How to Design a Squarespace Website Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Weekend)
You can spend hours tweaking fonts and layouts on Squarespace and still end up with a site that doesn’t feel right. It’s not for lack of effort. It’s because most websites are designed around aesthetics, not outcomes. The issue isn’t design skills. It’s direction.
Too often, small businesses chase “pretty” instead of building what works. But when you focus on what your audience actually needs to see, the design decisions get easier, and your site starts doing its job. This guide breaks down how to design a Squarespace website that’s clean, strategic, and built to convert.
Setting Up Your Squarespace Website
Before you start designing, set up your Squarespace account and trial site. This gives you a clean workspace to experiment without pressure. Once inside, you’ll see a simple dashboard that keeps your pages and design in one place. If you’re learning how to design a Squarespace website, this setup helps you start with a clear foundation.
Now, pick a starting template that fits your content and structure. Skip the colors and fonts for now. Focus on a layout that supports your goals and feels easy to build on. Once your site has a name and basic settings in place, you’re ready to move on to plans and domains.
Which Squarespace Plan Should You Pick?
Squarespace offers a few plans, and the right one depends on what you need your website to do. If you’re building a simple site to showcase your work or share information, the Personal plan covers the essentials. It gives you design flexibility without the extra features you don’t need yet.
If your site needs built-in commerce, scheduling, or advanced analytics, the Business or Commerce plans make more sense. They open access to tools that support growth without requiring outside integrations. Start with the smallest plan that meets your needs and upgrade only when your business demands more.
Squarespace Pricing and Plans
Squarespace keeps its pricing simple. Each plan is billed monthly or yearly, and every level includes hosting and support. We recommend that you review the plan details before you publish to make sure you’re paying for features you’ll actually use. Here’s a simple plan breakdown:
Personal Plan ($25 monthly/$16 annually): the most affordable and works well for a basic portfolio or informational site.
Business Plan ($36 monthly/$23 annually): adds more flexibility, including custom code and limited e-commerce features.
Commerce Plan ($40 monthly/$28 annually): unlocks full online store functionality with checkout and product management tools.
Purchasing a Domain Name
Your domain name is your digital address, and it’s worth choosing with care. Keep it short and straightforward. The closer to your brand name, the easier visitors can remember it. Squarespace lets you buy a domain directly through the platform, which keeps setup simple and renewal automatic.
If you already own a domain, you can connect it without extra steps. Make sure your domain settings match your site title and contact information. That consistency helps search engines and visitors trust your brand from the start.
Creating a Website Map
A website map keeps your content organized and easy to navigate. Before designing your site, outline your core pages: Home, About, Services, and Contact. Add supporting pages that serve a purpose, like blog and portfolio pages.
Map out how visitors move through your site with clear links and calls to action (CTAs) so every page connects logically and helps both users and search engines find what they need.
Conducting Keyword Research
Keyword research is part of writing SEO copy, a powerful tool that puts your website in front of your audience at the right time. Start by listing the main topics your business covers, and use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find the keywords and phrases your audience searches.
Focus on specific, relevant terms tied to your services or location. Add them naturally into your titles, headings, and copy so search engines understand what your site offers.
How To Use Squarespace's Editor
Squarespace’s editor keeps design and content together so updates are quick and clear. Use the sidebar to add pages, edit text, and drop in images or buttons as you go. These tools make how to design a Squarespace website feel simple and flexible for any skill level.
Remember to keep edits simple and consistent to avoid clutter and maintain a clear visual flow. Here are some of the actions you can take:
Add Pages: Add only the pages your audience needs. Start with essentials like Home, About, Services, and Contact. Each page should have a clear purpose and connect naturally to the next through your navigation menu.
Customize Your Content: Edit each section to reflect your message and tone. Replace placeholder text with concise, engaging copy that explains who you are and what you do. Keep it simple and aligned with your brand voice.
Create Consistent Branding: Use the same colors, fonts, and imagery across every page to create a unified look. Consistency builds trust and helps visitors instantly recognize your brand. Save your style settings so future updates stay aligned.
Design Page Layouts: Squarespace templates give you structure, but layout choices bring your content to life. Use visual hierarchy, such as headings, white space, and section breaks, to guide attention. Keep the design balanced so the focus stays on your message.
Basic Website Navigation: Your navigation should help visitors find information quickly. Limit top-level links to key pages and group related content under clear labels. Always include an easy path back to your homepage for simple orientation.
Add Content to Your Website
Every section on your site should serve a clear purpose. Add text and images that inform and guide. Use buttons to move visitors toward an action, like booking a call. Keep the layout simple so your message stands out and your content feels intentional, not crowded. Consider the following:
Write Website Copy: Your copy should be clear and direct. It should sound like you’re talking specifically to your audience. Lead with the value you provide, then back it up with details that build trust. Use natural language that sounds like a conversation, not a sales pitch.
Alt Text and Metadata: Alt text and metadata are for the search engines. They help screen readers and search engines understand your site. Write short, descriptive text for every image and add keywords naturally to page titles and descriptions. These small details make big strides in accessibility and SEO performance.
Adding Photos to Your Website: Use high-quality images that reflect your brand and feel authentic. Keep file sizes small so pages load quickly and preview well on mobile. Choose visuals that support your message rather than distract from it.
How To Design a Squarespace Website: FAQ
How to make your Squarespace website look good?
To make your Squarespace website look good, keep your design simple and consistent. Use one color palette, readable fonts, and clean spacing. Focus on clarity instead of decoration so your content stands out and your site feels professional.
How to design a website in Squarespace?
To design a Squarespace website, start with a template that fits your goals, then customize it section by section. Squarespace’s drag-and-drop tools make it easy to adjust layouts, colors, and copy. With intention and structure, you’ll know exactly how to design a Squarespace website that works for your brand.
Is it hard to build a website on Squarespace?
It’s not hard to build a Squarespace website. The platform keeps tools and settings simple so you can design and publish without coding. Once you learn the editor, building new pages and making updates feels natural.
What is the disadvantage of Squarespace?
While Squarespace is a great tool, it does limit deep customization compared to open-source platforms. You work within its templates and features, which keep things stable but can restrict complex builds. For most small businesses, those limits are not a problem compared to the ease and reliability you get with Squarespace.
Design a Dreamy Squarespace Website with Emerald Creative Content
If you’ve tried building your site and feel stuck, don’t start over. Contact us. Our team designs Squarespace websites that load fast and support real business goals. We handle the structure, SEO, and storytelling so you can save your time for what you do best. Learn more about our website design services here.
