If your blog is bread and butter, you better make sure it’s baked into a decent website. Categorize your posts, lay them out in an easy-to-navigate way, and use eye-catching images Being able to split walls of text with is all necessary to keep readers engaged.
square space(opens in new window)(opens in new tab) It’s the go-to website builder for many bloggers thanks to its hundreds of ready-made templates. Equipped with drag-and-drop page design tools, you can quickly and easily create beautiful, functional sites without any coding knowledge. Even better, all of these templates are mobile friendly for SEO purposes. Optimized to help readers find you easily. It may not be as full-featured as a platform like WordPress (more on that later), but it’s a comprehensive solution for those who prioritize convenience, flexibility, and a hands-off approach to site management.
As I wrote before, the hardest part of getting a Squarespace site up and running is deciding on a template. From website metrics to SSL security(opens in new window), e-commerce tools, video storage and more, the platform itself handles the technical details so you can focus on your passion projects. Below you’ll find his Mashable’s guide to choosing the right Squarespace template for your blog (and a selection of his current favorites for 2023).
What are Squarespace Templates?
According to the platform’s support center, Squarespace templates/themes are pre-built demo websites intended to serve as “starting points to inspire site design.”(opens in new window)You can leave it mostly as is, or customize it from top to bottom with different content blocks (text, gallery, etc.) and personalized branding elements (logo, fonts, colors, etc.). Either way, the fact that there are over 230 templates to choose from means that your finished site is very unlikely to look like anyone else’s.
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Squarespace versions 7.0 and 7.1 are two iterations of the platform in use today, and each handles templates slightly differently.
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Version 7.0 Contains 91 templates, customized using the traditional editor and organized into “families”(opens in new window)(opens in new tab)“; Every family contains multiple templates with the same underlying structure, rules, and unique style elements (such as the Brine family).(opens in new window)parallax scroll(opens in new window) effects, etc.). Many Squarespace veterans prefer this version. This is because some of its advanced design features are not yet available in version 7.1, but new users may find it inflexible.
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Released in early 2020, Version 7.1 We got rid of the family categorization and gave all 140+ templates the same basic format and functionality. These are a little more conventional than the version 7.0 templates, but they’re much easier to switch between and you don’t risk losing content when switching.Version 7.1 sites also have the option to build using Fluid Engine(opens in new window)(opens in new tab)Squarespace’s next-generation content editor that comes with an intuitive grid system and more flexible mobile layout options.
technically possible(opens in new window) Please note that moving between both versions of Squarespace requires a complete rebuild and may affect your site’s search rankings. Take advantage of a free 1-day trial(opens in new window)(opens in new tab) If you don’t know which one is right for you. )
What blogging tools does Squarespace offer?
Squarespace lets you experiment with different features(opens in new window) Configuring your blog’s backend regardless of which version of your site you’re running. It includes:
Check out Squarespace’s blogging guide(opens in new window)(opens in new tab) See for tips and best practices on using these settings effectively.
Squarespace also has three apps, two of which are specifically related to bloggers.
Both apps are available for iOS and Android, work on both versions of the platform, and are free with your Squarespace subscription(opens in new window)(opens in new tab)which starts at $16 per month with an annual plan.
Compare Squarespace and WordPress for Blogging
The “Squarespace vs. WordPress” debate often comes up when you start comparing popular website builders. Both have blogging origins dating back to his early 2000s. Today’s trendy picks. There’s no clear winner here, but answering the following questions will make your decision easier.
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Need a free website?select word press.
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Need a super basic website that can be set up in minutes? word press.
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Want an all-in-one package with lots of built-in features and tech support? square space.
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Is your blog visual-oriented?select square space.
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Do you plan to change the design of your blog from time to time? square space (Specifically version 7.1).
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Are you an expert programmer (or someone looking to hire one) who wants to build a fully custom blog with powerful features? Plugin(opens in new window) and premium themes?select word press.
If you’re still lost, take a closer look at the pros and cons of each platform.
How do you choose a Squarespace template for your blog?
Squarespace’s[テンプレート]tab(opens in new window)(opens in new tab) You can sort your library by type: Online Store, Portfolio, Membership, Scheduling, One Page, and of course Blog.(opens in new window)(You can further narrow down your options by sorting by topic like food, travel, fashion, etc.).Customization; technically you can add blog pages(opens in new window)(opens in new tab) Access any template with just a few clicks on the backend.
If you’re having trouble choosing a template, Squarespace recommends dialing in on “specific colors and layouts that appeal to you” instead of focusing on demo content. It may be easier to start with a design that is already close to what your site looks like,” he adds.
Credit: Squarespace / Mashable Composite
Merida(opens in new window)(opens in new tab) The template (on the left) has a magazine-style layout, suitable for quick blogging, but Maca(opens in new window)(opens in new tab) (Right side) should shuffle or remove ecommerce elements to bring the blog page front and center. Sure, you can get a nice looking site from both of them, but one will require more tweaking than the other for this particular purpose.
Keep scrolling to quickly explore nine templates that work extremely well for different kinds of blogs.
Note: Most of our recommendations are from Squarespace version 7.1, but we sprinkle in some options from version 7.0. Templates are labeled accordingly.