Selling Downloadable Products on Squarespace
TL;DR:
- Squarespace handles digital products like ebooks, audio files, and software through download products
- Download links are automatically sent to customers and expire after 24 hours
- You can upload one file per product, up to 300 MB in size
- Files are automatically delivered via email after purchase
- Basic security features protect your downloads from unauthorised access
- Works on both Squarespace 7.1 and 7.0 versions
Setting Up Your Download Products
Getting your digital products ready to sell is straightforward once you know the process. Here's how to set everything up properly.
Creating Your Product
When you add a new product in your Squarespace store, select 'Download' as your product type. This tells Squarespace to treat it as a digital product rather than something you'll ship physically.
Add your product name and description like you would for any other product. The description is important here because customers can't physically examine what they're buying, so be clear about what they'll receive.
Upload product images to make your listing more appealing. Even though it's a digital product, good visuals help customers understand what they're getting.
Uploading Your File
Click 'Upload file' to add your digital product. You're limited to one file per product, and it must be under 300 MB. If you need to sell multiple files together, zip them into a single archive.
Common file types that work well include PDF for ebooks, MP3 for audio, ZIP for software or bundles, and most standard formats customers expect.
If your file is too large, compress it or split it into multiple products. For audio files, consider using MP3 instead of WAV. For documents, PDF usually gives you the best balance of quality and file size.
Pricing and Organisation
Set your regular price and add a sale price if needed. The sale price toggle makes it easy to run promotions without changing your base pricing.
Use tags and categories to help customers find your products. This matters more than you might think, especially if you're planning to sell multiple digital products.
SEO and Publishing
Add an SEO description in the Marketing section. This helps search engines understand what you're selling and can bring in customers who are looking for exactly what you offer.
When you're ready, publish your product. You can also save it as a draft or schedule it to go live later if you're coordinating with a launch or promotion.
Always preview your product page before publishing. Check that the images look right, the description is clear, and the pricing displays correctly.
How Download Delivery Works
Once someone buys your product, Squarespace automatically sends them an email with a download link. The link expires after 24 hours for security reasons.
The download email includes the order details and a secure link to download the file. Customers don't need to create accounts or log in, they just click the link and download.
If a customer's download link expires, you can resend it manually. Go to your orders list, find their purchase, and click 'Resend email notifications'.
Common Problems and Solutions
The most frequent issue is the "Cannot save product" error. This happens when you try to save a download product without uploading a file. Make sure you've attached your file before saving.
If customers report they can't download their files, check that your file is still attached to the product. If you've updated or removed the original file, you'll need to re-upload it and manually resend download links to previous customers.
Large files cause problems. If your file is close to the 300 MB limit, it might timeout during upload or download. Compress your files when possible, or consider hosting very large files externally and providing access credentials instead.
Some customers might not receive their download email immediately. Check it's not going to spam folders, and make sure your store's email settings are configured properly.
Security Considerations
Squarespace includes basic security features for download products. Links expire after 24 hours, which prevents long-term unauthorised sharing.
However, once someone downloads your file, there's nothing stopping them from sharing it. This is a limitation of most digital product platforms, not just Squarespace.
For higher-value products, consider adding your own protection like watermarks, password protection, or limited-use licensing terms in your product description.
Limitations to Know About
You can't sell download products as subscriptions on Squarespace. Each purchase is a one-time transaction.
The 300 MB file size limit is firm. There's no way to increase this, so plan your products accordingly.
You can only attach one file per product. If you want to sell a bundle, you'll need to zip the files together.
Download products don't have inventory tracking since they're digital. This means you can't limit quantities or track stock levels.
FAQs
Can I update the file after people have already bought it?
Yes, but you'll need to manually resend download links to previous customers. The system doesn't do this automatically.
What happens if someone's download link expires?
Go to your orders, find their purchase, and click 'Resend email notifications'. This generates a new 24-hour link.
Can I sell the same file as multiple products?
Yes, but you'll need to upload the file separately for each product. You can't reuse uploaded files across products.
Do download products work with discount codes?
Yes, discount codes work the same way as with physical products.
Can customers re-download if they lose the file?
Not automatically. You'll need to manually resend their download link through the orders section.
Jargon Buster
SKU: Stock Keeping Unit. A unique code for each product that helps you track sales and inventory.
SSL: Secure Socket Layer. The security protocol that encrypts data between your website and customers. Essential for safe downloads.
SEO: Search Engine Optimisation. Techniques to help your products show up in Google and other search engines.
ZIP file: A compressed archive that can contain multiple files. Useful for selling bundles or reducing file sizes.
Wrap-up
Selling digital products on Squarespace is relatively straightforward once you understand the system. The automatic delivery saves you time, and the basic security features provide reasonable protection for most use cases.
The main limitations are the file size restrictions and the inability to sell subscriptions. If these don't affect your products, Squarespace provides a solid platform for digital sales.
Start with one or two products to get familiar with the process, then expand your digital product range as you get more comfortable with the system.
Ready to take your Squarespace skills further? Join Pixelhaze Academy for in-depth tutorials and expert guidance.