Password Protection on a Squarespace Website (7.0 + 7.1)
Looking to create a private page on Squarespace? Here are a few of the best reasons to make one - and how to do it.
By far, the reason I champion Squarespace as a platform to my clients is the ease of use in molding their website without any outside help after we have launched it. Sometimes, however, Squarespace offers so many options for customization that clients aren’t sure which choice is best for their needs.
When a client approaches me about building a new page with limited access, I understand as a Squarespace expert they are likely looking to create and use a password protected page. If you’re trying to decide if a password protected page is the right fit for your goals, and are ready to learn how to set one up, I’ll break it all down in this blog.
Why do you need a password protected page?
There are several reasons, but here are the most common reasons you could benefit from using a password protected page on your Squarespace website:
Building a new page on your existing website, and setting a password for the unfinished page during its construction prior to its launch.
Creating a visitor portal with static free content (for example, students who need to access images, files, walk-through tutorials, and any other resources needed for a project).
Giving visitors exclusive access to special sign-up forms or application forms.
Limiting access for a free resource library or for exclusive web pages that only specific visitors (for example, those creating new sign-ups for a newsletter) can access.
Restricting exclusive access web pages to certain members, such as coworkers or employees.
Of course, there are other options, such as creating a Squarespace Member Area or Digital Course, which may be the correct path for your current needs. So, how do you know when to use a Password Protected Page?
What’s the difference between password protection and a members area?
On the surface, it might be confusing about whether you should create a password protected page for visitor content or a member area that has membership password protection. But, there are specific differences that can help you decide what will suit you best.
As a Squarespace web designer, I help my clients evaluate their goals, and together, we build a strategy around our design process. So, here is a snapshot of some of the things we would cover together that illustrate the differences between the two:
Squarespace Members Area
Provides a heftier level of security
Creates the ability to have payment-gated on-going content for members (for example, routinely updated workshops or personalized videos for paying clients/students).
Uses a unique log-in for each visitor
Password Protected Squarespace Pages
Provides a single password option for all visitors for easily attainable access
Great option for mostly static free content for new subscribers or visitors
Restricts a page or site to remain closed to the public and only viewable by collaborators when it is ready to be launched
As you can see, these options allow for very different and specific uses.
Pro Tip: You can test out your new locked page by opening up a new Incognito window/tab. Open up your password protected page and login using your new password!
How to enable password protection [7.0 + 7.1]
So you’ve determined that you need a password protected page. It couldn’t be easier to set up!
Here’s how:
Select Website in the Home Menu
Select the page you would like password-protected
Open the Page Settings by selecting the gear icon on the right of the page title
Scroll down to the password option
Type in the password you want to use
Don’t forget to click Save!
A lock icon will display next to the page title in the Page’s panel once it’s been set up
One option you will want to take advantage of is the ability to style your Squarespace lock screen, or the page that visitors will see that gates access to your content or internal pages. This is especially true if you are providing freebie content to new subscribers or visitors.
By utilizing the lock screen on your Squarespace website, you create a way to market your brand online, perhaps on social media to direct people to exclusive offerings, while simultaneously building your email list or client contacts.
Important things to remember!
A few good reminders when setting up the password for your new private Squarespace page:
Your password will be case-sensitive, and every visitor will use the same password.
Because of this, you will want to use a simple password that is easy to share and type, but not too easy that anyone could guess it.
This is not a log-in, like you would use for a client account. It’s an access page, and it will automatically end the free access session after four hours. This means that people who put in the password for the page will need to put it in again the next time they visit.
You will want to create a way to deliver password access to your visitors, such as an auto-response email, that you do not have to monitor.
Pro Tip: You can also customize the design of the password protected page by going to Website, then System Pages, then Lock Screen. Keep in mind, these customizations are very limiting, and they don’t always respond to custom CSS either. And, you can only have one Lock Screen design for the entire site.
Putting a site-wide password on your entire website
If your website is currently undergoing an upgrade or site maintenance, you may want to restrict access to only you and your coworkers. You can actually set up site-wide password protection for your entire Squarespace website.
And, once again, when you customize your new lock screen, you can use it to market your brand and encourage visitors to return.
Here’s how to restrict access to your entire website with a site-wide password:
Click Settings in the Home Menu, then click Site Visibility
Click the Drop-down Menu and select Password Protected
Enter the password that will be used to view your website
Don’t forget to click Save!
How to disable or change password protection
Of course, I have to remind you that it is also simple to remove any password protection once your site maintenance is complete or if you no longer wish to have a private page.
Here are those easy steps:
For Individual Password Protected Pages:
Select Website in the Home Menu
Select the page you would like password-protected
Open the Page Settings by selecting the gear icon on the right of the page title
Scroll down to the password option
Enter a new password, or remove the current password by highlighting the text and choosing Delete.
Make sure to Save any changes!
For a Site-Wide Password:
Click Settings in the Home Menu, then click Site Visibility
Click the Drop-down Menu and select Public to disable your current password
If you’d like to change the current password, select Password Protected, delete the current password and enter the new one.
Don’t forget to click Save!
Your Designer
Hi friends! I'm Justin Mabee, a veteran Squarespace website designer with over 12 years of experience building websites. As a top-rated Squarespace web designer, I build rich, interactive sites that don’t look like anyone else’s out there – and they’re intuitive enough for you to pick up and run with after we publish. Need help with password protection on your Squarespace website? Let’s grab some live support time.
