Monetizing Your Squarespace Blog: Selling Sponsored Content

Why This Matters

Creating a Squarespace blog is a rewarding adventure. You build, you write, you obsess over layout options for an afternoon, and eventually, you attract a loyal band of readers who return for every new post. It’s a joy. But sooner or later, a question quietly creeps in: how can you make your blog pay for the effort you put in, without trashing the reader experience with tacky adverts or irrelevant banners?

Most bloggers eventually hit a ceiling. You pour hours into crafting content and promoting it, but as the page views tick upwards, so does the cost in both time and (sometimes) actual cash. Monetisation is essential for sustainability over the long haul. Sponsored content offers a path to earning on your own terms, but you need to get the mechanics right.

Getting this wrong means two things: money left on the table and an increased risk of losing the very people you’ve worked so hard to win over. Trust is fragile. The real challenge is to earn income without sacrificing that crucial bond with your audience or having your site start to resemble a 2005 pop-up ad simulator.

Common Pitfalls

Let’s address the elephant in the room. A lot of bloggers believe their options for making money are limited to plonking a few ad boxes at the top and hoping for the best. You sign up for an ad network, see some change rolling in, and try not to notice your lovely site morphing into an off-brand shopping channel.

But there is a bigger opportunity with sponsored content. If sponsored content is done poorly it feels fake, awkward, and leaves readers with a slight sense of betrayal. Done well, sponsored content reads like your best work, delivering real value while building a relationship between brand, blogger, and reader.

Here are common stumbling blocks:

• Treating sponsored posts like classified ads rather than genuine stories or resources
• Partnering with brands they wouldn’t recommend to their mum (trust me, your audience can tell, even if your mum can’t)
• Failing to disclose or explain the nature of the partnership, which can raise eyebrows and put you in hot water legally
• Accepting any sponsor who waves money, leading to wildly off-brand content

A more sustainable and rewarding approach works incredibly well on Squarespace.

Step-by-Step Fix

1. Understand the Difference: Sponsored Content vs Traditional Advertising

It’s surprisingly easy to trip up at the first hurdle. Sponsored content is different from simply hosting adverts. Instead, think of it as building a bridge between your expertise and a brand’s story, all while delivering value to your readers.

Sponsored Content:
This is content produced in collaboration with a sponsor, matching your usual posts—be it articles, reviews, tutorials, or even videos. The aim is to create something useful or entertaining that includes a relevant product, service, or idea.

Traditional Advertising:
These are the obvious options: sidebar banners, pop-ups, or “promoted post” boxes. The focus is on direct selling for the brand, often unrelated to your core content.

You can use this simple test. If you can remove the brand name and your post still makes sense and delivers value, you’re on the right track.

Example:
A food blogger partners with a local farmers’ market. Instead of writing “Buy Produce X Today!”, they publish a seasonal salad recipe using ingredients from the market, include a brief “brought to you by…” note, and mention why they personally buy there. The post is helpful whether the reader buys from the sponsor or not.

Pixelhaze Tip
Always include a clear, friendly disclosure at the start or end of sponsored posts. Something as simple as, “This post was created in partnership with [Brand]. All thoughts (and recipes) are my own,” is effective. Transparency builds trust and keeps you on the right side of ad guidelines in the UK.

2. Choose Sponsors that Actually Fit Your Audience

Tempting offers will eventually land in your inbox and may look like quick wins. A vegan baking blog approached by a beef jerky brand? A photographer’s portfolio pitched by a “miracle weight-loss tea”? It happens.

Selecting the right sponsors comes down to cultural and practical alignment, not just the biggest cheque. Ask yourself:

• Would I use this product or service myself? Have I?
• Would I recommend it to a close friend or a stubborn relative?
• Does this brand’s ethos and audience match mine?

How to Find Good Sponsors
Begin by making a list of brands you already use or admire. Check who’s active in your niche—look at other blogs and online communities, and notice which brands are engaging. Don’t be afraid to reach out directly (brands appreciate initiative), but always investigate their reputation. Read customer reviews, check for controversies, and look for other collaborating bloggers’ feedback.

Red Flags:

• Pushy sponsors who want to write the post for you
• No clear agreement on content tone, usage rights, or disclosure
• Products or services that clash with your personal or blog’s values

Pixelhaze Tip
Build a basic sponsor “wishlist” and keep it on hand. This lets you be proactive, and also politely turn down brands that don’t fit (“Thanks, but we only feature brands aligned with our ethical sourcing policy…”).

3. Craft Content that Delivers for Readers and Sponsors

When it’s time to produce sponsored content, treat every post like a portfolio piece. The goal is not to sneak a sales pitch past your audience, but to create something genuinely worth their time.

Consider the most successful native ads or sponsored posts you’ve seen. In many cases, you didn’t even notice they were sponsored at first glance.

Best Practices:

• Start with your readers. What would help them? Teach a skill, solve a problem, share an experience.
• Ensure the sponsor’s offering ties naturally into the subject and tone of the post.
• Use personal anecdotes and authentic reviews. If you tried the product, say so (and be honest about what you liked and what you’d change).
• Place natural, contextually-relevant links rather than hard calls to action.

For example, a productivity blogger reviewing a digital planner might show exactly how they use it in their day-to-day workflow, complete with screenshots or videos. This is more convincing than a generic press release.

Pixelhaze Tip
Ask sponsors if they can provide exclusive discount codes or resources for your readers. This adds extra value and raises the perceived benefit for both your audience and the brand.

4. Reach Out to Sponsors with a Polished, Data-Driven Pitch

You do not need to wait for an email from a PR agency. Taking the initiative signals professionalism and makes you more likely to land partnerships with brands who appreciate a personal touch.

What to include in your outreach:

• A short intro explaining who you are and what makes your site unique
• Key stats: monthly page views, average time on site, newsletter subscribers, and/or social followers
• Audience profile: who reads your blog, what problems they’re trying to solve, why they trust your opinion
• Examples of previous collaborations or posts, ideally with engagement metrics
• What you can offer: custom post, social shares, newsletter send-out, exclusive content, giveaways
• An outline of your content process and approach to transparency/disclosure

Pixelhaze Tip
Create a one-page “media kit” PDF with your stats and audience overview. This saves you time in responding and instantly makes you look like a pro, even if you’re just starting out.

5. Maintain Transparency and Compliance (the Less Glamorous, More Crucial Part)

Trust takes years to build and seconds to lose. With both your readers and the law, it pays to play it straight. UK regulations (and most international equivalents) require you to declare when content is sponsored, gifted, or otherwise compensated.

• Always include a clear sponsorship disclosure on each post. Readers shouldn’t have to squint or dig through the footer to spot it.
• Avoid “ghostwriting” sponsored posts where the brand writes the entire article. Your tone, your voice.
• Check the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) guidance. The rules are surprisingly readable and less threatening than you might expect.

If you’re selling sponsored posts through your blog, remember to keep your Squarespace terms and privacy policy up to date.

Pixelhaze Tip
Use the built-in Squarespace announcement bar or content blocks to add disclosures in a way that feels natural, not disruptive. This reassures readers and shows sponsors you run a tight ship.

What Most People Miss

The real key is learning when to say no to sponsors, instead of agreeing to every offer.

Resist the temptation to dilute your brand for a quick payout. Protecting your authority is what leads to the best long-term results. A single off-brand post (accepted because someone offered a quick fee) can confuse readers and undermine all the goodwill you’ve built up.

It’s better to treat sponsorships as partnerships, not just transactions. The best collaborations are those where both you and the brand get something positive, and your readers trust that your recommendations are chosen with their interests in mind.

Many people undervalue their work. If you already produce content that is trusted and widely read, sponsors benefit just as much as you do. Make sure you value your contributions accordingly.

The Bigger Picture

Applying this approach pays off well beyond a single transaction. Consistently creating authentic, valuable sponsored content helps you:

• Develop deeper relationships with brands, potentially leading to longer-term partnerships or ambassador roles
• Attract a higher tier of sponsors (who look for blogs with an engaged, trusting readership)
• Build your credibility as a subject matter expert, making you the first port of call for future campaigns in your niche
• Turn what began as a side project into a genuine revenue stream, while still enjoying the creative process

Most importantly, your audience stays loyal. The goal is for your blog to look and feel like your authentic self, even when brands come on board.

Wrap-Up

Sponsored content, when handled properly, might be the smartest way to fund your blog without polluting it with irrelevant ads or risking your reader’s trust. Focus on cultural fit, quality partnerships, and open communication. Don’t forget the legal side, and always be transparent.

Your reputation is your greatest asset. Treat it with care. Useful, relevant sponsored posts can be a genuine win for reader, brand, and blogger alike, but you need to hold the line on quality and integrity every single time.

Want more helpful systems like this? Join Pixelhaze Academy for free at https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership.

Jargon Buster

• Sponsored Content: Blog content created in partnership with a brand, written to inform or entertain while featuring a product or service
• Cultural Alignment: Ensuring your and the sponsor’s values match to avoid inauthentic collaborations
• Native Advertising: Ads designed to blend in with content, rather than stand out
• Transparency/Disclosure: Clearly telling your audience when you’ve been paid, gifted, or otherwise compensated for a post

Mini Case Study: Squarespace User in Action

Harriet runs an independent lifestyle blog focused on zero-waste living. Using Squarespace, she grew from 500 to 6,000 monthly readers in under a year. When approached by a well-known eco-friendly cleaning supplier, she reviewed their all-natural products in a post about “Spring Cleaning with a Conscience,” weaving the sponsor naturally into her usual practical tips.

By disclosing the partnership at the top (“This post is sponsored by Green Clean. Opinions and grubby dish hands, as always, are my own.”), she saw doubled engagement. She received comments from readers who appreciated the transparency and experienced a 20% bump in affiliate sales.

Harriet has now signed two repeat sponsorship deals. Squarespace’s blog features made the process seamless, and she credits staying choosy with sponsors as the reason her audience continues to grow.

FAQ

What’s the main difference between sponsored content and old-school ads?
Sponsored content sits naturally in your blog, offering genuine help or insight, while traditional ads shout for attention and often stick out like a sore thumb.

How can I spot a good sponsor for my blog?
The best sponsors are those whose products you use, trust, and find relevant to your readers. If the answer is “no,” skip it. If “yes,” reach out or say yes if they approach you.

Do I have to accept every brand offer to make real money?
You do not have to accept every brand offer. Turning down badly matched deals protects your reputation and is often the smarter business move.

Will sponsored content annoy my readers?
If you’re honest, keep the quality high, and only partner with brands you genuinely rate, your readers are unlikely to be annoyed. Most audiences appreciate transparency and enjoy learning about products you truly recommend.

Is there a legal requirement to disclose sponsorships?
In the UK and most other countries, yes. You must make disclosures clear, friendly, and visible.

Whether you’ve just published your first Squarespace article or you’ve got hundreds in the archive, sponsored content done right offers a win for you and your readers. Stay genuine, keep learning, and support your creativity with strong, strategic choices.