Building Mailing Lists in Squarespace
TL;DR:
- Create and manage mailing lists through Squarespace's Contacts panel
- Add subscribers manually or import up to 250,000 contacts via CSV file
- Connect site forms to automatically capture new subscribers
- Keep your data clean and follow email marketing laws
- Use built-in tools to edit, delete, and export subscriber lists
Getting Started with Mailing Lists
Head to your Contacts panel and find the Lists & Segments section. Click 'Create Mailing List' and give it a name that makes sense for your business.
You can add subscribers in two ways: one at a time manually, or by uploading a CSV file with all your contacts. The CSV method saves time if you already have a list from another platform.
Connect your newsletter signup forms to this list so new subscribers get added automatically. Any newsletter block or form on your site can feed into your mailing list.
Adding and Managing Subscribers
Adding People One by One
Go to your mailing list in Lists & Segments, click 'Add Subscribers', then 'Add an individual subscriber'. Enter their email address and name, but make sure they've actually agreed to receive your emails first.
Importing Contact Files
Your CSV file needs three columns: Email Address, First Name (optional), and Last Name (optional). Squarespace handles up to 250,000 contacts per import.
Common mistakes that cause upload errors:
- Extra spaces before or after email addresses
- Fancy formatting from copying and pasting
- Wrong column headers or order
Save your file as plain CSV format and double-check everything looks clean before uploading.
Managing Your Lists
Finding and Editing Subscribers
Use the search bar in Lists & Segments to find specific people quickly. Click on any subscriber's profile and hit the pencil icon to update their information.
Removing Subscribers
Find the person in your list, click the trash can icon next to their name, and confirm the deletion. People can also unsubscribe themselves through the links in your emails.
Exporting Your Data
Click on any list and select 'Export' to download a file containing all your subscribers. This includes people who've unsubscribed or had their emails bounce, which helps you keep track of your list health.
FAQs
Can I create different segments within my mailing lists?
Squarespace doesn't offer advanced segmentation tools within the platform. You'll need to create separate lists for different subscriber groups.
My CSV file won't upload. What's wrong?
Check that your column headers match exactly: Email Address, First Name, Last Name. Remove any special characters or formatting, and make sure you're saving as a proper CSV file, not Excel format.
What email marketing laws do I need to follow?
This depends on where you and your subscribers are located. GDPR applies to EU residents, CAN-SPAM for US recipients. The key rule everywhere: only email people who've given clear permission.
Jargon Buster
- CSV File: A simple file format that stores data in rows and columns, separated by commas. Think of it as a basic spreadsheet that different systems can read
- Opt-in: When someone actively agrees to receive your emails, usually by ticking a box or signing up through a form
- Bounce Rate: The percentage of emails that couldn't be delivered, often because the email address is wrong or the inbox is full
Wrap-up
Building mailing lists in Squarespace is straightforward once you know where everything lives. Start with clean data, follow the formatting rules for imports, and always make sure people have actually agreed to hear from you.
The platform handles the technical side well, but your success depends on growing your list with engaged subscribers who want your content. Focus on that, and the tools will do their job.
Ready to build your email marketing skills? Join Pixelhaze Academy for in-depth Squarespace training and support.