Getting Started with Squarespace Custom Code

Learning Objectives

• Understand what custom code is and how it works in Squarespace
• Learn the three main areas where you can add custom code to your site
• Recognise the benefits and potential risks of using custom code
• Know how to safely implement your first piece of custom code

Introduction

Custom code in Squarespace opens up possibilities beyond the standard templates and built-in features. You can add HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to change how your site looks and behaves. This chapter covers the basics of where to add custom code, what each area does, and how to avoid common mistakes that could break your site.

Lessons

Lesson 1: What Custom Code Does in Squarespace

Custom code lets you modify your Squarespace site in three main ways:

CSS (Custom Styles): Changes how things look – colours, fonts, spacing, and layout. CSS overrides the default styling that comes with your template.

HTML (Custom Content): Adds new content blocks, forms, or embedded elements that aren't available through standard Squarespace blocks.

JavaScript (Custom Behaviour): Makes your site interactive – animations, pop-ups, tracking codes, or custom functionality.

The key thing to remember is that custom code works alongside Squarespace's existing features. It doesn't replace them – it extends them.

Lesson 2: Where to Add Custom Code

Squarespace gives you three main places to add custom code:

Code Injection (Settings > Advanced > Code Injection):

• Header: Code here loads on every page before the content
• Footer: Code here loads on every page after the content
• Perfect for tracking codes, site-wide JavaScript, or CSS that affects your entire site

Custom CSS (Design > Custom CSS):

• Only for CSS styling code
• Changes appear immediately as you type
• Best for colour changes, font adjustments, or layout modifications

Code Blocks (when editing a page):

• Add HTML, CSS, or JavaScript to specific pages
• Found in the content blocks menu
• Use for embedded content or page-specific customisations

Lesson 3: Benefits and Risks

Benefits:

• Customise your site beyond template limitations
• Add third-party tools and integrations
• Create unique design elements
• Improve functionality with custom features

Risks:

• Incorrect code can break your site or specific pages
• Updates to Squarespace might affect your custom code
• Poor code can slow down your site
• Custom code isn't supported by Squarespace customer service

This is the bit most people miss: always test your code on a single page first before applying it site-wide.

Practice

Try this simple CSS customisation:

1. Go to Design > Custom CSS
2. Add this code: h1 { color: blue; }
3. Check a page with a heading to see the change
4. Remove the code when you're done testing

This changes all main headings to blue and shows you how CSS works in Squarespace.

FAQs

Can I break my site with custom code?
Yes, but it's usually fixable. Squarespace keeps your original template intact, so removing the custom code typically fixes any issues.

Do I need to know how to code?
Basic HTML and CSS knowledge helps, but you can start with simple code snippets. Many customisations use standard code that you can copy and modify.

Will my custom code work after Squarespace updates?
Most custom code continues working after updates, but complex JavaScript might need adjustments. Check your site after major Squarespace updates.

Where can I find custom code snippets?
Squarespace's own documentation, web developer blogs, and coding communities offer tested code snippets for common customisations.

Jargon Buster

CSS: Cascading Style Sheets – code that controls how your website looks (colours, fonts, spacing)

HTML: HyperText Markup Language – code that creates the structure and content of web pages

JavaScript: Programming language that makes websites interactive and adds dynamic features

Code Injection: Squarespace's system for adding custom code to your entire site through the settings panel

Selector: CSS term for targeting specific elements on your page (like all headings or all buttons)

Wrap-up

You now know the three main areas where custom code works in Squarespace and what each type of code does. Start with simple CSS changes in the Custom CSS area – it's the safest place to practise. Remember to test changes on single pages before applying them site-wide, and always have a backup plan to remove code if something goes wrong.

Ready to dive deeper into specific customisations? The next chapter covers CSS fundamentals for Squarespace sites.

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