Using Custom Code to Create A Memorable Website on Squarespace
Blog Overview: Squarespace at its core is a DIY platform with simple templates and an easy-to-navigate dashboard for the small business owner. That’s why I recommend it and wrote the post 8 Reasons I Recommend Squarespace. However, there’s so much that can be crafted beyond the grid that can elevate your website with unique and interactive design elements. I’m still on the side that simplicity and accessibility reign, but that doesn’t mean boring so I’m sharing a few features and resources so you can get creative too.
note: this post may contain affiliate links denoted with * which I make a small % of the sale but it costs you no more. I only recommended businesses I wholeheartedly stand behind.
One of the ‘rules’ of web design is keeping visitors on your website, clicking around, exploring every nook and cranny and devouring your content. One surefire way to achieve that is through unique and interactive design elements.
Why You Might Want to Incorporate Custom Code in Your Squarespace Design
Squarespace* is awesome for its simplicity and accessibility, after all, the restrictions of the grid were made to keep the non-designer from getting too wild so your website looks professional. I love a Showit website, but sometimes they can be a little all over the place and you’re just not sure where to look. This can be confusing for visitors so the grids within Squarespace help keep the design clean if you’re a design newbie.
But, just because something is simple doesn't mean it has to be boring. Adding custom code allows you to inject a dose of creativity and personality into your site, making it stand out from the cookie-cutter template crowd.
You might add custom code (CSS) through animations like gifs, hover effects, scrolling or rotating images or text, stylistic changes like custom font and button styling or just use it to clean up the design where Squarespace may lack granular adjustments such as tablet and mobile optimization. There are so many use cases.
When you use custom code, you're not just adding random features for the sake of it. You're enhancing the user experience. A well-placed animation or interactive element can guide your visitors' attention, making navigation intuitive and enjoyable. This isn't just about aesthetics; it's about functionality and engagement above all else.
DYK? A Great User Experience Creates Trust & Connection
Think about the last time you visited a truly memorable website. What made it stand out to you? Chances are, it was the little details - the subtle animations, the unexpected interactions, and the feeling the site was designed just for you. This helps provide a great experience for your website visitors.
Good user experience (UX) is like good storytelling. It keeps the right people engaged, makes them want to explore more, and ultimately drives them to take action - whether that’s signing up for your newsletter, making a purchase, or sharing your content with their people.
Save 10% off Squarespace with Code BIRCH10 at checkout
So, How Do You Choose the Right Web Designer For Your Project to Reach Your Goals?
This could be a whole post itself, honestly. The web design industry is saturated at the moment - there I said it.
With the supposed ease of Squarespace, anyone can swap images and text in a Squarespace template and call themselves a designer or whip up a simple site using Squarespace's native features.
Hot Tip, it’s not that easy and often not based on website strategy - which is what helps turn those visitors into leads.
But if you want that extra magic - a wow factor that keeps people coming back - you need a designer who knows how to push the boundaries with custom code (or will outsource to a developer, $$$).
Most importantly, they should understand the essentials of web design like search engine optimization (SEO), web accessibility, website strategy and user experience, as well as have a client process that can extract your vision and craft your brand story visually online.
Why Some Designers May Charge More Than Others
Understanding & executing design principles is what separates a new designer, one that dabbles in many platforms, or your best friend’s cousin who designed a website once, from a designer who may cost a little more but knows Squarespace.
It may cost more to hire a designer who develops (uses custom code) because of the time and investment that’s gone into continued education and the additional time it takes to envision, create and troubleshoot the design elements on your website. Not only that, but the value you receive from a website crafted with intention and speaks to your dream clients is unparalleled in comparison to a website that lacks professionalism and leaves them wanting more…maybe on your competitor’s website.
Hi, it’s me. That’s where I come in.
I’ve honed my skills through Standout Squarespace*, the most epic course on coding in Squarespace by Squarestylist. This course has given me the tools and support to create some pretty cool custom-coded elements for my clients.
It doesn’t have to be over the top movement with every cursor move. You probably don’t even know when a website has been coded, TBH, if it’s done seamlessly. Smart coding allows you to replicate sections in the future and provides you with a website that’s not just functional with all the right strategies, but unforgettable too.
Just getting started with code? Sign up for the free workshop offered by Squarestylist!
This workshop also offers an insider look at her studio’s signature course, Standout Squarespace. Her high-touch support is unlike any other; I cannot recommend it enough.
A Few Custom Elements Developed by Birch & Bud Design Co. for Client Projects
As mentioned I’ve been in the Standout Squarespace* course since Squarestylist launched 1.0 and now with 2.0 it reflects the changes to Squarespace since the launch of Fluid Engine, the new drag-and-drop editor.
Here’s a snapshot of some features I’ve implemented from the 100’s of design elements she showcases and teaches in the course.
Double Click on the video to open each in full screen. You may have to click again to play.
IMAGE REVEAL ON HOVER
TYPEWRITER TEXT
STICKY SECTIONS, CUSTOMIZED MENU, MULTI TYPEFACE
SUMMARY BLOCK SCROLL BAR
STACKED TABS, VERTICAL LINES
SCROLLING GALLERY MARQUEE
SIDE TABS
UNIVERSAL FILTER + SHOP STYLING | E COMMERCE
FAQ REVEAL
LOGO GALLERY MARQUEE
Intrigued and Want to Learn More? A Few Favourite Designers & Plugin Shops to Get Started With Custom Code
Squarestylist is the G.O.A.T, so as a DIYer or newer designer you may want to start with a smaller investment. When I first started I frequented the designers and resources below to learn code through YouTube, mini courses and blogs.
SQUARE WEBSITES PLUGINS* | ADVANCED PLUGINS
Advanced plugins like the Universal Filter (featured above with Studio Apri), Lazy Load Summary Block, Map and Table blocks and more enhance the capabilities of your Squarespace website.
This is an amazing marketplace of free and paid code snippets to uplevel your Squarespace website, as well as designer templates.
Get 10% off Super Plugins, Templates, and Ghost+ Memberships (1st month) with code BIRCHANDBUDDESIGN
Chris’s blog has easy-to-follow custom coding tutorials and offers courses for advanced concepts to apply to your Squarespace website. He is a great teacher and his courses are lifetime access including future updates! I'm a past student and highly recommend it!
Easy-to-follow instructions with both free & paid tutorials, plugins and the Curious Coders coding course to uplevel your Squarespace website.
Becca has a Youtube channel, courses and handy guides to uplevel your code knowledge and teach you some fancy new things.
Very in-depth code blog and she explains what you are doing with the code so you are not just copying and pasting.
Explore Standout squarespace by squarestylist*
images courtesy of squarestylist
Want to connect and chat working together?
We can collab on a few elements during a Design Day or a semi custom or custom website design project for your business. Reach out and see what’s best for you!
