How to Make a Squarespace Website Look Fully Custom (Without Making It Hard to Maintain)
Most people associate Squarespace with templates and drag-and-drop websites.
That reputation is understandable, because if you rely only on the Squarespace Editor, you will eventually hit design limits. The Editor is great for speed and content updates, but it was not built to produce every layout, interaction, or “luxury brand” feel you see on high-end custom sites.
The good news is that Squarespace can go much further when you bring custom code into the build. Squarespace itself acknowledges that code can help when you need more complex results, even though it’s not required for basic sites. (Squarespace)
The real challenge is not whether custom code is possible.
The challenge is maintainability.
If you build a Squarespace site the wrong way, it becomes the kind of project where every small content update requires a developer. That is expensive, slow, and frustrating for teams that want to move fast.
So the goal is this:
A premium, custom look plus easy editing for non-coders.
That is the difference between “a site that looks great” and “a site that is actually usable long-term.”
My background and why I care about this problem
At abZ Global, we build Squarespace websites for brands that have outgrown basic templates, with an emphasis on high-end design and serious custom code, while keeping editing simple for non-technical teams. (abZ Global)
The agency is led by Marian Sorca. I’ve been building and extending Squarespace since 2015, across 300+ Squarespace projects, with a long track record of client outcomes and reviews. (abZ Global)
Over time, I noticed a pattern: most Squarespace providers fall into one of two camps.
The two common types of Squarespace providers
The classic developer approach
This is where someone writes custom code from scratch to achieve the design.
Pros
You can get almost any look you want.
Cons
It often becomes difficult for non-coders to maintain.
Content can end up trapped in code blocks or injection areas, which means a marketer cannot safely edit the site day-to-day.
The designer approach
This is where someone relies mostly on Squarespace Editor components and adds some CSS “glue.”
Pros
Easy editing for the client and their team.
Faster to build.
Cons
The variety of design possibilities is more restricted because you are limited by what the editor blocks can do.
The third approach (the one I use)
I place myself in a third type: a hybrid approach that combines advanced front-end development with deep Squarespace platform knowledge.
The key idea is simple:
Use custom code to extend the Squarespace Editor, not to replace it.
On the abZ Global Squarespace agency page, this is described as a preference to extend native Squarespace blocks so a marketing team can keep using the editor while the advanced behavior runs behind the scenes. (abZ Global)
In practice, that means:
Content stays in editable Squarespace blocks (text, images, sections, collections).
Custom CSS handles layout precision, spacing, typography, and component styling.
JavaScript adds interactions and advanced behavior where it genuinely improves UX.
The final output looks custom, but the site is still safe to maintain.
Why not just paste code into Code Injection or a code block?
Squarespace supports adding custom code through features like CSS, JavaScript, and injection areas, and the official docs outline how and where you can add it. (
But “possible” is not the same as “wise.”
If your layout is built as big pasted snippets, you usually end up with these problems:
Non-coders cannot confidently update content without breaking something.
The site becomes fragile over time as more snippets accumulate.
Reuse becomes messy, because you duplicate code instead of building patterns.
Future improvements cost more because every page becomes a unique snowflake.
The hybrid approach solves that by keeping content in the editor and making code support the system, rather than fighting it.
What “premium Squarespace” looks like in real life
A clear example of this type of work is flyjetblak.com.
The site maintains a premium luxury look, but the team can still make content changes and add new pages without needing a developer for every update. This is the outcome most businesses actually want: high-end design without high-end maintenance friction.
When Squarespace is the right platform (and when it isn’t)
Squarespace is a great fit when you want design-driven presentation and easy editing, and you do not need enterprise-level complexity. This “right choice” framing is exactly how we position it at abZ Global, including the point that if another platform is objectively better, we will say so.
For advanced users, Squarespace also has a Developer Platform that enables deeper template-level control (notably tied to version 7.0).
How I approach a Squarespace project (high level)
My process is designed around two outcomes: premium visuals and long-term maintainability.
Discovery: what the business needs, what the site must achieve, and who edits it day-to-day
Design: structure, hierarchy, and the visual system before we touch code
Build: implement in Squarespace with a careful balance of native blocks and custom CSS/JS
Reusable patterns: create “mini components” and repeatable sections so adding pages stays consistent
Training and handoff: show the team how to edit safely without breaking layout
If you already have a Figma design, we can also translate it into a Squarespace build that matches the intended layout and detail, which is a common gap when people rely only on the default editor. (abZ Global)
If you want a Squarespace site that does not look like Squarespace
If you have a Squarespace website and you want a unique, premium look that stands out, while still letting your team edit content like a normal Squarespace site, that is exactly the kind of project I take on.
You can DM me, or contact me at marian@abz.global.
This is what BLAK Founder and CEO, Sam, had to say about working with me:
“I am delighted to share my exceptional experience working with Marian, a highly skilled web developer who recently tackled the task of fixing our Squarespace website. With his unwavering commitment to delivering on every promise and fulfilling our project brief to perfection, Marian has proven invaluable. His excellent communication skills, reliability, and extensive experience have made him an exceptional partner throughout the process. Allow me to provide a comprehensive review that highlights Marian’s remarkable qualities and the outstanding results he consistently achieves.
Marian’s expertise in web development is truly remarkable. From the moment we engaged his services, it became evident that we had found an exceptional professional who knows the ins and outs of Squarespace. He swiftly identified and resolved issues plaguing our website, delivering perfect solutions to revitalise our online presence. Marian’s attention to detail, technical prowess, and commitment to perfection resulted in a website exceeding our expectations.
Working with Marian was an absolute pleasure, thanks to his outstanding communication skills. He took the time to actively listen to our requirements, ensuring a clear understanding of our vision. Marian’s ability to effectively convey complex concepts in a straightforward manner was instrumental in keeping us informed and engaged throughout the project. He promptly addressed our questions or concerns, making the entire collaboration seamless and productive.
When it comes to reliability, Marian sets the gold standard. He consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to meeting deadlines and delivering on his promises. Marian’s strong work ethic and meticulous attention to detail instilled confidence in our team, allowing us to focus on other aspects of our business with peace of mind. We could rely on him to provide regular updates and progress reports, ensuring transparency and fostering a strong sense of trust.
Marian’s wealth of experience in web development is truly invaluable. His extensive background equips him with the expertise to tackle a wide range of challenges easily. Throughout our project, his experience shone through as he navigated complex technical issues and provided innovative solutions. Marian’s ability to anticipate and proactively address potential roadblocks ensured a smooth development process and exceptional end results.
In conclusion, Marian is an exceptional web developer who consistently goes above and beyond to deliver outstanding results. His excellent skills, clear communication, reliability, and extensive experience make him an asset to any project. I wholeheartedly recommend Marian to anyone seeking a top-notch web developer who can bring their vision to life. Working with him guarantees a seamless, productive collaboration and a website that impresses and engages visitors.
Thank you, Marian; it has been an absolute pleasure!”