Advanced Squarespace Layouts and Design

Learning Objectives

• Use Squarespace's advanced layout tools to create professional designs
• Build responsive websites that work perfectly on all devices
• Customise typography, colours, and spacing for a polished look

Introduction

Your Squarespace site can look far more professional with the right layout and design techniques. This chapter shows you how to use advanced features that most beginners miss – from custom column structures to mobile-first design principles. You'll learn practical steps to make your site stand out while keeping it functional across all devices.

Lessons

Lesson 1: Advanced Layout Techniques

Squarespace offers powerful layout tools that go beyond basic templates. Here's how to use them effectively.

Step 1: Access your Squarespace dashboard and select the page you want to redesign.

Step 2: Add a new section and choose "Blank" to start with a clean canvas.

Step 3: Use the layout grid system by adding content blocks and arranging them in columns. You can create 2, 3, or 4-column layouts.

Step 4: Experiment with the Spacer Block to control vertical spacing between elements. This gives you precise control over your layout's breathing room.

Step 5: Try stacking different content types – combine text blocks with image blocks, or add a quote block between paragraphs for visual interest.

Lesson 2: Mobile-First Design

Most visitors will see your site on mobile devices first. Here's how to make sure it looks brilliant on small screens.

Step 1: Always start designing in mobile view. Click the mobile icon in the Squarespace editor toolbar.

Step 2: Keep your mobile layout simple. What works on desktop often becomes cluttered on mobile.

Step 3: Check image sizes carefully. Large images can slow down mobile loading times and push content off-screen.

Step 4: Test your navigation menu on mobile. Make sure all menu items are easily tappable.

Step 5: Preview your site on an actual mobile device, not just the editor's mobile view.

Lesson 3: Typography and Visual Hierarchy

Good typography makes your content easier to read and more professional-looking.

Step 1: Go to Design > Site Styles in your Squarespace dashboard.

Step 2: Choose fonts that reflect your brand. Stick to a maximum of two font families – one for headings and one for body text.

Step 3: Set up a clear hierarchy using heading styles (H1, H2, H3). Your H1 should be the largest, H2 slightly smaller, and so on.

Step 4: Adjust line spacing for better readability. Body text often needs more space between lines than the default setting.

Step 5: Choose colours that provide good contrast. Your text should be easy to read against your background.

Lesson 4: Working with Colour and Spacing

Consistent colour schemes and spacing make your site look polished and professional.

Step 1: Create a colour palette with 3-5 colours maximum. Use one main colour, one accent colour, and neutral colours for backgrounds and text.

Step 2: Apply your colours consistently across your site. Use the same colour for all your buttons, the same colour for all your links.

Step 3: Set up consistent spacing using the Spacer Block. Decide on standard spacing sizes (like 20px, 40px, 60px) and stick to them.

Step 4: Use white space effectively. Don't try to fill every inch of your page with content.

Step 5: Test your colour combinations for accessibility. Make sure there's enough contrast between text and background colours.

Practice

Choose one page from your current site and redesign it using the techniques from this chapter. Focus on:

• Creating a clear visual hierarchy with headings
• Using consistent spacing throughout
• Making sure it looks good on both desktop and mobile
• Applying a consistent colour scheme

FAQs

Can I create complex layouts without coding?
Yes, Squarespace's drag-and-drop interface and column structures let you build sophisticated layouts. You can create multi-column sections, custom spacing, and unique content arrangements without touching code.

How do I know if my site is truly mobile-friendly?
Test it on real devices, not just the editor preview. Check that text is readable without zooming, buttons are easy to tap, and images load quickly. Google's Mobile-Friendly Test tool can also help spot issues.

What if I want more design flexibility than Squarespace offers?
While Squarespace covers most design needs, you can add custom CSS for specific tweaks. However, try to achieve your goals with built-in tools first – they're usually more reliable and easier to maintain.

Should I design for desktop or mobile first?
Always start with mobile. It's easier to expand a mobile design to desktop than to squeeze a desktop design into mobile. Plus, most of your visitors will probably be on mobile devices.

Jargon Buster

Responsive Design: A website that automatically adjusts its layout and content to look good on any device, from phones to desktop computers.

Visual Hierarchy: The arrangement of elements in order of importance, using size, colour, and spacing to guide the reader's eye through your content.

White Space: The empty space around and between elements on your page. Good use of white space makes content easier to read and sites look more professional.

Column Structure: A layout system that divides your page into vertical sections, making it easier to organise content and create balanced designs.

Wrap-up

You now have the tools to create professional-looking Squarespace sites that work beautifully on all devices. Remember to start with mobile design, use consistent spacing and colours, and don't be afraid of white space. The key is practice – try these techniques on different pages and see what works best for your content.

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