JavaScript is a programming language that enables you to create dynamic website content. This means that you can change how your website looks and behaves without having to reload the page.
In Squarespace, you can add custom JavaScript to your site in two ways: through the Code Injection panel, or by linking to an external JavaScript file.
Code Injection
Code Injection is a Squarespace feature that lets you add your own HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code to specific areas of your site. This is useful if you want to add code that isn’t available as a Squarespace plugin, or if you want full control over how your code behaves.
To add custom JavaScript to your site using Code Injection:
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1. Go to Settings > Advanced > Code Injection.
2. Add your code to the <head> or <body> sections.
3. Click Save.
Your code will now be injected into the specified areas of your site’s code. Note that Code Injection is a advanced feature, and adding code incorrectly can break your site. If you’re not comfortable working with code, we recommend hiring a developer to help you.
Linking to an External JavaScript File
If you have a lot of custom JavaScript, or if you want to keep your code organized in separate files, you can link to an external JavaScript file instead of adding it directly to your site’s code. To do this:
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1. Create a new file in a text editor like Sublime Text or Atom, and save it with a .js extension (for example, my-script.js).
2. Add your custom JavaScript code to this file, and save it again.
Upload the file to Squarespace through one of the following methods:
* Use an FTP client like Transmit or CyberDuck, and upload it to the /Assets folder on your server (you can find your server address in Site Manager). Learn more about FTP here.
* Add it as a Site Asset in Developer Mode (Settings > Advanced > Developer Mode). Learn more about Developer Mode here.
3. Once the file is uploaded, go to Settings > Advanced > External API Keys, and copy the URL for the file from the Assets section.
1. Make sure you know what you’re doing! Adding custom JavaScript can be tricky, and if you’re not careful you could end up breaking your site.
2. Always back up your site before making any changes, just in case something goes wrong.
3. Be sure to test your changes in different browsers before making them live on your site. What looks good in one browser might not look so great in another.
4. Keep an eye on your site’s loading speed after adding any new code. Too much custom JavaScript can make your site load slowly, which can be frustrating for visitors.
5. If you’re not comfortable coding yourself, there are plenty of resources available online to help you get started, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
With that said, adding custom JavaScript to Squarespace is relatively easy and can be a great way to enhance your site. Just be sure to keep the above points in mind and you’ll be good to go!
4. Go back to Settings > Advanced > Code Injection, and paste the URL into the <head> section with some script tags around it:
<script src="URL-GOES-HERE"></script>
5. Click Save.
6. Your external JavaScript file will now be loaded on every page of your site.
You can also link to an external CSS file in a similar way, by adding the URL to the <head> section with some link tags around it:
<link href="URL-GOES-HERE" rel="stylesheet">
Conclusion:
Adding custom JavaScript to your Squarespace website is possible in two ways – either through Code Injection or by linking an external JavaScript file. Code Injection is useful if you want to add code that isn’t available as a Squarespace plugin, while linking an external JS file is helpful if you have a lot of custom code or if you want to keep it organized in separate files.
