As a website designer who has been designing custom websites since college (2012), I have a few hot takes on templates. In this blog we will chat all about WHO THEY ARE FOR (and not), what you need to look out for so you don’t get scammed with a bad template, and what I think you should start with when binging into the world of finding the perfect Squarespace (or Showit) template.

I was listening to a podcast episode hosted by a Showit Template Designer and she said to research your competition BEFORE you pick a template to make sure you don’t pick the same one. I 100% agree, but what if there is a different way?

What if you could pick a template but make it so custom to you (if you wanted) that it looked completely unique EVEN IF you were in the same industry…

But I have NO IDEA how to design a website from scratch…

Don’t worry – you’re not alone! Many aspiring entrepreneurs find themselves overwhelmed by the prospect of creating a website from the ground up.

That’s where templates come in handy. With pre-designed templates, you can quickly and easily create a professional-looking website without any coding knowledge or design experience. 

From stylish layouts to customizable elements, templates offer a convenient and cost-effective solution for DIY website design, but make sure you don’t just choose one that looks pretty! You need to choose between PREMIUM SQUARESPACE TEMPLATES (not just a cute one from Etsy IYKYK).

Caryn also felt embarrassed with her website attempts—until she found the right tools.

🌟 Caryn’s Story:

Why struggle when you can shine? This was the reason I created my signature Squarespace template + course! Beyond The Template offers:

• Step-by-step video lessons teaching you exactly how to customize every aspect of the Squarespace template (if you want)
• Customizable Squarespace templates with 3 home design themes
• Moodboard and color palette tools
• A SEO cheat sheet that really works

Turn that DIY shame into DIY fame in just one weekend! Ready to start loving your website?

[Click here to transform your website with confidence!]

Who is a template for?

Literally any business can thrive off of a template (check out the tips below to make sure you’re picking the RIGHT Squarespace website template). My template works for bookkeepers, wedding photographers, podcasters, yoga studios, copywriters, content creators, social media managers, counselors (maybe you’re catching my drift).

Because it serves such a wide variety you are way less likely to have someone in your exact niche have this template. If you pick a photography-specific template, there is a greater chance that another photographer will be using the same Squarespace design.

How to Pick the Best Squarespace Templates for Sale

A few things to look out for when picking a template:

1. Can you SCALE with the template; either does it come with a ton of pages (podcast page, freebies page, etc.) or do you know how to create custom pages? It may be worth the higher price tag to get more pages or a more in-depth training so you can design additional pages WHEN your business grows (not if).
2. Is it optimized for search engines (or rather does the instructor TEACH YOU how to get it found on Google)? One way to check if it is SEO-optimized is to see if there are 300+ words on the home page (or places for you to add that many words). You want to make sure they have places to add copy.
3. Do you need brand photos or videos before effectively using the template? If the template heavily focusses on photos, it won’t look as unique to you and beautiful if you’re just using stock photography. That being said, there are some great stock photography sites like Haute Stock!* (Use code bekah for 15% off).
4. Do you have the skill set to customize it so it looks like YOU (this is what will make it convert – make sure the template comes with a Squarespace training or there is support from the creator)?
5. Was it created with SEO in mind (is it mobile-friendly)? Ask the designer if they designed it for SEO optimization.
6. Do you trust the template shop DESIGNER? This seriously makes a difference. You want to make sure the template is set up on the back end in a correct way, not just to convert and be optimized for search engines, but also so you can easily customize it and don’t get pissed off in the process.
7. Is it a huge shop? It may be best to pick a smaller template shop because there is less chance that template is being used on multiple websites making your website look more unique.
8. Was it created with copywriting in mind? Some templates (especially ones for beginner entrepreneurs) will guide you on what words to write where. Good copy is what makes the sale, so if you haven’t gone through a course to figure out how to DIY your copy or hired a copywriter, I would consider that when choosing your template.
9. Think about your ideal customers – will they find it engaging?
10. Find a template that isn’t TOO custom. It should be designed for resell will make for a better experience for you.

Start with your needs and not just the design – look to make sure it has all the pages you need OR you are equipped to add those pages.

This is why I created my signature course, Beyond The Template… it is so much more than just a template. It is:

1. Branding so you can make your website look just like you 🎨
2. Squarespace tutorials that will help you make the template look unique ✨
3. SEO tricks that get my clients ranking on page 1 of Google 🕵

Want to know how to DIY a website in a weekend?

✓ Tight deadline? Launch in as little as a weekend by using the high-converting template + a course where you can learn the essential how-tos & be confident designing your website from scratch!

* Affiliate Disclaimer – I am an affiliate for some of the recommendations, but would suggest them either way!