Squarespace Academy 101 - How to login and Squarespace Dashboard Tutorial

12 May

So you've got a business idea, a creative project, or a passion you want to share with the world—but you're stuck on the first big step: building a website. We get it. Tech can be intimidating. But here's the truth: launching your website doesn't need to be hard, expensive, or overwhelming. Especially not with Squarespace.

In fact, we just released the very first episode of Squarespace Academy 101—a 10-part video series designed to help you create a professional, beautiful, and functional website using Squarespace. It’s all part of celebrating Yellow Zest’s 1-year anniversary, and trust us: we’ve learned A LOT in the past 12 months. Now we’re sharing it all with you.

Let’s talk about why creating your website with Squarespace is a game-changer, and what you can expect from this new video series.

Why Having a Website Still Matters in 2025

We get it—social media is everywhere. So why bother with a website? Here's the thing: your Instagram grid is great for storytelling and connection, but your website is where business happens. It’s your digital HQ.

Credibility: A polished website instantly builds trust with your audience.
Control: You decide how your brand is shown, what people see first, and how they interact.
Functionality: Booking forms, service lists, portfolios, contact details, and e-commerce—your website does what socials can’t.

And Squarespace makes it all surprisingly simple for small businesses, creatives, and freelancers who want to build a website that works just as hard as they do.

Episode 1: How to Start Your Squarespace Website (Spoiler: It's Easier Than You Think)

In this first video, we walk you step-by-step through setting up your Squarespace site from scratch. It’s the perfect starting point if you’re searching for a beginner Squarespace tutorial or want to learn how to use Squarespace for your brand or freelance business.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

How to navigate Squarespace's homepage
Just Google "Squarespace," click the official site, and you're in. From there, you'll see a clear landing page that invites you to get started.
Picking the right type of site for your goals
You’ll be prompted to select the focus of your site—like marketing, photography, or services. This helps Squarespace suggest templates and features that match your needs.
Customising your experience
Want to build a community? Showcase your work? Sell services? You can tick all the relevant boxes to shape your site around your vision.
Creating your account
You can log in via Google, Apple, or email. Whatever you’re comfortable with—Squarespace makes it flexible and beginner-friendly.
Naming your website
This step makes it feel real. We named ours Yellow Zest (of course!) and gave it a bold identity.
Template magic
Based on your previous answers, Squarespace automatically generates a clean, intuitive layout with space for intro text, services, and more.
Picking colours and fonts
Yep, even at this stage you get to choose the look and feel of your site. Whether you're after earthy tones or something bright and bold, Squarespace has your vibe. It's the foundation of great website design for creatives.
Understanding the dashboard
Once you're logged in, you'll land on your dashboard. From here, it's just a click to edit your website, add new pages, or make design tweaks.

This is where your Squarespace site setup truly begins to feel like something you own and control.

Working With a Designer? Here’s How to Join In

If you're collaborating with a designer like Yellow Zest (hi!), you won’t need to build from scratch. Instead, we’ll send you an invite to become a contributor.

Here’s how it works:

Check your email for a contributor invite.
Accept the invitation by logging in with your email or Google account.
Once you’re in, you’ll be able to access the backend of your new site and start customising it to make it more you.

Whether we build it for you or guide you through the process, the end goal is the same: giving you a website that feels like home—a digital space that supports your creative journey and grows alongside your brand.

Why This Series Exists (and Why You’ll Love It)

Over the last year, we’ve helped lots of creatives and small business owners launch their first websites—and we noticed a pattern: the same questions, the same roadblocks, the same fears.

So we built this video series to make the process less scary, less techy, and way more fun. Think of it as your Squarespace for small businesses guide, minus the jargon.

Here’s what you’ll find in upcoming episodes:

Customising your layout to reflect your brand
Creating a service or portfolio page
Setting up forms for inquiries and bookings
Making your mobile version shine
Connecting your domain
SEO basics to help people find you
And loads more tips we’ve learned along the way

We’ll also be real with you: recording these videos was a whole journey (hello, bloopers!). But if watching us fumble through makes your website journey smoother, it’s totally worth it.

What You’ll Gain

A clear, beginner-friendly Squarespace tutorial
A solid understanding of how to start your site
Confidence that YES, you can do this
Support from real humans who’ve been there

And the best part? These videos are short, to the point, and full of practical nuggets. No fluff, just help from the Yellow Zest Squarespace Academy.

Ready to Start?

We’re so excited to share everything we’ve learned.

Check out the full tutorial video below.

And hey, if you get stuck or want a professional eye on your site, we’d love to help. That’s what Yellow Zest is all about.

Let’s make your digital presence shine. ✨

https://youtu.be/8GZNo_q0gHE