Solved: Will there still be free online stores?

Halfmoon · ‎10-06-2023

I just read a notice that at the end of this month my free online store will be upgraded to a $29 a month plan. Will there still be free online stores available?

TheRealChipA · ‎10-08-2023

I followed the first link you provided above. It mentions the free plan a lot, including these excerpts that I copied and pasted. from these, I think it’s safe to assume there is still a free plan.

Again most likely you were marked for an upgrade because you are currently using a feature that will be moved to the paid tiers.

Features Moving from Free to Plus

From these changes, the following features are moving from the Free plan to the Plus plan:

Self-serve (QR-code) ordering: learn more about self-serve ordering
Order status text alerts: learn more about customizing email and text alerts
Time-based menus and categories: learn more about time-based categories
Custom embed code: learn more about adding embed code to your website

All Plus Plan Features

From these changes, the following features will only be found on the Plus plan:

All Free plan features

Downgrade to a Free Plan

To avoid charges from these changes, you can downgrade to the Free plan by canceling your subscription before your next renewal date. By doing so, you’ll lose access to connecting a custom domain to your site. You’ll need to choose a free Square subdomain to replace your existing custom domain to prevent your site from being unpublished. Learn how to use a free subdomain with Square Online.

Chip A.
Square Expert & Innovator and member of the Square Champions group. (But NOT a Square employee, just a seller like you)

Was my post helpful? Take a moment to mark it as a solution. Marked solutions help other sellers find possible resolutions to similar problems. Also, if you find your solution elsewhere (say, through Support), it is helpful to come back to your post and tell us about it, then mark that as a Solution. Solutions are what this Community is all about!

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TheRealChipA · ‎10-06-2023

Hi @Halfmoon Is it possible that you have added something to your website/store that requires a paid tier? I ask because I see no announcements that the free tier is going away. But it’s possible you are using some feature that will no longer be available in the free tier.

Can’t you post a screen shot or link to your notice?

Chip A.
Square Expert & Innovator and member of the Square Champions group. (But NOT a Square employee, just a seller like you)

Was my post helpful? Take a moment to mark it as a solution. Marked solutions help other sellers find possible resolutions to similar problems. Also, if you find your solution elsewhere (say, through Support), it is helpful to come back to your post and tell us about it, then mark that as a Solution. Solutions are what this Community is all about!

Halfmoon · ‎10-07-2023

I went into my backside of the web page to check on the shipping settings and it was on the overview page.

Here is what it said.

We are making updates to Square Online plans, including removal of your current plan. Upon your next renewal, October 24, 2023, you will automatically be upgraded to the Plus plan.

Manage your account

When you click on the Square online plans there is no option for the free web page.

TheRealChipA · ‎10-08-2023

I followed the first link you provided above. It mentions the free plan a lot, including these excerpts that I copied and pasted. from these, I think it’s safe to assume there is still a free plan.

Again most likely you were marked for an upgrade because you are currently using a feature that will be moved to the paid tiers.

Features Moving from Free to Plus

From these changes, the following features are moving from the Free plan to the Plus plan:

Self-serve (QR-code) ordering: learn more about self-serve ordering
Order status text alerts: learn more about customizing email and text alerts
Time-based menus and categories: learn more about time-based categories
Custom embed code: learn more about adding embed code to your website

All Plus Plan Features

From these changes, the following features will only be found on the Plus plan:

All Free plan features

Downgrade to a Free Plan

To avoid charges from these changes, you can downgrade to the Free plan by canceling your subscription before your next renewal date. By doing so, you’ll lose access to connecting a custom domain to your site. You’ll need to choose a free Square subdomain to replace your existing custom domain to prevent your site from being unpublished. Learn how to use a free subdomain with Square Online.

Chip A.
Square Expert & Innovator and member of the Square Champions group. (But NOT a Square employee, just a seller like you)

Was my post helpful? Take a moment to mark it as a solution. Marked solutions help other sellers find possible resolutions to similar problems. Also, if you find your solution elsewhere (say, through Support), it is helpful to come back to your post and tell us about it, then mark that as a Solution. Solutions are what this Community is all about!

TheRealChipA · ‎10-08-2023

@Halfmoon Also if you are sure you want to downgrade and that you won’t lose any current feature, go here and click on the My Services tab. You can manage subscriptions there

Chip A.
Square Expert & Innovator and member of the Square Champions group. (But NOT a Square employee, just a seller like you)

Was my post helpful? Take a moment to mark it as a solution. Marked solutions help other sellers find possible resolutions to similar problems. Also, if you find your solution elsewhere (say, through Support), it is helpful to come back to your post and tell us about it, then mark that as a Solution. Solutions are what this Community is all about!

Halfmoon · ‎10-08-2023

Maybe so, but I don't have any of the features mentioned above that are moving to the paid plan. I do have it on my own sub domain and it looks like I will have to go back to a square subdomain from what I read. It would be nice if they had a chat or customer service number where you could talk to an actual person instead of the automated thing. Thanks for the help.

TheRealChipA · ‎10-08-2023

They have both Chat And voice help. They can be found here.

I’m guessing you used to have the plan between the free tier and the plan called Plus now. If so that’s why you are being changed to the Plus plan. Free plans have never allowed custom domains. Now it makes sense.

Chip A.
Square Expert & Innovator and member of the Square Champions group. (But NOT a Square employee, just a seller like you)

Was my post helpful? Take a moment to mark it as a solution. Marked solutions help other sellers find possible resolutions to similar problems. Also, if you find your solution elsewhere (say, through Support), it is helpful to come back to your post and tell us about it, then mark that as a Solution. Solutions are what this Community is all about!