How Long Does It Take to Build a Squarespace Website?

If you've ever wondered how long it takes to build a Squarespace website, you're in the right place my friend.

Building a Squarespace website can vary in terms of time depending on several factors. On average, it takes about 2 to 4 weeks to complete a Squarespace website. The duration primarily depends on the complexity of the design and functionality required.

For a simple and straightforward website with a standard template, the process can be shorter, possibly within a week. However, more intricate websites with custom designs and advanced features may take longer to build.

Additionally, the timeline can be influenced by other factors such as client feedback if you’re a Squarespace designer. And also content gathering can be one of the factors.

It's essential to allocate enough time for thorough planning, designing, development, content creation, and testing to ensure a high-quality Squarespace website is created within a reasonable timeframe.

Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you click through and pay for a product, we’ll be compensated at no cost to you of course.

How Long It Takes to Build a Basic Squarespace Website

For a basic Squarespace website with a few pages and minimal customization, you can get it up and running in just a few hours or a day. Squarespace's user-friendly interface and pre-designed templates make it relatively quick to set up a simple site.

It is very simple, you just pick a Squarespace template of your choice then you start editing it the way you want. The Squarespace platform is designed to make it easier for beginners to build a website quickly in a short period of time.

However, if you're looking for a more complex and custom website with unique features, integrations, and extensive content, the development process can take several days to a few weeks.

Factors such as your familiarity with the platform, content creation, design decisions, and troubleshooting can also influence the timeline.

In summary, the time to build a Squarespace website ranges from a few hours for simple setups to several weeks for more elaborate and customized projects.

Does Squarespace Have a Free Plan

Squarespace does not offer a free plan. It is a premium website builder, and all of its plans require a subscription fee.

However, Squarespace does provide a 14-day free trial that allows users to explore the platform's features and build a website without entering payment information.

You can use my affiliate code MEHDI10 for 10% off and a free domain name for the first year.

During the trial period, users can test out the website builder, try different templates, add content, and get a sense of how Squarespace works.

After the trial period ends, you will need to select and subscribe to one of Squarespace's paid plans to keep your website live.

Keep in mind that the availability of plans and their features may have changed after my last update, so I recommend visiting Squarespace's official website to get the most up-to-date information about their pricing and plans.

How Much Does Squarespace Cost

Squarespace has different pricing plans catered to meet the needs and budgets of small businesses. Currently, the platform has four pricing plans: Personal, Business, Basic Commerce, and Advanced Commerce.

squarespace pricing plans

The Personal plan starts at $16 per month and includes essential features for creating a beautiful website. The Business plan, at $23 per month, offers additional tools like advanced analytics and promotional pop-ups.

For those who wish to sell products online, the Basic Commerce plan at $27 per month provides e-commerce functionality.

Finally, the Advanced Commerce plan, starting at $49 per month, further enhances the online store experience with features like abandoned cart recovery and advanced shipping options.

Each plan offers a 14-day free trial, allowing users to explore the platform before making a commitment. Squarespace's transparent pricing structure ensures that entrepreneurs can find a suitable plan that aligns with their goals and budget.

Should I Hire a Squarespace Designer

If you're a small business owner or someone who wants a professional and clean website, you might be considering if you should hire a Squarespace designer.

Well, the answer to this question depends on what you need for your website. But let me tell you, hiring a Squarespace designer comes with some great advantages.

Pros of hiring a Squarespace designer:

  • Custom, unique look tailored to your style and ideas.

  • Time-saving, especially if you're new to Squarespace or have a big project.

  • Expertise in handling technical aspects like domain settings and integrations.

  • Ensures your website aligns with your brand and marketing goals.

  • Ongoing support even after the website is live.

Cons to keep in mind:

  • Additional cost to hire a professional designer.

  • If you have design skills and are comfortable with the platform, you might not need a designer.

If you don’t have enough time to build a website on your own and you’re happy paying a Squarespace designer to do it, then hiring is a good idea. You can find a lot of professional Squarespace designers on this Facebook group.

When you hire a designer, you'll have more time to focus on other important stuff for your business. Squarespace has ready-to-use templates, but a designer can take things to the next level with their creativity and design skills.

How Long Does It Take for a Squarespace Site to Go Live

Once you've built your Squarespace website, getting it live and accessible to the public is a relatively quick process. In most cases, it takes just a few minutes to publish your site and make it live on the internet.

Here's a simple breakdown of the steps:

  • Website Setup: After you've created and designed your Squarespace website, and you're ready to make it live, ensure all the essential elements like pages, content, and images are in place.

  • Domain Configuration: If you already have a custom domain, you'll need to connect it to your Squarespace site. This step typically involves updating domain settings, which can take a few minutes to propagate across the internet.

  • Domain Registration(If Needed): If you don't have a domain yet, you can purchase one directly through Squarespace or link your existing domain from another provider. Domain registration may take a few minutes to a few hours to complete.

  • Final Check: Before making your site live, it's crucial to do a final check and review. Make sure all your content and links are working correctly and that your site looks as you intended.

  • Publish Your Site: Once you've completed all the necessary configurations and reviewed your website, it's time to hit the "Publish" button. After doing so, your Squarespace site will be live and accessible to anyone on the internet.

Keep in mind that while the process of making your Squarespace site live is quick, search engines might take some time to index your site and display it in search results. This indexing process can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on various factors.

In summary, from the moment you click the "Publish" button, it takes just a few minutes to make your Squarespace site live. However, full visibility on search engines might take some additional time.

How Long Does It Take to Transfer a Domain to Squarespace

The time it takes to transfer a domain to Squarespace can vary depending on several factors, including the domain registrar you are transferring from and the completeness of the required steps.

In general, domain transfers to Squarespace usually take around 5 to 7 days to complete.

Here's a rough outline of the domain transfer process and its timeline:

  • Preparation(1-2 days): Before initiating the transfer, you need to prepare your domain for the transfer process. This involves unlocking the domain and obtaining an authorization code (also known as an EPP code) from your current domain registrar. This step typically takes a day or two.

  • Initiating Transfer(1 day): Once you've obtained the authorization code, you can initiate the domain transfer process within your Squarespace account. This step usually happens quite quickly, often within a day.

  • Confirmation Email(1-2 days): After initiating the transfer, your current domain registrar will send you an email asking for your confirmation. This is to ensure that you are indeed the owner of the domain and have authorized the transfer. The confirmation email may take a day or two to arrive.

  • Transfer Approval(1-3 days): Once you've given the go-ahead for the transfer, your current registrar will review and approve the request. This approval step can take anywhere between one to three days.

  • Transfer Completion(1-2 days): After the transfer has been approved, the domain will be officially transferred to Squarespace. This process typically takes about one to two days to complete.

Please note that these timelines are approximate and can vary based on your specific situation and the policies of your current domain registrar.

It's also important to keep in mind that some domain registrars may have additional waiting periods or requirements for domain transfers.

During the domain transfer process, it's essential to closely follow the instructions provided by both your current registrar and Squarespace to ensure a smooth and successful transfer.

If you encounter any issues or have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Squarespace's support team for assistance.

Conclusion

The time it takes to build your Squarespace website can vary depending on a few things. But don't worry, whether you're super speedy or you take your time, Squarespace has got you covered.

They've made it super easy to get your website up and running in no time, no matter how you choose to do it. So go ahead and build that awesome website you've been dreaming of. Squarespace has your back.

So thank you for reading this article. I hope that you have found it informative and helpful. And don’t forget to start your free trial and use my code MEHDI10 to get 10% off and a free domain name.

Mehdi Aoussiad

I’m a Squarespace web designer and developer. I have more than 3 years of experience building websites on the Squarespace platform. In addition to that, I also write useful content about Squarespace to help you learn or solve any problem you have.

https://www.mehdiaoussiad.com
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