EPISODE SUMMARY

A Beginner's Guide to Editing Squarespace 7.1

Squarespace is a popular website builder known for its user-friendly interface. But even the most user-friendly platform can have its complexities, especially when it comes to editing. In this episode of ThinkInsideTheSquare, I’m sharing an audio overview of the different ways you can edit your Squarespace 7.1 website to help you understanding all of your options.

Understanding the Grid System

Imagine your Squarespace website as a canvas divided into sections. Squarespace uses a grid system to arrange content on these sections. In older page sections and blog posts, you'll find a classic editor with a 12-column grid. This editor allows you to drag and drop content blocks like text, images, and buttons, arranging them side-by-side or stacking them on top of each other, all within the 12-column limit.

Fluid Engine: A New Era of Editing

Squarespace 7.1 introduced a powerful editing tool called Fluid Engine. Here, the grid system expands to 24 columns, offering more flexibility for content arrangement. You can not only stack and layer content blocks but also edit them for mobile view separately. This means you can design a layout that looks perfect on both desktops and smartphones! Fluid Engine sections can be added to standard pages, project portfolios, course lessons, and even above or below collection lists like product stores or blog posts.

Collection Lists & Auto Layouts

Collection lists showcase groups of similar content, like blog posts or products in a store. While you can't drag and drop content blocks here, Squarespace provides pre-designed layouts you can customize. Each collection list has its own design menu that allows you to control how the content is displayed, like the order or the information shown.

Squarespace offers auto layout sections like galleries and lists. These sections don't use content blocks but dedicated menus to manage your content. For example, in a gallery section, you can upload photos and arrange them in a specific order. While you can't add elements like buttons or audio blocks, auto layouts are great for displaying collections of similar content in a visually appealing way.

Individual Video Pages: Limited Editing Options

Squarespace allows you to create video collections with individual pages for each video. However, these pages offer the least editing flexibility. You can edit the text content and format it, but adding interactive elements like buttons or images isn't possible. For video content, it's recommended to use a blog post with a video block. This allows you to leverage the classic editor for a more engaging experience.

Ready to Dive Deeper?

This whistle-stop tour of Squarespace editing hopefully gave you a clearer picture of the options available. To explore these concepts visually, check out the resources mentioned in the podcast episode linked above. If you'd like to learn more about Squarespace and its functionalities, it’d love to have you as my latest student inside Squarespace Made Simple! Get access right now at insidethesquare.co/start