Organising Squarespace Content with Blocks and Pages
TL;DR:
- Blocks are your building tools for adding text, images, videos and other content to pages
- Version 7.1 gives you page sections and Fluid Engine for better layout control
- Use tags, categories and dropdown menus to keep your site navigation clean
- Password protect individual pages or your whole site when needed
- Start simple with basic blocks, then work up to more complex layouts
Squarespace version 7.1 uses blocks as the foundation for building your pages. These are the individual pieces you use to add text, images, videos, audio and other content to your site. You can move, resize or delete blocks to change your layout, and arrange them into columns and rows to get the look you want.
Working with Blocks and Sections
Each block serves a specific purpose. Text blocks handle your written content, image blocks display photos, and video blocks embed media. The key is understanding how to combine them effectively.
In version 7.1, you also get page sections. These create separate areas on your page where you can group blocks together. This works well for image galleries or when you need to combine images, text and buttons in specific arrangements.
Getting More Control with Fluid Engine
The Fluid Engine is where things get interesting. It gives you designer-level control over your layouts, and here's the important bit – you can create different layouts for mobile and desktop. This means you can optimise how your content appears on different screen sizes.
Keeping Your Site Organised
Good organisation keeps your visitors happy and makes your site easier to manage. Here's how to set things up properly.
Navigation and Structure
Homepage Setting: Make sure your main landing page is clear and obvious. This is the first thing visitors see.
Dropdown Menus: Use these to keep your main navigation clean while still providing access to multiple pages. They're perfect when you have several related pages that don't need to be front and centre.
Tags and Categories: These help visitors filter through your content. If you have a blog or portfolio, tags and categories make it easy for people to find specific topics or types of work.
Managing Access and Visibility
External Links: You can add links to other websites in your navigation. This keeps your main menu tidy while still directing people to relevant external content.
Page Visibility: Not every page needs to be visible in your navigation. You can disable pages or put them in the 'Not linked' section. This is handy for landing pages or seasonal content.
Password Protection: Protect individual pages or your entire site with passwords. This works well for client areas, member content or any sensitive information.
Making the Most of Your Setup
The key to good content organisation is thinking about your visitors' needs. How do they want to move through your site? What are they looking for?
Start by mapping out your main content areas. Then think about how they connect to each other. Your navigation should follow a logical path that makes sense to someone who's never seen your site before.
Don't overcomplicate things. A clean, simple navigation structure usually works better than something clever that confuses people.
FAQs
Can I create different layouts for mobile and desktop?
Yes, the Fluid Engine in version 7.1 allows you to design separate layouts for different screen sizes. This means you can optimise the mobile experience without compromising your desktop design.
What happens to deleted pages?
Deleted pages stay in your 'Deleted pages' section for 30 days. You can restore them from your site settings during this time.
Can I password protect just one page?
Yes, you can password protect individual pages or your entire site. This is useful for client work, member areas or any content you want to keep private.
Jargon Buster
Blocks: The individual content elements that make up your pages – text, images, videos, buttons and so on. You can edit, move or delete them as needed.
Fluid Engine: Squarespace's layout tool that gives you precise control over how content appears on different devices.
Tags and Categories: Labels that help organise and filter content. Particularly useful for blogs and portfolios.
Dropdown Menus: Navigation menus that expand to show additional options when clicked, keeping your main navigation clean.
Wrap-up
Getting comfortable with blocks and page organisation will make a huge difference to how your site looks and works. A well-structured site keeps visitors engaged and makes it easier for them to find what they need.
Take time to plan your navigation structure before you start building. Think about your visitors' journey through your site and organise your content accordingly. The password protection and customisation options give you flexibility to create exactly the experience you want.
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