Squarespace and DSGVO Compliance: What You Need to Know

Introduction

For businesses and freelancers in Germany, building a website is not just about design and content—it’s also about strict legal compliance. The DSGVO (Datenschutz-Grundverordnung), also known as GDPR across the EU, governs how personal data is collected, stored, and processed. Any website that collects visitor information must follow these rules, and failing to do so can result in heavy fines. Squarespace, as an all-in-one website platform, offers several tools to help you stay compliant. Better yet, you can reduce your costs while building a DSGVO-compliant website by using squarespace rabattcode, ensuring your business saves money while meeting Germany’s demanding privacy standards.

What is DSGVO and Why Does it Matter?

The DSGVO, which came into effect in May 2018, protects the personal data of EU citizens. For websites, this includes everything from email addresses and names collected through forms to cookies that track user behavior. In Germany, compliance is strictly enforced, and customers are highly sensitive to privacy issues.

A website that doesn’t respect DSGVO requirements not only risks legal consequences but also loses trust among German audiences. Since Squarespace is widely used by German creatives, entrepreneurs, and small businesses, understanding how it can support compliance is essential.

Key DSGVO Requirements for Squarespace Users

To ensure compliance, your Squarespace website must address several key areas:

1. Data Transparency and Consent

You must inform visitors about what data you collect and why. This includes:

• Adding a clear privacy policy (Datenschutzerklärung).

• Displaying cookie banners with explicit consent options.

• Ensuring visitors can opt-in and opt-out of tracking tools.

2. Secure Data Processing

All personal data collected must be stored and transmitted securely. Squarespace uses SSL certificates and encrypted connections by default, which is a major step toward compliance.

3. User Rights

Under DSGVO, users have the right to access, correct, or delete their data. Your website must make it clear how they can exercise these rights, often by contacting you directly.

4. Data Processing Agreements (DPA)

If you use Squarespace forms or email campaigns, Squarespace acts as a “data processor.” To comply with DSGVO, you should review and accept their Data Processing Agreement, which outlines responsibilities for data handling.

5. Legal Pages (Impressum & Datenschutzerklärung)

In Germany, every website must include an Impressum (legal notice) and a Datenschutz page. Squarespace allows you to add custom pages for this purpose, ensuring compliance with German laws.

How to Make Your Squarespace Website DSGVO-Compliant

Step 1: Add a Privacy Policy and Impressum

Squarespace makes it easy to create new pages for these legal texts. Use clear and legally accurate wording, ideally with the help of a lawyer or a German DSGVO generator tool.

Step 2: Set Up a Cookie Banner

Squarespace provides a built-in cookie banner feature, but to meet German standards, you may need to customize it or integrate third-party consent management tools like Cookiebot. The banner should:

• Ask for explicit consent before setting non-essential cookies.

• Allow users to choose which cookies to accept or reject.

• Include a link to your Datenschutzerklärung.

Step 3: Secure Your Forms

If you collect data through newsletter sign-ups or contact forms, you must:

• Use double opt-in for email subscriptions.

• Clearly state what the data will be used for.

• Keep records of consent.

Squarespace integrates well with email marketing tools like Mailchimp, which also offer DSGVO-compliant opt-in processes.

Step 4: Review Third-Party Integrations

If you use external services such as Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or payment processors, you must disclose this in your Datenschutzerklärung. You should also ensure that these tools are configured in DSGVO-friendly ways, such as anonymizing IP addresses in Google Analytics.

Step 5: Enable SSL and Secure Checkout

Squarespace automatically includes SSL certificates, ensuring encrypted connections. For e-commerce sites, this is essential for protecting sensitive data like payment details.

Squarespace Features That Support Compliance

• SSL Encryption: Default for all websites.

• Cookie Banner Tool: Built-in, with customization options.

• Form Blocks: Collect only necessary data and store it securely.

• Integration Control: Ability to manage which third-party services run on your site.

While Squarespace provides the foundation, you are still responsible for ensuring your site meets German-specific requirements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Generic Cookie Banners – Simply informing visitors isn’t enough; you must ask for consent.

2. Missing Impressum – In Germany, this is a legal necessity, even for small blogs.

3. No Double Opt-In – Collecting emails without this feature violates DSGVO rules.

4. Unclear Privacy Policy – Visitors must understand in plain language how their data is used.

Cost Savings with Squarespace Rabattcode

For German businesses, compliance can seem expensive when you add legal consultations, third-party tools, and website costs. Squarespace already reduces complexity by bundling hosting, design, and e-commerce features in one package. By using squarespace rabattcode, you can lower your subscription fees, freeing up resources to invest in professional legal texts or additional compliance tools. This makes it easier for startups and small businesses to operate legally while staying within budget.

Building Trust with German Customers

Beyond legal compliance, DSGVO helps build customer trust. In Germany, transparency and privacy are valued highly. A well-structured Impressum, clear Datenschutzerklärung, and professional cookie banner not only prevent fines but also reassure visitors that your business respects their rights. This trust can directly influence whether a visitor becomes a loyal customer.

Conclusion

Squarespace offers a strong foundation for creating DSGVO-compliant websites, but it’s up to business owners to configure and maintain compliance. From adding legal pages and cookie banners to securing data collection and enabling user rights, each step is essential in the German digital landscape. By addressing these requirements, your website will not only meet legal standards but also build credibility with German audiences. And with the added benefit of squarespace rabattcode, you can achieve all of this while saving money on your subscription. For German entrepreneurs, freelancers, and startups, Squarespace provides a practical and cost-effective solution to navigate the complexities of DSGVO compliance.