SquareSpace Releases New Blog Platform dubbed SquareSpace 6 - Image Courtesy "SquareSpace"
Squarespace unveils its improved blogging platform‒ Squarespace 6. The startup that raised $38.5 million last year to fund their drastic move in reworking its premium hosted blogging platform has finally revealed to the public what the new version has in store.
Squarepace 6 aims to take over the blogging platforms currently leading the pack including WordPress and Tumblr. Though it is still in private beta form, the launch last weekend offered the press some cool features to expect from it as Squarespace opens up in the coming weeks.
The developers aim to make the new platform extremely easy to use and very flexible by allowing both consumers and designers to build what they please. Playing a vital role in this is the templates that focus on portfolios.
The demonstration revealed that Squarespace 6 templates are built with a rich variety of widgets that make up the feel of the template. For image templates, photographs are placed front and center. For a blog template, a reverse chronological order presentation is followed. The developers intend the system to be simple. Another feature is that it will be easy for users to change the layout of standard portfolios. Same templates would still have some differences with their looks when users opt to change the font, column size, and color of their layouts.
Various template types will be available soon. Expected templates include those for personal blogs, business ones, as well as professional blogs. It can be noted that even in the previous Squarespace version, a hefty number of templates were already offered. Developers can also create their own templates and sell these to clients on a one-off basis.
The dynamic grid-based layout system is among the promising new features of the platform. This is basically a drag and drop feature wherein users can drag any content like a block of text, a map, or photo then drop it anywhere on the page. Then, the whole content of the page will resize and adjust to accommodate the change. Eventually this feature can also be used on a per-post basis which allows you to play with designs more easily compared to rival platforms.
The new platform will still run in a premium-only service. CEO and Founder Anthony Casalena said that the plans cost $12 to $40 per month.