Why Squarespace Website Templates Are a Smart Move (Not a Step Down)
Table of Contents Show
Why Squarespace Website Templates Are a Smart Move
The Squarespace Website Template Stigma
For a long time, website templates carried a certain stigma—especially in creative and entrepreneurial circles.
Templates were seen as the fallback plan. The budget option. The choice you made when you couldn’t afford to go custom. They were associated with generic design, DIY frustration, and that unmistakable “template look” that made a site feel… not quite there.
But here’s the truth: that mindset is not only outdated—it’s holding your business back.
Because today’s best templates—especially thoughtfully designed Squarespace templates like ours—aren’t a step down. They’re a smart, strategic move. They fast-track clarity, reduce overwhelm, and give creative entrepreneurs and service providers a real foundation to grow from.
And when they’re done right?
They don’t look templated. They look elevated. Clear. Cohesive. And built for business.
Where the Perception That Website Templates Are Unprofessional Comes From
Let’s be honest—templates didn’t always have a great rep. A few reasons why:
Early internet template culture was full of rigid layouts, clunky code, and design patterns that got recycled over and over.
DIY overload made it easy to get lost in underdesigned, overcomplicated templates that lacked structure or strategy.
And then there’s the persistent belief:
Custom = professional. Template = amateur.
I myself used templates over a decade ago when I was starting my own business, and it was a STRUGGLE to create a website that felt like my business + was unique.
But the web has changed. And so have templates.
What Website Templates Actually Look Like Today
Modern templates—especially high-quality Squarespace website templates—are a different story. They’re not just pretty placeholders. They’re brand scaffolding, built by designers who understand strategy.
Today’s best templates are:
Designed by professionals with real UX thinking, website strategy, and SEO baked in
Customizable, so you can reflect your brand personality without hiring a developer
Built with functionality for real businesses—opt-ins, sales pages, funnels, service flows
At Brand Spanking You, we design Squarespace templates with both beauty and business goals in mind. Each one includes guided copy prompts, intuitive flow, and strategic page structure—so you’re not just getting a layout. You’re getting a roadmap.
It’s the exact process we use for our custom Squarespace website clients who pay over 10K per site.
Why Squarespace Templates Are the Smart Choice for Many Entrepreneurs
1. They Fast-Track Clarity
When you’re staring at a blank page, it’s easy to spiral.
Templates give you a starting point—not just visually, but structurally. You’re not left wondering what to write, where things should go, or how your site should flow.
With our templates, you don’t just get sections—you get story scaffolding. The structure is already there. Your job is to personalize it.
2. They Reduce Cost and Timeline—Without Sacrificing Quality
You don’t need a $10k+ custom website to look like you’ve got it all figured out.
Templates offer a premium design experience without the premium price tag. You can launch in weeks (sometimes even days), not months, and reinvest saved time and money into other growth tools like copywriting, marketing, or professional brand photos.
You’re being resourceful, not reactive.
3. They’re Ideal for Business Owners in Motion
Your brand is evolving. Your offer is still being refined. You’re not quite “done”—and that’s okay. In fact, it’s preferred. Losing the perfection, and getting your offers in front of customers and clients as soon as possible—even before you think you're ready— is the secret to many an entrepreneur's success.
Templates are perfect for this season because they help you show up professionally while you evolve. You don’t have to wait for perfect clarity before you hit publish. You just need a strong starting point.
4. They Let You Iterate (Which Is How Real Growth Happens)
Growth is messy. Strategy changes. Messaging and positioning shifts as you learn more about your audience.
With a template—especially a well-built Squarespace template—you can update your site yourself. Easily. No dev required. No waiting for edits. No endless back-and-forth.
Our templates are built to evolve with you, not box you in.
5. Strategic Templates Come with Built-In Direction
Most people don’t struggle with design—they struggle with content. At least that’s what we’ve seen with almost all of our custom website clients.
That’s why our Squarespace templates don’t just look good. They come with real copy prompts, intuitive section structure, and guided flow baked into every page. So instead of guessing what to write or where to say it, you can follow a proven path.
Design + messaging alignment = clarity, ease, and momentum.
6. Customization ≠ Compromise
The right template doesn’t feel like a template when it’s customized well.
We’ve seen the same Squarespace template take on totally different personalities based on brand colors, fonts, photography, and copy. With thoughtful styling and intention, your site can feel truly custom, without the custom timeline or cost.
(Want to see how different a single template can look across multiple brands? We’re working on mockups to show you—stay tuned.)
Website Templates Are a Stepping Stone—Not a Stopgap
Using a Squarespace template doesn’t mean you’ll never go custom. It means you’re being strategic about where you are right now.
Templates give you the structure to grow with confidence. Then, when your business is more established, your messaging is dialed in, and your offer is proven, you can scale into a fully custom site with a clear sense of what works, knowing that your investment dollars are being used wisely.
It’s not about settling. It’s about starting strong.
Final Takeaway: Strategy > Status
Custom design might feel like the “ultimate goal,” but the smartest business owners don’t chase status—they choose what works.
A strategic Squarespace template isn’t a shortcut.
It’s a launchpad.
With the right structure, story flow, and support, you don’t have to wait for “someday” to launch a site that looks incredible and works even harder.
Want Even More Clarity For Your Squarespace Website? Start Here:
→ Ready to launch with strategy and style? Explore the Squarespace Template Shop.
→ Need help deciding what to write? Read:
What to Write on Every Page of Your Website (Before You Design)
ChatGPT Prompts for Writing Your Website Copy (Page by Page)
→ Curious if your site’s doing its job? Read:
Why Pretty Isn’t Enough: What Your Site Needs to Actually Work
Need more immediate help? Book a website audit
Meet Sarah
Sarah is an award-winning Designer, Creative Director & Brand Strategist for global companies turned entrepreneur. She’s passionate about empowering entrepreneurs & small business owners with tools and services that transform the way they build their brands and businesses.