The Best Squarespace Plugins and Resources
The blog is back! It’s been almost 3 years since I published my last blog post, but now that I have some extra time on my hands (thanks Coronavirus) I’m bring it back.
When I started Process to Profitability in May 2017, I decided to focus on podcast episodes instead of trying to create content in two places. In that time Squarespace has changed quite a bit (and released a new version with a different way of designing) and I’ve learned a ton, so I’ve decided it’s a great time to start sharing tutorials, tips, and tricks again.
Over the past 5 years, I’ve learned a lot about Squarespace and designed or customized over 30 websites. Squarespace can do a lot, especially if you know how to use CSS to make custom updates to different pages and elements, but it can’t do everything on it’s own, which is why I have a library of trusted resources, tutorials, and plugins that I draw from when I can’t figure something out.
Chrome Extensions
If you’re using Chrome as your browser (which you should be if you’re on a PC), extensions are an important part of making it work for you. I have extensions for Pinterest, taking screen shots, saving passwords, and recording videos.
I also have some go-to extensions that I use when designing websites. These aren’t designed by Squarespace, but they do work alongside Squarespace’s built-in tools to help you really get the most out of your website in the easiest way possible.
Squarespace Collection/Block Identifier
This Chrome extension displays the Collection ID and Block ID of every element on your Squarespace website. This allows you to target specific pages and elements without digging into the back-end of a website. To use it, simply install the plugin, click on the icon, and then click on the block to copy the ID number.
I use this plugin all the time when targeting a specific block with custom CSS on my client’s websites. That way, I can make a specific block look different and know that it will look the same across every browser and device.
Learn more and install it here.
2. CSSViewer
This Chrome extension displays the Collection ID and Block ID of every element on your Squarespace website. This allows you to target specific pages and elements without digging into the back-end of a website. To use it, simply install the plugin, click on the icon, and then click on the block to copy the ID number.
Learn more and install it here.
3. SquarespaceWebsites Tools Pro
If you want to invest in making more custom updates to your Squarespace website, this Chrome extension gives you all sorts of additional controls, including adding more than 30 items to a Summary Block and copying blocks.
Plugins
When I first started designing on Squarespace, I was hesitant to use plugins because I wasn’t sure which sources could be trusted. When you’re adding someone else’s code to your website, it can be a bit nerve-wracking not knowing if it will work or not.
Luckily, there are lots of trustworthy plugin creators now who offer everything from free code snipets to fully designed templates.
Ghost Plugins
Chost Plugins is a plugin store with free plugins and code for your Squarespace website. They have an entire library of free code snipets you can pull from their archive and use in the Custom CSS section of your website with very little coding knowledge (just copy, paste, and change the color).
These are some of my favorites:
2. SQSP Themes
SQSP Themes is a plugin shop with a collection of plugins (both paid and free) from different sources. They also offer templates. It’s easy to navigate and has lots of options in one place. I’ve had great experience with their customer service.
These are some of my favorites:
3. The Custom Square
The Custom Square is a plugin shop focusing mainly on navigation design, but also featuring a growing list of plugins.
These are some of my favorites:
Tutorials & Other Resources
In addition to plugins and Chrome extensions, I’ve found that tutorials and tools from other sources are also really useful in customizing a website. When I can’t figure out how to make something look the way I want it to, the first thing I do if search to see if someone else has a solution. Usually what I find doesn’t fit with exactly what I need, but I’m able to use it as a starting point.
Squarespace Support Tutorials
Squarespace’s support articles have a lot of great information about all of the options they offer. I use these a lot when helping clients with ecommerce and template selection. Their instructions are clear and they offer a lot with their built-in features that you have to know about in order to take advantage of.
Memberspace
One of the downsides of Squarespace is that you can’t set up a paywall for certain content and sometimes a password protected page doesn’t give you what you need to protect your content or only share it with certain people. The good news is that there is a solution: MemberSpace. I haven’t used MemberSpace yet, but I’ve heard it’s a great option for adding a membership option to your website.
Zapier
Zapier is a great tool for connecting Squarespace forms to other apps you might use including Google Sheets, ConvertKit, Slack, Gmail, and Asana. They offer integrations with over 2,000 different apps when a form is submitted on Squarespace.
See all the integrations available.
Pinterest
Pinterest has a ton of great tutorials and resources for Squarespace. I’ve curated my favorites into one board that I refer to when I’m trying to find a tutorial or example to share with clients.
My best advice when designing on Squarespace is not to limit yourself to what you know is possible. It’s when my clients come to me with ideas that are out of the box that I have to design creative solutions and depend on these resources to create something truly custom.
