Sharing your Squarespace website is essential for collaboration, gathering feedback, or making it accessible to the right audience. Whether you need to share an unpublished website, send a preview link, or control access to a live website, this guide will cover all the best methods.
How to Share an Unpublished Squarespace Website
Before publishing your website, you may need to share it for review. Squarespace provides multiple ways to share an unpublished website, depending on whether you need a simple preview or full editing access.
Using Squarespace Preview Mode
The easiest way to check your design is with preview mode, allowing you to see how your website appears on different devices.
- Click the eye icon in the Squarespace editor.
- Switch between desktop, tablet, and mobile views to check responsiveness.
- For quick feedback, you can share your screen or record a walkthrough.
Generating a Squarespace Preview Link
If you need to share your website before publishing, you can generate a preview link that allows others to see the website without requiring login access.
How to Share an Unpublished Squarespace Website with Contributors
If your website is in trial mode or not yet published, you can invite users as contributors to collaborate on edits.
Steps to share an unpublished website with contributors:- Go to Settings > Permissions.
- Click Invite Contributor and enter their email address.
- Assign the appropriate role (Admin, Editor, Comment Moderator, etc.).
- Click Send Invitation.
How to Share Your Live Squarespace Website
Once your website is published, sharing it is straightforward. You can simply distribute the link or use visibility settings to control who has access.
Sharing the Website Link
The most common way to share a live Squarespace website is by copying and pasting the URL:
- Send the link via email, messaging apps, or social media.
- Embed the link in newsletters or marketing campaigns.
- Ensure your domain is properly connected to avoid accessibility issues.
Understanding Website Visibility Settings
Squarespace offers different website visibility settings to control access:
- Public: The website is fully accessible to anyone online.
- Private: Only logged-in contributors can view the website.
- Password-protected: Visitors need a password to access the website.
How to Share a Password-Protected Squarespace Website
If you want to limit access to select users, you can protect your website with a password:
- Go to Settings > Site Availability.
- Select Password Protected.
- Enter a password and click Save.
- Share the password along with the website link.
How to Share a Squarespace Website with Clients
If you’re working with clients, sharing different versions of your website at different stages of development is essential.
Best Ways to Share a Website with Clients:- Use a preview link for initial design reviews.
- Enable password protection for limited access to a live website.
- Invite them as comment moderators if direct feedback is required.
Best Practices for Sharing a Squarespace Website
To ensure a smooth experience when sharing your Squarespace website, follow these best practices:
- Clearly communicate the purpose: Let recipients know whether they should review, provide feedback, or just explore.
- Provide relevant context: Share details about design choices, branding, and functionality.
- Manage permissions wisely: Assign only necessary access to prevent unwanted changes.
- Use feedback tools: Online forms, surveys, or email feedback help organize input efficiently.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you're having trouble sharing your Squarespace website, check these common problems:
Common Problems & Solutions:- Website isn’t accessible: Ensure the Site Availability setting is public.
- Custom domain not working: Verify domain connection in Settings > Domains.
- Preview link expired: Generate a new preview link if the old one no longer works.
- Access issues in different browsers: Try clearing cache or using an alternative browser.
Useful Links
Publishing or Hiding Your Site – This guide explains how to make your Squarespace website public or private, detailing the steps to publish your site when you're ready.
Accessing and Sharing a Trial Site – Learn how to share your Squarespace trial website with others, including inviting contributors and setting permissions.
Sharing URLs from Your Site – Understand how to share links to your Squarespace website's pages, whether it's live or in development.
Page Settings – Discover how to manage individual page settings, including password protection and navigation options.
Site Availability – Explore different site availability settings to control who can access your Squarespace website during development and after launch.
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Conclusion
Understanding how to share your Squarespace website ensures a seamless experience for clients, collaborators, and your audience. Whether you’re sharing an unpublished website, generating a preview link, or managing live website access, Squarespace provides flexible options for every need. By following these steps and best practices, you can confidently share your website at any stage of development.