Creating well-structured pages is crucial for a professional website. Squarespace offers flexible tools for organizing your content into columns, enhancing readability and visual appeal. This guide will walk you through the process, from basic column creation to advanced layout techniques.
Whether you're designing a landing page, an informative blog layout, or a product showcase, using columns can make your content more engaging. Let's explore how to effectively add and manage columns in Squarespace.
Understanding Squarespace's section-based design
Squarespace uses a section-based approach, meaning each page is composed of different sections. Within these sections, you can add and arrange content blocks, which form the core structure of your layout. This design gives you more flexibility while ensuring content remains visually organized.
The best way to approach Squarespace’s layout system is to think of your page as a structured grid. You place content blocks inside sections, and these blocks can be adjusted to create columns. While this system simplifies page design, it requires a clear understanding of how elements interact to achieve a well-balanced layout.
The basics: How to create columns in Squarespace
The simplest way to create columns is by adding multiple content blocks within a section and positioning them next to each other. This allows for side-by-side content placement, which is essential for structuring pages efficiently.
Step 1: Add a section
Click the “+” button in the Squarespace editor to insert a new section. Choose a blank or pre-designed layout depending on your needs.
Step 2: Insert content blocks
Choose the type of content blocks you need, such as text, images, buttons, or videos. Drag them into your section and align them side by side.
Step 3: Arrange and refine
To finalize your columns, click and drag content blocks to position them correctly. Squarespace automatically snaps blocks into place to ensure proper alignment.
Adjusting column width in Squarespace
Not all columns need to be the same size. Sometimes, adjusting the width improves the overall layout and enhances readability. Squarespace allows you to modify column widths easily by dragging the adjustment handles between content blocks.
| Column Type | Best Use Case | How to Adjust |
|---|---|---|
| Equal-width columns | For balanced layouts where content is of similar importance. | Place blocks side by side and ensure they align evenly. |
| Asymmetrical columns | For layouts where one section (e.g., text) requires more space than another (e.g., an image). | Drag the divider handle between blocks to resize as needed. |
| Full-width sections | When highlighting a key section, such as a hero image or call-to-action. | Stretch a block across the entire section width by placing it alone. |
Structuring content with Squarespace blocks
Columns become powerful when paired with the right content blocks. Squarespace provides a variety of blocks that allow you to enhance the structure and interactivity of your content.
Text blocks
Use these to add headings, paragraphs, and bullet points. Proper text formatting ensures readability and better organization.
Image blocks
Ideal for showcasing products, team members, or visual content. Pair them with text to create visually appealing sections.
Spacer blocks
The Spacer block helps fine-tune alignment and prevent content from appearing too cramped. It’s a great tool for maintaining a clean, balanced look.
Making columns mobile-friendly in Squarespace
Squarespace automatically adjusts your column layout for mobile screens by stacking content vertically. However, manual adjustments can help optimize the mobile experience.
Preview and test
Use the mobile preview mode in Squarespace to check how your columns appear on different screen sizes.
Limit the number of columns
While multiple columns work well on desktops, they can make content harder to read on mobile. Reducing the number of columns in certain sections can improve usability.
Use adequate spacing
Ensure there is enough padding between content elements so that buttons, images, and text remain easy to interact with on smaller screens.
Best practices for Squarespace page structure
To create an effective column layout, follow these best practices:
- Maintain consistency in column spacing and alignment.
- Use high-quality images that don’t disrupt the structure.
- Balance content so that no section appears cluttered.
- Test your layout on different devices to ensure responsiveness.
Troubleshooting common column issues
Sometimes, your columns may not behave as expected. Here’s how to fix the most common issues:
Uneven columns
If columns appear misaligned, try adjusting widths or using Spacer blocks to balance them.
Content overlapping
Ensure that all blocks are inside the correct section. Overlapping often occurs when elements are accidentally placed outside of their intended layout.
Mobile layout issues
Columns may appear too narrow on mobile. Adjust padding or reduce the number of columns to enhance readability.
Useful Links
Adding Content with Blocks – Learn how to use Squarespace's drag-and-drop blocks to customize your website's content and structure.
Moving Blocks to Customize Layouts – Discover how to rearrange blocks to create columns and rows, tailoring your website's layout to your needs.
Content Link Blocks – Find out how to add visual previews of other pages on your site using content link blocks.
Enhance Your Squarespace with Powerful Plugins!
Elfsight created dozens of useful plugins to make your website more attractive and boost its performance in so many ways. Try these no-code solutions for free on Squarespace!
Conclusion
Adding and customizing columns in Squarespace is essential for creating well-structured pages. By utilizing different content blocks, adjusting column widths, and following best practices, you can design an engaging and professional layout. Don’t forget to test your design on both desktop and mobile to ensure a seamless user experience.
Whether you’re building a blog, portfolio, or eCommerce website, mastering Squarespace’s column structure will help you present content more effectively. Keep experimenting with different layouts to find the one that best suits your brand’s needs.