How to Choose the Right Squarespace Website Template For Your Business
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Let's talk about that moment when you're shopping for the perfect Squarespace website template and suddenly realize you've had 14 browser tabs open for three hours.
(Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about the spreadsheet you made comparing font choices. We've all been there haven’t we?)
Here’s the thing about picking a website template: somewhere between “ooh, pretty!” and “but will this actually work?”, most of us get completely lost. And if you're not a designer, that overwhelm can hit even harder.
But here’s a promise that might make your day: being “design-challenged” can actually be your secret weapon in choosing a template. While it's easy to get caught up in all the design possibilities (trust me, I've been down that rabbit hole), you're free to focus on what actually matters: how your website performs.
Today, we'll break down exactly how to pick a website template that works for your business. And yes, we’ll make it look good too.
Why Most Template Shopping Goes Wrong
Imagine you're browsing templates late at night (because apparently that's when we all decide to work on our websites?). The demo images are gorgeous, the portfolio examples stunning, and the fonts chef’s kiss. Then you buy it, start customizing, and… oh.
The mobile menu is a mess.
Your services section looks nothing like the demo.
Your perfectly normal paragraph of text is doing weird things on tablet view.
The problem isn’t you… it’s that we’re shopping for templates backward, letting pretty demo images cloud our judgment when we should be looking at structure first.
What Actually Matters in a Template
Let’s get nerdy about what makes a template actually work:
Mobile-First Design
Most of your website visitors are probably reading this on their phones right now. (Hi there! 👋 Sorry about all the scrolling.) Your template needs to work flawlessly on mobile, not just "kind of okay if you squint."
Strategic Structure
This is the boring-but-brilliant stuff that makes your website actually work:
Clear navigation that makes sense
Proper heading hierarchy (Google - & people with accessibility needs - love this stuff)
Content flow that guides visitors where they need to go
Conversion-Ready Layout
All the animated logos and premium icons in the world won’t matter if your visitors can’t figure out how to work with you. Your template should have strategic spots for:
Clear calls-to-action
Easy contact options
Natural places for lead magnets
Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Template
Instead of “ooh, pretty!” (though that’s important too!), ask yourself:
Who are your actual website visitors? Not your design-savvy friends—your real potential clients. What do they need to see first?
What actions do you need them to take? Book a call? Download a freebie? Buy a product? Your template should make these actions obvious and easy.
What features does your business actually need? Be honest—do you really need that fancy portfolio carousel, or would a simple gallery work better?
How much time can you realistically spend on customization?
Watch Out For These Template Traps
(learning these the easy way is way better than the hard way, trust me!)
Your template might look AHMAZING in the demo, but here's what to check before you hit that "BUY NOW" button...
Content that's impossible to scan - You know that feeling when you land on a website and have NO idea where to look first? That's what happens when content hierarchy goes wrong. If the demo itself feels confusing to navigate, your actual content definitely will too. Look for clear sections and headers that work.
Missing spots for action - Your website needs to do more than just sit there looking absolutely gorgeous. Watch for templates that forget about things like where to put your "work with me" button or consultation form. The nicest looking or coolest website in the world won't book you clients if they can't figure out how to contact you!
Over-reliance on those dreamy demo photos - Sure, that template LOOKS incredible with those perfect lifestyle shots... but what happens when you swap in your actual content? If you haven't gotten around to that brand photoshoot yet, or don’t have the budget or time to source your own dreamy stock photos, make sure the template still works with what you DO have.
Making the Final Decision
Here’s your permission slip to be boring (in the best way):
Choose Structure Over Special Effects: Your template needs a solid foundation - clean layout, clear sections, and logical flow. Those fancy animations and parallax effects? They're like sprinkles on a cupcake. Nice to have, but NOT what makes it work.
Pick Clarity Over Cleverness: Sure, that uniquely creative navigation looks cool... until your visitors can't find your contact page. Stick with familiar patterns (menu at top, clear sections, obvious buttons) because they're proven to work.
Opt for Strategic Over Stunning (if you have to choose): Your template has one job: turning visitors into clients. Pick features that support your goals - clear service descriptions, easy contact options, and obvious next steps. The pretty stuff can come later.
Your template doesn’t need to win design awards; it needs to help you win clients. Once the strategic foundation is solid, then you can make it as pretty as you want. Promise.
Ready to Pick a Template That Works for Your Business?
Whether you're just starting out with Squarespace's free templates, ready to invest in something gorgeous, or looking for that perfect balance of strategy and value, I've created a free guide to help you choose: It's called "How to Pick the Perfect Squarespace Template" and it includes:
A step-by-step template evaluation checklist
The essential features your template needs (and what you can skip)
Green flags to look for (and red flags to avoid)
Plus a bonus section on quick customization wins
Sometimes you just need someone to tell you exactly what to look for. I got you.
(no email required, just click ‘make a copy’)
