Why I Skip Squarespace's Built-In Templates (And Maybe You Should Too)
Why Squarespace Built-In Templates Might Not Be a Good Idea
Squarespace is known for its ease of use for website design, and with good reason! It's an intuitive platform, and one that makes creating a website a breeze for most people, even/especially for those unfamiliar with coding.
One thing kept tripping me up when I first got started using Squarespace though:
Should I use Squarespace templates?
I remember staring at all those gorgeous, ready-made templates thinking, "Well, this seems like a no-brainer." And honestly, why wouldn't you think that? The templates are already beautifully formatted with colors, fonts, images, and blocks of information. They look so professional right out of the box.
Plus until very recently, which template you chose impacted the design and capabilities for the whole website - though luckily Squarespace updated how templates work and they all have the same functionalities now in 7.1.
AND they're thematic, so if you're a yoga studio owner, for example, you just have to find a studio template and you're good to go.
Right?
Well, maybe not.
After building dozens of sites (both for myself and clients), I've noticed something interesting: the most effective websites aren't the ones that started with a pretty template. They're the ones that started with strategy.
Below are three reasons why I think Squarespace’s built-in templates actually aren't a good idea ↓
Three Reasons to Avoid Squarespace's Built-In Templates
Copy Drives Design
When you create a website, you want your messaging to lead the way.
💡 Your words should drive the layout and build of your website, not the design - especially design created by someone who doesn't know you and your business and website goals.
Here's the thing most entrepreneurs stay up at night worrying about: "Is my website actually connecting with my ideal clients?" When you start with a template, you're essentially trying to shoehorn your unique message into someone else's vision.
Trying to design the most important part of a website - your messaging - around predefined blocks and images makes things feel cluttered and unintentional. Plus it makes it harder to guide your web visitors on the journey you want to take them on.
And let's be real. That journey? It's the difference between someone clicking "Book Now" or clicking away forever. No pressure or anything! 😅
Originality
Most self-published websites on Squarespace are drag-and-drop from the template in your specific industry. That means, for example, entrepreneurs in the wellness industry will all have websites that resemble each other in design, even if they swap out the fonts or the colors.
Like, you're scrolling through websites and they all look like carbon copies of each other. Same layout. Same stock photos of people doing yoga or drinking green smoothies. Same. Same. SAME.
Boooooring! 😴
If you make yourself stand out with a different design, you'll be setting yourself apart from the crowd. And that is a good thing!
Creativity
Once you start thinking outside the box, you'll allow room for more creativity to flow. You'll be able to create a website that works for you and your customers. And you'll be able to create a website that fits your branding and personality to a T.
Using your own brand colors, importing graphics you created from Canva or Adobe Illustrator, getting funky with the layout - these are all things you can do to let your website sing!
Think about it - if your business was a person at a party, would it be the one blending into the wallpaper or the one making everyone laugh with an epic story? Your website should have that same energy!
So…. what do I do then? 🤔
At this point, you might be thinking, "Janessa, how exactly do I create my own Squarespace website from scratch? Won't that just take too much time I don't have?"
I totally get it. Between client work, emails that don’t stop, and trying to have some kind of life outside your business (remember those?), the thought of building a website from scratch might make you want to curl up under your covers and hide.
It's actually super easy. Barely an inconvenience. (If you get that reference let's be friends!)
For those of you who are thinking "but I need SOME kind of starting point," I've got you! I created The Boring Squarespace Template that's, well... strategically boring. I know, not the sexiest name, but hear me out - it gives you the SEO-friendly framework and conversion-focused structure without all the visual constraints. It's like having training wheels that actually make you faster instead of slowing you down.
You get to focus on your message while the template handles all the strategic heavy lifting. And yes, you can absolutely make it look not-boring once you add your stuff to it!
But whether you use that or go totally from scratch, I'll show you how! Keep reading 👇
How to create your own Squarespace website without starting with a template
01. Create a blank starter page
(ie ‘Home’, ‘About’, ‘Services’ or 'Contact')
Head to the ‘Pages’ navigation on the left-hand side.
Click the plus sign next to the ‘Main Navigation’ header, and from there, click the very first option, ‘Blank Page’.
Head to the 'Pages' navigation on the left-hand side.
Click the plus sign next to the 'Main Navigation' header, and from there, click the very first option, 'Blank Page'.
This will start you with a clean slate. You get to add your content, then find creative ways to design around it! 💪🙌
Doesn't that feel better already? No more trying to jam your square-peg content into round template holes. No more deleting sections of filler text that have nothing to do with your business. Just pure, beautiful blank space waiting for YOUR words.
02. Create a new blank section
Once you're on the page you want to work on, click the "Add a Section" on the upper left-hand menu, and from there click "Add a blank section". You can create text, images, forms, schedulers, and more in your new blank section.
(A section means the individual sections that can be found on each page of a website - the actual number you have on your website is up to you and driven by your content.)
And this is where the fun really begins! Each section is like a fresh canvas for another piece of your business story. Want three sections on your homepage? Great! Need fifteen? Also fine!
Pro tip: Don't overthink it at first. Just get your content in there. You can always rearrange sections later by literally dragging them up or down on your page.
Crafting a one-of-a-kind website, sans Squarespace pre-built template, will breathe life, personality, and your own unique flair into your brand.
Is it a little more work upfront? Maybe. But is it worth it to have a website that actually feels like YOU instead of the Brine template? Absolutely.
Your website should work as hard as you do. It should tell your story, showcase your brilliance, and most importantly, convert those visitors into paying clients. That's a whole lot easier when you're starting with a blank page instead of trying to retrofit someone else's vision.
Building your own site? Grab your launch checklist here 👇
Building your own site? Click here to grab your free launch checklist here 👇
