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In my discussions with authors, coaches, and consultants, I see lots of reasons why you feel stuck in creating, or improving, your website. And a big factor is stressing about which is the best template, or theme, to start with.

The great news is, if Squarespace is your chosen tool, you don’t need to worry about this nearly as much as you think.

In version 7.1, your Squarespace theme or template doesn’t matter

In Squarespace 7.1, which is the current version, the great news is that your choice of template doesn’t matter. Regardless of where you start, you can create any layout, and configure all the settings according to your choice.

In other words, it’s a universal theme.

Key website components, like your top menu navigation, have been streamlined so they follow best practice in web design and are positioned where your users now expect to see them.

And you certainly don’t have to deliberate over layouts with dated elements like background areas which waste space, or sidebars which make your website look like you built it in 2012!

Nor does your choice of Squarespace pricing plan matter here. Picking the best Squarespace template really is as simple as making sure you start with the latest version.

So why does Squarespace still greet you with a load of free templates to pick from?

Strangely, when you arrive at Squarespace as a new customer, one of the first things you’re invited to do (still), is to choose a free template:

*Squarespace version 7.1 templates, offered to new users*

Why is that? I don’t know, to be honest! Possibilities include:

Users transitioning from WordPress expect to be given a list of “Squarespace theme” options, and may feel confused if they’re not available
Many people who build a DIY website are enormously uncertain of what to place where, and the template suggestions get them past that daunting “blank page” problem.

However, if you spend just 5 minutes researching website layout options online, you’ll come up with hundreds of inspiring ideas. You can peek at my custom website portfolio to see just a few.

And then rest assured, as long as you start with a website in Squarespace version 7.1, it doesn’t matter which template you pick. You can create everything you need, control all the colors and branding, and use all the features included on your subscription price tier.

Template was important in the older Squarespace version 7

The reason why you can still find so much information about the “best” Squarespace template, or the one that’s most popular, is because in the older version of Squarespace, version 7, you did have to pick. And your choice of starting template was important.

In this respect, Squarespace was more like WordPress (see below). However, these days, if you’re starting from scratch, you should definitely begin with the current version, 7.1.

Squarespace is consistently improving what you can do in 7.1, including new features and the popular new Fluid Engine editor. Plus, in my experience, 7.1 is significantly better for configuring your options for Search Engine Optimization.

There has been no announcement from Squarespace about withdrawing support for version 7. But it’s clear to me, all their efforts are now directed at version 7.1.

If you’re unhappy with your version 7 site, instead of trying to change Squarespace template, it’s probably better to go ahead and migrate your website to version 7.1. If you’re curious about what that involves and how to get the most benefit from the change, let’s chat.

What if you’re buying a premium Squarespace template?

Now, I just said that your basic template doesn’t matter in Squarespace version 7.1. However, if you’re shopping with an independent provider for a premium Squarespace template, then it does still make sense to explore the done-for-you starting pages and find something that’s close to what you want.

Strong reasons why you might purchase a premium Squarespace template include:

They’ve been created specifically for your industry, by someone who knows your niche extremely well. This is not the case with the basic, free templates offered by Squarespace - these are designed for mass appeal, and it usually shows.
The pages you’ll need have been made for you, the layout makes sense, the menu is strategically configured, and appropriate Calls to Action are right there waiting for you to tweak the text. So your purchase saves you a tonne of time, and will also prompt you to include important elements that you might have overlooked.
You might be drawn to a particular design aesthetic, for example with fun, flowing shapes, or lots of empty, elegant white space. Again, you’ll save time and effort by having to customize less.
You want to follow step-by-step videos that show you exactly how to work with this particular template, instead of sifting through generic help pages from Squarespace.

Recommended Templates

So, when buying a premium template, you’ll get your DIY website launched quickly and easily if you pick something that appeals strongly to you and specifically mentions your industry.

For example, if you’re looking for the best Squarespace template for authors, or for your consulting business, make sure this is mentioned in the template description. Check that the Calls to Action closely match how you want your visitor to navigate your website, and what they should do next.

Important differences between Squarespace and WordPress

In WordPress, your starting point is usually called a theme, and the one you choose is a big deal. Get it wrong, and you’ll experience limitations like:

You’re constrained in what you can create, what goes where, and what features are available to you. If you expect your business to grow and evolve, this is stressful. How can you predict your future needs, when you’re not sure where you’re heading?
Your website might load slowly (a big problem for both your visitors and your search engine ranking).
It might not be mobile responsive, meaning it could look bad on a phone (again, a bad experience for visitors, and it will hurt your search results).
Some themes even limit the colors, fonts, and other branding elements you can incorporate.

No wonder I hear from clients frequently that they’re feeling completely boxed in by their current WordPress choices. This is often the case if you picked a free theme, an older theme, or both.

It’s certainly possible to change your WordPress theme but, speaking from experience, this won’t be a 5-minute job and you’ll need to check every page, probably fix photo proportions, and take care of other transitional tasks, too.

Related:

How to choose between WordPress and Squarespace
8 things to know about migrating from WordPress to Squarespace

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