pre-launch launch checklist +
updating your website
Follow these steps in order before launch to make sure everything
is ready to go. Then, in the future, if you are looking to edit a specific page,
revisit the corresponding video for whatever page you need. :)
01. Familiarize yourself w/ Squarespace 7.1: In this video, I created a QUICK walkthrough of what you will see when you login to Squarespace. I’ll go over the important areas that you’ll need to know as well as the ones that you won’t. Think of this as a welcome video. :) Then, in the future, know that you can reference Squarespace’s help center if / when you have a question about their platform!
02. Delete placeholder events: I added six placeholder events to show you what the final design will look like. Since these are fake, you’ll want to delete them before launch. Watch this quick video to see how. *Do not delete the “event template” post.
03. Upload upcoming events: We’ll want your events page to have something in it before launch, so that it doesn’t look empty. If you have upcoming events that are ready to be scheduled, now is the time to do that. If you do not have any upcoming events scheduled, then I would use your last event (ie: earth day related event?) as an example event. People will just see it as a past event. Watch this video to learn how to add events. In the future, once you get the hang of it, you can also follow the steps below for a quick reminder (which will make more sense once you’ve watched the video).
Add new event in Eventbrite.
In Squarespace, navigate to “pages > events.” Hover over the ellipsis icon next to “event template” and click “duplicate.” This will give you a template to paste in your event details.
Once you have duplicated the template and have a new event, you can begin editing details. On the right side of your screen, click on “edit.” Then, scroll down and edit the title (date + event title), upload a new image (double click on image, remove existing image, add new image, and upload), type in event description (in place of placeholder paragraph), and update the centered location / date / time variables. Finally, hover over the green “register” button and click on the black and white pencil icon to edit. Here, you’ll paste in your Eventbrite URL (you can get this on Eventbrite on your event’s dashboard page, then scroll down to bottom for URL). Once the URL is in, click on “done” at the top left of your editing screen. Your event details are now uploaded and saved!
Look for your new event title in the left column on Squarespace. Hover over and click on the ellipsis icon, then hit “settings.” In the dialogue box that pops up, navigate to “content > status.” This is where you can publish your event page or schedule the date that you’d like it to be published. Then, hit the “back” button. Click on “categories.” In the blank space provided, begin typing your category title (in person or virtual) and that category will pop up automatically. Click on that category to select. Then, hit the “back” button. Click on “options” in the left side of the window. Click on the red “remove image” link. Then upload the same photo you used for your event page. Squarespace will automatically crop this, so don’t worry about the orientation. Once the upload is finished, you can change the URL to something simple below if you’d like (ie: “/events/plant-based-101”). Hit the “save” button at the top left of the window. Your event is now finished!
Navigate to your events page (click here) to double check that your new event has been published into your grid (unless you scheduled it for the future). You can also click on the event itself to make sure the details page is good. Double check that the register button takes you to the correct Eventbrite page. If you spot any mistakes, go back to any of the above steps to fix!
04. Finalize / edit about page: Before you launch, you will need to update your bio photo*. You may also want to edit the copy. This video will walk you through editing any portion of the about page! *Make sure your bio photo is horizontal (not vertical). It’ll be important to tell your photographer this while shooting.
05. Finalize / edit services page: Before you launch, you will need to update the top photo on this page. You may also want to edit the copy. This video will walk you through editing any portion of the services page!
06. Delete placeholder blog posts: I added six placeholder blog posts to show you what the final design will look like. Since these are fake, you’ll want to delete them before launch. Watch this quick video to see how. *Do not delete the “blog template” post.
07. Upload new blog posts: We’ll want your blog to have something in it before launch, so that it doesn’t look empty. ;) Watch this video to learn how to add new blog posts. In the future, once you get the hang of it, you can also follow the steps below for a quick reminder (which will make more sense once you’ve watched the video).
In Squarespace, navigate to “pages > blog.” Hover over the ellipsis icon next to “blog template” and click “duplicate.” This will give you a template to use for new blog posts.
Once you have duplicated the template and have a new post, you can begin adding copy / imagery. On the right side of your screen, click on “edit.” Then, scroll down and edit the title, upload a new image (double click on image, remove existing image, add new image, and upload), and type in blog post copy. Once everything is done, click on “done” at the top left of your editing screen. Your blog post is now uploaded and saved (most likely as a draft)!
Look for your new blog post title in the left column on Squarespace. Hover over and click on the ellipsis icon, then hit “settings.” In the dialogue box that pops up, navigate to “content > status.” This is where you can publish your blog post right away or schedule the date that you’d like it to be published. Then, hit the “back” button. Click on “categories.” In the blank space provided, begin typing your category title (nutrition, cooking, or wellness) and that category will pop up automatically. Click on that category to select. Then, hit the “back” button. Click on “options” in the left side of the window. Click on the red “remove image” link. Then upload the same photo you used for your blog post. Squarespace will automatically crop this, so don’t worry about the orientation. Once the upload is finished, you can change the URL to something simple below if you’d like (ie: “/blog/blog-post-title-here”). Hit the “save” button at the top left of the window. Your blog prep is now finished!
Navigate to your events page (click here) to double check that your new post has been published into your grid (unless you scheduled it for the future). You can also click on the post itself to make everything looks good. If you spot any mistakes, go back to any of the above steps to fix!
08. Purchase Squarespace account: Your website is currently in trial, which means that you have not set up your billing details. To do this, login to Squarespace and click on “settings.” Then click on “billing & account.” Then click on “billing.” In this section, there is a grey button that says “upgrade.” Click there. You will need to purchase a “business” plant. Because you are purchasing through a trial website that I set up, you are already getting 20% off for your first year (yay!). And if you purchase annually, there’s a 30% discount on top of that.
09. Connect Squarespace to domain: When you are ready to launch your website, email me (hello@rowanmade.com) and I will help connect your Squarespace account to your domain. Please note that this can take upwards of 72 hours to finalize on the internet, so plan accordingly. Meaning, do this at least a few days before you want to announce your launch!