How to Choose and Change Fonts in Squarespace
Choosing the right fonts for a website is essential. Fonts can set the tone and personality of a website, and they can also make a big difference in terms of readability and accessibility.
Here are some tips on how to choose website fonts that are both stylish and functional, the factors you should consider when making your font choices, and a walkthrough on how to change fonts in Squarespace ↓.
What exactly are fonts?
A font is a set of text characters that share a common design. Fonts can be categorized into two main types: serif and sans serif. Serif fonts have small decorative strokes at the end of each character (sometimes called “feet” or “tails”), while sans serif fonts do not.
Serif fonts are often considered to be more traditional and formal, while sans serif fonts are seen as more modern and clean. But there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to font choice. The best font for a particular website depends on a variety of factors, including brand identity, type of content, and target audience.
Why are fonts important for websites?
Fonts can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of a website. They can also affect the readability and accessibility of a website. For example, a font that is too small or that has too light a stroke can be difficult to read.
Fonts can also be used to create a visual hierarchy on a website. For example, you might use a larger, bolder font for headings and a smaller, less decorative font for body copy. This helps to guide the user's eye through the content and makes it easier to scan the page. Key for websites!
What factors should you consider when choosing website fonts?
There are a number of factors you should consider when choosing website fonts. Here are a few of the most important:
Your brand identity: Your fonts should reflect the personality of your brand. For example, if your brand is playful and creative, you might choose a font that is fun and informal. If your brand is more serious and professional, you might choose a font that is more traditional and formal. (Don’t have a brand and not ready to invest thousands? Check out my mini-course DIY Your Brand for just $27 and create your brand in an afternoon.)
The type of content you will be featuring on your website: The type of content you will be featuring on your website will also affect your font choices. For example, if you will be featuring a lot of long-form text (like this blog!) you will need to choose a font that is easy to read. If you will be featuring a lot of images and videos, you can maybe get away with using a more decorative font.
Your target audience: Your target audience should also be a consideration in your font choices. For example, if you are targeting a young audience, you might choose a font that is more playful and informal. If you are targeting an older audience, you might choose a font that is more traditional and formal.
Accessibility: It is important to make sure your fonts are accessible to people with disabilities. This means using fonts that have a high contrast ratio between the text and the background. You can use a contrast checker that is part of Coolors or Stark to help with this.
Choosing fonts for different types of text on Squarespace
In addition to considering the overall look and feel of your website, you also need to think about how you will use fonts for different types of text. Here are a few tips:
Headings: Headings should be used to introduce different sections of your website. They should be larger and bolder than the body copy, and they should be easy to read. In Squarespace, you have H1, H2, H3 and H4, so four options for heading sizes.
Body copy: Body copy is the text that makes up the main content of your website. It should be easy to read and scan, and it should be consistent with the overall font style of your website. This is your default P2 paragraph font, but you can also use P1 and P3 for larger or small text, respectively.
Callouts: Callouts are used to highlight important information or to draw attention to specific elements of your website. They can be used in a variety of ways, such as to promote a product, to announce a new feature, or to provide contact information.
Buttons: Buttons are used to help users navigate your website and to take action. They should be clear and easy to read, and they should stand out from the surrounding text. These typically take on the font for either Headings or Paragraphs.
Choosing complementary fonts
When choosing the fonts for your headings and body copy, you want to make sure they are complementary. There are a few different ways to do this:
Use a font pairing tool: There are a number of websites that can help you find complementary fonts. These tools will show you a variety of font combinations that you can use on your website. Some good ones are Fontjoy, Typewolf, and Typespiration.
Choose fonts from the same family: Fonts from the same family are designed to work well together. This means that they will have similar characteristics, such as the same x-height and stroke weight.
Use contrasting fonts: Contrasting fonts can create a more visually interesting website. However, it is important to use them carefully, as too much contrast can be overwhelming.
Use fonts with different weights: Fonts come in a variety of weights, such as regular, bold, and italic. Using fonts with different weights can help you create visual hierarchy on your website.
Pair a serif header with a san serif paragraph font: This creates a clear distinction in text hierarchy and looks great too. Check out some of my favorite pairings.
How to Change Fonts in Squarespace
Ready to make changes to your Squarespace fonts? Here’s a quick walkthrough on two methods you can use, along with a quick tip to make your life easier.
