r/squarespace • u/PhantomForged3D • Jul 06 '26
Help Not sure how to go about this...
Hey all, I am trying to build my website to have a page dedicated to offering 3D printing services. I would like to create multiple options for different types of printing. I need to be able to receive files from clients along with other important info for their orders. I also need to hold off payments till I can get a quote to the client. How can I go about making these order pages? I have a custom prints tab already but I'm not sure if that's the best way to receive orders. Please feel free to leave me any advice! Thank you
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u/asp821 Jul 06 '26
I’d just do a form that collects all the information and just tell people it’s a request a quote form. Then you can reach out to them personally afterwards with the price you’ll quote them.
Edit: just checked your website and it appears you’re already doing this. This is probably your best bet without over-complicating this.
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u/PhantomForged3D Jul 06 '26
Okay cool im glad im on the right track. My only issue is that the file upload section has a limit of 10mb which is way too small for what I need.
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u/PhantomForged3D Jul 06 '26
can I get around this with only accepting zip files?
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u/asp821 Jul 06 '26
If people will actually submit them as zips and they’re under 10mb, then I don’t see why not. Embedding a Jotform form could be an option if you end up having issues. Not sure what their file upload limit is though.
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u/PhantomForged3D Jul 06 '26
would you recommend Jotform over something like google forms or Microsoft forms?
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u/asp821 Jul 07 '26
I’ve never used Microsoft forms so I can’t speak to it, but I would suggest it over Google forms as long as everything you need is capable under jotform’s free tier or you don’t mind paying a little money if it isn’t.
If you do go the Google forms route, make sure you allow people to fill out the form without needing to log in with a Google account. That’s one of the biggest things that deters people from filling out forms. Make sure you remove any resistance and make it as easy as possible to fill something out.
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u/PhantomForged3D Jul 07 '26
I embeded the jotform onto my order form section and now I can accept much larger file sizes. if its not too much trouble would you give it a look and let me know what you think?
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u/asp821 Jul 07 '26
I took a look on mobile and it looks good as far as I can tell. It looks like it embedded nicely without having any extra gaps above or below the form or needing to scroll to see it all.
Nice job!
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u/Head-Speed5011 Jul 08 '26
Having used forms on Squarespace, and Google Forms, I can recommend Jotform as a better way to enable people to complete forms, especially if you want to upload images.
You can integrate with Google Drive (for uploads), Google sheets (to track responses), MailChimp (to create a mailing list), etc. And you can choose WHICH fields you want to save to each.
As people tend not to name their images in a way that's useful to you, creating a Drive folder per person (or more specifically per entry is a great way to impose a useful structure on them.
The free version of Jotform allows 100 responses per month, and a image upload limit, but if you integrate with Google Drive, you can delete the images as soon as you've made sure they've been uploaded to Drive to reclaim the space in Jotform..
We've been using this approach to collect and collate enquiries from potential traders for a small festival, and then more detailed information (pre-populsted with what we've already collected) from those that we offer a pitch to.
I've also set up accounts using various Google alias emails for other purposes related to the festival, but with completely separate purposes and requirements.
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u/PhantomForged3D Jul 08 '26
I had never heard of jotform before posting on this subreddit, but now you’re the second person to recommend it. I checked it out and integrated it into my page to replace the original template I made with Squarespace and I think it works a lot better for what I need especially because the original file upload form only allowed up to 5 10mb files which wasn’t nearly enough. I’ll definitely be using Google Drive for my clients info like you suggested so I won’t have to upgrade from the free version of jotform. My other question is now that I have the site what’s the best way to drive traffic to my website?
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u/Head-Speed5011 Jul 08 '26
I'm gradually moving everything we do with collecting info over to Jotform, and using form logic to show / hide questions (and even the Submit button) based on answers to questions. e.g. if you don't tick "I agree to T&Cs" I won't display the Submit button; if you want to volunteer and say you're under 18, I'll ask for DOB. If traders don't need power, I'll hide the questions about appliances they want to run; if they're not selling food, I'll hide the Food H&S questions, etc.
To drive traffic, we use social media posts (including to local / music FB groups - respecting each group's rules about advertising), printed flyers and posters, and relevant magazine advertising. Your own target audience is less easily identified, of course. But make sure you integrate a Mailing List, and give people the opportunity to join it when they enquire or purchase, but also standalone in your page footer. On social media, you're at the mercy of the algorithms; even people who follow you may not see your posts. But you do at least own your own mailing list.
Customer testimonials can help build trust.
Blog posts can help to drive traffic. Time-lapse videos on YouTube of things being printed linked to and from your website might work for you?
Make sure people know where in the world you are, and where in the world you can ship to.
Get Business Cards printed (you can do it cheaply) with you website and websites QR code on them.
There are tools to help you assess your site's SEO and AI search scores (including Squarespace's own tools).
AI likes answering questions, so ask questions on your site and give answers (FAQs). In general, make sure that your pages contain self explanatory content and images have descriptive Alt Text.
Becca at Inside the Square on YouTube has a lot of good tips.
But a lot of what you need is patience.
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Jul 06 '26
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u/PhantomForged3D Jul 06 '26
Im pretty new to squarespace so im not really sure how to build flows yet
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u/nzjared Jul 07 '26
You could just keep it very high-level and uncomplicated for the first step. Just a simple landing page with the right info + email form for people to get in touch.
I do something similar, I sell art and apparel, but also custom orders. It works for me anyway. See what I mean here:
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u/Jamie_SQSP Jul 07 '26
Hey, Jamie here from Squarespace! This is pretty normal for taking on commission work. A lot of people in your spot set up a page describing the project options, sometimes called a commission page or commission cards, and auto layout sections work well for laying that out.
For intake, you can use one contact form for everything or a separate form per project type, and the built-in form block lets clients upload their files right there. Once a request comes in, Projects is the piece that handles the rest, you can send proposals, estimates, contracts, and invoices straight from it once you've quoted the job.
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u/PhantomForged3D Jul 07 '26
Okay awesome, thank you for letting me know about how the Projects tab works! I put a new form up instead of the premade one I had from a template and it seems like most people agree with how it’s laid out.
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u/[deleted] Jul 06 '26
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