Stopping Squarespace: What you need to know

About Squarespace

Squarespace operates as a comprehensive website building and hosting platform, providing subscription-based services to individuals and businesses seeking to establish an online presence. The company, headquartered at 459 Broadway, New York, NY, United States, 10013, delivers software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions encompassing website creation, e-commerce functionality, domain registration, and marketing tools. In accordance with its business model, Squarespace enters into contractual agreements with subscribers whereby services are provided on a recurring payment basis, typically monthly or annually.

The contractual relationship between Squarespace and its UK-based customers falls under multiple regulatory frameworks. Primarily, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 governs these subscription agreements, establishing fundamental protections for consumers entering into service contracts. Furthermore, the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 provide specific provisions regarding cancellation rights for contracts concluded at a distance, which encompasses online subscription agreements. These legislative instruments create binding obligations upon service providers whilst simultaneously conferring enforceable rights upon subscribers.

Squarespace's service delivery model necessitates continuous contractual performance, distinguishing it from one-time purchase agreements. Consequently, the terms governing contract termination assume particular significance, as subscribers must understand their obligations regarding notice periods, payment responsibilities, and data retrieval procedures. The platform's functionality integrates website hosting, content management, and various ancillary services, meaning that cancellation affects multiple interconnected service components simultaneously.

For UK consumers, the geographical separation between the service provider's principal place of business in the United States and the subscriber's location introduces additional considerations regarding contractual communication. Nevertheless, UK consumer protection legislation applies to these agreements when services are marketed to and purchased by UK residents, irrespective of the supplier's domicile. This jurisdictional application ensures that British subscribers retain statutory protections under domestic law.

Membership options and costs

Squarespace structures its service offerings through tiered subscription plans, each conferring distinct features and capabilities whilst imposing corresponding financial obligations. The pricing architecture reflects a graduated model wherein higher-tier subscriptions unlock enhanced functionality, increased storage capacity, and additional commercial features. Understanding these plan distinctions proves essential for subscribers contemplating cancellation, as contractual terms may vary according to the selected membership tier.

Personal and business website plans

The platform typically offers four primary website subscription tiers, each designed to accommodate different user requirements and commercial objectives. The entry-level personal plan provides fundamental website building capabilities suitable for individuals seeking basic online presence without advanced commercial functionality. This tier generally includes hosting services, SSL security certification, and access to design templates, whilst imposing certain limitations on features such as e-commerce integration and advanced analytics.

Business-tier subscriptions expand upon personal plans by incorporating professional marketing tools, comprehensive analytics dashboards, and enhanced customisation options. These intermediate plans typically suit small businesses and professional practitioners requiring more sophisticated online presence without full e-commerce capabilities. The contractual consideration for such plans reflects the expanded service provision, with monthly billing generally exceeding personal tier costs by approximately 60-70%.

E-commerce and advanced plans

Commerce-focused subscription tiers introduce transactional functionality, enabling subscribers to conduct online sales directly through their Squarespace websites. These plans incorporate payment processing integration, inventory management systems, and customer account functionality. Furthermore, advanced commerce plans provide sophisticated features including abandoned cart recovery mechanisms, subscription product capabilities, and reduced transaction fees. The pricing structure for commerce plans reflects the substantial additional functionality, with costs typically doubling or tripling compared to basic personal subscriptions.

Annual subscription arrangements generally confer financial advantages compared to month-to-month billing, with providers typically offering discounts approximating 20-30% of the equivalent monthly cost calculated annually. Nevertheless, annual commitments introduce additional considerations regarding cancellation timing and potential refund entitlements. The contractual obligation to pay for the entire annual period may persist even upon cancellation, depending upon the specific terms accepted at subscription commencement and the timing of the cancellation request.

Additional services and domain registration

Beyond core website hosting subscriptions, Squarespace offers ancillary services including domain name registration, professional email hosting, and various premium extensions. Domain registration typically involves separate contractual terms with distinct renewal periods, often annual cycles independent of the website hosting subscription. Consequently, cancelling a Squarespace website subscription does not automatically terminate associated domain registrations, which may continue to incur charges unless specifically cancelled through separate procedures.

Email hosting services, when purchased as additions to core subscriptions, similarly operate under discrete contractual arrangements. These supplementary agreements may contain independent cancellation provisions and notice requirements. Subscribers contemplating comprehensive service termination must therefore address each contractual element individually to ensure complete cessation of services and associated charges.

Understanding your cancellation rights

The legal framework governing subscription cancellation rights in the United Kingdom derives from multiple statutory sources, each conferring specific protections and establishing procedural requirements. Principally, the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 provide consumers with a statutory cooling-off period for contracts concluded at a distance, which encompasses online subscription agreements such as those entered with Squarespace.

Statutory cooling-off period provisions

In accordance with Regulation 29 of the Consumer Contracts Regulations, consumers possess an automatic right to cancel distance contracts within 14 calendar days from the date of contract conclusion. For service contracts, this cancellation period commences on the day after the contract is entered into. This statutory right exists independently of any contractual cancellation terms the service provider may offer, representing a mandatory consumer protection that cannot be contractually excluded or limited.

Nevertheless, the cooling-off right contains important exceptions and qualifications. Where a consumer requests that service provision commence immediately during the cancellation period, and the service is fully performed before the period expires, the cancellation right may be lost. Consequently, subscribers who actively utilise Squarespace services during the 14-day period may find their statutory cancellation rights affected. Furthermore, if services are partially performed during the cooling-off period, the consumer may bear proportionate charges for services received up to the point of cancellation notification.

Contractual cancellation terms beyond the cooling-off period

Following expiry of the statutory 14-day cooling-off period, cancellation rights derive from the contractual terms agreed between the subscriber and Squarespace. These provisions typically permit cancellation at any time, though subscribers remain liable for charges through the end of the current billing period. For monthly subscriptions, this generally means payment obligations continue until the conclusion of the month in which cancellation occurs. Annual subscriptions typically involve more complex considerations, as providers may retain the entire annual fee regardless of when during the subscription year cancellation is requested.

Squarespace's standard terms generally provide that cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing cycle, meaning the website and associated services remain accessible until that point. This approach aligns with industry practice and reasonable commercial expectations, as the subscriber has prepaid for services through the billing period's conclusion. Nevertheless, subscribers should carefully review the specific terms applicable to their subscription tier, as variations may exist between different plan types.

Notice requirements and documentation

Effective contract cancellation requires proper notice communicated in accordance with the agreement's terms. Whilst many service providers accept various cancellation methods, written notice via postal service provides the most robust evidential foundation for demonstrating compliance with notice requirements. The Companies Act 2006 and general contract law principles recognise written communication as creating clear documentary evidence of the notice's content and timing.

Utilising Royal Mail's Recorded Delivery service for cancellation notices offers particular advantages. This service provides proof of posting and delivery confirmation, creating verifiable evidence that notice was both sent and received. In potential disputes regarding whether proper notice was provided, such documentation proves invaluable. Furthermore, recorded delivery generates a paper trail demonstrating the subscriber's diligent compliance with contractual obligations, potentially supporting any subsequent claims for refunds or disputing unauthorised charges.

Refund entitlements and payment obligations

Refund eligibility following cancellation depends upon multiple factors including the timing of cancellation, the subscription type, and the specific circumstances. Cancellations exercised during the statutory 14-day cooling-off period may entitle consumers to refunds, subject to deductions for services already provided. Beyond this period, contractual terms govern refund entitlements, with many subscription services operating on a no-refund basis for prepaid periods.

For annual subscriptions, providers typically retain the full annual fee even when subscribers cancel mid-term, though services generally continue until the prepaid period concludes. This approach reflects the contractual bargain whereby subscribers receive discounted pricing in exchange for annual commitment. Nevertheless, specific circumstances such as service failures, misrepresentation, or breach of contract may support refund claims even where standard terms preclude them. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires that services be provided with reasonable care and skill, and persistent service failures may constitute breach of this statutory obligation.

Step-by-step postal cancellation guide

Postal cancellation represents the most legally robust method for terminating subscription agreements, providing documentary evidence of proper notice whilst ensuring compliance with formal communication requirements. This methodology proves particularly valuable for subscribers seeking certainty regarding their cancellation's effectiveness and timing.

Preparing your cancellation letter

The cancellation communication should adopt a formal business letter format, clearly identifying the subscriber, the services being cancelled, and the requested cancellation date. Essential elements include the subscriber's full name as it appears on the account, the email address associated with the Squarespace subscription, and any account reference numbers or website URLs that facilitate account identification. Furthermore, explicitly stating the intention to cancel all services and terminate the contractual relationship removes ambiguity regarding the communication's purpose.

The letter should specify the desired cancellation effective date, typically the end of the current billing period, whilst acknowledging any outstanding payment obligations. Including a request for written confirmation of the cancellation and final account statement demonstrates thoroughness and creates expectations for responsive communication from Squarespace. Additionally, addressing data retention concerns by requesting information about how long personal data and website content will remain accessible proves prudent, as subscribers may need to retrieve materials before permanent deletion.

Dating the letter accurately assumes importance, as notice periods typically calculate from the date of receipt rather than composition. Consequently, prompt posting following the letter's preparation ensures minimal delay between creation and delivery. Retaining a photocopy or digital scan of the complete letter before posting provides personal records documenting exactly what was communicated, potentially valuable if disputes subsequently arise.

Addressing and posting procedures

The cancellation letter must be directed to Squarespace's official business address to ensure proper delivery to personnel authorised to process cancellation requests. The correct postal address is:

• 459 Broadway, New York, NY, United States, 10013

Envelope addressing should replicate this information precisely, with clear, legible writing or printed labels reducing the risk of misdirection. Including a return address on the envelope enables postal services to return undeliverable mail, alerting the sender to delivery failures requiring corrective action. Furthermore, marking the envelope \