Squarespace Webcomic Template

I've been working on a custom Squarespace webcomic template over the last few months. While Squarespace doesn't have a template that allows you to create a set-up similar to how some plugins and templates work in Wordpress, I'm on the tail end of having this template done.

I've added some special jQuery code to work around the layout modifications needed. And with some new updates by Squarespace to easily allow the customization of Journal entry navigation and adding custom code to appear below journal entries I think Squarespace is ready to be used to create robust webcomic sites.

Why do you want to have a Squarespace webcomic site?

Have you tried installing the options available for Wordpress to make this happen? It's not the easiest thing to do. Don't get me wrong, I think what ComicPress, WPComic and Inkblot provide for Wordpress users is great and has really set a great standard for webcomics, but for must of use out there this can be a huge pain to deal with the plugins.

I used to use Wordpress years ago, but moved over to Squarespace permanently for all websites I create. What I like best is their are no plugins to install, my site is always running the latest and greatest version of Squarespace since they manage all the updates across their system and their hosting is so fast it makes me sick.

Is Squarespace right for my webcomic?

At this point, it depends. While Squarespace has a blog importer to import blogs from other platforms (Wordpress, Blogger, Movable Type and Typepad) must, if not all, webcomics on Wordpress don't use the blog feature to run or display the comics. They are handled separately through the webcomic plugin you are using.

If you have a huge archive of webcomics, you may not want to make the switch. If you are using the blog feature to upload your webcomics and letting Wordpress automatically handle all the site creation then Squarespace will be an easy switch for you.

When is the Squarespace Webcomic Template being released?

Hard to say right now. I have the majority of this done, but I have some testing I need to do to make sure it's ready for others to apply to their site. I'll keep you posted on this as I have more information to share.

Will the template be free?

I don't think so, but I haven't made a final decision on this yet. I've put a lot of work into this and while I want to give it away for free, I also want to make sure I can support this template and offer updates and improvements down the road.

Stay tuned to this blog as I'll be making updates on this over the next few weeks.

Comments

[Rod Salm]

Totally agree with you. Wish I had your knowledge to create a webcomics platform for Squarespace. All and all, it wouldn't be any more costly than doing it yourself with better customizations.

Keep me posted with your success.
Rod Salm
http://www.deathatyourdoor.com

[A J Bishop]

hope to see this up and running soon, i could really use this for the comic i want to start :)

[Julio]

So have you completed this template for webcomic cartoonists yet? This post is almost a year old and I don't see any other updates on your blog. I'm actually considering doing a webcomic myself in the near future (need to brush up on my drawing skills and writing LOL). I also have dealt with a self-hosted Wordpress site setup and I agree with you that constantly updating the plugins was a bit of a pain. Especially when the site would have weird glitches and it would affect your RSS feeds and other issues.

I hear that Squarespace doesn't have any of those issues and they're constantly advertised on a lot of podcasts that I listen to so I'm definitely interested. Hope to hear from you soon.

[Kris Black]

Unfortunately, I haven't finished it. I'm actually waiting on Squarespace 6 to be released to the public to build a template there as I will have more control over it. Sorry for the delay.

[Dan]

No problem. Just let us know when it's done.

[Penny]

Any new updates regarding the webcomic template? Thanks for your help!

[Kris Black]

Hi Penny,

It's still in the works for Squarespace 6 but I have been experimenting with going ahead and releasing a Squarespace v5 template that will work with the current version of Squarespace.

If you want to send your email address to me using this page,

http://www.squarehero.net/hire-me/

I'll add you to a list of folks interested in a webcomics template on Squarespace.

Thanks for checking in!

Kris