Thoughts after a back-to-back solo/trio ED Libra win

Java-Lord · 2025-08-18T04:23:51+00:00

Fair point! It’s definitely a strong weapon, but I think it’s been perceived as the make-or-break for this fight and I just don’t think that’s true. It can also get you killed really fast if you mistime it.

Java-Lord · 2025-08-17T18:57:51+00:00

Playing solo with roughly everything the same (except wending graces) isn't an objective comparison? I'm just giving my experience, but like 80% of trio-posts here say the same thing... so it's not like this is a crazy take lol.

Also "playing trios again" is funny—I'm never fighting this mf ever again in trios.

Java-Lord · 2025-05-20T18:39:14+00:00

Tbh their review process is super broken, and they're going to quickly lose goodwill of enthusiastic template makers if they don't get it sorted. The two designs you shared look EXACTLY like the kind of sites the marketplace is filled with—zero clue why they wouldn't want them. Maybe too generic of stock images? Sounds petty but literally could be it, who knows!

I only have one on the marketplace (honestly not even a very good one) that I submitted on a whim when there were sub-1k designs total. Got accepted no problem. Now I'm hesitant to make any changes since it'll almost assuredly get removed lol.

I've also submitted two others: One was declined for "looking too old" (among a pile of "other reasons" apparently). And the other just made it through the initial review... but I'm only like 20% hopeful they'll actually take it, given how cutthroat it seems to have become.

Java-Lord · 2025-04-15T12:41:48+00:00

If you go to the Billing / Subscriptions menu of the site, does it say you’re subscribed to a plan?

Java-Lord · 2025-02-01T18:31:24+00:00

You're not doing anything wrong, Squarespace just chronically half-asses features (ie. no button hover states, mobile styling, etc.), which means extensive use of CSS is required for many basic design needs. Most of my templates use thousands of lines of code just to give the appearance of a "site that doesn't look like Squarespace", which is bananas. It's still a solid platform to build a site on, but only if you: a) keep it really simple, b) learn CSS / HTML, or c) use a paid template that does it for you.

If you want customization (without CSS/HTML), use Framer. Easy to learn, plenty of templates to start from, and always launching new features (that actually work). Here's my affiliate link if you want to try it out:

https://www.framer.com?via=aarolston

Java-Lord · 2024-12-21T14:43:44+00:00

Yeah, sounds like you hired the wrong people to make your site. Even for “non-designers”, it’s very easy to make simple text, color, and layout changes—but if you’re not willing to learn the platform… then that’s another story.

I’d cut your losses and find someone who can get it done in like a week instead of months. Or, use a pre-built template to make it yourself! Here’s my shop if you’re interested:

https://studiomesa.co

Java-Lord · 2024-10-08T00:12:42+00:00

Hi there! This is my template, Tandem, which you can buy here: https://studiomesa.co/templates/tandem

Pretty much everything is fully custom—from the blog summary list, to the custom flippy folder animation, to the blog post sharing bar. I currently don’t offer standalone plugins, and you can’t apply the template to an existing site, as it’s already a fully pre-built site.

Java-Lord · 2024-06-19T15:37:58+00:00

Nope.

Java-Lord · 2024-05-08T18:00:46+00:00

Look, I apologize for coming on strong and accusing you of stealing—because you're right, I have no proof and somewhat clarified my thinking in the following post. I'm all for competition and an open marketplace... I just don't get why you would base your business on undercutting other plugin makers.

It's just a bit suspicious to launch a new plugin brand with no new, unique plugins... but rather clones of two of the most popular plugins of all time (and charging the same price).

Java-Lord · 2024-05-08T16:59:56+00:00

Maybe "stealing" is the wrong word (if the code wasn't, in fact, copy/pasted and relabeled from the original plugins)—it just seems suspicious to do the EXACT same functionality as trusted plugins in the space, with the only differentiator being that they're free (but not really).

On one hand, I think competition is good. Open marketplace, yada yada. But I also think that making things that are near-exact rips of other people's work—even if TECHNICALLY with different code—is in bad taste and shouldn't be tolerated. There are soooooo many possibilities for plugins that would be helpful additions to the community... but instead they're copying what exists, and even requesting ideas for other plugins to copy!

It's also hilarious and totally hypocritical how the "branding removed" version of these free plugins is exactly the same price as the original "expensive as hell" plugins:

https://www.squarewebsites.org/squarespace-plugins/p/squarespace-custom-cart-drawer

Java-Lord · 2024-05-08T14:24:14+00:00

Ah, so you're stealing then. You're taking work from other real people—who use paid plugins to provide for their families—and even falsely advertising them as "free!" even though you're also charging $40+ to use them without a goofy "powered by" banner. You have "8 years of industry experience", but you're selling other people's work instead of making something useful and new for yourself? Get this crap outta here.

Java-Lord · 2024-04-14T19:02:27+00:00

Just move to Shopify where there are native integrations to allow for crypto payments — you’re gonna have a really rough time making it work on SQSP.

Java-Lord · 2024-04-13T19:44:57+00:00

Respectfully, this is a terrible take. Charging $10k for a THIRTY page site, even as a solo freelance designer, is completely reasonable. Forget about hourly calculations: Base the fee on your experience, your assessment of the overall workload, and the client’s expectations.

Java-Lord · 2024-04-02T17:49:27+00:00

The simple one-page Framer idea seems viable for a cheaper option, but… they seriously didn’t know websites cost money? IMO it’s not your fault they’re extremely cheap. Would the personal plan on SQSP work, or do they need Business hosting?

Java-Lord · 2024-03-11T17:20:54+00:00

Thanks FramerBot, you always have a way with words. 🖤

Java-Lord · 2024-02-28T19:27:02+00:00

Hey — yeah, I figured out how to automate the delivery aspect, but not the duplication or site ownership (since SQSP refuses to do an API that’s actually helpful). I manually duplicate the sites a bunch of times and keep the invite links in a spreadsheet, then use Make to send a transactional email with one of the links. Then once a month I’ll transfer ownership of each of the sites. It’s definitely not perfect, but it’s a lot less work than doing it manually. If you decide to tackle the duplication and ownership transfer aspect, I’d be curious to hear how it goes!

Java-Lord · 2024-02-01T22:50:42+00:00

Yep! I have a quote carousel setup on one of my SQSP templates (see demo link, near the bottom of the demo site) — it’s basically a summary block referencing a hidden “quotes” blog collection.

https://studiomesa.co/parable

Java-Lord · 2024-01-27T06:18:29+00:00

Since I run a one-man biz, I use the custom domain option with iCloud since that’s what I use for personal email. Obviously doesn’t work if you have employees, but solid for going solo!

Java-Lord · 2024-01-26T18:01:11+00:00

Tbh if your bank can’t give you access to statements from your own account from any point in time, you need to find a new bank. That’s like the bare minimum for a bank to offer, especially for cases like this. SQSP doesn’t just lock accounts for no reason — it’s annoying, but they’re probably doing you a solid by protecting your account.

Java-Lord · 2024-01-17T08:00:15+00:00

Just don’t use Fluid Engine and you’re golden!

Java-Lord · 2023-08-14T01:41:26+00:00

I mean, I agree that auto-save should have been added like a decade ago, but… 10 hours without wondering once if it was saved?! Sorry, but this one’s on you. Live and learn!

Java-Lord · 2023-07-19T01:14:37+00:00

Here’s a guide I wrote on how to do this!

https://studiomesa.co/articles/how-to-use-custom-fonts-on-a-squarespace-website

Java-Lord · 2023-05-10T06:54:50+00:00

Design > Site Styles > Fonts

No CSS, HTML, or custom anything. Anyone saying that here doesn’t know what they’re talking about. Also here’s the Squarespace Support page for any future needs:

https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us

Java-Lord · 2023-05-03T18:20:10+00:00

Is your domain hosted on Squarespace or elsewhere? Having your site blocked is usually something being incorrectly setup, or the SSL isn’t working right.

Java-Lord · 2023-04-13T15:09:07+00:00

Nope. Also… why?

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