Hey there! So, you’ve decided it’s time to part ways with your Squarespace subscription. Maybe you’re switching to another platform, taking a break, or just not feeling it anymore.
No worries, I’ve got you covered. Canceling your Squarespace subscription is straightforward, but there are a few things to know to make the process smooth. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Why Cancel Your Squarespace Subscription?
Squarespace is a fantastic website builder, but sometimes it’s not the right fit. You might be:
- Moving to a different platform like Wix or WordPress.
- Cutting costs and pausing your online presence.
- Finishing a project that no longer needs a website.
- Simply exploring other options.
Whatever your reason, Squarespace makes it easy to cancel. However, you’ll want to understand the process and what happens next to avoid losing important content or getting unexpected charges.
Things to Know Before You Cancel
Before you hit that cancel button, let’s cover some key points to ensure you’re prepared. Canceling your subscription can affect your website, content, and other connected services. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Your website goes offline. Once you cancel, your site will no longer be publicly accessible. It’ll stay in your account for 30 days before Squarespace marks it for deletion.
- Content deletion. After 30 days, your website’s content (pages, blog posts, images) may be permanently deleted. Always back up your data!
- Other subscriptions stay active. Canceling your website subscription doesn’t affect domains, Email Campaigns, or Google Workspace. You’ll need to cancel those separately.
- Refund eligibility. If you’re on an annual plan, you may get a refund within 14 days of your first payment. Monthly plans and renewals don’t qualify for refunds.
- Digital Products pause. If you have a Digital Products plan (like memberships or courses), it enters a 30-day “pause” state. Customers can’t access gated content during this time.
Taking a moment to review these points can save you headaches later. Ready to proceed? Let’s get to the steps.
How to Cancel Your Squarespace Subscription
Squarespace offers two ways to cancel: you can cancel immediately (taking your site offline) or disable auto-renew to let the subscription expire at the end of your billing cycle. I’ll explain both methods below.
Option 1: Cancel Your Subscription Immediately
This method stops your subscription right away, and your website goes offline. Follow these steps:
- Log in to your Squarespace account. Head to the Squarespace website and sign in using your email and password.
- Go to Settings. From your dashboard, click the gear icon to access the Home Menu, then select Settings.
- Navigate to Billing. In the Settings menu, click Billing to see all your active subscriptions.
- Select your subscription. Under the Subscriptions section, click Website or Store, depending on your plan.
- Click Cancel Subscription. Scroll down and find the Cancel Subscription button. Click it to start the process.
- Choose a reason. Squarespace will ask why you’re canceling. Pick an option from the dropdown menu (e.g., “Switching to another platform”) and click Next.
- Review other subscriptions. Squarespace will show any other active subscriptions (like domains or Email Campaigns). If you want to cancel those too, you’ll need to do so separately.
- Confirm cancellation. Follow the prompts to finalize. You’ll get an email confirming your subscription is canceled.
Your website is now offline, and you’ll stop being charged immediately (unless you’re on a billing cycle that’s already paid).
Option 2: Disable Auto-Renew
If you’d rather keep your site live until the end of your billing cycle, disable auto-renew instead. Here’s how:
- Log in and go to Billing. Follow the same steps as above to reach the Billing section in your account.
- Select your subscription. Click Website or Store under Subscriptions.
- Turn off auto-renew. Find the Renew automatically toggle and switch it off. This sets your subscription to expire at the end of the current billing cycle.
- Confirm the change. Squarespace will confirm that auto-renew is disabled. Your site stays live until the billing period ends.
This option is great if you want to use your site for a little longer without committing to another billing cycle.
| Feature | Cancel Immediately | Disable Auto-Renew |
|---|---|---|
| Site Status | Goes offline instantly | Stays live until billing cycle ends |
| Billing Impact | Stops charges immediately | Charges stop at end of cycle |
| Best For | Quick exit from Squarespace | Using site until paid period ends |
Backing Up Your Content
Before canceling, export your website’s content to avoid losing it. Squarespace allows you to export certain content, like blog posts, to an XML file. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings. From the Home Menu, click Settings, then Advanced.
- Select Import/Export. Click Export and choose your primary blog page (if you have multiple).
- Download the file. Once the export is ready, click Download to save the XML file to your computer.
What can you export?
- Blog posts
- Text and images from pages
- Some gallery content
What can’t you export?
- Product pages
- Style settings
- Custom CSS
For non-exportable content, manually save images, videos, and text to your computer. This step is crucial if you plan to move to another platform like WordPress.
Canceling Other Squarespace Subscriptions
Your Squarespace account might have additional subscriptions, such as:
- Domains. Cancel or transfer domains separately via the Domains panel.
- Email Campaigns. Cancel through the Email Campaigns section in Billing.
- Google Workspace. Manage this in the Google Workspace panel.
- Acuity Scheduling. Cancel via the Scheduling section.
To cancel these, go to the Billing section, select the relevant subscription, and follow the prompts. Each subscription must be canceled individually to avoid ongoing charges.
What Happens After Cancellation?
Once you cancel, here’s what to expect:
- Website goes offline. Visitors can’t access your site, but you can still log in to manage settings for 30 days.
- Content deletion. After 30 days, Squarespace may permanently delete your content. Some users report content staying longer, but don’t rely on this.
- Digital Products pause. Memberships or courses enter a 30-day pause state. Customers lose access, and subscriptions won’t renew.
- Refunds. If you cancel an annual plan within 14 days, you may get a full refund (minus domain fees, if applicable). Refunds take 3-10 business days to process.
- Domains. If you have a Squarespace domain, you can let it expire, renew it annually, or transfer it to another provider.
If you change your mind, you can reactivate your site within 30 days by starting a new subscription. After that, you may need to rebuild from scratch.
Alternatives to Canceling
Not sure if canceling is the best move? Consider these options:
- Downgrade your plan. Switch to a cheaper plan, like the Personal plan, to save money.
- Pause your site. Password-protect your site to hide it from visitors while keeping it active.
- Switch billing cycles. Move to a monthly plan for more flexibility.
- Contact support. Squarespace’s support team can help you find a solution that fits your needs.
These alternatives let you keep your site without committing to a full cancellation.
Tips for a Smooth Cancellation
To wrap up, here are some quick tips to make canceling your Squarespace subscription hassle-free:
- Export content first. Save blog posts, images, and other data before canceling.
- Check for other subscriptions. Cancel domains, Email Campaigns, or Google Workspace separately.
- Review refund eligibility. Act within 14 days for annual plans to get a refund.
- Contact support if needed. Squarespace’s support team is available via email or chat to help with issues.
- Consider pausing instead. Password-protect your site if you might return later.
FAQs: How to Cancel Squarespace Subscription
Q. Can I get a refund after canceling my Squarespace subscription?
A. You can get a full refund if you cancel an annual plan within 14 days of the first payment. Monthly plans and renewals aren’t refundable. Refunds take 3-10 business days.
Q. Will my website be deleted immediately after cancellation?
A. No, your site stays in your account for 30 days. After that, Squarespace may permanently delete your content, so export it first.
Q. Can I cancel my Squarespace domain too?
A. Yes, but you’ll need to cancel it separately in the Domains panel. You can also transfer it to another provider or let it expire.
Q. What happens to my Digital Products after canceling?
A. Digital Products (like memberships) enter a 30-day pause state. Customers can’t access gated content, and subscriptions won’t renew.
Conclusion
Canceling your Squarespace subscription doesn’t have to be stressful. By following these steps and backing up your content, you can move on confidently, whether you’re switching platforms or taking a break. If you’re exploring new website builders, check out options like Wix, Hostinger, or Jimdo for affordable and user-friendly alternatives.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and reflects the cancellation process based on Squarespace’s policies as of April 2025. Policies may change, so always check the official Squarespace Help Center for the latest information. If you encounter issues, contact Squarespace support directly. The author is not responsible for any loss of data or charges incurred during the cancellation process.
About The Author
