Protect Your Site with a Squarespace Password
TL;DR:
- Set a site-wide password to restrict access during construction or for limited audiences
- Passwords must be uniform for all users – unique individual passwords are not supported
- Disabling the site-wide password is essential for enabling customer checkouts
- You can also password-protect individual pages for targeted security
- Password protection blocks search engines from indexing your site
Setting Up a Site-wide Password
To add a password to your entire Squarespace website, the process is straightforward on both desktop and mobile devices.
Desktop Steps
- Navigate to the Site Availability panel within your settings menu
- Select 'Password Protected' from the options available in the drop-down menu
- Enter the desired password for visitor access
- Click 'Save' to apply changes
Mobile Steps
- Tap 'More' in the app, then go to 'Settings'
- Choose 'Site Availability'
- Set to 'Password Protected' and input your password
- Tap 'Save' to secure your settings
Use a strong password that combines upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols for better security.
Testing Your Password
Check how the password function works from a visitor's perspective:
- Open your site in a private browsing window
- Enter the password at the provided lock screen
- Make sure the entry process is smooth and the necessary page elements are accessible
Changing or Removing a Password
If you need to modify or remove your password, here's how:
To Change Your Password
- Access the Site Availability panel again
- Enter a new password and save the changes
To Remove the Password
- Open the Site Availability panel
- Choose 'Public' for universal access or 'Private' for restricted access to owners and contributors
- Save your preference
Remember to remove your site-wide password if you're running an e-commerce site, as it will prevent customers from completing purchases.
FAQs
Can a Squarespace site have multiple passwords for different users?
No, Squarespace sites are limited to one uniform password for all visitors.
Are there any implications for SEO with a site-wide password?
Yes, setting a site-wide password makes your site invisible to search engines, which will affect your SEO performance.
What should I do if old visitors are still prompted for a password after it's been removed?
Check for any page-specific passwords that might still be active and disable them as needed.
Jargon Buster
Site-wide password: A single password set to restrict access to the entire website.
Page password: A security measure to restrict access to a specific page within the site.
Site Availability panel: A settings area in Squarespace where you can adjust visibility and access options.
Private browsing window: A browser mode that helps in testing website functionalities without saving data.
Wrap-up
Setting up a site-wide or page-specific password in Squarespace is a simple way to control access to your website. Whether your site is under development or intended for a select audience, understanding how to manage these settings effectively ensures both security and functionality are maintained. Consider the impact on user experience and SEO when opting for password protection.
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