Choosing a website template is one of the most exciting parts of creating a new website. It's also one of the decisions that can feel surprisingly overwhelming.
With so many Squarespace templates available, how do you know which one is right for your business?
Should you choose something minimal and modern? A bold, creative design? Or a template specifically designed for your industry?
The good news is that you don't need to find a template that looks exactly how you want your finished website to appear.
The key is choosing a design that gives you the right starting point.
In this guide, we'll explain how to choose the right Squarespace template, what features to look for and how to avoid common mistakes when selecting a website design.
1. Start with what your website needs to do
Before you start browsing Squarespace templates, think about the purpose of your website.
A website for a photographer will have different priorities from one designed for an online shop or a business coach.
Ask yourself:
What is the main goal of my website?
Who am I trying to attract?
What information will visitors need?
What action do I want people to take?
Will I need to sell products, accept bookings or showcase a portfolio?
For example, a photographer might need large image galleries and a clear enquiry process, while a virtual assistant may want to highlight service packages and client testimonials.
Understanding your priorities will make choosing a template much easier.
Tip: Write down the three most important things your website needs to achieve before you begin looking at designs.
2. Choose a template with the right page structure
It's easy to fall in love with a website template because of its colours, fonts or imagery.
But one of the most important things to consider is its overall structure.
Look at how the template organises information and guides visitors through the website.
Does it have space for your services? Is there a clear contact section? Can visitors easily find what they're looking for?
A good website template should support the way your business operates.
For service-based businesses
Look for a template that includes:
A clear homepage introducing your services.
Dedicated sections or pages for your offerings.
Space for testimonials or client reviews.
An About page.
Clear enquiry or booking buttons.
For creative businesses
You might prefer a template with:
Large, high-quality image sections.
Portfolio or gallery layouts.
Space to showcase previous projects.
A strong visual identity.
Simple navigation that keeps the focus on your work.
For online stores
Consider templates that provide:
Product listing pages.
Product categories.
Clear product descriptions.
An easy-to-use shopping experience.
Space for shipping, returns and other important information.
Choosing a template with a structure close to what you need can save you time when customising your website.
3. Don't choose a template based on its colours
One of the biggest mistakes people make when choosing a website template is focusing too heavily on the demonstration colours.
For example, you might find a template with the perfect layout but dismiss it because the design uses pink and beige, while your brand colours are green and black.
However, Squarespace allows you to customise colours, typography, images and other design elements.
This means a template that looks completely different from your branding could still be a great starting point.
Instead of asking whether you like the demonstration colours, ask:
Would this layout work well with my own branding and content?
Try to imagine the template with your own logo, photography and brand colours.
You'll often find that the underlying design is much more versatile than it first appears.
4. Consider how much content you have
Different website templates suit different amounts of content.
If you're just starting a business, you might not have dozens of testimonials, professional photographs or a large portfolio to showcase.
That's completely normal.
Look for a template that works with the content you currently have rather than one that requires you to fill lots of unnecessary sections.
For example, a new business coach might only need:
A welcoming homepage.
An introduction to their services.
An About section.
A few frequently asked questions.
A contact form.
As the business grows, additional pages and sections can be introduced.
Remember: A smaller, well-organised website is often more useful than a large website filled with unnecessary content.
5. Think about your customers, not just your personal style
Your website should reflect your personality and brand, but it also needs to work for the people visiting it.
Think about your ideal customer.
What are they looking for when they arrive on your website?
Someone looking for a local cleaning service might prioritise clear pricing information, services and contact details.
Someone looking for a wedding photographer may want to explore a portfolio and understand the photographer's style.
A customer shopping for skincare products will need a straightforward way to browse products and complete a purchase.
Choose a template that makes these tasks easy.
A visually impressive website isn't necessarily an effective website if visitors struggle to find the information they need.
6. Check how the template looks on mobile
Your website needs to work well on smaller screens, not just desktop computers.
Before choosing a Squarespace template, take a look at its live demo on your phone.
Pay attention to:
How the navigation works.
Whether headings are easy to read.
How images are cropped.
Whether buttons are easy to tap.
How sections stack vertically.
Whether important information is easy to find.
Squarespace websites are responsive, but different layouts and content choices can still affect the mobile experience.
Choosing a template with a clear, simple layout can make the customisation process easier.
7. Look for clear calls to action
A call to action (CTA) encourages visitors to take the next step.
Depending on your business, this could be:
Enquire now.
View my portfolio.
Explore services.
Book a consultation.
Shop the collection.
Get a quote.
When browsing templates, look at where these buttons appear and how easy they are to find.
A good template should make it straightforward for visitors to understand what they should do next.
For example, a service-based business might benefit from an enquiry button near the top of the homepage, followed by another after the services section.
You don't need to overwhelm visitors with buttons, but important actions should be easy to access.
8. Consider whether the template can grow with your business
Your website doesn't have to stay exactly the same forever.
As your business develops, you may want to introduce new services, add a blog, expand your portfolio or begin selling products.
Squarespace allows you to add pages and update your website over time.
When choosing a template, consider whether its design can accommodate your future plans.
For example, if you're currently offering one service but hope to introduce several packages, choosing a layout that can easily accommodate additional services could be useful.
You don't need to build everything immediately, but it's worth thinking ahead.
9. Understand the difference between free and paid Squarespace templates
If you're starting a business on a budget, you might be wondering whether you need to purchase a premium Squarespace template.
The answer depends on what you're looking for.
Free Squarespace templates
Free templates can be an excellent option if you want a professional starting point without paying for the initial design.
They can be particularly useful for:
New businesses.
Freelancers.
Side projects.
Creatives building their first website.
Entrepreneurs working with a limited budget.
At Template Twist, we offer a growing collection of free Squarespace website templates designed for different industries.
You can customise the layouts with your own branding, images and content.
Paid Squarespace templates
Paid templates may offer more specialised layouts, additional pre-designed pages or a particular visual style.
They can be worth considering if you find a design that closely matches your business needs and reduces the amount of customisation required.
However, paying more for a template doesn't automatically mean it will be better for your business.
The most important thing is choosing a design that supports your goals.
Keep in mind: Whether you choose a free or paid template, you'll still need a Squarespace subscription when you're ready to publish your website.
10. Preview the template before making your decision
Before committing to a website template, take the time to explore its live demo.
Don't just look at the homepage.
Click through the different pages, test the navigation and see how the design works as a complete website.
Imagine replacing the demonstration content with your own.
Consider:
Would my content fit naturally into these sections?
Does the navigation make sense for my business?
Can I easily picture my own branding?
Is the mobile layout easy to use?
Does the overall structure support my goals?
Taking a little extra time at this stage can save you unnecessary work later.
Which Squarespace template is best for your industry?
There's no single template that's perfect for every business.
However, choosing a design created with your industry in mind can make getting started easier.
Squarespace templates for photographers
Photography websites often benefit from large images, galleries and portfolio sections.
A photography-focused template can help you showcase your work while making it easy for potential clients to enquire.
Explore our free Squarespace templates for photographers.
Squarespace templates for coaches
Coaching websites usually need to build trust, explain services and encourage visitors to make contact.
Look for designs with space for your introduction, coaching packages, testimonials and frequently asked questions.
Browse our free Squarespace templates for coaches.
Squarespace templates for virtual assistants
Virtual assistant websites should clearly explain the services offered and how potential clients can work with you.
Templates with service sections, About pages and enquiry forms can provide a useful starting point.
Discover our free Squarespace templates for virtual assistants.
Squarespace templates for online stores
Online shops need to make products easy to discover and purchase.
Choose a design that supports clear product presentation, organised categories and straightforward navigation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the colours and fonts of a Squarespace template?
Yes. Squarespace allows you to customise your website's colours, typography and other design settings to match your branding.
Can I add more pages to a Squarespace template?
Yes. You can add new pages and sections to your website as your business grows.
Are free Squarespace templates good for small businesses?
Yes. A free Squarespace template can be a practical starting point for small businesses that want a professional website without paying for the initial template design.
Can I use a Squarespace template for an online shop?
Yes. Squarespace supports ecommerce functionality, although you'll need to choose a subscription with the features required for your shop.
Do I need coding knowledge to customise a Squarespace template?
No. Most everyday changes, such as updating text, images, colours and page layouts, can be made through the Squarespace editor without coding.
Is it better to use a template or hire a web designer?
It depends on your budget, requirements and how much time you want to spend creating your website.
A template can be a cost-effective option if you're comfortable customising your own website.
Professional web design may be more suitable if you need a highly customised website or would prefer someone else to handle the design process.
Find the right Squarespace template for your business
Choosing a Squarespace template doesn't have to be complicated.
Start by thinking about your website's purpose, the information your customers need and the type of content you want to showcase.
Focus on layout and functionality first, rather than getting distracted by demonstration colours and images.
At Template Twist, we create customisable Squarespace website templates for small businesses, creatives and entrepreneurs.
Whether you're looking for a free starting point or a more specialised premium design, our collection is designed to help you build a website that feels like your business.
Ready to find your perfect starting point?