Squarespace Plugin Giveaway via SQSPthemes – well worth a look!

There’s never a bad time to get extra value for your Squarespace website, especially when all it costs is a couple of minutes and a click. Right now, thanks to SQSPthemes (one of the best plugin creators in the Squarespace ecosystem), you’ve got that chance. They’re marking four years of community contribution with a plugin giveaway. If you care a jot about improving your website without digging into lines of code, this one’s well worth a closer look.

We’ve been customers and admirers of SQSPthemes for years. We use their plugins in day-to-day project builds at Pixelhaze Academy and, unusually, we’re actually planning to put their Random Gallery Order extension through its paces in a brand-new YouTube challenge. Watch for updates soon. But the real benefit is free tools, no coding required, and no catch. You only need to know where to click.

Before we get to the competition details and the steps for making the most of Squarespace plugins, let’s tackle why it matters.

Why This Matters

When you need a website to work harder, look sharper, convert customers better, and generally feel more ‘made to measure’, it's easy to run into a brick wall with Squarespace’s default features. Even with Squarespace’s slick templates, real-world business needs often outgrow what’s baked in. Soon enough, business owners hit a fork in the road:

1. Dive into the jungle of custom code and risk hours wrestling with bugs.
2. Hire a developer, shell out a few hundred quid, and cross your fingers.
3. Or try a plugin—simple, effective, and (if you’re lucky) fit for your actual purpose.

You’d think option three would always win. Even so, people still get stuck. They can feel overwhelmed by too many plugins, or become wary after bad past experiences. SQSPthemes’ giveaway may be a turning point because their plugins are built for people who do not want to write or debug code. Installation is usually click-and-go, and you’ll find tools that can genuinely make a tinned template feel bespoke.

Website upgrades don’t have to be expensive or fiddly. SQSPthemes’ plugins provide a direct shortcut. And right now, you could get one (or more) without opening your wallet.

Common Pitfalls

Based on years of helping clients, students, and our own team, here are the top ways people shoot themselves in the foot with Squarespace plugins (and giveaways in general):

• Missing the Deadline: Dead easy to mean to enter, forget, and then see a winner’s name that isn’t yours. The current SQSPthemes competition finishes Friday, with winners announced Monday 24th June.
• Choosing Plugins Blinded by Shiny-ness: “That animation effect looks great!” Sure, but does it help your business? Not every plugin suits every site.
• Overlooking Compatibility: Not every plugin works seamlessly with every Squarespace template. It takes a minute to check, and less to regret later.
• Assuming Plugins Are Too Technical: Some folks never even try. The best part about SQSPthemes’ tools is that they’re made for mortals, not coders.
• Entering Without Reading the Instructions: You’d be surprised. There’s a right way to enter a competition. Don’t miss a tick box or required field and disqualify yourself.

Don’t worry, we’ll lay out a no-nonsense guide below. But if you simply want to enter right now, here’s the competition link.

Step-by-Step Fix

Here’s how to get from “plugin curious” or “I’d love something for free” to confidently installed, useful Squarespace magic.

1. Mark Your Calendar and Enter the Giveaway Now

When there’s a free competition, missing it is the biggest loss. The SQSPthemes plugin giveaway is open now and closes Friday, 21st June 2024. Winners will be announced on the following Monday (24th June). This year, there are three prizes, each unlocking premium plugins. It's one of the more generous Squarespace competitions available.

How to enter:

• Visit the official competition post in the Squarespace Facebook Help group.
• Follow Omari’s entry instructions, usually commenting on the post with your favourite plugin idea or by sharing your website.
• Double-check you’ve met all their requirements so your entry’s valid.

2. Decide What Your Site Actually Needs (Before Installing Anything)

It’s tempting to enter competitions just for the thrill of free stuff. A better play is to reflect on your real business needs so, if you win or buy later, you choose plugins that actually matter.

• Ask yourself: Is your site lacking interactivity, suffering from dull galleries, or missing a slick way to display testimonials?
• List your pains. Slow portfolio pages? Muddy navigation? The default Squarespace bells and whistles can only do so much.
• Next, browse SQSPthemes’ plugin library. Their listings are clear. Notice any that jump out as immediately useful? Note them down.

3. Read the Fine Print and Check Compatibility

No plugin, no matter how well-reviewed, can work magic in every scenario. Some limitations apply. Squarespace has multiple template families, and an effect that dazzles on Brine might sputter on Bedford.

• On the plugin’s sales or info page, scroll down and check “compatibility” or “requirements.” Is your template listed? If not, message and ask.
• Skim any recent user reviews or comments, which often mention which template or Squarespace version people have succeeded with.
• Look for “works with Squarespace 7.0 and 7.1,” especially if your site is on 7.1 (most are now).

4. Install a Plugin the Smart Way

If you win or decide to buy, it’s time to actually add your new plugin to your site.

• Download your plugin from the link SQSPthemes sends, or follow their straightforward installation instructions.
• Most of their tools are copy-and-paste snippets (or installable via site header/footer). No special characters or developer console required.
• Don’t dive straight into your live website. Instead, try it on a duplicate or test page inside Squarespace first.

For their Random Gallery Order plugin, for example, you simply add the code block to the page or gallery, adjust a setting or two, and refresh. You'll see images shuffle, which is especially useful for portfolio freshness or any gallery-heavy site.

5. Tweak, Test, and Get Support as Needed

Installing a plugin isn’t the end. Take time to fine-tune.

• Use preview mode to check how the effect works across devices. Mobile views matter. What looks good on desktop can turn odd on your phone.
• If anything doesn’t behave as expected, check the SQSPthemes documentation or ask in their Facebook support group.
• Don’t hesitate to ask for a tweak. SQSPthemes and their community of plugin users are usually happy to share custom settings or troubleshooting tips.

6. Share Your Results and Engage with the Community

One bonus of competitions like this is discovering what other Squarespace users are building. After your install:

• Post before-and-after screenshots in the Squarespace Help group. Omari encourages this as part of the competition.
• Highlight features you liked or any tips for the next user.
• Seeing what others create with the same plugin often sparks new ideas and can help get your own site noticed by a wider audience.

What Most People Miss

Many people overlook a crucial factor: Filling your site with as many bells and whistles as possible isn’t the priority. Focus on making careful, intentional improvements.

The best Squarespace sites we see, both from professionals and passionate amateurs, are those where plugins serve a specific, thoroughly considered goal. One client used a gallery shuffle plugin to keep their photography portfolio dynamic, drawing repeat viewers. Another used a filterable blog summary plugin so that visitors could skip straight to the content that mattered to them, boosting their session times. Each chose plugins because they addressed a particular challenge.

Similarly, competitions like this are an opportunity to reflect on what your audience truly needs. Entering just for novelty can leave you with a plugin that sits unused, like a kitchen gadget collecting dust in the drawer. But when treated as a chance to enhance what your site delivers, the reward is long-lasting.

The Bigger Picture

After making the leap from default Squarespace to thoughtfully chosen add-ons, you experience a real difference.

• Websites become less cookie-cutter and start to reflect your personal brand.
• User engagement climbs as visitors spend more time on your site, find what they need, and ultimately convert more.
• You gain confidence in making your own updates rather than relying on outside help every time a new business need appears.

Over time, your skill set expands. Your first plugin might be a simple countdown timer, and a few weeks later you could add a summary block filter or a lightbox gallery. Each improvement builds on the last. Soon, you’re not Googling “How do I…” constantly—you’re stepping up, sharing your own advice, and maybe even organizing community giveaways.

Eventually, you develop a sense for when a plugin will do the trick or when you truly need a professional’s custom touch. Plugins are about making fast and sustainable improvements. Used wisely, they save you time and ease your workload, giving you an edge over competitors who remain stuck with only basic features.

Wrap-Up

Squarespace’s simplicity is a strength, but it only goes so far if you want your website to stand out. Plugins help your brand capture attention, engage visitors, and solve small site headaches without extra coding or costs.

Right now, the SQSPthemes plugin giveaway makes these tools available for free. But the competition ends soon: entries close the evening of Friday 21 June, with winners announced Monday 24 June. Make sure your entry is in.

To recap:

• Enter now using the official competition link.
• Clarify your needs before selecting any plugin. Focus on adding value, not clutter.
• Check compatibility and get support if you need it.
• Share your results and learn from the community. Often, small tweaks bring meaningful results.
• Most importantly: use tools like these to address your real needs, not simply because they’re new.

If you want more practical systems for web success, direct guidance, or hands-on breakdowns like our upcoming Stopwatch Challenge, you can join Pixelhaze Academy for free at https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership.

FAQ

How do I enter the SQSPthemes competition?
Click here, follow the instructions in the Facebook group post, and make sure you fulfil any requirements (usually commenting or sharing your website).

Are the plugins easy to use?
Yes. They’re built for Squarespace users who don’t want to mess around with code. Most install in a few clicks or via a copy-paste.

Will they work with my template?
Usually, yes. SQSPthemes lists which templates each plugin supports. If you’re not sure, ask the developer or check recent case studies.

What if I get stuck?
Jump into the Facebook group or contact SQSPthemes directly. In our experience, Omari and team are quick to respond.

Is there any risk?
There’s minor risk. As with any website changes, always back up your content and test before rolling out on your live site. These plugins are about as user-friendly and safe as they come.

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