SquareSpace

Overview

• Has a 14-day free trial

• Location services integrated well into website builder 

• Ability to easily import content from other platforms when switching web hosting (no need to manually copy and paste content) 
  
  

Pros

• • Custom code options are limited:

• • • CSS and Javascript can be implemented 

    • There are not element IDs or names if attempting to use HTML DOM 

    • Content CANNOT be created with code, only modified slightly 

• • Forms are limited 

    • Cannot restrict field input

    • Cannot use HTML DOM on form fields due to no element IDs 

    • Form entries are disposed of after submission:

      • You cannot use form input in any custom code to display content based on user input

      • Must connect form to email or google drive to store submissions 

• Documentation is a bit misleading/incomplete – don’t assume Squarespace can perform certain functionality even if the documentation says it is able to

  • A lot of times, you need to purchase an additional plugin  

How to import content from other platforms when changing web hosting platforms

Step 1: Navigate to Advanced Settings and click Import/Export (Settings > Advanced > Import/Export) 

Step 2: Click Import and select the platform you would like to import content from (Wordpress, Shopify, Blogger, .csv file, etc.)  

Step 3: You will be directed to enter different information depending on the platform you chose (uploading a file, entering a url, etc.) 

How to Export web content to WordPress or a .csv file.  

Step 1: Navigate to Advanced Settings and click Import/Export (Settings > Advanced > Import/Export) 

Step 2: Click Export 

Step 3: Select whether you’d like to export to WordPress or to a .csv file 

Step 4: Confirm the page that is being exported 

Click here for more information 

How to create a background video and get its URL

Step 1: Login to your YouTube channel

Step 2: Upload the video (make sure the settings for the video are set as Public)

Step 3: Click on your video

Step 4: Click Share and copy the link

How to add a background video

Step 1: In the Home Menu click pages

Step 2: Click on your landing page

Step 3: Click on Media on the left side

Step 4: Click on Video

Step 5: Paste the Video URL into the space

Optional: Please reference this video for live instructions 

Stripe Payment Platform Integration (simple to integrate and use for small businesses)

Step 1: In the Home Menu click Commerce then click Payments

Step 2: Click Connect Stripe and a pop-up window should open

Step 3: Log in to your Stripe Account

Step 4: You will receive a confirmation email which you need to confirm

Testing Orders on Stripe (enables you to go through the checkout process as a “customer”)

Option 1: Place an order and refund yourself

            Step 1: Place an order (Checkout > Payment > Credit Card)

            Step 2: Cancel and refund the order (Home> Commerce > Orders > Cancel Order)

Option 2: Use test mode

            Step 1: Enable test mode (Home > Commerce > Payments > Test Mode > ON > Save)

            Step 2: Place and order (Checkout > Payment > Credit Card)

            Step 3: Review & clear the test order (Home > Commerce > Order > Delete Test Order)

            Step 4: Disable test mode (Home > Commerce > Payments > Test Mode > OFF > Save) 

Capturing Client Emails/Sending Campaigns through Mailchimp

Set up a pop-up that will allow/ask the client to input their email

            Step 1: Go into SquareSpace > Marketing > Promotional Pop up

    Step 2: Turn on the pop up & choose a layout that suits your website

    Step 3: Go to the Action Tab > Storage > and set up Mailchimp for connecting accounts

    Step 4: Log on to Mailchimp & ensure that the correct account is linked & run your tests

    Step 5: Create your campaigns and test those as well

Note: You should be able to set tags in Mailchimp to select and categorize clients for personalized market groups.

Click here for details on how to build a non-profit site on SquareSpace 

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) in SquareSpace

SEO factors that can be improved on SquareSpace’s platform:

1. SEO Description for each page -- add title and page descriptions
1. Include keywords that are related to page contents
2. Unique descriptions for each page to increase scope of traffic
3. Consistent description updates to help generate/direct traffic to website
2. Image Description
1. Readable file names
2. Make sure images are nimble (under 500KB)
3. Verify site with Google Search Console
1. Check URL slugs of each page on the site