Compatibility Insights: Recent Checks on Popular Squarespace Plugins (Jan 2024)
Ensuring seamless operation and integration of plugins is essential for maintaining a functional and user-friendly website. This post provides brief insights into recent compatibility checks on popular Squarespace plugins. Here’s a summary of each plugin reviewed, followed by a detailed look at their combinations and performance.
Disclaimer: It's important to note that some links in this article may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them with no additional charges to you.
Squarespace Plugin Briefs
1. Classic Gallery Block
Brings back gallery blocks on Squarespace 7.1 sections, allowing users to utilize traditional gallery layouts and existing gallery options. Learn more
2. Universal Filter
Allows filtering and sorting of any data (images, videos, blogs, etc.) on your Squarespace site, enhancing content navigation. Learn more
3. Squarespace Datepicker
Inserts a datepicker into Squarespace forms, compatible with Form blocks and Custom Product forms, making date-specific interactions seamless. Learn more
4. Squarewebsites Slide Out Cart
Introduces a slide-out shopping cart effect, enabling users to check their cart without leaving the current page. Learn more
5. Lazy Summaries
Raises the item limit on summary blocks from 30 to 250, adds features like lightbox for store or blog pages, enhancing content presentation. Learn more
Detailed Compatibility Checks
1. Classic Gallery Block x Universal Filter
These two plugins have been tested together to ensure they work seamlessly. The Classic Gallery Block plugin restore traditional gallery blocks in Squarespace 7.1, while the Universal Filter plugin enhances the functionality by allowing users to filter and sort gallery content effectively.
In the video blow, you can see the the filterable Gallery block is displayed alongside text content within a Squarespace 7.1 fluid section, showcasing the versatility of this combination.
Classic Gallery Block x Universal Filter demostration
Benefits:
Enhances visual content presentation with traditional gallery layouts.
Allows easy navigation and filtering of gallery items.
2. Lightbox Studio x Universal Filter
Lightbox Studio and Universal Filter have been combined to create an interactive and user-friendly media display. Lightbox Studio adds a lightbox zoom effect to your media, while Universal Filter ensures users can sort and filter through content effortlessly.
In the demonstration below, you can see the Lightbox gallery showing 12 slides when selecting the "All" category. When choosing the "Sandwich" filter, the gallery shows 6 slides, illustrating the effective integration of filtering capabilities with gallery displays.
Lightbox Studio x Universal Filter demostration
Benefits:
Provides an engaging media viewing experience.
Ensures content is easily searchable and sortable.
3. Squarespace Datepicker x Squarewebsites Slide Out Cart
Integrating Squarespace Datepicker with Cart Drawer has been tested for seamless functionality. The Datepicker plugin adds date selection options to your forms, which are then reflected in the Cart Drawer, allowing users to review their selected dates without navigating away from the product page.
In our test, the Custom product form with Squarespace datepicker form field can be edited directly inside the cart drawer when user clicks on the Cart icon.
Squarespace Datepicker x Squarewebsites Slide Out Cart demostration
Benefits:
Enhances user experience by displaying selected dates in the cart.
Reduces errors and improves clarity for date-specific products.
4. Squarespace Datepicker x Lazy Summaries
Combining Squarespace Datepicker with Lazy Summaries offers a powerful solution for content-heavy sites. Lazy Summaries expand the item limit in summary blocks and add lightbox functionality, while the Datepicker ensures users can interact with date-specific content seamlessly.
Enable Lazy Summaries on Summary block
To show the Custom Product forms on Lazy Summaries block, you need to turn on Quick view on Design -> Enable Product Quick View
Squarespace Datepicker x Lazy Summaries demostration
Benefits:
Integrates date selection smoothly within Quick View enabled summaries.
Conclusion
Regular compatibility checks on Squarespace plugins are crucial for maintaining a seamless and engaging website experience. With my extensive experience in Squarespace development and working with various plugins daily, I can conduct these tests regularly to ensure optimal performance. The plugins discussed—Classic Gallery Block, Universal Filter, Lightbox Studio, Squarespace Datepicker, Cart Drawer, and Lazy Summaries—each bring unique benefits and work well together to enhance different aspects of your site. By understanding how these plugins interact and complement each other, you can ensure a smooth user experience tailored to your specific needs. If you're interested in testing new plugins or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment!
