You don't need a checking account to start a Squarespace website, but you will need one to get paid
Squarespace is a website builder that lets you create an online store or business site. You can build the entire site, add products, and set up payment processing without a checking account. But the moment a customer pays you, Squarespace needs somewhere to send that money — and that somewhere is a business or personal checking account.
If you're only building a portfolio or informational website with no sales, you can skip the checking account entirely. If you plan to sell anything — physical products, digital downloads, services, or memberships — you'll need one before you can actually receive the money.
Key Takeaways
- You can build and design a Squarespace website without a checking account, but you cannot receive customer payments without one.
- Squarespace connects to your checking account through Stripe or Square, payment processors that deposit customer money directly into your bank.
- You can use either a personal checking account or a business checking account; Squarespace does not require you to have a business account specifically.
- If you don't have a checking account yet, you can open one at a bank or credit union before connecting Squarespace to your payment processor.
- Squarespace charges transaction fees on each sale, which are deducted before the money reaches your account.
How Squarespace connects to your bank account
When you set up a Squarespace store, you choose a payment processor — usually Stripe or Square. This processor acts as the middleman between your customer and your bank. The customer pays Stripe or Square, Stripe or Square takes a small fee, and then the remaining money goes into your checking account, usually within one to three business days.
To make this connection, you give Squarespace your bank account number and routing number. These are the same numbers you would use to set up direct deposit at a job. You're not giving Squarespace access to withdraw money; you're telling them where to send the money that comes in.
The payment processor needs a real bank account because they are moving actual money. They cannot send payments to a savings account, a money market account, or a prepaid card — only a checking account tied to your name or business name.
Personal checking account versus business checking account
Squarespace does not require you to have a business checking account. You can use a personal checking account to receive customer payments. Many small business owners start this way, especially if they're just testing whether the business will work.
A business checking account becomes useful once you're consistently making sales, because it separates your personal money from your business money. This makes taxes simpler and protects your personal assets if something goes wrong with the business. But Squarespace itself does not care which type you use — the payment processor only needs a valid account number and routing number.
If you already have a personal checking account, you can start using Squarespace with it today. You can open a business account later if your sales grow.
What happens if you don't have a checking account yet
If you don't have any checking account, you'll need to open one before you can receive payments through Squarespace. This takes a few days to a week, depending on the bank. You can open a checking account at a traditional bank, a credit union, or an online bank — Squarespace works with all of them.
When you open the account, you'll get a debit card, a checkbook, and most importantly, your account number and routing number. Write these down or save them somewhere safe. You'll need them when you connect Squarespace to your payment processor.
Some online banks can open an account in minutes and give you your account number right away, so you can connect Squarespace the same day. Traditional banks and credit unions usually take a few business days to fully set up the account before you can use it for incoming transfers.
Squarespace fees and what they mean for your account
Squarespace charges a transaction fee on each sale — usually between 2.9% and 3.5% of the sale price, plus a small flat fee like $0.30. This fee is taken out before the money reaches your checking account. So if a customer pays $100, you might receive $96.50 or $97 in your account, depending on which payment processor you use.
These fees are separate from any monthly subscription fee you pay Squarespace for the website itself. The subscription fee comes out of your checking account each month. The transaction fees come out of customer payments before they arrive.
Your bank may also charge you fees for receiving transfers, though most checking accounts do not. Check your account agreement or ask your bank whether they charge for incoming transfers or deposits.
Setting up payment processing step by step
Once you have a checking account and a Squarespace website, connecting them takes about 10 minutes. In your Squarespace settings, go to the Payments section and choose Stripe or Square. You'll be asked to create an account with that processor (or sign in if you already have one).
The processor will ask for your bank account number, routing number, and some basic information about you or your business. They may ask for your Social Security number or tax ID to verify your identity. This is normal and required by law.
Once the processor verifies your information, it usually takes one to two business days before the connection is live. After that, customer payments will start flowing into your checking account automatically.
What to do if you're not ready to take payments yet
If you're building a Squarespace site but don't plan to sell anything for a while, you don't need to set up payments or open a checking account right now. You can build the entire site, add pages, upload images, and design everything without touching the payment settings.
When you're ready to start selling, that's when you'll need a checking account and a payment processor. You can set it up in a few minutes once the account is open. There's no penalty for waiting, and Squarespace won't push you to connect payments before you're ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?
No. Payment processors like Stripe and Square only send money to checking accounts. A savings account won't work because it's not designed for frequent deposits and withdrawals. You need a checking account specifically.
What if I don't have a Social Security number or tax ID?
The payment processor will ask for one of these to verify your identity. If you're a U.S. citizen without an SSN, you may be able to use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you're not a U.S. citizen, contact Stripe or Square directly — they have different rules for international business owners.
Can I use someone else's checking account to receive my Squarespace payments?
Technically you can, but it's not recommended. The account holder's name must match the name on your Squarespace account or your business registration. If they don't match, the payment processor may freeze the account or ask you to prove you have permission to use it.
How long does it take for money to appear in my checking account after a customer pays?
Usually one to three business days. Weekends and holidays can add time. Some payment processors offer faster payouts for an extra fee, but the standard timeline is two to three business days.
Do I need a business license to connect my checking account to Squarespace?
No. Squarespace and the payment processors don't require a business license. You can use a personal checking account and a personal name. However, your city or state may require a business license depending on what you're selling — that's a separate requirement from Squarespace.