Squarespace Mistakes to Avoid

1. Customizing individual sections instead of using global styles

Many beginners adjust fonts, colors, and spacing block by block until each section looks “right.”

The problem is not the customization itself. It is the lack of a system. When styles live inside dozens of blocks, the site becomes inconsistent and difficult to update. A simple change like rebranding or adjusting button styles turns into a scavenger hunt.

To fix it:

• Set typography, colors, and buttons in Site Styles first.
• Use per-block overrides only when there is a clear exception.
• If the same adjustment appears more than once, move it to global styles.

2. Mixing too many fonts and heading scales

Squarespace makes experimentation easy, which often leads to too many font choices and inconsistent heading sizes.

This breaks the visual hierarchy. Pages become harder to scan, and nothing feels clearly more important than anything else.

To fix it:

• Use one primary font family and optionally one accent font.
• Keep heading sizes consistent across the entire site.
• Use spacing and layout to create emphasis rather than constant typographic changes.

3. Treating pages like visual collages instead of structured layouts

Blocks are placed where they look good rather than where they make sense in the reading flow. The result is a page where visitors are unsure what to read first or what action to take next.

To fix it:

• Build pages in clear vertical sections.
• Give each section one purpose. Explain, persuade, or redirect the visitor elsewhere.
• Repeat layout patterns to help users learn to read your site quickly.

4. Ignoring mobile layout until the end

Most building happens on a desktop. Mobile gets checked later.

By then, text is cramped, spacing is inconsistent, and blocks stack in awkward orders. Fixing it often requires redesigning entire sections.

To fix it:

• Check mobile layout while building, not after.
• Use mobile spacing controls intentionally.
• Avoid dense multi-column sections unless the mobile version already works.

5. Using spacing as decoration instead of a system

Extra padding, spacer blocks, and line breaks get added whenever something feels crowded. Without a consistent spacing rhythm, pages feel unintentional and behave unpredictably across devices.

To fix it:

• Choose a small set of spacing patterns and reuse them.
• Avoid using repeated line breaks to control layout.
• Manage whitespace through consistent section padding and block spacing.

1. Choosing a template without understanding how it handles content

Templates are often chosen based on homepage visuals instead of how they support inner pages, navigation, and long-form content. If the template’s structure fights your content, every page becomes a workaround.

To fix it:

• Test inner pages, blogs, and long sections before committing.
• Evaluate templates based on layout logic, not solely on aesthetics.

2. Creating too many pages instead of clear hierarchies

Every idea becomes its own page.

Navigation fills up. Relationships between the content become unclear. Maintaining the site takes longer every month.

To fix it:

• Consolidate related content into stronger, more complete pages.
• Use folders intentionally.
• Favor fewer pages that do more work.

3. Flattening navigation or nesting too deeply

Some sites list everything in the main menu. Others bury important pages several layers deep.

Both make it harder for users to understand where to go next.

Fix it

• Keep the main navigation focused on primary paths.
• Group related pages, but keep folder depth shallow.
• Move utility pages, like privacy or terms, to the footer.

4. Designing one-off pages that cannot scale

Each page is treated as a unique design project. When you need to add another similar page later, there is nothing to reuse.

To fix it:

• Create repeatable page patterns, such as a standard service layout.
• Save reusable sections and use them consistently.
• If you might need more than one version of a page, design for reuse from the start.

5. Hard-coding repeatable content instead of using collections

Standard pages feel safer than collections, so repeatable content gets built manually. This removes one of Squarespace’s biggest strengths and makes site-wide changes painful.

To fix it:

• Use collections for blogs, projects, events, or any repeating content.
• Design the layout once in the collection settings.
• Use summary blocks to surface content across the site.

6. Leaving demo or template content live

Demo pages are kept “just in case.” Search engines can index them, and visitors who find them immediately lose trust.

To fix it:

• Delete or disable demo content early.
• If you want to keep a reference layout, duplicate it, move it to Not Linked, and disable the page.

1. Relying on default page titles and descriptions

Squarespace auto-fills metadata, which often results in vague or duplicated titles.

To Fix it

• Write unique SEO titles and descriptions for key pages.
• Prioritize clarity and relevance over keyword stuffing.
• Use short navigation titles and longer SEO titles where appropriate.

2. Ignoring URL slugs

Duplicated pages lead to URLs like /services-copy or /new-page-1. Such messy URLs look unfinished and reduce trust.

To fix it

• Review the slug before publishing.
• Keep it short, lowercase, and descriptive.
• Use hyphens, not underscores.

3. Using headings for styling instead of structure

Headings get used because they look bold, not because they reflect hierarchy.

This confuses search engines and accessibility tools.

Fix it

• Use headings to represent structure.
• Aim for one clear page title and consistent section headings.
• Adjust appearance via Site Styles, not by misusing headings.

4. Ignoring internal linking

Pages are treated as isolated pieces. Search engines miss relationships, and users miss logical next steps.

To fix it:

• Link related pages naturally within content.
• Create clear pathways, such as service to case study to contact. \

5. Treating blog posts as announcements

Blogs become short updates or news posts. These rarely rank and rarely age well.

To fix it:

• Write posts that answer specific questions.
• Focus on evergreen topics with clear search intent.
• Publish less often and make each post more useful.

1. Prioritizing visuals over clarity

Design gets attention. Messaging does not.

Visitors scroll without understanding what you offer or who it is for.

To fix it:

• Above the fold, clearly state what you do, who it is for, and the next step.
• Use visuals to support the message, not replace it.

2. Burying or softening calls to action

CTAs feel awkward, so they get hidden or phrased vaguely.

When the next step is unclear, people hesitate.

To fix it:

• Use specific CTAs such as “Book a consult” or “View pricing.”
• Place CTAs where users finish scanning a section.
• Repeat the primary CTA in key areas.

3. Writing for yourself instead of first-time visitors

Pages assume a context that new visitors do not have.

This reduces trust and clarity.

To fix it:

• Remove jargon and explain context early.
• Focus on outcomes for the visitor.
• Rewrite key pages as if the reader has never heard of you.

4. Publishing time-sensitive language on evergreen pages

Dates and seasonal references get baked into permanent content.

Over time, the site looks abandoned.

To fix it

• Use announcement bars or update-specific pages for time-sensitive content.
• Keep core pages timeless and set reminders for dated copy.

Maintenance and scaling mistakes

1. Making fragile edits that only the original builder understands

Quick fixes pile up without documentation.

Future updates feel risky.

Fix it

• Favor simple, repeatable patterns.
• Add brief notes explaining what sections are for and what should not change.

2. Overusing code injection without a plan

Copied snippets solve problems quickly.

They also break after updates and are hard to debug.

To fix it:

• Use custom code only when necessary.
• Comment CSS with purpose and date.
• Prefer native Squarespace tools when possible.

3. Building pages that require constant manual updates

The same information is hard-coded across multiple pages.

Routine updates become slow and error-prone.

To fix it:

• Centralize repeatable content using collections and reusable sections.
• Design once. Update once.

4. Uploading raw media files without optimization

High-resolution images and videos are often uploaded directly from cameras or stock sites without processing. While Squarespace handles optimization, massive files (5MB+) eventually clog the system. The live site loads slowly, frustrates mobile users, and hurts search rankings. The editor also feels sluggish in such cases.

To fix it:

• Establish a “pre-upload” routine: Resize images to a maximum width (e.g., 2500px) and compress them to under 500 KB (e.g., with TinyPNG).
• Use the correct formats: JPG for photography, PNG only for graphics with transparency.
• Audit the “Asset Library” periodically to remove unused, heavy duplicates.

Squarespace rewards consistency, restraint, and repeatable patterns. It punishes one-off decisions and excessive customization.

When something feels brittle or frustrating, the solution is usually simple: Reduce overrides, reuse layouts, and organize content the way the platform expects.

Most frustration comes from fighting the structure instead of using it.

A quick self-audit

• Are global styles doing most of the work?
• Is typography consistent across pages?
• Is the mobile layout checked during building?
• Is spacing intentional and repeatable?
• Can navigation be understood in seconds?
• Are folders shallow and purposeful?
• Are demo pages removed?
• Can new pages be created without redesigning everything?
• Do key pages have custom titles and descriptions?
• Are URL slugs clean?
• Are headings structural?
• Are related pages linked?
• Could someone else safely edit the site?
• Is the custom code minimal and documented?
• Are repeatable updates centralized?
• Is everything optimized for speed?

If several answers are no, fixing the foundation now will save time and prevent your site from becoming increasingly difficult to manage each month.