Inside the Squarespace–Shopify Hybrid Artist Website I Built
(And Why It Might Be Right for You Too)
When my beloved client, artist Rebecca Katz, envisioned her print shop, she knew she wanted it to feel as intentional and beautifully designed as her studio practice—but she also wanted the power of Shopify for the e-commerce side. Cue the Squarespace–Shopify hybrid: a solution that took hours of planning, art direction, and sheer creative love to bring to life.
You see, I’m Rebecca’s website and shop manager (a role I don’t take on for everyone, but for the right fit, it’s an absolute joy). From co-curating which paintings would become fine art prints, to sourcing the perfect print partner, to ordering proofs and making sure every single image glowed on screen as it did in real life, my role was equal parts creative director, tech architect, and studio steward.
The result? A seamless hybrid site where Rebecca can showcase her expressive, light-filled paintings in Squarespace’s flexible design environment, while her print collectors get the streamlined, world-class shopping experience that only Shopify can offer.
Why a Hybrid Site?
Here’s the truth: Shopify is unmatched when it comes to ecommerce. Bulk product management, complex shipping setups, dropshipping integrations, ad tracking, the Shop App — it’s all there, and it works. But when it comes to design? Shopify themes can feel rigid, and even minor tweaks often require coding or risky updates.
Squarespace, on the other hand, makes design easy. Artists can update their own pages, build out sales funnels, or add new content without worrying about breaking anything. Updates happen in the background. No hiring a developer every time you want to move a button or adjust your layout.
Favorite Squarespace Features
Elegant, flexible design
Easy page creation for portfolios, exhibitions, Workshops, or sales pages
Built-in blogging for storytelling + SEO
Fast, intuitive editing that you can update without tech help
And more
Favorite Shopify Features
Bulk product uploads and edits
Powerful inventory + order management
Complex shipping rules + dropshipping integrations
Advanced analytics + ROI tracking for ads
Wide app ecosystem for growth
And more
So, why choose? With a hybrid, you don’t have to.
Who It’s For (and Who It’s Not For)
This setup is perfect for artists who:
Want the freedom to design and update their main site with minimal or no coding. Squarespace makes it easy to manage pages, portfolios, and sales funnels without worrying about breaking the site or hiring a developer for every change.
Manage a large volume of products and/or sales. Shopify’s bulk product tools, inventory management, and order processing are designed to scale as your art business grows.
Need complex shipping or dropshipping setups. From international shipping rules to specialized integrations, Shopify has the infrastructure to handle complexity that Squarespace alone cannot.
Plan to run ads and track ROI. Shopify’s advanced analytics, ad tracking, and abandoned cart features give you clearer insight into what’s working and what’s not.
Value blogging or content marketing as part of their art business. Squarespace offers a seamless, beautifully designed blogging experience that makes it easy to share process essays, behind-the-scenes stories, or collector updates — without bolting on yet another platform.
Have an annual budget of at least $620 for platform fees. This includes Shopify’s Basic plan ($348/year when paid annually) and Squarespace’s Core plan ($276/year when paid annually), with additional budget flexibility for premium themes or apps.
Either have the technical know-how to connect the two platforms—or the budget to hire a pro. A hybrid requires thoughtful setup to feel seamless, and many artists prefer to have someone manage that integration for them. (👋 hi, that’s me!).
It’s not for artists who only sell a handful of works each year, who don’t need advanced ecommerce tools, or who aren’t ready for the added complexity and cost. I still maintain a firm stance that Squarespace is the ideal platform for most artists.
The Hidden Work Behind the Shop
The tech integration is just the beginning. Here’s a peek behind the curtain of the collaboration and care that went into Rebecca’s shop creation:
Curation. Carefully selecting which of Rebecca’s skyscapes would become prints—and pairing each piece with the paper that best captured its atmosphere and light.
Print Partner Sourcing. Finding a partner whose quality matched Rebecca’s standards, even if it meant handling orders manually for the time being because there’s no direct Shopify integration yet.
Proofing. Ordering test prints, examining them in different light, making image adjustments until they were perfect.
Art Direction. Designing print images and videos that truly conveyed their texture, scale, and brilliance—making sure the online experience echoed the feeling of standing in front of her canvases.
Strategy & Systems. Mapping out the collector journey beyond checkout—from abandoned cart recovery and post-purchase thank-you flows to integrating Flodesk. Every touchpoint was designed to feel intentional and on-brand, extending Rebecca’s approach and exquisite attention to detail into the entire shopping experience.
Integration. Meticulously weaving Shopify’s shop pages into the Squarespace site so collectors experienced it as one beautiful, seamless hub.
Ongoing Stewardship. Now that the shop is live, I manage customer inquiries, place orders with the print partner, and ensure every collector gets an experience worthy of Rebecca’s work.
And one of the highlights for me? While Rebecca was in the studio creating, I was quietly (and lovingly) constructing the entire backbone of her print shop—detail by detail. Supporting her vision while also giving her back precious hours for her art? Absolutely priceless.
The Cost of Running a Hybrid Site
A hybrid setup isn’t free, but it’s refreshingly straightforward. At minimum, you’re looking at about $624 per year in platform fees ($348 for Shopify’s Basic plan + $276 for Squarespace’s Core plan).
That doesn’t include premium Shopify themes, apps, or professional support—but for the right artist, the investment pays for itself in design freedom, ecommerce performance, and peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Building Rebecca’s print shop wasn’t just a technical project—it was a labor of care. Every decision was made with her collectors in mind: how will this feel? How will this look? How can we create an experience that matches the art itself?
If you’re an artist who’s ready for a shop that feels just as exquisite as your work—and you want the kind of attentive partnership Rebecca had—I’d love to talk.
👉 Explore my website services and apply to work with me.
