Don't Rely Solely on Default Squarespace Styling
Squarespace is amazing. It’s one of the best no-code website builders out in the market, and you can do a lot with just the base features already available in the system. Yet, as every Squarespace web designer would soon come to find out - the default settings just might not always be good enough.
In other words:
If you want your Squarespace website to truly stand out -
Don’t settle for only the built-in design options.
Yes - really
Sticking to defaults means you miss out on the chance to make your site uniquely yours.
Without custom styling, you risk having a website that looks generic and fails to capture your brand’s personality.
This lack of differentiation can hurt your business by:
Making a weak first impression on visitors
Reducing user engagement
Limiting your site's ability to convert visitors into clients
Preventing you from achieving a professional, polished look
I Once Made This Same Mistake
I used to rely entirely on Squarespace's in-built styling.
I remember when I built my portfolio using the standard overlay grid.
I loved the layout - until I discovered a frustrating limitation: I couldn’t curve the corners of my images when the images were part of the inbuilt “gallery” (which is quite limited in what it allows you to do).
That’s when I learned the power of custom CSS. Not out of preference but out of necessity.
By adding a few lines of code, I fixed the issue and transformed my portfolio’s aesthetic.
Which is why I want to share this message with you.
You Should Embrace Custom CSS
And as soon as possible…
If there’s one thing I’m grateful for, it’s the fact that I forced myself to get comfortable with using CSS very early in the game - like within the first month of learning how to use Squarespace.
And I have NEVER used CSS before or any code for that matter. I was a complete beginner.
Yet I somehow managed to find my way. So trust me when I say that you can too.
Listen,
Invest some time (or money) into custom CSS to unlock your website's true potential.
Imagine what that can do for your business:
Unlock Custom Styling: Create a site that uniquely reflects your brand.
Enhance Visual Appeal: Achieve a polished look that builds trust instantly.
Improve Layouts: Enjoy precise control over spacing and element alignment for an optimal user experience.
Add Dynamic Effects: Introduce interactive touches that keep visitors engaged.
Expand Creative Possibilities: Break free from generic templates and set yourself apart in the market.
Here’s the kicker: you don’t (and shouldn’t) need to create the CSS codes from scratch - since most are out there and already done for you, all you need to do is find the correct code, copy it and paste it straight onto your site.
There are multiple websites out there that give out CSS codes for Squarespace - most are paid, but they do also give out freebies. Here are my top recommendations:
Except for Sparkplug (the first link), which gives at least 100 free codes for you to immediately put to use, the rest of the websites are mainly paid only (other than a handful of freebies), so I’d suggest Sparkplug for those wanting to try out CSS for free.
And that’s all for this week’s newsletter.
Remember, your website is your digital handshake. It’s how potential clients form their first impression of your brand and when you invest a little extra effort using custom CSS, you’re not just changing design elements; you’re creating a powerful, memorable online presence that drives results.
I want you to experience the difference a bespoke design can make in your business success.
Till next time.
Daahir
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