Squarespace Free Trial (Maximize, Extend, And Understand)

Trying Squarespace for the first time and want to use the free trial?

You are not alone

You have an idea for a website, maybe a side hustle, a portfolio, or a brand you have been dreaming about, and now you are faced with the pressure of making it real fast.

The free trial sounds promising, but questions start popping up.

What can you actually do with it?

How long do you have?

Will you be stuck when the trial ends?

The truth is, most people waste their trial days clicking around without a plan, and by the time they get comfortable, the trial is over

This guide is here to help you avoid that frustration.

You will learn how to make real progress, test what matters, and build with confidence, all without rushing or second-guessing.

It is time to make those 14 days count

Quick Overview Of The Squarespace Free Trial Features

Understanding the Squarespace Free Trial

Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial for anyone looking to test the platform.

When testing the sign-up process, I found it refreshingly simple; no credit card is required to get started.

This means you can freely experiment without worrying about unexpected charges.

During the trial, you get access to:

• All premium templates (over 100+ designs)
• Full design customization tools
• Basic marketing tools
• Mobile optimization features
• Limited eCommerce functions

What I really liked when testing the platform was how straightforward the whole process felt.

Within minutes, I was already customizing a template and adding content.

I get you might be using it for the first time, but if you follow the signup process, you should have all your pages and website template built out in about 10 minutes.

Limitations to Be Aware Of

While the free trial is generous, there are some restrictions you should know about:

• Your site remains password-protected (not publicly visible)
• You can’t remove Squarespace branding
• eCommerce features are limited (can’t process actual payments)
• No custom domain connection (until you upgrade)
• Analytics features are restricted

When testing the publishing features, I noticed these limitations aren’t deal-breakers for most people.

They still give you plenty of room to build and test your site before going live.

Note:  Password protection is very common when it comes to free trials and testing them out.

How to Sign Up for the Free Trial

Getting started with Squarespace’s trial is going to be an easy take.

1. Head over to Squarespace
2. Click “Get Started“
3. Browse templates or answer questions about your site needs
4. Choose a template (don’t worry, you can change it later)
5. Create an account with email and password
6. Start customizing your site

When signing up for Squarespace, I appreciated not having to jump through hoops or provide unnecessary information.

The process took me less than 2 minutes from start to finish.

Note:  When signing up, look for banners at the top offering Squarespace promo codes.

Making the Most of Your 14 Days

To maximize your free trial experience, try these strategies:

• Plan your content beforehand
• Experiment with at least 3-5 different templates
• Test mobile responsiveness extensively
• Create sample product listings if you’re building an online store
• Try connecting social media accounts
• Explore SEO settings and tools

When testing the template-switching feature, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy Squarespace makes it to change designs without losing content.

This is a huge time-saver compared to other platforms.

To Add:  This is where I see a lot of people fail and not like the free trial.  They sign up and spend time doing nothing, and then it ends (I’m guilty of this).  Thanksfully, I will say they make that solid onboarding where they pretty much build it out for you so they get a ton done for you fast.

Key Features to Test Drive

Design and Templates

Squarespace is known for its beautiful templates. During your trial, take time to explore their design capabilities:

• Template switching
• Color palette adjustments
• Typography options
• Custom CSS (available in Business plans and higher)
• Mobile design optimization

When testing the color palette options, I found the built-in color suggestions particularly helpful for someone like me who isn’t a design expert.

Note:  They have some of the best templates out there for a website builder.  They keep them simple and allow for simple customizations to create a solid website for your business without making it a headache.

Content Management

Try out Squarespace’s content management features:

• Drag-and-drop page builder
• Blog functionality
• Image galleries
• Video backgrounds
• Content scheduling

When testing the blog features, I particularly liked how easy it was to create categories and tags to organize posts.

They also make it easy to add tags and create the right hierarchy for your blog post structure.

eCommerce Features

If you’re planning to sell products, explore:

• Product catalog setup
• Inventory management
• Payment options (viewable but not functional in trial)
• Tax and shipping settings
• Product variants and options

When testing the product setup process, I was impressed by how straightforward adding variants was compared to other platforms I’ve tried.

Pros and Cons of Squarespace

Pros:

• Clean, professional design templates
• All-in-one solution (hosting, design, domains)
• Easy-to-use interface
• Good mobile optimization
• Integrated analytics
• No technical skills needed
• A good onboarding process

Cons:

• Higher pricing compared to some competitors
• Less flexibility than open-source options
• Limited app integrations
• Not ideal for very complex websites
• eCommerce features are less advanced than dedicated platforms

Extending Your Free Trial

Need more time?

Here are some less-known ways to extend your trial:

• Squarespace automatically offers a 7-day extension via email when your trial is about to expire
• Contacting customer support can sometimes result in a trial extension
• Squarespace Circle program offers a 6-month trial for web designers and developers

When testing the trial expiration process, I received an email 3 days before the end offering me an extension.

This was a welcome surprise that gave me breathing room to finish my evaluation.

Tips for Choosing the Right Plan After Trial

Once your trial ends, you’ll need to select a plan to keep your site. Consider:

• Personal Plan: Good for simple portfolios and basic websites
• Business Plan: Better for small businesses (adds commerce features)
• Commerce Basic: For new online stores with basic needs
• Commerce Advanced: For established online businesses with higher volume

When testing the upgrade process, I found the plan comparison tool really helpful in seeing exactly what features I’d gain with each tier.

Comparing with Competitors

How does Squarespace’s trial compare to others?

• Wix: Also offers a free plan (with limitations) but with more design freedom
• WordPress.com: Free plan available but more limited in features
• Shopify: 3-day free trial, but requires a credit card upfront
• Webflow: Offers a Starter plan you can use as long as you want.

When testing different platforms back-to-back, I noticed that Squarespace strikes a good balance between ease of use and professional results, though Wix offers more creative freedom.

How to Cancel Your Trial

If you decide Squarespace isn’t right for you:

1. Log into your account
2. Go to Settings
3. Select Billing & Account
4. Choose “Cancel Site Subscription.”
5. Follow the prompts

When testing the cancellation process, I found it straightforward,d with no hidden tricks to keep you subscribed  something I really appreciate in any service.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Squarespace free trial?

The standard Squarespace free trial lasts 14 days. During this time, you can build and customize your site with full access to templates and core features. I’ve found this is usually enough time to create a basic site and test most functions.

Do I need a credit card to start a Squarespace free trial?

No, Squarespace doesn’t require a credit card to begin your free trial. This is a feature I really appreciate since you can test without worry about automatic charges if you forget to cancel.

Can I publish my website during the free trial?

You can build your website during the trial, but it remains password-protected and isn’t publicly visible. Visitors need a password to view your site until you subscribe to a paid plan.

How do I extend my Squarespace free trial?

Squarespace typically sends an email offering a 7-day extension as your trial nears its end. You can also contact customer support to request more time. When I tested this, the support team was usually willing to grant small extensions.

What happens to my website when the free trial ends?

Your site remains intact but goes offline until you subscribe to a paid plan. Squarespace stores your content for 30 days after your trial expires, giving you time to decide without losing work.

Can I use a custom domain during the free trial?

You can purchase or connect a custom domain during the trial, but it won’t be active until you upgrade to a paid plan. Your trial site uses a temporary Squarespace.com subdomain.

Which Squarespace plan should I choose after my trial?

The best plan depends on your needs. Personal work for basic sites, Business add commerce features, and Commerce plans are for online stores. When testing different plans, I found the Business plan offers the best value for most users.

Can I export my content if I decide not to continue with Squarespace?

Yes, Squarespace allows you to export certain content like blog posts and pages as XML files. However, your design and layout won’t transfer perfectly to other platforms, which is something to consider.

Are all templates available during the free trial?

Yes, all Squarespace templates are available during the free trial. When testing template options, I was impressed that there’s no restriction to “basic” templates like some competitors impose.

Can I sell products during the Squarespace free trial?

You can set up products and e-commerce features during the trial, but you can’t process actual payments until you subscribe to a paid plan. This lets you prepare your store before launch.

How does Squarespace’s free trial compare to Wix or WordPress?

Unlike WordPress.com or Wix, Squarespace doesn’t offer a permanent free plan – only a trial. However, Squarespace provides higher-quality templates and a more cohesive experience than free plans elsewhere.

Will my site have Squarespace branding during the free trial?

Yes, your trial site will display Squarespace branding. This is removed once you upgrade to a paid plan. When testing the site preview function, I noticed the branding is fairly subtle compared to some competitors.

Advanced Tips and Lesser-Known Features

When testing more advanced aspects of Squarespace, I discovered several helpful features many users miss:

• Developer Mode: If you know code, you can access advanced customization options
• CSS Injection: Business plans and up allow custom CSS without full developer mode
• Zapier Integration: Connect your site with hundreds of other apps
• SEO Pattern Settings: Create consistent page titles and descriptions automatically
• Squarespace scheduling tools: Built-in appointment features that many overlook

When testing the Zapier integration specifically, I was able to connect my contact forms to several email marketing platforms a huge time-saver.

Conclusion

Squarespace’s free trial gives you a full two weeks to explore what this popular website builder can do.

I’ve tested dozens of website platforms, and few offer such a comprehensive, no-risk trial experience.

The 14-day window is perfect for building a test site, exploring templates, and deciding if Squarespace’s blend of beautiful design and user-friendliness works for your needs.

While it’s not the cheapest option out there, the quality of the resulting websites often justifies the price for many users.

My advice? Plan ahead before starting your trial.

Know what pages you want to create, have your content ready, and set aside dedicated time to experiment with the platform.

This way, you’ll get the most value from your free two weeks.

Have you tried Squarespace or another website builder?

What was your experience like?

Let me know in the comments below!