How Squarespace CDN Works for Your Website
TL;DR:
- Squarespace automatically uses a CDN to deliver your images and files faster globally
- Your content gets stored on servers worldwide, so visitors get faster loading times
- The CDN is built-in and automatic – no setup required on your end
- Image optimisation and monitoring help you get the most from Squarespace's CDN
- You can't add third-party CDNs to Squarespace – it handles everything for you
Squarespace includes a Content Delivery Network (CDN) with every site. This means your images and files are automatically distributed across servers worldwide, making your site load faster for visitors no matter where they are.
How Squarespace's CDN Works
When someone visits your site, they don't download images directly from Squarespace's main servers. Instead, they get them from the nearest CDN server location. If someone in Australia visits your site, they'll pull images from a server closer to them rather than from a server in the US.
This setup reduces loading times and makes your site feel snappier. The CDN handles this automatically – you don't need to configure anything.
Getting Better Performance from Your CDN
The CDN works best when your images are properly optimised. Large, uncompressed images still need to travel across the network, even with CDN help.
Keep your images under 500KB where possible. Squarespace compresses images automatically, but starting with reasonably sized files gives better results.
Use the right image format for your content. JPEGs work well for photos, while PNGs are better for graphics with transparent backgrounds.
Common CDN Issues
Some users notice images loading slowly in certain regions. This can happen when CDN servers in specific locations have higher traffic or temporary issues.
Cache timing can also cause confusion. When you update an image, it might take a few minutes to update across all CDN locations. Visitors might see the old version until the cache refreshes.
If you're seeing consistent slow loading in particular areas, this is worth reporting to Squarespace support. They can check if there are regional server issues affecting your site.
Monitoring Your Site's CDN Performance
Use Squarespace's built-in analytics to spot performance issues. Look for pages with higher bounce rates – these might have loading problems.
Test your site speed from different locations using tools like GTmetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights. This helps you see how the CDN is performing globally.
Pay attention to your largest images and most visited pages. These have the biggest impact on how visitors experience your site's speed.
FAQs
Can I use a different CDN with Squarespace?
No, Squarespace doesn't allow third-party CDNs. The built-in CDN is part of the platform and handles all content delivery automatically.
Why are my images loading slowly even with the CDN?
Large file sizes are usually the culprit. The CDN speeds up delivery, but huge images still take time to download. Try compressing your images before uploading them.
How do I know if the CDN is working?
The CDN works automatically for all Squarespace sites. You can check by looking at your image URLs – they'll often show a CDN domain rather than your main site domain.
What happens when I update an image?
The new image needs to propagate across all CDN servers. This usually takes a few minutes, so don't worry if the change doesn't appear immediately everywhere.
Jargon Buster
Content Delivery Network (CDN): A network of servers that store copies of your website files in multiple locations to speed up loading times
Cache: Temporary storage that keeps copies of your files on CDN servers
Image compression: Reducing file sizes to make images load faster without losing too much quality
Propagation: The process of updated files spreading across all CDN server locations
Wrap-up
Squarespace's CDN works behind the scenes to make your site faster globally. While you can't control the CDN directly, optimising your images and monitoring performance helps you get the best results. Focus on keeping file sizes reasonable and test your site speed regularly to catch any issues early.
Ready to optimise your Squarespace site's performance? Join the Pixelhaze Academy for detailed guides and expert support.