What are my design options using Squarespace?

So, you’re ready to build a new, beautiful Squarespace website. Maybe you’re starting from scratch—or perhaps you already have a site that feels clunky, outdated, and difficult to manage. After exploring various website builders, you’ve landed on Squarespace—and for good reason. It’s user-friendly, visually polished, and offers solid SEO functionality straight out of the box.

Still weighing your options? If you’re torn between platforms and wondering whether Squarespace is the best fit for your SEO goals, be sure to check out our deep dive: Squarespace vs. WordPress SEO. We break down the pros and cons so you can make an informed choice.

Once you’ve decided to go with Squarespace, the next big question is: “What are my design options?”

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the two main paths you can take when building your Squarespace website—so you can choose the right fit for your goals, timeline, and budget.

Squarespace Templates Vs. Custom-built Squarespace Websites

Chances are, you’ve come across a stunning Squarespace website and thought, “Wow—this looks incredible! I want a website just like that.” But when you start browsing the available templates, nothing quite measures up…

That’s likely because the site you admired wasn’t built from a standard template—it was a fully custom Squarespace website designed by an expert (that’s us!).

What’s the Difference Between a Template and a Custom Site?

Here’s the rundown on Squarespace Templates vs. custom Squarespace Websites:

Pre-made Squarespace Templates

Squarespace has many templates when you first purchase your Squarespace account. They provide a predetermined framework for your website and guide you on layouts and elements to quickly create and launch your Squarespace website.

I know it seems like all rainbows and sunshine with a Squarespace template, but there’s a downside. Unfortunately, every template is available to ANYONE with a Squarespace account. This means that there could be thousands of other businesses with similar websites. Why does this happen? Because Squarespace users simply install the base template and update it with their own content, creating a very “cookie-cutter” website.

You can see all Squarespace Templates here

Who is it for?

This option is great if you are on a lower budget and you’re one of those people who can do it all: web design, marketing, branding & let’s not forget a business owner. If you want to take the time (hours on hours) to learn Squarespace while also building your brand then this option is absolutely for you! It does however take A LOT of design and branding skills to ensure that each of the images not only looking amazing together but actually speaks to your brand. This can be very difficult especially when you have to follow the exact template and can’t switch it up.

Squarespace-Expert-Help-London-UK — Looking for expert design or technical support for your Squarespace website?

If you’re struggling to do something on your Squarespace website that you don’t have the necessary technical know-how or design abilities to do it by yourself, we’re here to help you!
Our in-house Squarespace Experts can take care of your quick tweaks and implement design changes to your website right there and then whilst developing your technical know-how and confidence to update your Squarespace website all by yourself.

OUR SQUARESPACE EXPERT CALL

Custom-built Squarespace Websites

A custom-built Squarespace website starts with one of the Squarespace templates used as the "skeleton" for the website. The expert then creates a customized layout with your brand colors, fonts, photos, and bespoke graphics to create a website just for you!

A Squarespace expert designer works with you to create a website that's unique to your business. By getting to know you and your brand, the expert makes a highly converting website through brand identity design, high-quality photos sourcing, and bespoke web design with all integrations you might need to get the most out of the Squarespace template.

While working with the designer, they will provide you with in-depth Squarespace training to guide you through using your website once the process is finished (I can't tell you how many clients we have that come to us for a brand-new website because they had a website they couldn't update). By receiving Squarespace training as a part of your experience, you won’t need to hire experts every time you want to change something because you will know how to do it yourself!

Who is it for?

This option is perfect for those entrepreneurs who have a bit more budget (about 2-3k) to spend on their website and are looking for an expert to create it for them. If you to gain back more time and leave it to experts then this option is perfect for you. When working with us you won’t just get a highly converting website, but you’ll receive full-on support, branding including a logo, favicon, and you can even choose to receive help with Copy, a Booking System, Photoshoot, and we will even set up your newsletter. We’re your one-stop-shop for everything brand.

We design websites fully customized to your business

We have a complete website package including branding, photos, web design, SEO, and training that allows for an in-depth presentation of your brand online.
Perfect for serious business owners who are looking to launch in style or up-level with an iconic branded website that conveys quality, credibility, and wide-reaching expertise.

Our All-In Website Packages

So, which option is for you?

If you’re just getting started and working with a tight budget, a ready-made Squarespace template can be a great starting point. You can customise it with your content and launch a site relatively quickly. Just keep in mind—Squarespace templates are available to everyone. That means your site might end up looking similar to hundreds (if not thousands) of others.

As your business grows, you’ll likely reach a point where your current website no longer reflects your professionalism, value, or ambition. Templates have their limits—especially when it comes to standing out and deeply engaging your ideal audience. That’s when investing in a custom-built website becomes the right move.

Still unsure whether Squarespace is the right platform for your small business? Don’t miss our post on why Squarespace is ideal for small business websites.

With a fully custom Squarespace site, you’ll get a one-of-a-kind online presence that reflects your brand’s personality—complete with cohesive identity design, high-quality photography, strategic layout, and smart integrations that help turn casual visitors into loyal customers.