3 Easy Ways to Add Animation to Your Squarespace Website (No Code Required)

Adding animation to your website can make it feel more polished and engaging, but it’s also something a lot of people avoid because it sounds complicated. If you’re building your site in Squarespace, the good news is you don’t need custom code or advanced tools to create movement that feels intentional.

You can add animation to a Squarespace website by using parallax scrolling on background images, applying built-in image animation effects, and creating subtle movement with image slideshows. All of these options are built directly into Squarespace and are easy to set up, even if you’re building your site yourself.

In this post, we’ll walk through three simple ways to add animation to your Squarespace website without breaking your layout or slowing things down. These are techniques we regularly use in templates and client sites because they’re beginner-friendly, flexible, and work well across different styles of websites.

Why Add Animation to a Squarespace Website?

When used mindfully, animation helps guide the website visitor’s eye to create visual interest and make a website feel more engaging and dynamic as they scrolls. It can also help break up long sections of content or draw attention to important images.

That said, animation works best when it’s subtle. Too much movement can feel distracting or make a site harder to use, especially on mobile. Most website visitors will be on their phones nowadays, so the goal is to add just enough motion to support your layout, not compete with it.

Create Movement with Parallax Scrolling in Squarespace

One of the easiest ways to add movement to a Squarespace website is by using parallax scrolling on background images.

What Is Parallax Scrolling?

Parallax is a scrolling effect where the background image moves at a slightly different speed than the content layered on top of it. This creates a sense of depth as visitors scroll down the page and is especially effective on full-width sections.

How to Enable Parallax in Squarespace 7.0

If you’re using Squarespace 7.0, some templates include a site-wide parallax option.

Steps:

1. Log in to your Squarespace account

2. Select the website you want to edit

3. Go to Settings

4. Click Site Styles

5. Navigate to Designs

6. Search for “Parallax”

7. Toggle Enable Parallax on

Once enabled, scroll your page to preview the effect.

Note: Not all Squarespace 7.0 templates support parallax. This is one reason certain template families offer more flexibility than others.

Using Parallax-Style Effects in Squarespace 7.1

Squarespace 7.1 no longer uses site-wide parallax, but it does offer section-level image effects, which give you more control.

Steps:

1. Open the page you want to edit

2. Click Edit

3. Hover over the section and click the edit icon

4. Open the Background tab

5. Upload a background image

6. Scroll down to Image Effect

7. Choose an effect and preview it

These effects work best on sections with minimal text and strong imagery.

Add Image Animation Effects to Individual Images

If you want to add movement without changing your layout, built-in image animation effects are a great option. These can be applied to individual image blocks and are easy to test and adjust.

This approach works especially well for:

• featured images

• image cards

• section breaks

How to Add Image Animation in Squarespace

1. Double-click the image you want to animate

2. Click Edit on the image block

3. Open the Design tab

4. Select Animation

5. Choose an animation style from the list

You’ll see a preview as you click through the options.

Tips for Using Image Animation Well

• Stick to one or two animation styles per page

• Use animation to highlight key images, not every image

• Avoid combining too many effects in image-heavy sections

Subtle options like sliding or tilting tend to age better than more dramatic effects and feel more polished over time.

Use Image Slideshows to Create Subtle Movement

Slideshows are often overlooked, but they’re an easy way to add motion without overwhelming the page especially when used intentionally.

We like using slideshows for:

• About pages

• portfolio highlights

• featured sections with a small set of images

Instead of placing several static images side by side, a slow slideshow can add movement while keeping the layout clean.

How to Create an Image Slideshow in Squarespace

1. Add a Gallery Block where you want the slideshow

2. Upload your images (we recommend 3–4 max)

3. Open the Design tab

4. Select Slideshow

5. Toggle Automatically Transition Between Slides

6. Set the timing to around 2 seconds

7. Turn off extra controls for a cleaner look

8. Click Apply

This creates subtle movement without requiring any custom setup.

A Quick Note on Using Animation Thoughtfully

Animation should support your content, not distract from it. If everything on a page moves, nothing stands out. Choosing one or two animation techniques per page usually creates a better experience than layering multiple effects everywhere.

Spacing and layout also play a big role in how animation feels. Even simple movement can look cluttered if elements are too close together.

Squarespace Animation FAQs

Will adding animation slow down my Squarespace website?

Animation can slow down a website if it’s overused or paired with large image files. Subtle, built-in Squarespace animations generally have minimal impact when images are properly sized and optimized.

Is animation bad for user experience or accessibility?

Animation isn’t bad on its own, but too much movement can be distracting or uncomfortable for some users. Using subtle effects and avoiding constant motion helps keep your site accessible and easy to navigate.

Should I use animation on every page of my website?

No, animation works best when it’s used intentionally. Highlighting key sections or images is usually more effective than adding movement everywhere.

Does animation look different on mobile devices?

Yes. Animation can appear differently on mobile depending on screen size and spacing. Always preview your site on mobile to make sure movement still feels smooth and readable.

Can animation make my website feel unprofessional?

It can if it’s overdone or inconsistent. Subtle animation that supports your layout often makes a site feel more polished, while excessive effects can feel distracting.

Do I need design experience to use animation in Squarespace?

No. Squarespace’s built-in animation tools are designed for beginners and don’t require design or coding experience to use effectively.

Putting It All Together

If you’re building your Squarespace site yourself and want it to feel dynamic without becoming complicated, these three options are a great place to start. They’re easy to implement, beginner-friendly, and flexible enough to work across many types of websites.

If you want help structuring your pages so animation feels intentional from the beginning, our 5 Website Layouts are designed for drag-and-drop builders like Squarespace and built with spacing and hierarchy in mind.