Squarespace Advanced Layouts for Ecommerce

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:

• Customise product page layouts using Squarespace's built-in tools
• Apply custom CSS to strengthen your brand identity
• Ensure your store displays perfectly on all devices
• Navigate Squarespace's responsive design settings

Introduction

Your Squarespace store's layout can make or break a sale. This chapter shows you how to move beyond basic templates and create product pages that reflect your brand and convert visitors into customers. You'll learn practical techniques for customising layouts, adding your own CSS code, and making sure everything works smoothly on mobile devices.

Lessons

Lesson 1: Customising Product Page Layouts

Squarespace gives you several ways to make your product pages stand out from the crowd.

Step 1: Log into your Squarespace account and navigate to Pages in the main menu.

Step 2: Find the product page you want to customise and click Edit.

Step 3: Use the page editor to add, remove, or rearrange content blocks. You can drag elements around to create the layout you want.

Step 4: Add Image Blocks or Gallery Blocks to showcase your products from multiple angles.

Step 5: Save your changes and preview the page to check everything looks right.

Quick tip: Product pages work best when they follow a logical flow – hero image, product details, description, then related products.

Lesson 2: Adding Custom CSS for Brand Identity

Custom CSS lets you fine-tune your store's appearance beyond what the standard settings allow.

Step 1: From your dashboard, go to Design and select Custom CSS.

Step 2: Write or paste your CSS code into the editor. Start with simple changes like colours or fonts before attempting complex layouts.

Step 3: Use the preview window to see your changes in real-time.

Step 4: Once you're happy with the result, save your changes.

Before you start: Always note down your original settings or take screenshots. This makes it easy to revert changes if something goes wrong.

Lesson 3: Making Your Store Mobile-Friendly

Most of your customers will visit your store on their phones, so mobile design isn't optional.

Step 1: Access the Style Editor from your dashboard and look for the Mobile section.

Step 2: Preview your site on different screen sizes using the device preview options.

Step 3: Make adjustments to spacing, font sizes, and button placement for mobile screens.

Step 4: Test your changes by viewing your actual site on a mobile device.

Remember: Squarespace handles most responsive design automatically, but you can still make specific tweaks for mobile users.

Practice

Pick one product page from your store and customise it using the techniques from this chapter. Try changing the layout, adding a custom colour to match your brand, and checking how it looks on mobile. Compare the before and after to see the difference these changes make.

FAQs

Can I undo customisations if I don't like how they look?
Yes, you can revert to previous versions through your site's history or by removing custom CSS code.

How much CSS knowledge do I need for Squarespace customisations?
Basic CSS knowledge helps, but you can start with simple changes like colours and fonts. Many code snippets are available online for common customisations.

Will my customisations work on all Squarespace templates?
Most customisations work across templates, but some CSS might need adjusting when switching between different template families.

What happens to my customisations if I change templates?
Custom CSS stays in your site settings, but you might need to adjust some code to work with your new template's structure.

Jargon Buster

Responsive Design – A design approach that makes websites work well on all screen sizes, from phones to desktop computers.

Custom CSS – Code that controls how your website looks, allowing you to customise colours, fonts, spacing, and layout beyond the standard options.

Content Blocks – Individual elements like text, images, or buttons that you can add and arrange on your Squarespace pages.

Template Family – Groups of related Squarespace templates that share similar structures and features.

Wrap-up

You now have the tools to create professional-looking product pages that reflect your brand and work well on any device. The key is to start small with simple customisations and build up your skills over time. Remember to always test your changes on mobile devices and keep your customer's shopping experience at the heart of every design decision.

Ready to take your Squarespace skills further? Join our community at https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership