Manage Squarespace

How to cancel squarespace in new zealand and protect your refund rights

What squarespace is and why you might want to leave

Squarespace is a hosted website builder and ecommerce platform that lets you create and manage websites, online stores and blogs without coding knowledge. It provides drag-and-drop templates, integrated hosting, a content editor and business tools like email campaigns and inventory management.

Whether you're a freelancer, small business owner, creative professional or online store operator, Squarespace can work well. But plans vary significantly in features and cost, and you might find yourself outgrowing the platform, switching to a developer-built solution, or simply not using the service enough to justify the monthly expense. If that sounds like your situation, Stopee is here to guide you through cancellation smoothly and ensure you understand your rights as a New Zealand consumer.

Typical squarespace users

Squarespace attracts individuals, creatives, small businesses and online store operators. Personal plans suit solo creators and simple portfolios. Business plans add ecommerce tools and extra integrations. Commerce plans (Basic and Advanced) target serious online retailers with advanced inventory and payment processing. Each tier carries different cancellation rules and refund eligibility, so knowing which plan you're on is your first step toward a successful cancellation.

Why new zealand consumers should read this guide

Squarespace's standard terms say they issue no refunds except at their sole discretion or when required by law. That last phrase matters: New Zealand law does require refunds in specific circumstances, and Stopee will show you exactly where your rights sit. Understanding your local consumer protections before you cancel puts power back in your hands.

Squarespace pricing in new zealand dollars

Below is a current snapshot of Squarespace plan costs in NZD, showing both annual and month-to-month billing options.

Plan pricing table

Notice the jump between month-to-month and annual billing. If you're on an annual plan and thinking about cancelling, your refund window is often tighter than you'd expect. Stopee recommends checking your current billing cycle before you proceed.

Hidden costs to factor in

Squarespace plans exclude domain registration, premium email forwarding and SSL certificates (though basic SSL is included). If you purchased a domain through Squarespace, cancelling your plan doesn't automatically cancel the domain-and you'll keep paying renewal fees unless you actively remove it or transfer it elsewhere. Before you cancel, log into your account and check your domain settings so you're not surprised by a renewal charge six months later.

Your consumer rights under new zealand law

New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act (1993) and Fair Trading Act (1986) protect you when you buy services like Squarespace. Stopee wants you to know these rights before you cancel.

What the consumer guarantees act means for you

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, services must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and delivered within a reasonable timeframe. If Squarespace fails to deliver these guarantees-for example, if your site experiences chronic downtime or the platform removes core features promised in your plan-you may have grounds to demand a refund or compensation, even if Squarespace's standard terms say "no refunds."

Additionally, if you signed up within the last 14 days and paid for an annual plan, you have a legal right to cancel and receive a refund. This 14-day cooling-off period is separate from Squarespace's own policy and is your baseline right as a consumer.

When squarespace must refund you

Squarespace will often refund you in these scenarios:

• You cancel an annual plan within 14 days of the first charge (full or prorated refund, minus any domain fees).
• The service fails to meet acceptable quality standards and you formally dispute it.
• You can prove misleading conduct or misrepresentation under the Fair Trading Act.
• You're within a promotional or trial period that explicitly promised a refund if you cancel.

Monthly plans are typically non-refundable after the initial 14-day window, including renewals. If you're unsure whether you qualify, Stopee recommends contacting Squarespace support and citing the Consumer Guarantees Act; many companies will honour a refund claim rather than escalate.

How to cancel squarespace in four methods

Your cancellation route depends on how you subscribed and what device you're using. Stopee has broken down each method into clear, step-by-step instructions.

Method 1: cancel via the squarespace web dashboard (recommended)

This is the fastest and most straightforward way to cancel. You'll have a full record of the cancellation, and you can manage your domain and data settings in one place.

1. Open your web browser and navigate to www.squarespace.com.
2. Log in using your email address and password.
3. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then select Account Settings.
4. In the left sidebar, select Billing & Account, then choose Subscriptions.
5. Find the subscription you want to cancel and click Cancel Subscription.
   • Squarespace will ask you to confirm and may offer a discount or pause option. Read the prompt carefully.
   • If you see a discount offer and you genuinely want to stay, this is your moment to take it. If you're certain you want to leave, click Cancel anyway or similar.
6. Follow any additional prompts and confirm your cancellation choice.
7. You'll receive a confirmation email. Save this for your records.

Pro tip: Before you cancel, take a screenshot of your domain settings. If you own a domain through Squarespace and want to keep it, you'll need to either transfer it to another registrar or purchase it separately from Squarespace to prevent it lapsing.

Method 2: cancel via apple app store (iOS)

If you subscribed to Squarespace through your Apple ID (on iPhone or iPad), you must cancel through Apple's system, not Squarespace's website.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings.
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen.
3. Select Subscriptions.
4. Find and tap Squarespace in the list.
5. Tap Cancel Subscription.
6. Confirm the cancellation when prompted.
7. Check your email for an Apple receipt confirming the cancellation.

Warning: Cancelling through Apple does not automatically cancel your Squarespace account or delete your website. You'll still need to access Squarespace's web dashboard to manage your site and domain.

Method 3: cancel via google play store (Android)

If you subscribed through Google Play, cancel from your Android device or the Google Play website.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Select Payments and subscriptions, then Subscriptions.
4. Find and tap Squarespace.
5. Tap Cancel subscription.
6. Follow the prompts to confirm.
7. Google will send you a confirmation email.

Pro tip: If you can't find Squarespace in your subscriptions list, it may have already been cancelled, or you may have subscribed directly through Squarespace's website instead of Google Play. Log into your Squarespace account to double-check.

Method 4: contact squarespace support directly

If you're having trouble cancelling online or you want to discuss a refund before you go, reach out to Squarespace's customer support team.

1. Log into your Squarespace account at www.squarespace.com.
2. Click the Help icon (usually a question mark) in the bottom right corner.
3. Search for "cancel subscription" or select Contact Support.
4. Choose your preferred contact method: chat, email or phone.
5. Explain that you want to cancel your subscription and ask about your refund eligibility based on your plan and how long you've been subscribed.
6. Keep a copy of the support transcript for your records.

Sometimes a support agent will offer a discount or pause your subscription instead of a full cancellation. If you're genuinely done with the service, politely decline and reaffirm your cancellation request. Stopee has found that persistence and politeness often lead to better outcomes, including refunds that wouldn't normally apply.

What happens after you cancel squarespace

Cancellation isn't instant, and your data doesn't disappear the moment you click "cancel." Understanding the timeline and what to expect protects you from losing work or facing surprise charges.

Your access and service timeline

When you cancel a paid subscription, your access typically remains active until the end of your current billing cycle. This means if you're on an annual plan and you cancel in month three, you'll still have access to your full website and editing tools until the 12-month period ends.

After your billing cycle ends, Squarespace will disable site editing and paid features. Your site will no longer be accessible to you unless you renew. However, visitors may still see a cached or archived version of your site if their browsers have stored it locally.

Pro tip: If you need your site to stay live but want to switch platforms, cancel your Squarespace subscription and immediately export your site content before the billing cycle ends. Download all images, text, and media files so you can rebuild elsewhere.

Data retention and recovery

Squarespace retains your site data for approximately 30 days after your subscription ends. During this window, you can still log in and export your content or request data recovery from support. After 30 days, your data may be deleted permanently, so act quickly if you change your mind.

If you purchased a domain through Squarespace, that domain follows its own renewal cycle. Simply cancelling your website plan does not cancel your domain or stop renewal charges. You must either transfer the domain to another registrar or explicitly cancel it through Squarespace's domain settings to avoid surprise bills.

Your website visibility after cancellation

Once your subscription ends, your website will go offline unless you renew or migrate it to another host. If you've published your site widely or people have bookmarked it, they'll see an error message or a Squarespace notice saying the site is no longer active. If you're cancelling because you're moving to a new platform, consider setting up a redirect or a holding page first.

Refund policy and your eligibility

Squarespace's official stance is clear: no refunds except at their discretion or when the law requires it. Stopee's job is to help you understand where the law might be on your side.

Annual plan refunds

If you're on an annual plan and you cancel within 14 days of your first payment, you're entitled to a full or prorated refund under New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act. Squarespace may deduct domain registration fees (typically around NZ$18 per year), but the core subscription amount should be refunded in full or prorated based on usage.

If you cancel an annual plan after 14 days, Squarespace generally will not refund anything. This is where Stopee recommends exploring escalation: if the service has genuinely failed to meet acceptable quality standards (excessive downtime, missing promised features, technical issues preventing you from running your business), you can file a formal dispute citing the Consumer Guarantees Act and request a refund anyway.

Monthly plan refunds

Monthly subscriptions are non-refundable after the initial 14-day cooling-off period. If you renew your monthly plan and cancel in the next cycle, you won't recover that renewal payment. Plan accordingly and set a calendar reminder before your renewal date if you're unsure about staying.

Domain-only refunds

If you registered a domain through Squarespace and you cancel it within approximately 5 days of purchase, you may receive a refund for the domain fee. Check your domain purchase date and Squarespace's domain policy for exact timelines. After that window, domain fees are typically non-refundable and will auto-renew unless you actively cancel them.

Free trials

Squarespace does not charge during free trial periods, so there is nothing to refund when you cancel a trial. Once the trial ends and you're charged for the first time, the 14-day refund window opens.

Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them

Cancelling a web service sounds straightforward, but small missteps can cost you money or data. Stopee has seen these pitfalls time and again, and you can sidestep them with a little foresight.

Mistake 1: cancelling the website plan but not the domain

This is the number-one surprise charge Stopee encounters. You cancel your Squarespace subscription thinking you're done, but six months later, your domain renews and you're charged again. Your website is offline, your domain is renewed, and now you're paying for a service you're not using.

How to avoid it: Before you cancel, log into your account, go to Domains, find your domain, and either transfer it to another registrar or turn off auto-renewal and let it expire. Take a screenshot to confirm the change.

Mistake 2: not exporting your site data before the 30-day retention window closes

After cancellation, your data disappears forever once Squarespace's 30-day retention period ends. If you need your site content or your visitor data later, you've lost it for good.

How to avoid it: Before you cancel, or immediately after, export your site. Go to Settings, find the Export or Data Export option, and download a copy of your site files. Save it to your computer or cloud storage.

Mistake 3: cancelling via a payment app instead of through squarespace

If you paid through Apple, Google or another app store, cancelling through Squarespace's website alone may not work. You could end up cancelling only half of your subscription and still be charged next month through the app store.

How to avoid it: If you subscribed through an app store, cancel through that app store first, then cancel through Squarespace's website to be safe. Check both your Squarespace account and your payment app settings to confirm the subscription is gone.

Mistake 4: not taking a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation

Email confirmations can go to spam or get lost in your inbox. If a charge dispute arises, you'll need proof that you cancelled.

How to avoid it: After you cancel, take a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation, including the date and time. Save it in a folder called "Cancelled Services" or similar. If Squarespace ever charges you again, you'll have proof to send to your bank or dispute the transaction.

Your post-cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you've covered all the bases after you hit cancel.

• Confirm cancellation via email: Check your inbox for a cancellation confirmation from Squarespace or your payment provider. If you don't see one within 24 hours, contact support.
• Export your site data: Download all content, images and media files to your computer before the 30-day retention window closes.
• Check your domain status: Log in and verify that auto-renewal is off, or transfer your domain to a new registrar if you want to keep it.
• Verify app store cancellations: If you subscribed through Apple or Google, check that the subscription is cancelled in those settings too.
• Monitor your bank account: Watch for any unexpected charges in the next 1-2 billing cycles.
• Save screenshots: Keep a copy of your cancellation confirmation and domain settings screenshots in a safe place.
• Update any DNS records: If your domain pointed to Squarespace and you're moving elsewhere, update your DNS settings with your new host.
• Communicate with customers: If you had an active online store, notify your customers of the site migration or closure before your Squarespace site goes offline.

If squarespace refuses to cancel or won't refund you

Sometimes a company digs in and refuses to process your cancellation or honour a refund. Stopee knows the escalation path that works in New Zealand.

Step 1: document everything and respond in writing

Send a formal email to Squarespace support outlining your request: cancellation date, subscription plan, plan start date, and the reason for cancellation. Keep the tone professional and cite the Consumer Guarantees Act if you're claiming a refund. Ask for a written response within 5 working days.

Step 2: escalate to the squarespace management team

If support doesn't respond or refuses your claim, email Squarespace's senior support team. Search for a "contact us" or "escalation" page on their website, or ask the initial support agent for a manager's contact details. Restate your request and give them 5 working days to respond.

Step 3: dispute the charge with your bank

If Squarespace continues to charge you after you've requested cancellation, contact your bank and dispute the transaction. Most banks in New Zealand will reverse the charge and open an investigation into the merchant. This is your nuclear option, but it works.

Step 4: lodge a complaint with the commerce commission

If the dispute fails or the refund is substantial, you can file a formal complaint with the Commerce Commission (comcom.govt.nz). The Commission investigates breaches of the Fair Trading Act and the Consumer Guarantees Act. While they don't directly refund you, a formal investigation can pressure a company to settle. Stopee has seen this tactic succeed where everything else failed.

Squarespace contact details for new zealand

Squarespace does not maintain a dedicated postal address for New Zealand cancellations. For formal correspondence, use the contact methods below. If you need to send a formal letter, Squarespace's corporate headquarters is located in the United States, but your first port of call should always be live support through your account dashboard.

How to reach squarespace support

Log into your Squarespace account and click the Help icon (?) in the bottom right corner to access live chat, email support or phone contact options. Squarespace's support hours vary, but most channels operate during business hours in New Zealand time.

Alternatively, visit squarespace.com/help to search the knowledge base or request support directly.

Summary: next steps and how stopee can help

Cancelling Squarespace doesn't have to be stressful. You now know your rights under New Zealand law, the exact steps to cancel via your preferred method, and how to protect your data and refund eligibility. Most cancellations take fewer than 5 minutes via the web dashboard, and if you're within 14 days of signing up for an annual plan, you have a legal right to a full or prorated refund.

Stopee at stopee.com has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, recover refunds and avoid surprise renewal charges. Whether you're leaving Squarespace because you've outgrown it, found a better platform, or simply decided website building isn't for you right now, Stopee is here to empower you with clear information and actionable steps. Bookmark this guide, share it with a friend, and remember: your money, your data and your peace of mind are worth protecting.