantly. No more juggling multiple platforms or paying for additional tools – it's all right there in Podia.
3. Superior Digital Product Management
When it comes to managing digital products, Podia truly shines:
Cohesive "storefront" for digital products
Intuitive course platform with less tinkering required
Easy creation of bundles and payment plans
Ability to sell subscriptions and options for digital products
My experience: On Squarespace, I felt like I was constantly cobbling together digital product blocks, trying to create a cohesive offering. It was technically possible to do some of these things, but it required stringing together multiple features in a way that felt clunky. With Podia, I can focus on creating content rather than moving blocks around, and the ease of creating bundles has noticeably boosted my sales.
4. Enhanced Customer Experience
Podia provides a seamless experience not just for creators, but for customers too:
Clear, unified dashboard for customers to access all purchases
Improved delivery of digital products
What this means for my customers: On Squarespace, it was often hard for customers to see everything they've purchased or have access to. With Podia, I can easily provide access to multiple files, larger files, and even provide supporting content for each download. It's a night-and-day difference in terms of user experience.
5. Integrated Marketing and Sales Features
Podia's marketing and sales features are where it really sets itself apart:
Comprehensive email marketing integration
Advanced features like tagging/segmenting and automated sequences
Simplified, truly all-in-one solution
My journey: I was previously using ConvertKit for email marketing (and still really recommend it especially for their eCommerce integration with Squarespace), but when they announced they’re rebranding, I took it as an opportunity to just see what else was around. Squarespace's built-in email marketing platform (Email Campaigns) lacks features I need, such as tagging/segmenting and true automated sequences. Podia's email marketing is simpler than ConvertKit, but it offers all the features I actually use. Having everything built into one platform is a dream - it's what I wished Squarespace's Email Campaigns could be, but with Podia, it actually works!
6. Stellar Customer Support
One of the standout features of Podia is its exceptional customer support:
Responsive and helpful support team
Comprehensive knowledge base and resources
A real-life example: Recently, I noticed a small bug in Podia's color themes. The support person responded personally and quickly, acknowledging the problem, offering a viable short-term solution, and promising a complete fix within one business day. True to their word, the tech person followed up, and the issue was resolved promptly. This level of responsiveness and follow-through is refreshing, especially when compared to my recent experiences with Squarespace where bugs are often acknowledged half-heartedly and never actually resolved.
Pricing Breakdown: Simplicity vs. Complexity
Let's talk money, folks. One of the things that drew me back to Podia was its refreshingly simple pricing structure. They've got two plans and a couple straightforward add-ons. Squarespace, on the other hand, has a pricing structure that's about as straightforward as a corn maze. Let's break it down:
Podia Pricing
Mover Plan
$33/MO (PAID ANNUALLY)
5% fees
Includes:
30-day free trial
Unlimited download products
Unlimited coaching
Online community w/ unlimited members
Unlimited courses
Unlimited webinars
Unlimited product bundles
Free migration of up to 20 products
Shaker Plan
$75/MO (PAID ANNUALLY)
0% fees
Includes:
30-day free trial
Unlimited download products
Unlimited coaching
Online community w/ unlimited members
Unlimited courses
Unlimited webinars
Unlimited product bundles
Free migration of up to 30 products
Affiliates
Podia Add-Ons:
Email Marketing: Free for first 100 subscribers, $7/mo for up to 500, $13 for up to 1500, etc. All plans include all features including unlimited emails.
Teammates: Add 1 teammate for $16.67/mo, 5 for $41.67/mo, etc. Granular permissions mean teammates only see what you want them to.
ℹ️ For more about Podia features, check out this post.
Squarespace Pricing
Business
$23/MO
3% fees
Includes:
14-day free trial
Unlimited download products
Unlimited contributors
Basic Commerce
$28/MO
0% fees
Includes:
14-day free trial
Unlimited download products
Unlimited contributors
Advanced Commerce
$52/MO
0% fees
Includes:
14-day free trial
Unlimited download products
Unlimited subscription products
Unlimited contributors
Squarespace Add-Ons:
Courses & Memberships: On any plan above, sell unlimited courses & memberships for an additional 9% transaction fee. Alternatively, add a Digital Products subscription:
Starter Plan: $9/mo (7% fees)
Core Plan: $29/mo (3% fees)
Pro Plan: $89/mo (0% fees)
Higher plans also come with increased video storage limits.
Email Marketing: Free to collect subscribers, then:
Starter Plan: $7/mo (500 email limit)
Core Plan: $14/mo (5,000 email limit)
Higher plans available for additional emails. All plans include unlimited subscribers.
Scheduling: Add booking capability for coaching sessions:
Emerging Plan: $16/mo for 1 calendar & unlimited services/appointments
Higher plans available for additional features.
ℹ️ For a full Squarespace plan comparison, check out this post.
Now, let's put this into perspective with a real-world scenario:
Imagine you're an aspiring entrepreneur, ready to take the digital world by storm with a course, a few digital downloads, and some coaching sessions. You also want to build an email list and maybe dabble in affiliate marketing. Let's see how the costs stack up after a year:
Podia Path:
Shaker Plan: $75/month x 12 = $900/year
Email Marketing (assuming 500 subscribers): $7/month x 12 = $84/year
Total: $984/year
With this, you get unlimited everything (courses, downloads, coaching, webinars), affiliate capabilities, and email marketing.
Squarespace Route:
Advanced Commerce: $52/month x 12 = $624/year
Digital Products (to avoid 9% fee): $89/month x 12 = $1,068/year
Email Marketing (500 emails/month): $7/month x 12 = $84/year
Scheduling: $16/month x 12 = $192/year
Total: $1,968/year
And even with this higher price tag, you're still missing out on features like webinars and affiliate marketing.
The bottom line? Podia not only comes out cheaper in this scenario but also offers more features and flexibility. Plus, you're not nickel-and-dimed for every additional feature you need.
Of course, your specific needs might be different, and Squarespace could be the better choice if you're primarily focused on a content-heavy website with just a few digital products. But for serious digital product creators, Podia's pricing structure offers both simplicity and value that's hard to beat.
Remember, the best platform for you depends on your specific business needs. Whether you're a web designer looking to expand your service offerings or a DIY enthusiast venturing into the world of digital products, I hope this breakdown helps you make an informed decision.
WheRE Squarespace TRULY Shines
While Podia is my new go-to for digital products, Squarespace still has its strengths and place in your platform lineup:
Excellent for simple physical product e-commerce and service-based businesses. Squarespace is a strong alternative to Shopify for simple physical products and most small business eCommerce solutions.
Superior overall website design capabilities - if you like to add custom code or want to tweak things Squarespace is the way to go.
Ideal for businesses primarily focused on content creation and not offering any digital products.
It's worth noting that I've personally kept my main homepage and blog on Squarespace due to the domain authority I've built over time. If you don't sell digital products and are solely a service-based company, Squarespace is likely the better solution.
Additional reading:
Making the Transition
Transitioning from Squarespace to Podia for digital products was surprisingly smooth:
For those considering the switch, Podia's migration service is a game-changer. Depending on your plan, they can move a significant number of your products, and even transfer your email subscribers, tags, segments, and campaigns if you opt for an annual Podia Email plan.
Podia offers the ability to embed Podia buy buttons on Squarespace sites for a hybrid approach. This could be a great solution for people wanting to stay on Squarespace but still have some of the advanced digital products capabilities of Podia. Like I did, this option would allow you to keep some pages on Squarespace for SEO benefits - a potential “best of both worlds” solution.
The Results: Why I'm Sticking with Podia
Since making the switch to Podia for my digital products, I've seen significant improvements:
More time for content creation ⏲️
Increased sales due to better upsell and bundling options 💰
Improved customer satisfaction with the unified dashboard 🤩
Streamlined workflow with all digital product tools in one place 🎯
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right platform for your digital products is crucial for your online business success. While Squarespace remains an excellent choice for many website needs, Podia has proven to be the superior option for my digital product offerings.
Remember, the best platform for you depends on your specific business needs. Whether you're a web designer looking to expand your service offerings or a DIY enthusiast venturing into the world of digital products, I hope my experience helps you make an informed decision.
