Earlier this year Squarespace made a BIG announcement that has me (and a whole lot of other Squarespace experts) REALLY excited: The addition of Squarespace Courses!

In the past, if you wanted to have a Squarespace site plus sell courses or programs, it meant you would have to cobble together many different platforms and make a lot of compromises when it came to design. But I'm guessing a big reason you love Squarespace in the first place (like me) is because of its amazing design capabilities. (Amiright??)

Squarespace Courses changes all that and is a welcome improvement from its predecessor, Squarespace Memberships, streamlining the entire process. Creating a revolutionized experience for coaches, educators, and creators eager to share their expertise.

For coaches and service providers who want to scale their businesses by offering courses and programs, this is a HUGE opportunity. A chance to monetize knowledge, extend a helping hand to eager learners, and elevate their businesses to new heights.

In this blog post, we're diving into the pivotal things you need to know about Squarespace Courses, so you can decide if using courses- or making the switch from your current course platform- is right for you.

Table of Contents

Embracing the Future: Squarespace 7.1/Fluid Engine

For all you Squarespace 7.0 users out there, I have some bad news: Squarespace Courses is only available to 7.1/Fluid engine users.

This choice is a strategic move aimed at encouraging widespread adoption and migration of 7.0 users to 7.1.

For those still operating on Squarespace 7.0, this update might be just the thing to consider making the leap.

But don't be scared, 7.1/ Fluid engine is far superior- and you will love using it!

That's exactly why Squarespace has shifted its focus to this newer version, reserving all new features and enhancements exclusively for it- including Courses.

This forward-looking approach ensures that users are equipped with the latest tools and technologies while also providing an amazing user experience.

The transition from 7.0 to 7.1/Fluid Engine isn't just an upgrade; it's a strategic move towards a more robust, feature-rich web experience. As we dive deeper into Squarespace Courses, consider this the nudge you might need to make the switch.

Key Advantages of Squarespace Courses

Limitless Course Creation: Squarespace Courses throws the door wide open when it comes to crafting courses. Regardless of the plan you're on, there's no limit. Build as many courses as your little heart desires.
This liberating feature empowers you to share your knowledge on a grand scale, opening new avenues for growth and revenue.
Seamless Editing Experience: Crafting courses should be a creative adventure, not a technical odyssey. With Squarespace Courses, you're in for a treat. The editing interface is as user-friendly as it gets and functions pretty much the same as the rest of the platform.
Say goodbye to grappling with steep learning curves. Here, it's all about focusing on content creation, pure and simple. Compared to other platforms, Squarespace takes the cake for its intuitive design.
Rich, Contextual Lessons: Education thrives on diverse and engaging content, right? Well, Squarespace Courses puts the power in your hands. Create lessons that are comprehensive and rich in context. The course overview and individual lesson pages give you unparalleled flexibility in shaping content and how it's presented.
Whether it's files, videos, audio, or text, you've got the tools to create a captivating learning experience.
Now, here's the real kicker: Squarespace Courses lets you craft fully customized lesson pages, using the exact same blocks available on all other pages of your website. This means you're not just teaching, you're designing an immersive learning experience that aligns seamlessly with your brand's identity and style.
Unmatched Design Freedom
Say goodbye to cookie-cutter designs. Squarespace Courses hands you the reins to the design and layout of your lesson pages. It's as easy as drag-and-drop, giving you the power to arrange content, embed multimedia elements, and incorporate interactive features in a way that resonates with your unique teaching style.
Squarespace Courses truly stands out when it comes to design flexibility. While some platforms offer basic customization options, they fall short of the comprehensive, context-rich editing experience that Squarespace delivers.
For creators who put a premium on the aesthetic presentation of their content, Squarespace Courses is a game-changer. By granting you the creative freedom to build lesson pages that reflect your brand's essence, Squarespace empowers you to leave a lasting impression on your students.
When it comes to online education, where engagement and user experience are king, the ability to create stunning and personalized lesson pages is a game-changer. It's a testament to Squarespace's commitment to offering a top-tier course creation experience that goes above and beyond industry standards.
Branded Excellence: Your brand identity is your secret sauce to success. With Squarespace Courses, your course area seamlessly blends with the rest of your website. This ensures that your learners experience the same level of brand immersion and excellence throughout their journey. No compromises, no disjointed experiences - just a seamless transition from your website to your course.
Streamlined Business Management: Smooth operations are the keys to success. Squarespace Courses doesn't play solo; it's a seamless part of your native website. That means your course area, along with payments and other crucial aspects of your business, are all in one place. Managing your entire business is suddenly efficient and cohesive.

Squarespace Courses limitations and drawbacks

Now that we’ve gone through some of the exciting things you can expect from Squarespace courses, let’s talk about where it falls a little short.

Now, keep in mind, this is a brand new platform, and Squarespace is amazing at listening to customer feedback, so I anticipate changes and upgrades coming to this list.

Bulk Enrollment: Currently, Squarespace Courses doesn't come with a bulk enrollment feature. Translation? No straightforward way to import your eager learners from other platforms. This would be a major plus for those making the jump from a different course platform to Squarespace. While it's not on the menu just yet, keep your eyes peeled - it might just be on the horizon. And there are some workarounds.
Quizzes and Certifications: As of today, Squarespace Courses isn't throwing quizzes and certifications into the mix. But hold tight! Squarespace has hinted that this feature is in the works. This addition would step up the learning game, allowing for assessments and well-deserved recognition.
Community Integration: Picture this: a bustling online community, right within your course platform. Well, that's not quite Squarespace Courses' gig. Unlike platforms like Kajabi, there's no integrated community area.
It's worth noting though, that many Kajabi users still prefer to host their communities on external platforms like Facebook, Discord, or Circle. It's a feature some might find invaluable, while others might opt for external community spaces anyhow.
Payment Processors: Squarespace has got your back with Stripe and PayPal, which is solid news for users in the good ol' U.S. of A. However, here's the fine print: these payment processors might not offer the same level of support in other countries. Something to chew on if you're reaching out to an international audience or have business operations overseas.
Affiliate Program: Squarespace Courses doesn't come with a built-in affiliate program. Now, don't get me wrong, having one could be a game-changer for expanding your reach and boosting sales, but there are plenty of 3rd party options available if that’s something you know you want to use in your marketing.
Order Bumps and Upsells: As of now, Squarespace Courses doesn't include built-in features for order bumps or upsells. These tactics are golden for upping the ante on your average transaction value and beefing up overall course revenue, but it’s not a deal breaker in my book.
Automations: Squarespace does offer some automation goodies. However, when it comes to sending a series of automated emails to your fresh batch of course students, your options are a bit limited. You're looking at using Squarespace's in-house email provider (which I’m not a huge fan of unless you’re just starting out in your business) or Convert Kit, which plays nice with the Squarespace platform. It's worth noting that this might be an area where users are on the hunt for additional automation features.

Understanding these quirks will help you steer through Squarespace Courses with finesse. It's all about making the most of the strong suits while cooking up alternative solutions where needed.

Newness and Comparison: Squarespace Courses in Context with other platforms like Kajabi, Teachable, and Thinkrific

Squarespace Courses steps onto the scene with a burst of excitement, but let's be real - it's still the new kid on the block in the world of online course creation. While it brings a treasure trove of valuable features to the table, it's important to note that it might not have the extensive track record of more established platforms like Kajabi. I know that might give some people pause, but personally, I hated using Kajabi for a variety of reasons.

For those who value simplicity and a user-friendly experience, Squarespace Courses is an ideal choice, especially for beginners in the world of course creation. Its intuitive interface and seamless integration with the Squarespace ecosystem make it an attractive option for coaches and service providers looking to expand their business through online programs.

Comparing Squarespace Courses with Other Platforms

Now, let's dive into a little friendly competition. How do Squarespace Courses measure up against other course creation platform heavy-hitters like Kajabi, Teachable, and Thinkific?

Let's talk dollars and cents.
Hosting a course on Squarespace does come with an additional monthly fee on top of your regular Squarespace subscription. So that is something to consider.
To use Squarespace Courses, you'll need to add a "digital product plan" alongside your main Squarespace subscription. Here's how Squarespace describes their pricing structure when adding courses (or digital products as they refer to them) to your plan:

You can build a course page, videos page, or member site on your site at any time. How you begin selling your digital products depends on your site’s billing plan:
Free trial period - To sell your digital products, subscribe to a business or commerce plan and consider purchasing a digital products plan to lower your transaction fees.
Personal plans - To sell your digital products, purchase a digital products plan.
Business, Commerce, Professional, or Premium plans - Your billing plan already includes selling digital products. Consider purchasing a digital products plan to lower your transaction fees.

I highly recommend investing in the digital product add-on, as it includes various levels of video storage (which you’ll want with courses) and it lowers your transaction fees.

As of the publish date of this article, this is how the add-on digital product plans break down. And remember, this is in addition to your regular Squarespace subscription price. Not a deal-breaker in my opinion since all other course platforms with the exception of Kajabi would require you to have a separate website anyhow.

It's also essential to consider transaction fees, especially if you anticipate a significant volume of students or sales for your online course. Opting for the tier with 0% transaction fees can lead to substantial savings over time.

While it’s not a straight apples-to-apples comparison as far as features, for the sake of ease, I’m showing the fees of prominent course platforms on the tier that is most comparable to Squarespace’s 0% transaction fee tier: Professional.

While none of these platforms could be called a bargain basement, Squarespace's offering holds its own in terms of pricing. The "professional" digital product add-on tier, clocking in at $89/month, is more than competitive with the features provided by similar tiers in Kajabi, Teachable, and Thinkific.

By giving creators a cost-effective yet feature-packed option, Squarespace Courses puts the power in your hands to share your knowledge and monetize your expertise without breaking the bank. It's an enticing choice for those looking to build a thriving online course presence.

Recommendation and Use Cases: Is Squarespace Courses right for you?

When it comes to harnessing the power of Squarespace Courses, it's important to consider the specific needs and circumstances of each user. Here's a breakdown of who stands to benefit most from this innovative feature:

Ideal for Squarespace Newcomers in Course Creation

For those dipping their toes into the world of course creation and finding themselves on Squarespace, consider this your golden ticket. The introduction of Squarespace Courses couldn't have come at a better time. Its seamless integration with the platform makes it an absolute gem for individuals seeking a straightforward and hassle-free way to kickstart their educational ventures.

Proceed with Caution for Established Users on Other Platforms

Now, if you're already a seasoned pro, steering the ship to a different course platform, listen up. Transitioning to Squarespace Courses requires a measured approach. While the feature brings a plethora of advantages to the table, it's paramount to evaluate whether it aligns seamlessly with your current workflow and meets your specific needs.

The biggest drawback being the inability to easily import your existing students. But fingers crossed, that functionality is coming soon!

A Personal Take on Squarespace Courses

From where I stand, I'm waving the flag for Squarespace Courses, especially for clients who are either new to course creation or feeling a tad unsatisfied with their existing platform. The user-friendly interface, extensive editing capabilities, and seamless integration into Squarespace's ecosystem make it a standout choice.

However, if you're already rocking courses and content with your current platform, the absence of a bulk import feature might give you pause. Rest assured, I've got my detective hat on, actively exploring practical workarounds. Stay tuned for an upcoming article where I'll be dishing out insights to tackle this specific concern.

Ultimately, the decision to embrace Squarespace Courses should be a well-informed one, tailored to your unique needs, preferences, and the specific dynamics of your educational offerings. As with any transformative tool, it's all about weighing the pros and cons in the context of your distinct situation.

Conclusion and Further Exploration: Embracing the Future of Online Learning

As we come to the close of this deep dive into Squarespace Courses, I want to express my ongoing dedication to digging even deeper into this exciting new feature. The potential it holds for coaches, teachers, and course creators is nothing short of monumental, and I'm itching to unearth more ways it can revolutionize the online learning experience for my customers and clients. In fact, all of our upcoming Squarespace template releases will automatically include a courses section designed to match the rest of your site.

I wholeheartedly encourage you, whether you're a seasoned course creator or just taking your first steps on this path, to dive headfirst into what Squarespace Courses brings to the table. Its user-friendly interface, seamless integration, and customizable features make it an irresistible option for anyone eager to share their wealth of knowledge with the world.

By adding Squarespace Courses to your arsenal, you're not only streamlining your course creation process, but you're also aligning yourself with a platform that's deeply committed to innovation and user-centric solutions.

Remember, the real magic happens in the hands of the creative minds that wield these tools. So, let's embark on this journey together, uncovering new ways to elevate the online learning experience and empower individuals to reach their fullest potential.

And if you have any questions or pearls of wisdom to share about Squarespace Courses, don't hesitate to get in touch or drop a comment below!