Choose the Right Font for Your Language on Squarespace
TL;DR:
- Not all fonts on Squarespace support every alphabet, so choose wisely for language compatibility
- Use Google Fonts to select and test fonts that support your specific language
- Implement your chosen font in Squarespace using the Fonts panel
- For special characters or RTL (right-to-left) text, additional steps or code manipulation may be necessary
Language plays a critical role in how content is perceived, and starting with the right font is essential. To ensure that your text displays correctly in various languages on Squarespace, you'll want to choose a font that specifically supports the characters and accents of your language.
Finding Compatible Fonts
Select a Language on Google Fonts
Navigate to Google Fonts and use the 'Languages' drop-down menu to select your desired language. Browse through the fonts that support your selected language. Use filters to narrow down options if needed.
Testing Fonts with Custom Text
Click on a font sample and enter a phrase or text with unique characters from your language to see how it looks. Use the 'Apply To All Fonts' feature to test this phrase across multiple font options.
Pixelhaze Tip: Always have a few font options in mind in case your top choice isn't available on Squarespace.
Implementing Fonts in Squarespace
Accessing the Fonts Panel
Log into your Squarespace site and open the site styles panel. Find the font tweak option, which varies by template and text type (header, body, etc.).
Adding and Customizing the Font
Use the search bar in the font panel to find the fonts you've selected. Once you locate a compatible font, click to select it. Adjust settings for different text types—navigation, headers, body—as necessary.
Testing and Saving Your Settings
Save your changes and refresh your site to see the effects. Ensure all text displays as expected across your site.
Pixelhaze Tip: For any fonts not displayed correctly, consider importing texts from other documents as plain text to avoid formatting issues.
FAQs
What should I do if a font doesn't display special characters correctly on my site?
First, double-check that you've selected a font that supports your language through Google Fonts. If the font should work but isn't displaying properly, try switching to a different font temporarily to see if the issue persists. You may also need to check if your content is properly encoded.
Can I add a custom font that isn't included in Google or Adobe Fonts to my Squarespace site?
Yes, but it requires custom code. You'll need to upload your font files to a hosting service and add CSS to your site. This is more complex and requires some technical knowledge.
How can I set up right-to-left text on my Squarespace site?
RTL text requires custom CSS code. You'll need to add CSS rules that set the text direction property to 'rtl' for the relevant elements. This typically goes beyond basic font selection.
Jargon Buster
Google Fonts: A free service that offers a wide range of fonts which you can use for web and design projects.
RTL Text: Stands for Right-To-Left text, used in languages like Arabic and Hebrew where writing starts from the right of the page.
Site Styles Panel: A tool in Squarespace that lets you customize fonts, colors, and other design elements of your site.
Wrap-up
Ensuring that your website communicates effectively in multiple languages starts with selecting the right font. By following the steps outlined above, you can find and implement a font that not only works with your brand but is also practical for your diverse audience. Remember, not all fonts support every character set, so taking the time to test fonts for your specific linguistic needs is key. If you run into issues or need to handle special text formats like RTL, deeper customization via code might be required.
Ready to dive deeper into Squarespace design? Check out our comprehensive courses at Pixelhaze Academy.