Squarespace Coding FAQ's- What is SS built on?

Is Squarespace built on REACT?

Yes, Squarespace is built on REACT, utilising cloud-based hosting services and extensive databases behind the scenes. Whilst it's built on REACT, you cannot hook into REACT with your own code.

Can you use Python on Squarespace?

No, you cannot use Python on Squarespace. However, you can build on top of the Squarespace templates with traditional HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

Is Squarespace based on PHP?

Squarespace doesn't use PHP, and you cannot add your own PHP to the templates.

Is Squarespace low code?

Yes, Squarespace is low code. You can build a solid site with Squarespace, and there is a lot you can do with the drag-and-drop features. You can extend it further with your own CSS and JavaScript.

Is Squarespace easier than WordPress?

Yes, Squarespace is easier to use than WordPress; WordPress allows for more customisation, though. With Squarespace, you can build an attractive 10-page site very quickly and easily with the built-in tools. WordPress is better for more custom content and is more suited to a blog, as that's what WordPress was built for.

Is Squarespace developer-friendly?

Yes, Squarespace is developer-friendly. You can add your own JavaScript, and with the power of Javascript, you can do a lot of customisation. You will be working with the Squarespace HTML, and there is nothing you can do to edit that raw HTML in the source. You can, however, edit and manipulate that HTML in the DoM with JavaScript.

Do designers use Squarespace?

Many designers use Squarespace because you can get a great-looking website online, and with the power of CSS and JavaScript, you can customise it heavily. Squarespace isn't built for thousands of pages, but it is good for ten to a few hundred-page sites in which you want to visually customise each of those pages.

Do you need to know HTML to use Squarespace?

Knowing HTML comes in handy, as when you edit the JS and CSS, you understand the underlying structure. You can build a good site without touching the code, though. It's just that if you want to add your own customisations, CSS and JavaScript will take your Squarespace site to the next level.

Does Squarespace allow you to do custom coding?

Yes, Squarespace allows custom coding, but no server-side coding. You can use JavaScript though, which is very powerful.

Can you add JS to Squarespace?

You can certainly add JavaScript to Squarespace. In this example, you can add GSAP, which is the industry-leading animation application. Navigate to Website > Pages > Website Tools > Code Injection > Footer.

<script src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/s.cdpn.io/16327/gsap-latest-beta.min.js?r=5426">

You can then add your own JavaScript within Script tags such as:

<script>const container = document.querySelector("#test");
const matches = container.querySelectorAll("div.highlighted > p");
...
</script>

Why not use Squarespace?

If you are building a branding or small business site, then Squarespace would be a great candidate for that. I wouldn't look to build an app-like site with Squarespace, it's not suited to that level of customisation. Squarespace is more a user-friendly site builder than a powerful, customisable framework.

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