How Becca Harpain Empowers Squarespace Designers with Code
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Started using Squarespace: 2015
Title: Squarespace Educator, Founder of InsideTheSquare, Creator of CustomCodey.com
From childhood experiments with computer fonts to becoming a renowned Squarespace educator, Becca Harpain's journey into web design is anything but conventional. As the founder of InsideTheSquare and creator of Custom Codey, she's built a robust platform dedicated to empowering Squarespace customers with custom code.
Becca’s passion for demystifying complex design concepts shines through her popular tutorials and tools. In this interview, the Circle Platinum Partner and Community Leader shares her unconventional path, the motivations behind her extensive content creation, and her top tips for elevating Squarespace websites.
What originally drew you to the web design industry, and how did you get your start?
In the ancient days, before the internet was everywhere, I dabbled in changing the icons and fonts used by my family's home computer. No one liked Papyrus as much as I did, so I got used to “client feedback” pretty early on. #sorrymom
By the time MySpace and Wikipedia rolled around, I was fully hooked on customizing the look and feel of digital spaces. I loved tweaking colors, spacing, borders, and layout elements to turn something basic into something beautiful. Designing profile pages and editing online articles became my creative playground, and I had no idea at the time that those little experiments would lead to a full-blown career.
When I started designing websites professionally, I wanted to push every boundary and make every site feel bold and different. But over time, I realized that good design isn’t about standing out at all costs—it’s about clarity, functionality, and intentionality. These days, I focus on thoughtful customizations that feel on-brand and user-friendly, not just flashy for the sake of it.
That shift in perspective is what inspired me to create InsideTheSquare, my Squarespace tutorial blog. I wanted to help others in the community make small, meaningful changes to their websites without needing a design degree or coding background. It started as a personal challenge: share one code snippet every Tuesday for three months. Six years later, I’m still sharing new code every week—though now, most of it comes from a tool I built myself.
I created Custom Codey, a custom GPT trained to understand the nuances of customizing Squarespace with code. It’s made it possible for me to share my expertise 24/7, helping users across the globe make their sites look and function exactly how they want. More than anything, it’s reignited my love for coding, reminding me why I fell in love with it in the first place, and given me a whole new way to share that passion with the world.
You produce a wealth of content to educate fellow designers and DIY website builders. How has that aspect of your business expanded, and what motivates you to continue sharing your expertise?
When I shared my first tutorial, I was in a client drought. Two months had passed since my last project wrapped, and I didn’t have a single lead on the horizon. One night, in a moment of both boredom and inspiration, I had a realization: I had a folder full of custom Squarespace codes I’d written for past clients—why not share one?
So I posted a short tutorial featuring one of my favorite snippets. I figured maybe another designer would stumble across it, or a future client might be impressed by my style. What I didn’t expect was the response. Within a few weeks, the video had over 500 views—and people were reaching out, not with job offers, but with gratitude. Turns out, there were a lot of Squarespacers who wanted to learn what I had to share.
That was the spark that started my educator career. I dusted off my webcam, learned how to edit videos, and started posting one new code from my collection every Tuesday. I didn’t have a degree or a tech background, just a deep curiosity and a passion for making things work. Honestly, I was waiting for someone with a degree in programming to call me out for doing it “wrong.” But instead, I kept hearing the same thing: “Thank you. You made this finally make sense.”
Comment after comment echoed the same feeling: people were relieved to find help that was clear, practical, and free of jargon. They didn’t want textbook definitions or overly technical explanations; they simply wanted to understand how to make their website look and work the way they imagined. That kind of feedback helped me realize I didn’t have to be the most credentialed person in the room, I just had to be the most helpful.
Since then, I’ve continued creating tutorials, tools, and code to help people help themselves. I know how frustrating it can be to feel stuck on something you know should be possible. That’s why I keep sharing what I’ve learned, mistakes and all. Because when someone tells me they finally fixed a design issue on their own thanks to one of my content, that’s the real win.
What's your favorite Squarespace hack? And what’s your go-to line of code?
My favorite Squarespace hack is to create multiple footer sections. On every site I build, I make sure to add the important links like privacy policy, terms, and any other important info into a unique section at the very bottom of the footer. The footer sections above that is where I’ll add additional links, newsletter sign-up options, and whatever else my client needs. When I’m creating landing pages and sales pages, I’ll use CSS to hide the top sections, leaving the important footer info visible on every single page.
As for a go-to line of code? It’s absolutely a button hover effect—specifically, a subtle color change. It was one of the first codes I ever created for Squarespace, and I still love the impact it has on the overall aesthetic. It seems like such a subtle change, and yet it makes a site feel more interactive, intentional, and custom.
What's one web design trend that should never go out of style? What’s one that should?
One trend that should absolutely never go out of style is the rule of three. It’s a timeless design principle for a reason; it helps guide the eye, create balance, and tell a clear visual story. Whether you’re designing a portfolio, a blog, or a product page, organizing content into thirds is one of the simplest ways to make a layout feel polished and easy to navigate.
On the flip side, one trend I’d love to see disappear is the overuse of excessive animations. A subtle hover effect, rotating text, or a smooth transition can enhance the user experience; but when every element is sliding, bouncing, or fading, it quickly turns from engaging to distracting.
Animation should support the content, not compete with it. If your visitor is waiting for a paragraph to finish "appearing" before they can read it, that's a red flag. Simple, accessible design will always be a better choice than the latest flashy trend.
What’s something you wish more web designers knew?
I wish more designers knew how valuable small, thoughtful details can be. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel or use wild effects to make something stand out. A clean layout, a smart use of space, and a few custom touches can go a long way.
Remember, you’re designing for real people, not just portfolios or trends. Keep the user experience front and center, and your designs will always hit the mark.
How do you make the most of Circle membership?
I originally joined Circle for the client discount, but I stayed for the community. It’s full of talented, generous designers who share ideas, troubleshoot together, and cheer each other on. I’ve made real friendships, built partnerships, and found inspiration in ways I never expected. Circle makes this work feel less like a solo mission and more like a creative collaboration.
Key takeaways
Here are some key takeaways from Becca’s interview:
Focus on clarity and functionality in your designs; they matter more than flashy effects
Don't be afraid to share your knowledge and help others, as it can open unexpected doors and build community
Small, thoughtful details can make a huge impact on a site’s feel and user experience
Timeless design principles are timeless for a reason
Watch lessons and past events with Becca:
Want more?
Check out Squarespace Circle, Squarespace’s program for professional designers and web design agencies. Along with exclusive content, discounts, and other perks, Circle brings professionals together from across the globe to exchange advice while connecting with new clients and collaborators.
