Deciding Between a Developer or Plugin for Squarespace

Learning Objectives

• Understand when to recruit a developer for Squarespace website customisations
• Learn how to assess the effectiveness of plugins for Squarespace
• Recognise the limits of personal coding abilities and when to seek help

Introduction

When customising a Squarespace site, you might realise that some features and designs you envision require more advanced coding than you can currently handle. This chapter helps you determine when it would be more beneficial to hire a developer or use plugins to enhance your website's functionality and aesthetics. You'll learn to evaluate your coding competencies, understand the role of external plugins, and know when to seek professional assistance.

Lessons

Lesson 1: Assessing Your Coding Skills

Before deciding whether to hire a developer or use a plugin, honestly assess your coding skills.

Step 1: Review the custom code changes you've made in the past.

Step 2: Compare those changes to the new functionalities you want to implement.

Step 3: Identify if there's a significant skill gap or if learning the required skills is unfeasible in your timeline.

Lesson 2: When to Hire a Developer

Step 1: List the customisations or features you need.

Step 2: Evaluate developer portfolios and reviews to choose the right professional.

Step 3: Discuss your needs with a few developers to get insights and quotes.

Lesson 3: Choosing the Right Plugin

Step 1: Search for plugins that match your desired functionality.

Step 2: Read user reviews and analyse update logs to check the plugin's reliability and support.

Step 3: Test the plugin in a staging environment before fully integrating it into your live site.

Practice

Reflect on your last project. Identify one element that you struggled with. Would a developer or a plugin have made the process easier? Document your findings and consider what approach you'd take if you faced a similar challenge again.

FAQs

What signs indicate I need a developer for my Squarespace site?
Consistent difficulties in achieving the desired functionality or repeated code-related errors are clear signs. If you find yourself spending more time troubleshooting than building, it's time to consider professional help.

How do I choose a trustworthy plugin?
Opt for plugins with extensive, positive feedback and a history of consistent updates and good support. Check the developer's reputation and ensure they provide clear documentation.

Is it possible to revert changes made by plugins or developers?
Yes, you can roll back to previous versions of your site if necessary through Squarespace's versioning system. However, it's always better to test changes in a staging environment first.

Jargon Buster

Custom Code: Specific HTML, CSS, or JavaScript codes added to personalise Squarespace sites beyond the standard template options.

Plugin: A third-party extension or add-on designed to enhance website functionality without changing core code structure.

Staging Environment: A replica of your live website where you can test changes without affecting the live version.

Wrap-up

Now that you know when to utilise developers or plugins, you can plan your next project with clear steps and targets in mind. Remember, enhancing your Squarespace site often requires external help, and there's no shame in seeking it. The key is knowing your limits and making informed decisions about when to push forward alone and when to bring in reinforcements.

Roll your sleeves up for the next chapter where we'll dive into the practical steps of implementing custom code solutions.

Join Pixelhaze Academy to access more advanced Squarespace customisation techniques and get support from our community of developers.