Quick Guide to Using Squarespace
Squarespace is recognised for its variety of visual templates, easy-to-use section-based editor, and robust eCommerce capabilities, making website creation seamless.
It is especially suitable for those who want to start a business online. Besides, if beautiful designs and focusing on products are your top priorities, Squarespace is great.
If you are overwhelmed by the different features, fret not. This quick tutorial will guide you through using Squarespace!
Building a Website on Squarespace
Step 1: Getting Started
Before you choose a plan and subscribe to Squarespace, they offer everyone a 14-day free trial. You may explore the site, add content and media, play around with your design, or share your work with friends during this period.
Press either of the “Get Started” buttons on the home page to move on to the following prompt.
Step 2: Personalising your Website
Now, select a category on the nature of your business or blog. It is recommended to answer this prompt as it helps Squarespace find website themes that match your goal and needs. If a specific theme you are looking for in the list provided is not there, you can enter a brief topic that best describes your business. When you are done choosing, click “Next”.
However, it is not compulsory, and you can always click the “Skip” button.
Next, you will be prompted to select a few of your goals. These will influence the ranked designs Squarespace has generated later on. Click “Next” to go to the last question in this step.
Select the best option from the menu that describes your process currently, then click the “Finish” button when you are done.
Step 3: Choose a Website Template
Here, Squarespace will guide you to a page provided with various designs. Slowly browse through the designs as you factor in those templates with features you want. Hover over a template and press “Preview” to have a feel of the layout. You can do this as many times as you want to find the one template that you like best!
Worried you can’t find a template that catches your attention? Don’t worry; you can filter the results of website types or topics to your preferences.
If you are spoilt for choice, here are some tips for choosing your template:
- Browse the templates in your industry – This helps narrow down the options.
- Save those templates you like – Press the heart button under a template to add it to the “My Favourites” folder. Afterwards, you can compare and decide on them again.
- Just pick your favourite template – You can always customise the colour scheme or features at a later stage.
After choosing your template, hover over it and press “Start with <template name> “.
Step 4: Sign Up
You will be prompted to sign-up. Create a Squarespace account with your email address or sign in with your Google account.
Squarespace allows multiple 14-day trials with one account, so there is no need to create a new one if you have an existing account!
The next step after signing up is to give your website a name. The name will be displayed at the top of your website, but it can be edited subsequently. Nonetheless, if you would like to decide on a website name before proceeding, you may head to a business name generator website to find one.
Lastly, Squarespace will provide a tutorial for editing your site.
Step 5: Getting Familiar with Dashboard
Manage your Squarespace account and website with the Dashboard function. You can change your password or manage domain transfer there. The dashboard allows you to switch between your websites if you have more than one website.
To view your website, click on the “Website” button. You’ll discover your website management tools on the left part of the screen, and a preview of your webpage will appear on the right. The full suite of website management tools all in one place makes it very beginner-friendly!
Step 6: Editing the Page Contents
To view the editing options for your different pages, click the “Edit” button in the top left corner. When you pan over different page sections, various editing options display. Changes to the mobile or desktop settings will only be seen on those devices. Whatever you are editing will instantly change in the preview window.
When you’re ready to edit the text or update the contents on any page, go to “Edit” mode. Most of the content elements, including text blocks, buttons, and images, can be customised.
Step 7: Adding an Ecommerce Store
If you are ready to add a commerce store on Squarespace, go to the left side of the page and click “Commerce”.
Squarespace’s four-step eCommerce wizard can help you get your store up and running. Start by clicking “Start”, then “Add Products for Sale”.
Squarespace will prompt you to pick a store layout, then select either option you like best. After that, you may add products, payment options and shipping requirements.
Step 8: Publish your Website & Decide on a Plan
Click on the “Settings” option to find publishing options, then press “Site Availability”. Click the “Upgrade to Publish” button, then pick the plan that best suits your needs.
The features of each plan vary – the more you pay, the more features you receive. If you wish to add marketing tools, you will need to at least be on the “Business” plan.
Conclusion
Congratulations, your website is now live!
Squarespace is not only one of the leading web builders for beginners, but it can also effortlessly create anything on a site. Now you can explore plenty more functions on your site and have a grasp on Squarespace!
