How to build your first Squarespace website

Squarespace (SQSP) is a popular website builder that offers a wide range of features and templates to suit various needs and industries. Whether you're starting an online store, showcasing your portfolio, or launching a blog, Squarespace provides the tools and resources to bring your vision to life.

In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of building a Squarespace website. From the initial preparations to designing and publishing your site, we'll cover everything you need to know to create a professional and successful online presence. So, let's dive in and discover how you can harness the power of Squarespace to build your dream website.

Why Squarespace?

Building a website can be a daunting task, but Squarespace makes it easy and accessible for users of all skill levels. Here are some of the key benefits of using Squarespace for building websites:

1. User-Friendly Interface

Squarespace offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to easily navigate and customize your website. With its drag-and-drop functionality, you can effortlessly add and arrange elements on your site without any coding knowledge.

2. Beautiful Templates

Squarespace provides a wide selection of professionally designed templates that are visually stunning and mobile-responsive. These templates are customizable, allowing you to personalize your website to match your brand and style. We also have a large selection of 3rd party templates that cater to different niches and industries.

3. All-in-One Platform:

Squarespace is an all-in-one platform that includes hosting, domain registration, and content management system. This means you don't have to worry about finding separate hosting or domain services, as everything is conveniently integrated into one platform.

4. Reliable and Secure:

Squarespace ensures that your website is secure and reliable. It offers built-in security features, such as SSL certificates, to protect your site and visitors' data. Additionally, Squarespace handles all the technical aspects of hosting, ensuring that your website is always up and running smoothly. Are there hiccups? Yes. But you can always find status updates here.

5. Mobile Optimization:

With the increasing use of mobile devices, it's crucial to have a website that is optimized for mobile viewing. Squarespace automatically optimizes your website for mobile devices, ensuring that it looks great and functions seamlessly on smartphones and tablets.

6. SEO-Friendly:

Squarespace provides built-in SEO tools and features to help improve your website's visibility in search engine rankings. You can easily optimize your site's meta tags, URLs, and content to attract more organic traffic.

Read more: How good is your Squarespace SEO?

7. Customer Support:

Squarespace offers excellent customer support through various channels, including live chat, email, and extensive documentation. Their support team is knowledgeable and responsive, ready to assist you with any questions or issues you may encounter.

These are just a few of the many benefits of using Squarespace for building websites. Whether you're a small business owner, a creative professional, or an individual looking to establish an online presence, Squarespace provides the tools and resources to create a beautiful and functional website with ease.

Getting Started with Squarespace

Before diving into the process of building a Squarespace website, there are a few preparatory steps you need to take. These steps will ensure that you have the necessary tools and resources in place to create and publish your website seamlessly. Let's explore these preparatory steps in detail:

Get an email address

Having a professional email address associated with your domain name adds credibility to your website. Consider creating an email address that aligns with your brand or website name. There are various email service providers available, such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, that offer custom email addresses.

Register a domain name

A domain name is the unique web address that visitors will use to access your website. It's important to choose a domain name that is memorable, relevant to your website's purpose, and easy to spell. You can register a domain name through Squarespace or other domain registrars like GoDaddy or Namecheap.

Choose a Squarespace Plan

Web hosting is the service that allows your website to be accessible on the internet. Squarespace offers integrated web hosting, which means you can host your website directly on their platform. This eliminates the need to find a separate web hosting provider. When you sign up for a Squarespace plan, web hosting is included.

By completing these preparatory steps, you'll have an email address, a domain name, and web hosting ready to go. This will ensure a smooth and efficient process as you move forward with building your Squarespace website.

What’s the purpose of your site?

Once you have completed the preparatory steps, it's time to determine the goals and plans for your Squarespace website. This stage is crucial as it sets the foundation for the design and content of your site. Let's explore the steps involved in determining your website goals and plans:

A. Identify the purpose and target audience of the website:

Consider the main purpose of your website. Are you creating an online store, a portfolio, a blog, or a business website? Clearly define the goals and objectives you want to achieve with your website. Additionally, identify your target audience and understand their needs and preferences. This will help you tailor your website's content and design to effectively engage and attract your target audience.

B. Select a template that aligns with the website's goals:

Squarespace offers a wide range of professionally designed templates that cater to different industries and website types. Browse through the template options and select one that aligns with your website's goals and target audience. Consider the layout, color scheme, and overall aesthetic of the template to ensure it resonates with your brand and website purpose.

C. Customize the template to fit the website's branding and design:

Once you have chosen a template, it's time to customize it to reflect your branding and design preferences. Squarespace provides a user-friendly interface that allows you to easily customize various elements of your website. Customize the colors, fonts, images, and layout to match your brand identity. Add your logo, create a cohesive visual style, and ensure that the overall design aligns with your website's goals and target audience.

By identifying the purpose and target audience of your website, selecting a suitable template, and customizing it to fit your branding and design, you will create a website that effectively communicates your message and engages your visitors. This stage sets the stage for the content creation and further development of your Squarespace website.

Understanding the Squarespace Dashboard

The Squarespace dashboard is your central hub for managing and maintaining your website. It provides access to various settings, tools, and resources to help you make the most of your Squarespace experience. Here's an overview of the key features and sections you'll find in the Squarespace dashboard:

1. Websites: This section displays all the websites you have created using Squarespace. You can access each website's settings, analytics, and other management options from here.

2. Domains: In this section, you can manage your domain names, including connecting existing domains or purchasing new ones. You can also set up domain email addresses and configure domain settings.

3. Commerce: If you're running an online store, this section is where you'll find all the tools and settings related to your e-commerce operations. You can manage products, orders, inventory, discounts, and payment options.

4. Marketing: This section provides tools for managing your marketing efforts. You can create and send email campaigns, set up promotional pop-ups and banners, connect social media profiles, and optimize your website for search engines.

5. Analytics: Here, you can access detailed analytics and insights about your website's performance. You can track visitor behavior, traffic sources, conversion rates, and other key metrics to gain a better understanding of your audience and make data-driven decisions.

6. Settings: The settings section is where you can configure various aspects of your website. You can customize site-wide settings, manage user permissions, set up billing and account information, and configure other advanced options.

7. Help: If you need assistance or have questions, the help section provides access to Squarespace's extensive knowledge base, video tutorials, and community forums. You can search for specific topics or browse through the available resources to find answers to your queries.

The Squarespace dashboard is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, allowing you to easily navigate between different sections and access the tools and settings you need. Take some time to explore the dashboard and familiarize yourself with its features. This will empower you to effectively manage and maintain your Squarespace website.

Creating Content for your Website

Once you have determined the goals and plans for your Squarespace website, it's time to develop the content that will populate your site. The specific content needs will vary depending on the type of website you are creating. Let's explore the content considerations for different types of websites:

1. Business Websites:

- About Us: Provide information about your business, its mission, and values.

- Products/Services: Showcase your offerings, including detailed descriptions, images, and pricing.

- Testimonials/Reviews: Highlight positive feedback from satisfied customers.

- Contact Information: Include your business address, phone number, and email for customer inquiries.

- FAQs: Address common questions and provide helpful answers.

2. Personal Websites:

- About Me: Introduce yourself and share your background, interests, and achievements.

- Portfolio: Showcase your work, whether it's photography, writing, design, or any other creative endeavor.

- Blog: Share your thoughts, experiences, and expertise through regular blog posts.

- Contact Form: Allow visitors to reach out to you directly through a contact form.

3. Announcement Websites:

- Event Details: Provide information about the event, including date, time, location, and any special instructions.

- RSVP: Include a form or link for attendees to RSVP to the event.

- Updates/News: Keep visitors informed about any updates or news related to the event.

- Contact Information: Provide a way for visitors to get in touch with any questions or concerns.

Consider the specific content needs for your website type and create compelling and informative content that engages your target audience. Use clear and concise language, incorporate relevant keywords for search engine optimization, and ensure that the content aligns with your website's goals and branding.

Remember, Squarespace provides easy-to-use content management tools that allow you to add and edit content seamlessly. Take advantage of these features to create a well-structured and engaging website.

Adding content to your Squarespace site

Once you have considered the specific content needs for your website, it's time to create and edit the content for each page. This step is crucial in conveying your message effectively and engaging your website visitors. Here's a breakdown of how to create and edit content for each page of your Squarespace website:

1. Homepage:

- Craft a compelling headline that grabs attention and clearly communicates the purpose of your website.

- Write a concise and engaging introduction that provides an overview of your website and its offerings.

- Use visually appealing images or videos that align with your brand and capture the attention of visitors.

- Include clear calls-to-action (CTAs) that guide visitors to take the desired actions, such as signing up for a newsletter or exploring your products/services.

2. About Us/About Me:

- Share the story behind your business or personal brand, highlighting your values, mission, and unique selling points.

- Provide background information about yourself or your team, showcasing your expertise and experience.

- Use a friendly and conversational tone to connect with your audience and build trust.

3. Products/Services:

- Create detailed descriptions for each product or service, highlighting their features, benefits, and pricing.

- Include high-quality images or videos that showcase your products or demonstrate your services in action.

- Use persuasive language to convey the value and uniqueness of your offerings.

4. Portfolio/Gallery:

- Showcase your best work, whether it's images, videos, or other creative projects.

- Provide context and descriptions for each piece, explaining the inspiration, process, and outcome.

- Organize your portfolio or gallery in a visually appealing and user-friendly manner, allowing visitors to easily navigate and explore your work.

5. Blog/News:

- Write informative and engaging blog posts or news articles that are relevant to your target audience.

- Use a consistent tone and style throughout your posts to maintain a cohesive brand voice.

- Incorporate relevant keywords for search engine optimization and include internal and external links to enhance the reader's experience.

6. Contact/Contact Form:

- Provide clear contact information, including your email address, phone number, and physical address if applicable.

- Include a contact form that allows visitors to easily reach out to you with inquiries or feedback.

- Consider adding a map or directions if you have a physical location.

As you create and edit the content for each page, keep in mind the overall goals and branding of your website. Use clear and concise language, proofread for grammar and spelling errors, and ensure that the content is engaging and informative. Squarespace's content management tools make it easy to add, edit, and format your content, allowing you to create a polished and professional website.

How to publish your Squarespace site

Once you have developed and edited the content for your Squarespace website, it's time to go live and make it accessible to the public. Here are the steps involved in publishing your Squarespace website:

A. Set the site availability to public or password-protected:

In the Squarespace settings, you can choose whether to make your website publicly accessible or password-protected. If you're still in the development phase or want to limit access to a specific audience, you can set a password to restrict access. Once you're ready to launch, you can change the site availability to public.

B. Preview the website to ensure it looks and functions as intended:

Before publishing your website, it's crucial to preview it to ensure that everything looks and functions as intended. Squarespace provides a preview mode that allows you to see how your website will appear to visitors. Take the time to review each page, check for any errors or inconsistencies, and make any necessary adjustments.

C. Choose a pricing plan and upgrade to a paid subscription if necessary:

Squarespace offers different pricing plans with varying features and capabilities. Evaluate your website's needs and choose a pricing plan that aligns with your requirements. If you're using a free trial, it's important to upgrade to a paid subscription before publishing your website. This will ensure that your website remains accessible and that you can take advantage of all the features and benefits offered by Squarespace.

Squarespace Pricing Plans

It's important to note that pricing may vary depending on the region and any promotional offers that may be available. The pricing you provided reflects the current monthly and annual pricing for Squarespace plans. Here's a summary of the pricing:

1. Personal Plan:

- Monthly: $23 per month

- Annual: $16 per month (billed annually)

2. Business Plan:

- Monthly: $33 per month

- Annual: $23 per month (billed annually)

3. Basic Commerce Plan:

- Monthly: $36 per month

- Annual: $27 per month (billed annually)

4. Advanced Commerce Plan:

- Monthly: $65 per month

- Annual: $49 per month (billed annually)

It's important to consider your website's needs and budget when choosing a Squarespace plan. Each plan offers different features and capabilities, so evaluate your requirements and select the plan that best aligns with your goals. Remember that annual billing offers savings compared to monthly billing.

Please note that pricing and plans are subject to change, so it's always a good idea to visit the Squarespace website for the most up-to-date information.

D. Integrate marketing tools and ecommerce features if desired:

If you want to enhance your website's marketing capabilities or sell products online, Squarespace offers various integrations and features. You can integrate marketing tools like email marketing services, social media platforms, and analytics tools to optimize your website's performance. Additionally, if you're running an online store, you can set up ecommerce features such as product listings, payment gateways, and inventory management.

By following these steps, you can confidently publish your Squarespace website and make it available to your audience. Remember to regularly update and maintain your website to ensure its continued success and effectiveness.