Squarespace for Agencies: Is It Worth Building Your Practice On?

If you're running a web design agency and considering Squarespace as your go-to platform, you need to understand how the Squarespace Circle program works. It's free to join, offers legitimate benefits, and can actually turn into a revenue stream-but there are catches.

This guide breaks down everything agencies need to know: the tier system, the discounts, the referral commissions, developer tools, multi-site management capabilities, and the honest downsides you won't find in Squarespace's marketing materials.

What Is Squarespace Circle?

Squarespace Circle is the partner program designed specifically for freelancers and agencies who build websites for clients. It's free to join and open to any Squarespace customer-you no longer need three active sites to qualify (that was the old requirement).

The program gives you access to extended trial periods, discounts on subscriptions, priority support, and referral commissions. The catch? The best benefits are now locked behind a tiered system based on how many sites you launch each year.

When you join Circle, you're automatically assigned a status based on your existing Squarespace activity. Most new members start as Silver, but if you've already built several client sites, you might qualify for Gold or even Platinum immediately.

The Three Circle Tiers: Silver, Gold, and Platinum

In early March, Squarespace overhauled Circle from a single-tier program into a three-tier system. Your tier is determined by a points system based on your activity-primarily how many client sites you launch.

Circle Silver (0-999 Points)

This is where everyone starts. Silver gives you:

Silver is fine for agencies just getting started with Squarespace, but you're missing out on the best perks. The 10% discount is less than what the old single-tier Circle offered, and the 3-month trial period is adequate but not generous.

Circle Gold (1,000+ Points)

This is the sweet spot for most active agencies:

Gold is where Circle starts paying for itself. The 20% discount alone can save clients significant money, and referral payments add a revenue stream. To reach Gold, you need roughly 4-5 client sites per year on standard plans.

Circle Platinum (5,000+ Points)

Reserved for high-volume agencies:

Platinum is designed for agencies building lots of sites annually. The 12-month trial is genuinely useful-clients get a full year to build and test before paying. Reaching Platinum requires launching approximately 17+ Core plan sites or 10+ Commerce Advanced sites per year.

How the Points System Works

Points are earned primarily by launching new Squarespace subscriptions for clients. Here's the breakdown:

You can also earn points through community engagement activities, though these are typically smaller bonuses. Additionally, if you help migrate a site from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1, you can earn points by clicking "Publish Update" at the end of the migration process.

Important: Points reset to zero every January 1st. Your status is maintained for the year you earned it plus the following year, but you need to keep earning points to maintain your tier long-term. This "use it or lose it" system rewards volume, which is great for busy agencies but frustrating for boutique shops that do fewer, higher-value projects.

Points are awarded to the Circle partner who starts the trial. If your client started the trial and later added you, you won't receive points-though you can still apply the discount if you purchase the subscription through your account. This makes it critical to initiate client sites through your Circle account from the beginning.

Squarespace Pricing for Agency Clients

Before we dive deeper into Circle benefits, here's what you're actually working with. Squarespace recently rolled out new pricing tiers (Basic, Core, Plus, Advanced) that are replacing the old Personal, Business, Commerce Basic, and Commerce Advanced plans in some markets. These new plans are rolling out in waves, with U.S. customers seeing them first and global rollout continuing throughout the year.

Current pricing (billed annually):

For most client projects, the Core plan at $23/month hits the sweet spot. It removes Squarespace transaction fees on physical products and includes enough commerce features for small to mid-sized stores. The ability to inject custom code starts at Core, which is essential for agencies that need any customization beyond what the editor allows.

Monthly billing is available but costs significantly more. For example, Basic monthly is $23 (vs $16 annual), Core monthly is $33 (vs $23 annual). Always recommend annual billing to clients when possible-they'll save money and you'll earn more points and referral payments.

For detailed pricing breakdowns, check out our Squarespace pricing guide and Squarespace cost analysis.

Circle Referral Commissions: The Numbers

One of the most significant changes to the Circle program is that all tiers now earn referral payments immediately. Previously, you needed to unlock the benefit after a certain number of subscriptions, but that threshold has been eliminated.

Here's what you can earn per client subscription:

This is a lump-sum payment model-you get paid once per subscription, not as ongoing revenue share. Payments are processed through Impact.com and typically arrive about 40 days after the end of the month when the subscription was purchased.

For example, if a client purchases a Core plan subscription on January 15, it must remain active for 15 days to qualify. Assuming it does, you'd see that commission approved around February 17, and payment would arrive approximately March 10.

For agencies building 10+ sites per year on Commerce plans, this can add up to $2,000-3,000+ in referral income. Not life-changing, but it's essentially free money for work you're already doing. High-volume agencies building 50+ sites annually could earn $15,000+ in referral payments alone.

You can also earn commissions on multiple subscriptions for a single client. If they purchase a website, then later add Acuity Scheduling and Email Campaigns, you earn separate commissions for each-as long as you're connected to the account when they purchase.

Enterprise Referrals: The Big Payouts

Gold and Platinum Circle members can also refer clients to Squarespace Enterprise and earn significantly larger commissions. If you refer a client that signs an Enterprise contract, you're eligible to receive $1,000 as a one-time payment.

Enterprise is designed for organizations managing 10+ websites, needing advanced security features (SSO), centralized multi-site dashboards, or custom onboarding and training. This includes government agencies, large nonprofits, financial institutions, healthcare systems, universities, and corporations.

To qualify for the Enterprise referral commission, the lead must sign a contract within 12 months of your submission. You won't earn additional commissions on their website subscriptions or renewals-just the initial $1,000 referral bonus. But for the right client, this single referral can be more lucrative than dozens of standard site builds.

Squarespace Marketplace: Getting Client Leads

Squarespace Marketplace connects people who need website help with Circle members. It's powered by 99designs by Vista, and Circle partners who qualify are listed as "Squarespace Experts."

To become eligible, you must create at least eight Squarespace websites in a one-year period. Squarespace periodically invites eligible Circle members to participate based on client demand and the services you offer.

Being listed as a Squarespace Expert gives you a profile badge and places you in a directory where potential clients can find you. You can specify your services (design, development, SEO, copywriting, branding), project types, industries, and pricing range.

Honest take: Don't count on Marketplace as a primary lead source. The volume of leads is inconsistent, and you're competing with other designers in a platform-controlled environment. It's a nice bonus channel, but build your own client acquisition strategy through networking, content marketing, referrals, and outbound sales.

That said, some Circle members do report getting quality leads from Marketplace, particularly those who maintain complete profiles, respond quickly to inquiries, and have portfolios showcasing strong Squarespace work.

Squarespace for Pros: Developer Tools and Extensibility

Squarespace has historically been criticized for limited customization compared to platforms like WordPress. However, the recent launch of "Squarespace for Pros" represents a significant shift, bringing professional-grade tools to the platform.

API Access and Developer Tools

Agencies on Core plans and above can access Squarespace's Commerce APIs, which include:

Advanced plan subscribers get full API access for custom application development. You can generate API keys directly from the Developer Tools panel in Settings > Advanced > Developer API Keys.

This level of extensibility allows agencies to build custom integrations with CRMs, ERPs, inventory management systems, shipping platforms, and analytics tools. For example, you could connect a client's Squarespace store to their Shopify POS system, sync inventory across channels, or push order data to their accounting software.

Custom Code Injection

Core plans and above support custom CSS and JavaScript injection. This means agencies can:

The code injection points include site-wide header/footer injection, page-specific injection, and the CSS editor for styling modifications. While not as flexible as full template control, it provides significant customization capability for agencies comfortable with code.

Finish Layer: Advanced Design Controls

Finish Layer is Squarespace's new suite of pro-grade design tools that gives agencies unprecedented control:

These tools close the gap between Squarespace and platforms like Webflow, allowing agencies to create more dynamic, sophisticated designs while maintaining the platform's ease-of-use for client handoff.

Multi-Site Management for Agencies

One of the most common questions agencies have is how to efficiently manage multiple client sites. Squarespace handles this through a single account dashboard where you can oversee all sites using one login.

Standard Multi-Site Management

With a regular Squarespace account, you can:

Each site requires its own subscription, and Squarespace doesn't offer multi-site plans at the standard level. However, you can manage everything from one dashboard, which streamlines the workflow significantly.

The site switcher allows you to quickly navigate between projects. You can also organize sites by pinning frequently accessed ones, though the organizational tools are fairly basic at the standard tier.

Squarespace Enterprise: Advanced Multi-Site Management

For agencies managing dozens or hundreds of sites-or large organizations with multiple brand sites-Squarespace Enterprise provides sophisticated multi-site capabilities:

Design Library: This is the centerpiece of Enterprise multi-site management. It provides:

Centralized Dashboard: Enterprise includes an account-level dashboard where you can:

Enhanced Security: Enterprise offers SSO through Okta, Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), ClassLink, or Google, plus SCIM API endpoints for automated provisioning. This is critical for large teams or organizations with strict security requirements.

Dedicated Support: Enterprise customers get a dedicated account manager, priority support queue, design consultations, private product training, and security evaluations.

Enterprise pricing is custom and requires direct consultation with Squarespace's sales team. It's designed for organizations managing 10+ websites or agencies with very high-volume client rosters. For most agencies, the standard Circle program with manual multi-site management is sufficient.

The Good: Why Agencies Like Squarespace

Client Handoff Is Actually Easy

Squarespace's editor is intuitive enough that most clients can manage their own sites after launch. The interface is clean, the learning curve is reasonable, and Squarespace's support documentation is solid. This means fewer "how do I change this text?" support requests clogging your inbox.

You can add clients as contributors during the build process, then transfer full ownership when the project completes. The permission system lets you grant specific access levels: Website Editor, Administrator, Billing, Analytics, Store Manager, Comment Moderator, or Viewer. This flexibility lets you maintain exactly the level of ongoing involvement you want.

Design Quality Out of the Box

Squarespace templates look professional without heavy customization. For agencies that need to move fast, this matters. You can build a polished site in a day and feel comfortable handing it off.

The templates are mobile-responsive by default, with Squarespace automatically creating optimized mobile versions that match your desktop design. While you now have breakpoint control with Finish Layer for more precise mobile customization, the automatic responsive behavior works well for most projects.

All-in-One Platform

Email campaigns, scheduling (Acuity), ecommerce, memberships, courses-it's all native to Squarespace. Fewer third-party tools means fewer integration headaches and simpler client billing.

This is especially valuable when proposing projects. Instead of explaining that they'll need Squarespace + Mailchimp + Calendly + Shopify, you can position a single platform that handles everything. This reduces complexity, lowers the client's monthly costs, and simplifies your support burden.

Circle Discounts Help Close Deals

Offering clients 20-25% off their first year is a legitimate selling point. It reduces friction when you're competing with DIY options or agencies using cheaper platforms.

You can position this as "I'm a Platinum Squarespace partner, which means you save 25% on your first year-that's $297 saved on the Core plan." This tangible benefit helps justify your agency fee and differentiates you from competitors who aren't Circle members.

Reliable Hosting and Security

Squarespace includes SSL certificates, DDoS protection, and maintains 99.9% uptime. You don't need to manage servers, handle security patches, or worry about hosting failures at 3 AM.

For agencies, this operational simplicity is huge. You're not maintaining WordPress installations, updating plugins, or troubleshooting server issues. Your clients' sites just work, which means fewer emergency support calls and more time for billable project work.

Built-in SEO Features

Squarespace includes clean URLs, automatic sitemaps, mobile optimization, SSL certificates, and basic SEO settings out of the box. While not as powerful as WordPress with dedicated SEO plugins, it's sufficient for most small business clients.

The new Beacon AI feature provides basic SEO recommendations within the editor, helping clients understand optimization opportunities without requiring agency involvement.

The Bad: Limitations Agencies Need to Know

The Points System Punishes Boutique Agencies

If you only build 3-5 high-value sites per year, you'll likely stay at Silver forever. The old Circle program gave everyone the same benefits. Now, volume is king. Agencies doing fewer, more expensive projects get worse benefits than high-volume shops churning out basic sites.

This is particularly frustrating for agencies that specialize in complex, custom work that takes months per project. You might charge $15,000-$50,000 per site and deliver exceptional value, but Squarespace's points system values the agency launching 20 simple $3,000 sites more highly.

Customization Ceiling

Squarespace is less flexible than WordPress or Webflow for complex custom work. Yes, you can inject custom code (on Core plan and above), but there's a limit to how far you can push it. If clients need highly custom functionality, Squarespace might not be the right fit.

You can't modify core template files, don't have access to server-side code, and can't install plugins or extensions beyond Squarespace's approved integrations. For agencies that build highly custom web applications, this is a dealbreaker.

Ecommerce Isn't Shopify

Squarespace commerce is fine for small shops, but it lacks the app ecosystem and advanced features of Shopify. For clients who will scale to thousands of SKUs or need complex inventory management, you'll hit walls.

Specific limitations include:

For a business selling 20-100 products with straightforward fulfillment, Squarespace works great. For a rapidly scaling ecommerce operation, you'll need to migrate to Shopify eventually.

No White-Label Option

You can't remove Squarespace branding or resell the platform under your own brand. Clients will always know they're on Squarespace. This matters for some agencies positioning as full-service providers.

While you can add your Circle badge to your own website and promote your partnership, you can't present the platform as proprietary technology or create a fully white-labeled experience.

Limited Blogging Features

Compared to WordPress, Squarespace's blogging capabilities are basic. No advanced taxonomies, limited built-in blog SEO features, and fewer content management options. For content-heavy sites or publishers, this is limiting.

Template Lock-In

While you can switch templates within Squarespace 7.1, the process isn't always seamless and can require significant rework. You're also limited to Squarespace's template selection-you can't buy third-party templates like you can with WordPress.

Squarespace vs. Alternatives for Agencies

How does Squarespace stack up against other platforms agencies commonly use?

vs. Wix: Wix's partner program (Wix Studio) generates more inbound leads and has a more aggressive agency support model. But Squarespace templates generally look better out of the box, and the platform has a more professional reputation among design-conscious clients. Wix is also more flexible in some ways but can feel cluttered. See our Squarespace vs. Wix comparison.

vs. Webflow: Webflow offers more design flexibility and better developer tools, but has a steeper learning curve for clients. Squarespace is easier to hand off. Webflow is the better choice for agencies that never want to touch a client site post-launch, while Squarespace works better when clients will manage their own content. Check out our Squarespace vs. Webflow breakdown.

vs. WordPress: WordPress is infinitely more flexible but requires more maintenance and has a steeper learning curve. Squarespace is the "just works" option. WordPress makes sense for complex, custom projects or content-heavy sites. Squarespace wins for small business sites that need to be simple and maintainable. See Squarespace vs. WordPress.

vs. Shopify: For serious ecommerce, Shopify wins decisively. For a business that needs a website with some store functionality, Squarespace often makes more sense. If ecommerce is 80%+ of the business model, go Shopify. If it's a service business with some products, Squarespace is cleaner. Compare them in our Squarespace vs. Shopify guide.

The honest answer: Most successful agencies don't pick just one platform. You should be comfortable with 2-3 platforms and recommend the right tool for each client's specific needs, budget, and technical comfort level.

How to Join Squarespace Circle

Joining is straightforward:

  1. Go to squarespace.com/circle
  2. Click "Join Circle Today"
  3. Sign in with your Squarespace account credentials (or create an account)
  4. Complete your profile with details about your business and services-be thorough, as this helps Squarespace curate relevant content and opportunities
  5. Accept the Circle Terms
  6. Receive your welcome email with your initial status assignment

You'll be assigned Silver status by default unless your existing Squarespace activity qualifies you for Gold or Platinum. Your benefits activate immediately, and you can start launching client sites with extended trials right away.

Most benefits activate automatically, but to earn referral payments, you need an additional step:

  1. Visit your Circle dashboard
  2. Navigate to the Referral Payments section
  3. Click the registration link for your location (US or non-US)
  4. Sign up with Impact.com using your Circle account email address
  5. Accept the contract terms
  6. Configure your payment preferences

It's worth registering for referral payments even if you're just starting out at Silver with no qualifying sites yet. This way, when you do launch client sites, you'll be ready to receive commissions without delays.

Tips for Maximizing Circle Benefits

Always start trials from your Circle account. Extended trials only apply when you initiate the site. If a client starts their own trial and adds you later, you don't get the extended period or the points. Create a system where you always start the trial, then add the client as a contributor immediately.

Stack subscriptions strategically. If you're close to a tier upgrade, consider timing client launches to hit the threshold. For example, if you're at 950 points in November, pushing to close one more Core plan site before year-end gets you to Gold status for the next two calendar years.

Upsell additional subscriptions. When a client purchases their website, look for opportunities to add Acuity Scheduling or Email Campaigns. Each subscription earns separate points and separate referral commissions. Many clients don't realize Squarespace offers these features-positioning them as package upgrades increases your value and earnings.

Register for referral payments early. Even if you're Silver, register with Impact so you're ready when you launch sites. The approval process can take a few days, and you don't want to miss out on commissions because of administrative delays.

Use the Circle Forum. It's genuinely useful for troubleshooting obscure issues and staying updated on platform changes. The forum includes access to Squarespace product teams, feature request boards, and beta testing opportunities. Active participation can also lead to community leadership opportunities and higher visibility.

Attend Circle Day and Circle Live. These events provide education, networking with other Circle members, and early previews of new features. Circle Day is an annual conference, while Circle Live is a monthly virtual talk show. Both offer value and help you stay current with platform developments.

Optimize your Circle profile. A complete profile increases your chances of being invited to Marketplace and beta testing programs. Include your website, portfolio, services offered, industries served, and social media links.

Track your points and earnings. Your Circle dashboard shows your current point total, recent activities, and referral payment status. Check it monthly to ensure everything is tracking correctly and to see how close you are to the next tier.

Pricing Considerations for Your Agency Model

Beyond the platform costs, consider how Squarespace fits your agency's business model:

Retainer vs. Project-Based: If you work on retainer, Squarespace's simplicity means lower maintenance time, making retainers more profitable. If you're project-based, the fast build time lets you take on more projects per year.

Reselling vs. Direct Billing: Some agencies resell hosting as part of their service, adding a markup. Squarespace's pricing makes this less attractive than platforms with wholesale options. Most agencies have clients pay Squarespace directly using the Circle discount.

Ongoing Support: Factor in that Squarespace sites require minimal ongoing technical support compared to WordPress. This affects how you price maintenance plans and what level of support you realistically need to provide.

Training Clients: Because Squarespace is user-friendly, client training sessions are shorter and simpler. This can be a service you charge for, but it's less time-intensive than WordPress training.

When Squarespace Makes Sense for Your Agency

Squarespace is ideal when:

Consider alternatives when:

Real-World Agency Scenarios

Scenario 1: New Agency (1-5 Sites/Year)

You'll start at Silver, earning 10% discounts and 3-month trials. Focus on reaching Gold (1,000 points ≈ 4 Core plan sites) within your first year. At this stage, Circle benefits are modest but helpful. The referral payments provide a nice bonus but won't significantly impact your bottom line. Consider Squarespace as one platform in your toolkit rather than your exclusive offering.

Scenario 2: Established Agency (10-20 Sites/Year)

You'll comfortably maintain Gold status, earning 20% discounts, 6-month trials, and meaningful referral income ($2,000-$5,000+ annually). At this volume, Circle becomes a significant value-add. The extended trials give clients ample build time, and the discounts help close deals. Consider specializing in Squarespace to maximize your efficiency and Circle benefits.

Scenario 3: High-Volume Agency (50+ Sites/Year)

You'll achieve Platinum status, earning 25% discounts, 12-month trials, and substantial referral income ($10,000-$20,000+ annually). At this level, Squarespace Circle is a profit center, not just a perk. The 12-month trials let you onboard clients on extended payment terms, and the referral income becomes a meaningful revenue stream. Strongly consider Squarespace as your primary platform and invest in training your team to maximize efficiency.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Letting clients start their own trials. Always initiate trials from your Circle account to ensure you get extended trial periods and points. Set up a standardized process where clients never start sites themselves.

Not registering for referral payments. Many Circle members don't realize they need to separately register with Impact.com. Don't leave money on the table-register immediately after joining Circle.

Choosing the wrong plan for clients. Understand the feature differences between plans. Don't put clients on Basic if they need custom code or unlimited contributors, even if they're budget-conscious. Underpowered plans create support headaches.

Overpromising customization. Be honest about Squarespace's limitations. If a client needs functionality the platform can't support, recommend an alternative rather than struggling to hack together a solution.

Ignoring the forum and community. Circle's forum is where you'll learn about workarounds, upcoming features, and best practices. Agencies that engage with the community are more effective.

Not tracking points and status. Check your Circle dashboard monthly. Don't get surprised at year-end when you realize you were 100 points away from the next tier and missed opportunities.

The Squarespace Affiliate Program vs. Circle

It's worth noting that Squarespace has two separate programs: Circle (for agencies building client sites) and the Affiliate Program (for content creators and influencers promoting Squarespace through tracked links).

Circle members can also apply for the Affiliate Program if eligible, and you're welcome to participate in both. The Affiliate Program works differently:

For agencies, Circle is typically more relevant because you're building sites for specific clients rather than promoting Squarespace generally. But if you also run a blog, YouTube channel, or social media presence teaching web design, the Affiliate Program provides an additional revenue stream.

Bottom Line: Is Squarespace Right for Your Agency?

Squarespace makes sense for agencies that:

It's probably not the best fit if:

For the right agency, Squarespace Circle is a solid deal-free to join, legitimate discounts, referral income that adds up, and a platform that balances design quality with ease of use. Just go in with realistic expectations about what the platform can and can't do.

The key is treating Squarespace as a tool in your agency toolkit, not your only option. Master it for the clients it serves well, but maintain skills in other platforms for projects that need different capabilities. The best agencies are platform-agnostic, recommending the right solution for each client's specific needs rather than forcing every project into the same mold.

Ready to try Squarespace?
Start your free trial here and explore whether it fits your agency's workflow. The 14-day trial (or extended trial through Circle) gives you enough time to build a test site and see how the editor feels.

Looking for a discount? Check out our Squarespace coupon page for current offers, or read real Squarespace reviews to see what other users think.