What’s It Like to Build Your Squarespace Website From a Premium Template?

• This article contains affiliate links •

I no longer offer started-for-you Squarespace templates and instead I recommend these sellers.

But here’s a look at what you can expect, if you’re using a started-for-you Squarespace template to jump start your website creation process.

6 things to know about building a Squarespace website from a professional template

1. Template choice won’t make or break your project

This is one of the most confusing things about the term “template”. As long as you start with Squarespace version 7.1 (and you should, because it’s the most recent*), then your initial choice of template isn’t critical.

A professional, started-for-you template will save you time, and is more likely to convert visitors to customers in your industry, but you are not limited by what you can add, remove, rearrange, or redesign.

This is very different from the WordPress world, where your initial choice of theme can really constrain your options. It’s a big source of angst and, honestly, with Squarespace, it doesn’t need to be.

Read more about choosing your starting point with Squarespace: What is the best Squarespace template?

*Be wary of a Squarespace template shop that is still offering version 7.0 as your starting point. I strongly advise against beginning with this older version.

2. You’ll start with a professionally designed layout that works

If you’re buying a premium Squarespace template, make sure it’s designed specifically for your industry, by someone who knows what information should be on which page, and where to place Call to Action buttons that convert.

(Many of the free Squarespace templates, available inside your Squarespace dashboard, have attractive home pages, but no actual industry knowledge baked into them.)

In other words, the best templates give you unmissable hints for the words, pictures, and buttons that should be on there.

3. You’ll learn Squarespace in a structured, efficient way

One of the best things about buying a premium Squarespace template from a big provider is that training videos are typically included.

This is a considerable advantage over trying to navigate the help documentation provided by Squarespace. Their information is excellent… but there is so much of it, it can be completely overwhelming.

There are several how to build a Squarespace website training courses available, but often, they cost more than buying a template.

4. You’ll be supported by both the template designer, and Squarespace

Almost every template shop includes a support period, where you can get help with the specific template you purchased, for a number of days or weeks. Usually, this support is by email, but some shops offer the chance to pay for live support calls too.

And after that, whether you’re still building your website, or it’s already live, you get access to free, 24x7 support from the Squarespace team. I find them to be fast, helpful, and knowledgeable.

Make sure that the template you purchase doesn’t include large amounts of customization through CSS code, because Squarespace will not help you with issues relating to that.

5. You’ll launch a website that you’re confident in adapting in future

When you create your DIY website starting with one of my templates, you’ll learn a lot about Squarespace, not just to launch your website initially, but to make edits, changes, and updates in future.

This knowledge and confidence will save you loads of time, and large amounts of money. You won’t be reliant on someone else to help you with small changes. My business has evolved, and yours probably will too. With this approach, you’ll be able to add and remove pages, products, and services, as you need to.

Below: Kendra and Maureen both launched websites using a premium Squarespace template.

6. But: you’re in the driving seat, and you need to do the work

For my custom, done-for-you clients, I provide support, coaching, and a sounding board for all of the business decisions that go into your website.

When you start with a premium Squarespace template, you will need to get clear about your business purpose, your message, your services, and main Calls to Action that you want to include on your website.

Without clarity on your business mission, goals, and income streams, it’s still possible you’ll get paralyzed during the website creation phase.

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My clients have chosen top quality, done-for-you website design

There are dozens of considerations in creating a strong author website. Bringing the right pieces together for you is what I do best.

As a professional specializing in strategic websites for authors and solopreneurs with books, I’m an expert in the features you need for a website that connects with your audience and gets business results. If you’d like niche expertise, top quality design, and your technical headaches solved, consider hiring me.

After careful preparation together, I’ll design, build and launch your site in just 2 weeks. Learn more, and then schedule a complimentary consultation.

So you can take that worry off your list!

Custom Author Website Design