How and why to add PDFs to your Squarespace website


PDF files are documents that have been exported from a word processing program like Microsoft Word. Other programs, such as presentation, spreadsheet, and image editing programs, can also be used to create PDFs. You need the Adobe Reader app to open and view them. They are popular as a document format that can be downloaded and viewed from websites and other online sources.

If you need to provide documents to visitors, customers, and clients, consider adding PDFs to your website. It’s an easy way to automate the distribution of documents, rather than dealing with requests individually by email.

There are lots of reasons to make PDFs available on your website. Consider whether any of these would be helpful to you and your business.

One important note: Embedded PDFs aren't indexable by search engines, so any text on PDFs won’t be found by search engines.

Freebie PDFs

  • Giveaway for signing up for a mailing list

  • How-to instruction sheets

  • Resource list of external organizations or products

  • Slideshow from presentation or event

PDFs about your services or products

  • Brochure

  • Product catalog

  • Event flyer

  • Frequently Asked Questions

  • Pre-appointment preparation checklist

  • Annual report

PDFs available to paid members

  • Course materials

  • Membership resources, such as eBooks or articles

PDFs to highlight your experience

  • Certificates and awards

  • Resume/CV/References

  • Writing samples

  • Case studies

PDFs to request information from customers

  • Legal document to be filled out offline (blank contracts, service agreement)

  • Pre-consultation form to be filled out offline

  • Questionnaire or survey to be filled out offline

PDF products for purchase

  • eBook produced as a PDF

How to create a PDF

A PDF can be exported as a document format from most office applications, such as word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, and image editing programs. Create the source document first in the office application. It’s a good idea to add branding information to the document, so your business name and copyright information are visible. Save the document with a name that identifies its content and your business.

After creating the source document, use the program’s option for creating a PDF. You’ll find some more information here.

How to add a PDF to your Squarespace site

Link to a PDF

In Squarespace, any place you can add a link, you can select a file link and upload that file (20 MB or smaller):

  • Text links

  • Buttons

  • Images

  • Images with a clickthrough link URL in a gallery

For more information about using links for PDFs, see this Squarespace help article, “Uploading and managing files.”

PDF as a product

PDFs for purchase are added to the website as you would add any digital products. They can be up to 300 MB and are added as digital products. For more information, see this Squarespace help article, “Digital products.”

Limiting access to PDFs

If you don’t want all visitors to find a PDF, you can hide the page that contains the link to the PDF. If you place links to PDFs on pages that aren’t available from your website navigation links, those pages are harder to find. For even more protection, your links to PDFs can be placed on members-only or password-protected pages.

PDFs are a useful addition to your Squarespace website if you want to provide information that isn’t for general use or is too lengthy to add to a website page. Visitors can also print the PDF documents for offline reading. You can always upload revised versions as the information changes so it stays up-to-date. Think of PDFs as an extension to the information that your website provides.



Kerry A. Thompson

You don’t need a big agency to get your website done. You just need the one right person. I offer Squarespace website design and content development services for creatives, coaches, and healers. Learn more in a free 30-minute consultation.

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