E-commerce in India is growing faster than ever. From small retailers in Jaipur to national brands, more businesses are moving online to reach customers across the country. But the biggest question every business owner faces is: Should I build my eCommerce store using Shopify, Squarespace, or invest in a custom core PHP website?While Shopify and Squarespace are popular globally, they aren’t always the best choice for Indian businesses. In this blog, we’ll compare all three options and explain why Webzard’s custom core PHP eCommerce services are the perfect solution for Indian sellers.1. Understanding Shopify and SquarespaceBefore choosing a platform, you need to understand how these two work.ShopifyShopify is a fully hosted eCommerce platform. It allows you to quickly launch an online store using templates, with built-in payment gateways and order management.Pros: Fast setup (no coding required) Large selection of themes and apps Good for beginners Cons: Expensive monthly subscription in USD Transaction fees on each order Limited customization options You don’t own the source code SquarespaceSquarespace is known for its beautiful templates and easy drag-and-drop design. While it is popular for portfolio and service websites, it also offers basic eCommerce features.Pros: Attractive templates Easy content management Hosting included Cons: Limited eCommerce features compared to Shopify Not suitable for large-scale product stores Fewer integration options for Indian market 2. What is a Custom Core PHP E-Commerce Website?A custom core PHP eCommerce website is developed from scratch, tailored specifically to your business requirements. It’s not dependent on any hosted platform like Shopify or Squarespace.With custom PHP, you get: Full ownership of the code Unlimited customization for features and design No monthly subscription fees Integration with India-specific tools like UPI, Paytm, Razorpay, and COD Example: If you run a Jaipur saree shop and want a Hindi “Shop by Fabric” filter, it can be implemented exactly as you want — no plugin restrictions.3. Shopify / Squarespace vs Custom Core PHP (Webzard)1. Setup Time Shopify: Fast (2–3 days) Squarespace: Fast (2–3 days) Custom Core PHP (Webzard): Depends on requirements (10–25 days) 2. Monthly Fees Shopify: ₹2,000–₹10,000+ Squarespace: ₹1,500–₹5,000 Custom Core PHP (Webzard): One-time cost only 3. Transaction Charges Shopify: Yes Squarespace: Yes Custom Core PHP (Webzard): No 4. Customization Shopify: Limited Squarespace: Limited Custom Core PHP (Webzard): Unlimited 5. Ownership Shopify: No Squarespace: No Custom Core PHP (Webzard): 100% Yours 6. Integrations Shopify: Limited Indian support Squarespace: Limited Indian support Custom Core PHP (Webzard): Full Indian market compatibility 7. SEO Control Shopify: Limited Squarespace: Limited Custom Core PHP (Webzard): Full control 8. Scalability Shopify: Restricted Squarespace: Restricted Custom Core PHP (Webzard): Fully scalable 4. Why Indian Businesses Should Think Twice Before Choosing Shopify or SquarespaceWhile these platforms are easy to use, many Indian business owners face challenges like: High recurring costs in USD Limited payment gateway options for India Extra charges for COD or UPI payments Limited customization for local customer needs No full control over store data and hosting 5. Why Webzard’s Custom Core PHP E-Commerce Websites Are the Better ChoiceAt Webzard, we focus on building websites that fit India’s unique eCommerce needs.a) One-Time Cost – No Monthly DrainPay once and own your site forever — no ongoing subscription fees.b) Local Payment Gateway IntegrationSeamless support for UPI, Paytm, Razorpay, COD, and other Indian payment methods.c) Unlimited CustomizationFrom custom product filters to local language support, everything is possible.d) SEO-Ready from Day OneOur websites are built with strong SEO foundations to rank in Google quickly.e) Lightning Fast LoadingOptimized for speed so customers can shop without delays.f) Scalable for GrowthWhether you have 50 products or 50,000, the system can handle it.6. When to Choose Shopify / Squarespace vs Custom Core PHPChoose Shopify / Squarespace if: You need a temporary or very small store You don’t need many custom features You’re fine with monthly fees Choose Custom Core PHP (Webzard) if: You want full control over your store You want features designed for Indian customers You’re building a long-term business You prefer a one-time investment7. Real Success Story from JaipurA Jaipur-based ethnic wear store was struggling with Shopify due to high monthly fees and limited COD support. Webzard developed a custom PHP eCommerce site with: COD + UPI integration Hindi category names Fabric, color, and size filters Within three months, their sales doubled and they saved thousands in recurring fees.8. Final VerdictIf you want a quick setup and don’t mind restrictions, Shopify and Squarespace can work. But if you want full ownership, unlimited customization, Indian market features, and no monthly fees, a custom core PHP eCommerce website from Webzard is the smarter choice.Call to Action Ready to take your eCommerce business to the next level? Contact Webzard today for a powerful, India-focused online store that drives sales and growth.