When to Upgrade Your Squarespace Email Campaigns

Learning Objectives

• Spot the signs that your basic email setup needs extra tools
• Learn how to connect Squarespace Email Campaigns with external apps
• Export your data safely to CRMs or larger email platforms
• Decide when it's time to move beyond basic features

Introduction

Your email list is growing, and your campaigns are getting more complex. You might be hitting the limits of what basic Squarespace Email Campaigns can do. This chapter shows you when to add extra tools and how to do it without breaking anything.

We'll cover the warning signs that you need more power, how to connect with automation tools, and when it might be time to export your data elsewhere.

Lessons

When You Need More Than Basic Features

Most beginners can run perfectly good campaigns with basic Squarespace tools. But there are clear signs when you need something more powerful.

Step 1: Check if you're running into these problems:

• You want emails to trigger based on what people do on your website
• You need to split your audience into detailed groups beyond basic demographics
• You want to connect your email data with other business apps
• You're spending too much time on repetitive tasks

Step 2: Look at your current results:

• Are your open rates dropping because emails aren't relevant enough?
• Do you wish you could send different content to different customer types?
• Are you manually copying data between different systems?

Step 3: Count your subscribers:

• If you're approaching 1,000+ active subscribers, you'll likely need better segmentation
• Growing lists need more automation to stay manageable

This is the bit most people miss: you don't need advanced tools from day one. Wait until you actually hit these limits before adding complexity.

Connecting with Zapier

Zapier acts like a bridge between Squarespace Email Campaigns and other apps. It's particularly useful for automating tasks that would otherwise need manual work.

Step 1: Set up your Zapier account at zapier.com and log in.

Step 2: Create a new Zap:

• Click "Create Zap"
• Search for "Squarespace" in the trigger app
• Select "Email Campaigns" from the options

Step 3: Choose your trigger:

• Pick what action in Squarespace will start the automation
• Common triggers include "New Subscriber" or "Email Opened"

Step 4: Connect your action app:

• Choose where you want the data to go (like Google Sheets, Mailchimp, or your CRM)
• Set up what should happen when the trigger fires

Step 5: Test the connection:

• Run a test with sample data
• Check that information flows correctly between systems
• Fix any mapping issues before going live

Start small with one simple automation before building complex workflows.

Exporting Your Data

Sometimes you need to move your subscriber data to a more powerful platform. Here's how to do it safely.

Step 1: Access your audience data:

• Go to your Squarespace dashboard
• Navigate to Email Campaigns
• Click on "Audiences"

Step 2: Export your lists:

• Select the audience you want to export
• Click the settings icon (three dots)
• Choose "Export Audience"
• Download the CSV file

Step 3: Clean your data before importing:

• Remove any test email addresses
• Check for duplicates
• Verify that email addresses are properly formatted

Step 4: Import to your new platform:

• Most email platforms accept CSV files
• Follow their import process
• Double-check subscriber counts match

Remember: exported data is a snapshot from that moment. If you're still using Squarespace Email Campaigns alongside another platform, you'll need to keep both updated.

Practice

Review your current email campaigns and answer these questions:

1. What tasks do you repeat manually each week?
2. How do you currently segment your audience?
3. What other business tools do you use that could connect with your email data?
4. Are there emails you wish you could send automatically?

Pick one area where automation could save you time and research whether Zapier or another tool could help.

FAQs

How do I know if I need advanced tools?
You'll know when basic features start limiting what you want to achieve. Common signs include wanting behavioural triggers, complex segmentation, or connections with other business apps.

Can I export my Squarespace email data?
Yes, go to Email Campaigns > Audiences > select your list > settings > Export Audience. You'll get a CSV file with subscriber details.

Is Zapier worth the cost for small businesses?
Zapier offers a free plan for basic automation. Paid plans start around £15/month. Calculate how much time automation saves you to decide if it's worth it.

Will I lose subscribers if I export to another platform?
No, exporting doesn't remove subscribers from Squarespace. You're just copying the data. However, check email marketing laws about transferring subscriber consent.

Jargon Buster

Zapier – Software that connects different apps and automates tasks between them without coding

CSV file – A simple data format that most email platforms can read for importing subscriber lists

Behavioural triggers – Emails that send automatically based on what someone does, like visiting a specific page

Segmentation – Dividing your email list into smaller groups based on interests, behaviour, or demographics

CRM – Customer Relationship Management software that tracks all your interactions with customers and prospects

Wrap-up

You now know when basic Squarespace Email Campaigns might not be enough and how to add more power when needed. The key is timing – don't overcomplicate things too early, but don't let limitations hold back your growth.

Most businesses can run successful email campaigns with basic tools for months or even years. When you do need more, start with simple automations before building complex systems.

Ready to take your email marketing further? Join Pixelhaze Academy for advanced courses on email automation and CRM integration: https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership