Six Squarespace Design Hacks to Elevate Your Website (No Code Required!)
I'm excited to share some cool Squarespace design hacks that don't require you to write a single line of code. These are the tips and tricks I've picked up over the years and are ones that I use most often in my own Squarespace web design business.
👉 Not a reader? Scroll to the end to watch the video.
Add Borders and Drop Shadows to Images Without Code in Squarespace
Ever wanted to add a subtle border or a soft drop shadow to your images in Squarespace but didn't want to mess with code? I've got a workaround for you!
The Problem: Squarespace doesn't directly offer these options for image blocks without custom CSS.
The Solution: We'll use a shape block to create the border and shadow effect.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Create a shape block that's exactly the same size as your image.
Make the shape block's color the same as your website's background. This makes it invisible.
Add a stroke (border) to the shape block.
Adjust the stroke thickness. I usually go for 1 pixel for a subtle look.
Add a drop shadow to the shape block. You can customize the:
Distance (how far the shadow extends).
Blur (how soft the shadow is).
Angle (the direction of the shadow).
Color (the darkness and opacity of the shadow).
Move the shape block behind the image. And voila! You've got a border and drop shadow.
Styling Tips:
Play around with different border thicknesses and colors.
Try a drop shadow without a border, or vice versa.
Important Note: Since we're using Fluid Engine, you need to check and adjust this in mobile view! Make sure the shape block stays behind the image and that everything looks good on smaller screens. One day, we'll hopefully be able to group these items, but for now, manual adjustments are key.
Mastering List Sections: Equal Card Heights and Custom Subheadings on Squarespace
List sections are great for displaying information in a visually appealing way. But they can sometimes be a little…wonky. Let's fix that!
What are List Sections? These are the sections in Squarespace where you edit the content by clicking "Edit Content." It's a different interface than regular sections.
The Problem #1: Uneven Card Heights
If you have varying amounts of text in each list item, the cards can end up being different heights. This can look messy and unprofessional.
The Solution: Enable the "Full Height" option.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Go to Edit Content in your list section.
Click on the Design tab.
Scroll down to Size and Space, then to Position.
Turn on the "Full Height" option.
Now all your cards will be the same height, giving your site a much cleaner look.
The Problem #2: Limited Heading Styles
List sections only give you basic title options. What if you want a subheading or to style your title differently?
The Solution: Create a "fake" heading section above the list section.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Turn off the section title in the list section's settings.
Add a blank section above the list section.
Make the new section's background color the same as the list section.
Add a text block for your main heading.
Add another text block below the main heading for your subheading.
Style the heading and subheading text however you like!
Fine-Tuning:
Adjust the spacing between the heading section and the list section to make it look seamless.
You might need to reduce the top padding in the list section settings ("Size and Space" -> "Vertical Padding") to get the spacing just right.
Now you have a custom heading with a subheading, and all your cards are perfectly aligned!
Accordion Blocks: Preventing Image "Growth" in Squarespace Fluid Engine
This one used to drive me crazy.
The Problem: In Fluid Engine, accordion blocks can sometimes cause images in the same section to resize or shift around when you open or close the accordion items.
The Solution: Position the accordion block strategically.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Add an image block and an accordion block to a section.
Drag the accordion block below the image block. The key is to make sure the last row of the accordion is at least one row beneath the image.
That's it! This simple trick prevents the image from resizing when you toggle the accordion items.
Additional Styling: You can center the accordion items or style them however you like, as long as you maintain that spacing.
Understanding "Fit" vs. "Fill" for Images and Buttons on Squarespace
"Fit" and "Fill" might sound simple, but they can dramatically change how your images and buttons look.
Why This Matters: These options control how images and buttons are displayed within their containers.
"Fill":
The image or button expands to fill the entire container.
If the image's or button's aspect ratio doesn't match the container, it will be cropped.
"Fit":
The entire image or button is visible within the container.
If the image's or button's aspect ratio doesn't match the container, there will be empty space around it.
Image Block Example:
If you choose "Fill," Squarespace will crop the image to completely fill the space you've defined. If you choose "Fit," you'll see the entire image, but there might be gaps around it.
Button Block Example:
"Fill" makes the button stretch to the edges of its block, while "Fit" makes the button size itself according to the text you've entered.
When to Use Which:
Use "Fill" when you want an image to take up the entire space and don't mind a bit of cropping.
Use "Fit" when it's crucial to see the entire image and you don't mind some empty space around it.
Create Dynamic Images Without GIFs (Squarespace Circle Perk!)
GIFs can be fun, but they can also slow down your site. Here's a better way to add some movement!
The Problem: GIFs can increase page load times.
The Solution: Use a Gallery Block set to Slideshow.
Important Note: This is a perk for Squarespace Circle Members only!
What's Squarespace Circle? It's a program for designers and developers who work with multiple Squarespace sites. If you are a contributor on three paid Squarespace websites, you can apply to join Circle.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Add a blank section.
Add a Gallery Block (if you're a Circle member).
Upload the images you want to cycle through.
In the Design tab:
Set the Gallery Type to "Slideshow."
Enable "Automatically Transition Between Slides."
Set the transition timer (how long each image is displayed).
Disable "Show Next/Previous Controls."
Enable "Automatically Crop Images."
Disable "Show Thumbnails."
Disable "Show Titles."
Benefits:
Creates a dynamic slideshow effect without using GIFs.
It's easy to update and manage the images.
Adds movement to your website without being overwhelming.
Wrapping Up
So, there you have it – six simple Squarespace design hacks to make your website shine! I hope you found at least one new trick to add to your toolkit.
Now it's your turn to try these hacks on your own Squarespace websites. Have fun experimenting!
And don't forget to sign up for my email list for more tips, template updates, and exclusive sales. I'm always sharing new ways to get the most out of Squarespace.
Thanks for reading, and I wish you all the best with your website!
