Free Squarespace Website Templates vs Premium Squarespace Templates

When building a brand new Squarespace website, the very first step is choosing a template. The template you choose becomes the outline for your site’s style, layout and functionality. Templates are customizable (free and premium) and can be personalized to fit your brand and vision. After browsing Squarespace’s free template selection, many wonder if they should opt for a paid, premium template instead. Premium Squarespace Templates are templates designed and built by a third-party designer, typically not affiliated with Squarespace. They allow you to create a beautiful website that is beyond the generic look of the free templates, but more cost effective than hiring a Squarespace Designer for a custom design. Most premium template shops build their templates with content strategy in mind. Meaning, if you’re just starting out and have no clue what to write on your new site, the content that they’ve put in place will help guide you. There are so many other advantages to purchasing a premium template, so let’s get into the pros and cons of free vs premium Squarespace templates.

Are Squarespace Templates Free?

The templates that are available in Squarespace’s template store are totally free! You’ll just need to purchase a monthly or annual Squarespace subscription before you make your site live. These templates are a great starting point for new businesses. Plus, there are many template options to choose from (for both version 7.0 and 7.1). Let’s get into the pros and cons below.

Free Squarespace Templates (Pros & Cons)

PROS —

It’s free! You’ll just need to purchase a Squarespace subscription when you’re ready to make your site live.
Lots of options to choose from
Squarespace support is great
You can switch between templates at any point (although this can sometimes be a bit messy)
Customize colors, fonts, etc… in Site Styles
Great for those just starting out and testing the waters

CONS —

Designs are very basic
Can be time consuming. It will likely take you longer to put your own design together vs a premium template that comes fully designed and built
You have to figure everything out on your own. Designers from template shops will usually provide video tutorials along with other helpful tips and tricks for getting familiar with the Squarespace platform
Many people say that all Squarespace websites look the same, and yes, this is sometimes the case with the free templates. Your website will likely not stand out from the crowd with a free template
You can spend anywhere from weeks to months (even years!) trying to design and build your own site. With premium templates, you’ll just need to upload your content and hit publish

Can You Buy Squarespace Templates?

Yes! A list of my favorite template shops are at the bottom of this post. There are a bunch of absolutely amazing template shops to choose from. These templates are designed and sold by independent web designers. Some premium templates come as “kits”, meaning you’ll be provided with the instructions for how to create the site, but you’ll have to actually put it together yourself. Other premium templates come fully built and will be delivered straight to your Squarespace account within 24 hours. The latter is what I offer in my template shop and is definitely less time-consuming than the DIY kits. But whatever you prefer is totally up to you! Let’s get into the pros and cons below.

Premium Squarespace Templates (Pros & Cons)

PROS —

Also tons of options to choose from!
You’ll be getting creative expertise and technical guidance (from the designer) at an affordable price point
More custom, personalized and unique in comparison to the free templates
Less time consuming because typically all you’ll need to do is upload your content (text and images) because the design is already complete (you may need to edit color and font choices in the Site Styles but still way less time-consuming than designing your entire site on a free template)
Professional, unique designs that are a huge upgrade from the basic, free templates
You still get Squarespace support PLUS the support of the template designer (which is more valuable in my opinion)
Premium templates are designed strategically by experienced designers. Most of these web designers have already been designing custom websites for clients for many years. So they know the techniques required to build high-performing websites
Templates are typically built with content strategy in mind. Meaning that the text content of the template you’ll receive will strategically guide you in writing your own website content
Great for those who are more serious about establishing an authoritative online presence
Ideal for those who are looking for a professional website design, at a lower price point than hiring a custom website designer
Most premium templates will include helpful tips, guides and insider secrets from a professional website designer. For example, my templates include an advanced SEO guide. This guide includes the exact techniques that I provide my SEO clients with that help them land on Google page 1

CONS —

Usually not free, but very affordable!
You shouldn’t switch between templates because the design will be specific to only the original template that it came on

How Do I Find Templates On Squarespace?

There are so many premium template shops to choose from. Here’s a few of my personal favs —

Websites By Elise (me!) I offer Premium Squarespace Templates that are strategically designed to perform well. Plus I include an advanced SEO guide and many other design tips and tricks.
Ghost Plugins. Use promo code WEBSITESBYELISE for 10% off Super Plugins, Templates, and Ghost+ Memberships (1st month)
Squaremuse
Big Cat Creative
BrittaMade
Station Seven
Applet Studio
Skye High Interactive (Use promo code ELISE30 at checkout to receive 30% off)
23&9 Creative