Squarespace is taking a big step by going private in a $6.9 billion deal with Permira, after facing some challenges on the public market. If you have active Squarespace subscriptions, you may be wondering about the platform’s future and any potential changes in services or policies. This will eventually lead to the cancellation of your subscription.
Well, you’ve come to the right place. This article will guide you through each step of the cancellation process to ensure you have all the information you need.
Reasons why you might want to cancel your Squarespace subscription
This change can shake things up, which can potentially impact services, features, and prices. Here’s why you might consider pulling the plug:
Changes to services and features
Squarespace’s shift to private ownership could result in tweaks or overhauls in how it offers its services. This might be great down the line, but if you’re worried about navigating these changes or facing an interruption in service, it might not be worth the hassle right now.
Pricing and term adjustments
New bosses usually mean new pricing. If you’re concerned that costs might climb or that service terms could change, it could be time to reassess whether Squarespace still fits into your budget and business plan.
Alignment with your business goals
As Squarespace prepares for its next chapter, consider whether its future direction will still align with your business objectives. If you sense a potential mismatch, exploring alternatives sooner rather than later might be your best bet.
Concerns over stability
Big changes can lead to uncertain times. If your business seeks stability, the transition to Squarespace may be more challenging than you’re accustomed to. It will prompt you to seek out more predictable options.
Exploring alternatives
This might also be an excellent opportunity to see what other platforms have to offer. Shopping around could reveal a service that matches your needs even better, whether that’s in terms of features, price, or overall user experience.
What you need to know before canceling your Squarespace subscription
Check out the straightforward guide below to help you navigate through the process without any hitches and understand what it entails.
Important steps before you cancel
- Export your site: First things first—make sure you don’t lose anything important. To export your site, follow the steps below:
- Open the import & export content panel.
- Click Export.
3. Click the WordPress icon.
4. If you have more than one blog page on your site, a Select Primary Blog message will appear. Only one blog page can be exported.
5. Choose a primary blog from the drop-down menu, then select Export.
6. Wait for the export to complete. This process might take a little while, especially if your site has a lot of content.
7. Once the export is finished, a Download button will appear. Click on it to save the .xml file directly to your computer.
Note: Not all content from your Squarespace site will be exported. Know which ones will be exported and which ones won’t be.
- Understand the refund terms: It’s important to familiarize yourself with Squarespace’s refund policies because they have specific guidelines and conditions for processing returns or cancellations. Once payment has been collected, Squarespace observes these refund policies:
- Full refunds are provided for annual website subscriptions if canceled within the first 14 days. The refund process will take 3 to 10 business days.
- Refunds are not available if the cancellation occurs more than 14 days after the initial payment.
- Monthly plans and renewal payments are not eligible for refunds.
Tip: If you’re unsure of when you made your payment, you can check your website subscription invoices to find the specific dates.
What happens after you cancel?
- You could lose your domain: Before you cancel your site subscription, make sure you transfer your domain away from Squarespace. Follow these steps:
- Open the domains dashboard.
- Click the domain you want to transfer.
- Switch the Domain Lock toggle off.
4. Scroll down and click the Request transfer code, then click Ok. You’ll receive an email with a unique authentication code to the domain’s Owner Contact if your domain’s registrar is Squarespace Domains LLC. If your domain’s registrar is Tucows, the transfer authentication code is sent to the domain’s Admin Contact within 24 hours. (Squarespace domains are sold through two registrars: Squarespace Domains LLC and as a reseller of Tucows domains. To determine which of these is your registrar, simply look at the Provider under your domain name on the domains dashboard).
5. Check your inbox for an email from [email protected] with the subject line: “Auth code for [yourdomain.com]”. If you don’t get this email within 24 hours, see Squarespace’s troubleshooting steps.
6. Copy the transfer authentication code from that email and send it to your new domain provider.
- Check your other subscriptions: If you have other active subscriptions or services linked to your Squarespace account—like Digital Products, Google Workspace, Email Campaigns, and Acuity Scheduling, make sure these are canceled as well.
Step-by-step guide to canceling your Squarespace account
Your Squarespace site subscription can be canceled through two options:
Option 1: Cancel your Squarespace subscription
Selecting this option will immediately end your subscription and take your site offline.
- Open the billing panel of the site you want to cancel.
- Under Subscriptions, click one of the following options: Website, Commerce, or Squarespace, depending on your subscription or plan.
- Click Cancel subscription. Depending on your plan, this will be Website or Store.
- Select the reason for canceling your subscription from the drop-down menu, and then click Next to proceed.
- Fill out the remaining part of the form to share your experience with Squarespace, or if you prefer, skip this by clicking Next.
- If your site has active subscriptions, you will see a Your other subscriptions panel. Review these subscriptions, then click Continue. You have the option to cancel them at a later time (You can go back to Check your other subscriptions in the previous section).
- Click on Cancel subscription. Depending on your plan, this option will appear as either Website or Store.
Option 2: Disable auto-renew
Your Squarespace site subscription is automatically renewed annually or monthly, depending on your convenience. If you choose to disable auto-renew, your subscription will simply expire at the end of the current billing cycle.
- On your account dashboard, proceed to the billing panel of the Squarespace website subscription you want to cancel.
- Under Subscriptions, click Website or Store, based on the specific plan you have.
- Switch the Renew automatically toggle off.
Bluehost: A Squarespace alternative
Bluehost stands out as a robust alternative to Squarespace because of its unique blend of WordPress hosting and AI-powered website building capabilities called Wondersuite. For users who are canceling their Squarespace subscriptions, Bluehost presents a compelling option worth exploring.
One of the primary advantages of Bluehost is its user-friendly interface. This allows novices and experts alike to create stunning websites with ease. The AI-driven website builder tool provides a range of customizable templates and drag-and-drop functionality. This makes it an ideal choice for users who are looking for a hassle-free website creation experience.
Another key benefit of Bluehost is its reliable web hosting services, which offers at least 99.99% uptime and lightning-fast loading speeds. This ensures that websites hosted on Bluehost’s servers remain accessible and responsive, even during peak traffic periods. Additionally, Bluehost’s customer support team is available 24/7 to address any technical issues or concerns that may arise.
When considering Bluehost as a Squarespace alternative, users can also take advantage of its competitive pricing plans, which include a free domain name for the first year, SSL certification (free for the first year in the starter plan and free for the higher-tiered plans), and huge storage. Furthermore, Bluehost’s scalable infrastructure allows users to easily upgrade or downgrade their plans as their website grows or evolves.
In essence, Bluehost offers a comprehensive website building and hosting solution that rivals Squarespace in many ways. By harnessing the power of AI-driven technology and providing a range of innovative features, Bluehost has established itself as a formidable contender in the web hosting and website-building space.
Make the switch to Bluehost now!
With Squarespace going private this year, understanding how to properly cancel your Squarespace account is crucial. We’ve covered all the necessary steps, from understanding your billing cycle and refund options to ensuring you don’t lose any valuable data. If you’re looking for alternatives, consider platforms like Bluehost, which offers robust hosting solutions and user-friendly website building tools. Take your time to follow the outlined steps carefully to ensure a smooth transition from Squarespace.
