How to Delete a Squarespace Website: A Step-by-Step Guide and the Curious Case of Digital Footprints

How to Delete a Squarespace Website: A Step-by-Step Guide and the Curious Case of Digital Footprints

Deleting a Squarespace website might seem like a straightforward task, but it’s a decision that often comes with a mix of emotions and practical considerations. Whether you’re closing a chapter on a personal blog, shutting down an outdated business site, or simply starting fresh, the process involves more than just clicking a button. In this article, we’ll explore the steps to delete a Squarespace website, the implications of doing so, and some philosophical musings on the permanence of digital footprints.


Step 1: Back Up Your Content

Before you delete your Squarespace website, it’s crucial to back up your content. Squarespace doesn’t offer a built-in backup feature, so you’ll need to manually save your data. Here’s how:

  • Export Blog Posts: Go to the Settings menu, select Advanced, and click Import/Export. From there, you can export your blog posts in XML format.
  • Save Images and Files: Download all images, PDFs, and other files from your site. You can do this by accessing the Storage section in the Settings menu.
  • Copy Text Content: For pages that aren’t part of a blog, copy and paste the text into a document for safekeeping.

Step 2: Cancel Subscriptions and Services

If your Squarespace website is tied to any subscriptions or third-party services, make sure to cancel them before deleting the site. This includes:

  • Email Campaigns: If you’re using Squarespace Email Campaigns, cancel your subscription to avoid future charges.
  • Domain Registration: If you registered your domain through Squarespace, decide whether you want to transfer it to another registrar or let it expire.
  • Third-Party Integrations: Disconnect any integrations like Google Analytics, Mailchimp, or social media accounts.

Step 3: Delete Your Website

Once you’ve backed up your content and canceled subscriptions, you’re ready to delete your website. Follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Squarespace account.
  2. Navigate to the Settings menu.
  3. Scroll down to the Advanced section and click Delete Site.
  4. Confirm your decision by entering your site’s name and clicking Delete.

Step 4: Reflect on Your Digital Footprint

Deleting a website is more than just a technical process—it’s a moment to reflect on the permanence of digital content. Even after you delete your Squarespace site, traces of it might still exist in search engine caches, social media shares, or archived versions on platforms like the Wayback Machine. This raises interesting questions about the nature of online presence:

  • Is anything ever truly deleted on the internet?
  • How do we balance the desire for a fresh start with the reality of digital permanence?
  • What responsibilities do we have as creators to preserve or erase our online histories?

Step 5: Consider Alternatives

If you’re not ready to fully delete your website, consider these alternatives:

  • Unpublish Your Site: Instead of deleting, you can unpublish your site, making it temporarily inaccessible while retaining all your content.
  • Start a New Site: Squarespace allows you to create multiple sites under one account. You can keep your old site as a reference while building a new one.
  • Archive Your Content: Use tools like Google Drive or Dropbox to store your website content for future use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I recover my Squarespace website after deleting it? A: Unfortunately, no. Once you delete a Squarespace website, it cannot be recovered. Make sure to back up all your content before proceeding.

Q2: Will deleting my Squarespace website affect my domain? A: If you registered your domain through Squarespace, deleting your website won’t automatically cancel your domain registration. You’ll need to manage your domain separately.

Q3: How long does it take for a deleted Squarespace website to disappear from search engines? A: It can take weeks or even months for search engines to remove your site from their indexes. You can speed up the process by submitting a removal request through Google Search Console.

Q4: Can I delete a Squarespace website on a mobile device? A: Yes, you can delete your Squarespace website using the Squarespace app or a mobile browser. The steps are the same as on a desktop.

Q5: What happens to my billing after I delete my Squarespace website? A: Deleting your website will cancel any active subscriptions tied to that site. However, you’ll still be responsible for any outstanding charges.


Deleting a Squarespace website is a significant step, but with the right preparation, it can be a smooth and thoughtful process. Whether you’re closing a chapter or starting anew, remember that your digital footprint is a reflection of your journey—one that’s worth considering carefully.