Creating a professional website doesn't have to mean spending hundreds on web design. If you're starting a small business, launching an online shop or building a personal brand, you can begin creating your Squarespace website without paying for a website template.
With free Squarespace templates, you can start with a professionally designed layout, customise it to suit your business and get your website ready before committing to a subscription.
In this guide, we'll explain how to create a Squarespace website for free, what costs to expect and how to get started with a ready-made template.
Can you create a Squarespace website for free?
Yes, you can start building a Squarespace website for free, but you'll need a paid subscription to publish it.
Squarespace offers a free trial that allows you to explore its website builder, add your content and customise your design without paying upfront.
However, there's an important difference between building a website for free and keeping a website online for free.
Here's what you need to know:
Website templates: You can use a free Squarespace template instead of purchasing a premium design.
Website building: You can customise your website during your free trial.
Website hosting: You'll need a Squarespace subscription when you're ready to publish your website.
Domain name: Eligible annual Squarespace plans include a free custom domain for the first year.
The good news? You don't need to pay for everything at once. You can start with your design, prepare your content and choose a subscription when you're ready to launch.
Step 1: Choose a free Squarespace website template
The easiest way to get started is with a ready-made website template.
Instead of building every section from scratch, a template gives you an existing layout that you can personalise with your own branding, images and content.
At Template Twist, we offer a growing collection of free Squarespace website templates for small businesses, creatives and entrepreneurs.
You can browse designs for different industries, including:
Photographers: Portfolio-focused layouts to showcase your photography, services and client work.
Coaches: Professional websites for life coaches, business coaches and other coaching services.
Virtual assistants: Service-based layouts to introduce your packages, experience and expertise.
Online stores: Ecommerce designs for selling physical or digital products.
Each template is designed to give you a starting point without the cost of purchasing a premium website template.
Step 2: Add your template to your Squarespace account
Once you've found a template you like, the next step is to get it into your Squarespace account.
When you order a free template from Template Twist, you'll receive instructions explaining how to access your design.
Your template will be added to your Squarespace account as a new trial website, so you don't need an existing paid Squarespace subscription.
This means you can start working on your website without upgrading to a paid plan straight away.
Step 3: Customise your website design
Now comes the creative part - making your website feel like your business.
Squarespace includes a visual website editor, allowing you to make everyday changes without needing to know how to code.
Start by updating the following:
Your brand colours
Replace the template's existing colours with your own brand palette.
Using consistent colours across your website helps create a recognisable and professional appearance.
Your fonts
Choose typography that reflects your brand's personality.
For example, a creative business might prefer expressive headings, while a professional service provider may choose something more minimal.
Your images
Replace the demonstration images with your own photography, product images or carefully selected visuals.
Choose images that reflect what your business actually offers.
Your website content
Update the example text with information about your business, services and customers.
Focus on explaining what you offer, who you help and what visitors should do next.
Tip: You don't have to complete everything in one sitting. Work through your website section by section, starting with the homepage.
Step 4: Create the essential pages for your business
The pages you'll need depend on the type of website you're creating.
However, most small business websites benefit from a few key pages.
Homepage
Your homepage introduces your business and helps visitors understand what you offer.
It should include a clear headline, a brief explanation of your services or products and an obvious next step.
About page
Your About page is an opportunity to introduce yourself, share your experience and explain what makes your business different.
Services or shop page
If you provide services, explain what's included and how customers can work with you.
If you sell products, organise them into clear categories so visitors can find what they're looking for.
Contact page
Make it easy for potential customers to get in touch.
Depending on your business, this could include a contact form, email address or booking link.
Blog
A blog isn't essential for every business, but it can be a useful way to answer customer questions and attract visitors through search engines.
For example, a photographer might publish advice about preparing for a photoshoot, while a business coach could share practical tips for entrepreneurs.
Step 5: Make your Squarespace website SEO-friendly
Before publishing your website, spend some time on search engine optimisation (SEO).
SEO helps search engines understand what your website is about and can improve your chances of appearing in relevant search results.
Here are a few beginner-friendly things to focus on:
Write descriptive page titles. Each page should have a clear title explaining its purpose.
Add SEO descriptions. Write a short, useful summary of what visitors can expect from each page.
Use headings correctly. Organise your content with a main heading and relevant subheadings.
Add image alt text. Describe meaningful images to improve accessibility and help search engines understand their content.
Link between relevant pages. For example, your homepage might link to your services, portfolio and contact pages.
Check your mobile layout. Make sure text, images and buttons work well on smaller screens.
SEO is an ongoing process, so don't feel you need to perfect everything before launching.
Step 6: Choose a Squarespace subscription when you're ready
Once you've finished customising your website, you'll need a paid Squarespace plan to make it publicly available.
Squarespace offers different subscription options depending on the features your website needs.
Before choosing a plan, consider whether you need a simple informational website, an online shop or more advanced business features.
Annual subscriptions generally offer savings compared with monthly billing, and eligible annual plans include a free custom domain for the first year.
Template Twist customers may also be eligible for a Squarespace subscription discount. Check the offer included with your template and compare it with any promotions Squarespace is running when you're ready to subscribe.
There's no need to rush into choosing a plan while you're still preparing your website.
How much does it cost to create a Squarespace website?
Your total cost will depend on how you choose to build your website.
If you use a free template and customise it yourself, you can avoid paying for a premium template or hiring a web designer.
Here's a simple breakdown:
| Website expense | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Template Twist free template | £0 |
| Customising the template yourself | £0 |
| Squarespace website trial | Free |
| Squarespace subscription | Paid plan required to publish |
| Custom domain | Free for the first year with eligible annual plans |
Optional expenses might include premium imagery, additional software or professional customisation services.
For many new businesses, starting with a free template is a practical way to keep initial website costs down.
How much does it cost to create a Squarespace website?
Absolutely - particularly if you're launching a business on a budget.
A free website template can give you a head start without requiring you to design an entire website from a blank page.
Some of the main benefits include:
Lower startup costs: Spend less on your initial website design.
A faster starting point: Begin with an existing layout rather than creating every section yourself.
Creative flexibility: Personalise your colours, typography, images and content.
Easy ongoing updates: Continue managing your website as your business grows.
More control: Make changes yourself without relying on a developer for everyday edits.
The most important thing is choosing a template that suits your business and gives you the features and layout you need.
Frequently asked questions
Is Squarespace completely free?
No. Squarespace offers a free website trial, but you'll need a paid subscription to publish your website and keep it publicly accessible.
Can I use a free Squarespace template for my business?
Yes. Template Twist offers free Squarespace templates suitable for different types of businesses, including photographers, coaches, virtual assistants and online shops.
Do I need coding experience to customise a Squarespace template?
No. Squarespace has a visual editor that allows you to update your website's content, colours, fonts and layouts without coding.
Can I create a Squarespace website without a domain name?
Yes. You can begin building your website during the trial without purchasing a custom domain. You can choose or connect a domain when you're preparing to launch.
Can I change my Squarespace website after publishing it?
Yes. You can continue editing your website after it goes live, including updating your content, adding pages and changing your design.
Ready to create your website?
You don't need a huge budget or advanced technical skills to start building a professional website.
With a free Squarespace template, you can focus on creating a website that reflects your business without spending money on the initial design.
Whether you're launching a photography portfolio, starting a coaching business, offering virtual assistant services or opening an online shop, there's a design to help you get started.
Explore our free Squarespace website templates and start creating your website today.