How to Find a Great Squarespace Designer or Developer (And Hire the Right One for Your Project)

Choosing the right Squarespace pro can make the difference between “looks fine” and “wow, this is exactly what I needed.” Here’s a clear, no-nonsense way to evaluate candidates—starting with the three common profiles you’ll see on Squarespace projects.

The 3 Types of Squarespace Pros

1. Designer (Editor-only)
   Lives inside Squarespace’s visual editor (now Fluid Engine) to arrange blocks, sections, and layouts. Great for clean builds, content updates, and brand-consistent sites—without custom code.

2. Designer + Light Code (Editor + CSS/HTML/JS snippets)
   Still uses the editor for most work, but can add Custom CSS, Code Blocks, or Code Injection for tweaks like animations, style overrides, embeds, and light feature add-ons. Handy when you need polish beyond the defaults—but still within Squarespace’s supported model. Note: code-based customizations are outside Squarespace support scope.

3. Developer (Advanced custom code & integrations)
   Can push past template limits with structured CSS/JS, third-party integrations, and Extensions (Squarespace’s “app marketplace”) for e-commerce and workflow features. Full template code access (“Developer Mode”) exists for 7.0, not 7.1, so modern projects typically extend 7.1 via CSS/JS, code injection, and integrations—not by editing template files.

Reality check: If a designer doesn’t write code, don’t expect complex custom features. If you need unique UI/UX behaviors, API-style integrations, or e-commerce workflows, you’re in “developer” territory—often with selective use of extensions and custom JS. (Squarespace)

Match the Pro to the Project

• Brand site / portfolio / services
  Choose a Designer or Designer + Light Code. You’ll get fast iteration with Fluid Engine’s drag-and-drop and mobile layout controls, plus tasteful CSS enhancements.

• Marketing site with on-page effects & embeds
  Designer + Light Code is ideal: custom CSS for typography and spacing, small JS for interactions, embeds for forms/analytics. Remember: code snippets via CSS, Code Blocks, or Code Injection are normal—but beyond official support.

• Commerce with unique workflows (bundles, print-on-demand, shipping rules, catalogs, etc.)
  Go Developer who knows Extensions and can wire up operational tools. This unlocks serious functionality without leaving Squarespace.

• Legacy 7.0 projects needing template-level edits
  You’ll need a Developer comfortable with 7.0 Developer Mode (and its limits). For 7.1, Developer Mode does not apply.

How to Vet a Squarespace Pro (Step-by-Step)

1. Scan their portfolio for 7.1 + Fluid Engine mastery
   Look for modern section design, grid discipline, and consistent mobile layouts. If every site looks like a stock template, they may be editor-only.

2. Ask what they can do without plugins
   A good Designer+ will articulate where Custom CSS, Code Blocks, and Code Injection fit—and when to avoid them. (You want intentional use, not a fragile pile of scripts.)

3. Probe their integration strategy
   For e-commerce and operations, ask which Extensions they’ve implemented and why. You’re looking for clear, business-level answers (shipping, fulfillment, inventory, subscriptions, analytics).

4. Check Circle status (nice-to-have)
   Squarespace Circle members get longer trials, product updates, and partner-level resources. It’s not a quality guarantee, but it’s a positive signal of platform commitment.

5. Review two real case studies
   Ask for before/after problems and outcomes: speed to launch, conversion lift, easier content ops, or e-commerce improvements (not just visuals). Independent reviews of Squarespace highlight its strengths—design consistency, ease, and security—but experienced pros know where it needs augmentation.

6. Run a small paid discovery
   Have them map requirements to approach: native editor vs CSS/JS vs Extension; risks; timeline; and maintenance plan (what breaks if Squarespace ships a change?). You’re testing thinking, not just aesthetics.

Red Flags

• “We’ll enable Developer Mode on 7.1.” → Not a thing. (Developer Mode is 7.0-only.)

• “We can do anything with code injection.” → Code injection is powerful but not limitless; also, custom code is outside Squarespace support.

• “We never use extensions.” → Extensions are the sanctioned path to add robust functionality—ignoring them can mean reinventing wheels or fragile hacks.

Interview Questions You Can Copy/Paste

• Editor vs. code: “What will be done in Fluid Engine vs. Custom CSS/JS? Why?”

• Integrations: “Which Squarespace Extensions would you consider for my use case and why?”

• Maintainability: “How will custom code survive future Squarespace updates? What’s your rollback plan?”

• E-commerce depth: “Show me an example where an Extension saved time or opened revenue.”

• Professional commitment: “Are you a Squarespace Circle member? What tangible benefits will I see?”

Budget & Timeline Ranges (Reality-Based)

• Designer (Editor-only): fastest and most affordable; best for small sites or tight timelines.

• Designer + Light Code: mid-range effort; great value for distinctive visuals and small feature lifts.

• Developer: higher investment where customization/integrations create ROI (e.g., commerce ops, unique UX flows). Leverages Extensions to avoid custom-building everything.

TL;DR: Who Should You Hire?

• Launch a polished site quickly? Designer (or Designer + Light Code).

• Need signature aesthetics or specific on-page behaviors? Designer + Light Code.

• Require custom functionality or operational integrations? Developer with Extensions experience.

Work With a Team That Does All Three

At abZ Global, we cover the full spectrum—from Fluid Engine craftsmanship to CSS/JS enhancements and extensions-driven integrations—so you get speed, design quality, and reliable custom functionality in one place.

Want to work with us? Send us a message on the Contact Us page or email us at marian@self-manager.net