How to Use Squarespace + Member Tools
You don’t need complicated platforms, plug-ins, or multiple tools to build a course that works. If you’re already using Squarespace, like this site is, you can create a clear, clean, and professional course experience using what’s already built in.
Let’s walk through how it works.
What Are Member Areas?
Member Areas is a Squarespace feature that lets you create private content on your site, whether it’s for a paid course, a free resource library, or exclusive content just for subscribers or clients.
When someone signs up (or purchases access), they get their own login and can see everything you’ve added to that area.
No need to send files manually. No third-party delivery tools. It’s all in one place.
Step 1: Plan Your Course Content
Before setting things up, outline what you want to include:
How many lessons will there be?
Will it be video-based, text-based, or both?
Do you want to include downloads like PDFs or checklists?
Simple structure idea:
Course Home Page – intro + overview
Lesson Pages – one page per topic
Completion or Bonus Page – wrap-up and next steps
Each page can be short and focused. Don’t overbuild, clarity wins.
Step 2: Enable Member Areas in Squarespace
To get started:
In your Squarespace dashboard, click “Member Areas”
Choose a plan that fits how many members you need
Create a new area (e.g. “Mini Course” or “Foundations Workshop”)
Start assigning course pages to that area
This lets you protect your content and give people access only after they’ve signed up.
Step 3: Build Your Course Pages
Each lesson should feel like its own space, short, scannable, and helpful.
Here’s a sample layout for each page:
Title – clear and action-focused
Short intro – 1–2 lines on what they’ll learn
Embedded video – from YouTube, Vimeo, or Loom
Download link – PDF, worksheet, or checklist
Next lesson button – helps keep momentum
You can add navigation links or buttons to let users move easily between lessons or back to the course homepage.
Step 4: Set Access + Payment
When setting up your Member Area, Squarespace will ask how you want to give access:
Free
One-time payment
Recurring subscription
Once someone signs up or pays, Squarespace will automatically send them login info and give them access to all pages assigned to that area.
You don’t need to manage users manually, it’s handled for you.
Step 5: Link to It From Your Main Site
To make your course easy to find:
Create a public-facing page that explains the course
Share what’s included, who it’s for, and what they’ll learn
Add a “Join Now” button that links to your Member Area checkout
This is your course “landing page”, the one you’ll link to from Instagram, email, or anywhere else you promote it.
What It Looks Like for Your Students
Once enrolled, your students:
Get a confirmation email from Squarespace
Create a secure login
Can return anytime to access the course pages
Stay on your site, no jumping between platforms
Because this course lives right inside your website, the experience feels more personal and cohesive.
Just like this site, which uses Squarespace too, everything stays in one place and just works.
Final Thought
If you’re trying to share what you know, teach something useful, or make your content more accessible, this is a simple, solid way to start.
You don’t need to be “techy.”
You just need a structure.
And a place to build it.
Squarespace Member Areas gives you that, no extras required.
