Creating your own Squarespace template is a powerful way to stand out, whether you're a designer, developer, or brand strategist. This guide walks you on how to create Squarespace templates and customize them using both visual tools and Developer Mode, with tips for structure, layout, and branding.
Understanding Squarespace Template Structure
Squarespace templates are made up of a combination of page layouts, style settings, and code files (when using Developer Mode). While most users rely on built-in designs, advanced customization is possible by understanding how a template is structured.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Pages & Layouts | Organize content through index pages, galleries, blogs, and products. |
| Style Editor | Customize fonts, colors, spacings, and more visually without coding. |
| Blocks | Add and configure content sections like text, images, videos, etc. |
| Developer Mode | Access raw code and template files to fully control theme behavior. |
How to Create a New Template in Squarespace
While Squarespace doesn’t allow you to upload completely new templates directly, you can create highly customized designs by starting from a base and modifying it.
- Choose a starting template. Select a Squarespace 7.1 template that best aligns with your intended structure.
- Enable Developer Mode. Go to Settings → Advanced → Developer Mode to gain full code access.
- Download and install the local development tools. Use Git and the Squarespace Developer Platform CLI to pull down the template.
- Edit code locally. Customize HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and JSON configuration files.
- Push changes live. Sync your local codebase with your Squarespace website for live updates.
Designing Templates in Squarespace: Best Practices
Whether you're using the visual editor or code, here are best practices for custom Squarespace template design:
- Focus on responsiveness. Use flexible grids and media queries to ensure a responsive Squarespace template layout.
- Maintain branding consistency. Match colors, typography, and voice across pages.
- Balance visuals and performance. Avoid overusing heavy animations or oversized images.
- Use reusable section layouts. This improves scalability and design consistency.
- Test across devices. Always preview your design on mobile, tablet, and desktop.
Exploring Template Customization Options
Squarespace offers several ways to customize templates without touching code:
Style editor
- Modify fonts, colors, and spacings
- Control button styles and image overlays
Section-based design
- Add premade sections like testimonials, contact forms, or portfolios
- Reorder or duplicate sections to build unique page flows
Custom CSS
- Apply unique design tweaks via Design → Custom CSS
- Style specific elements using class or ID selectors
Page-level settings
- Enable/disable headers, footers, and banners per page
- Adjust metadata and SEO fields
Advanced Template Editing in Squarespace
When basic tools aren't enough, you can explore advanced customization through code.
- Use JSON-T configuration files to control layout and block structure dynamically.
- Edit region and block injection points for conditional content rendering.
- Integrate third-party services like Shopify buy buttons, booking forms, or analytics scripts.
- Override default styles with SCSS or modular CSS frameworks.
Can You Upload Custom Templates to Squarespace?
You cannot upload .zip templates like WordPress themes. However, with Developer Mode, you effectively create and manage your own themes within the Squarespace platform.
Here’s what you can upload or sync via Git:
- Template files: .region, .block, .config, .json
- Stylesheets: .scss or .css
- JavaScript behavior files
- Static assets like images, SVGs, or fonts
Branding with Squarespace Templates
Creating a strong brand through template design involves more than aesthetics. Here’s what to focus on:
Logo placement. Make sure the logo is visible on every page, ideally top-left or center.
Color psychology. Use a palette that aligns with your brand tone—calm, vibrant, premium, etc.
Typography consistency. Stick to 1–2 font families that reflect your personality.
Imagery. Use high-resolution images with consistent style (filters, subjects, lighting).
Voice and copy. Keep messaging tone consistent across headers, CTAs, and descriptions.
Useful Links
Developer Tools – Learn how to enable Developer Mode and access the Squarespace Developer Platform for advanced template customization.
Using the CSS Editor – This guide explains how to apply custom CSS to style fonts, colors, and backgrounds beyond Squarespace's built-in options.
Changing Colors – Learn how to choose a color palette for your site and apply specific colors to different page sections.
Adding Custom Code to Your Site – Understand how to add custom code to your Squarespace site for additional functionality and design options.
Code-Based Customizations – Explore how to use code to customize your Squarespace site beyond the standard settings.
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Conclusion
The idea of how to design Squarespace templates — whether for personal projects or clients — combines creativity and technical skills. From customizing visuals to coding in Developer Mode, there are powerful tools to help you build a responsive Squarespace template layout tailored to your brand. Remember, while uploading custom templates isn’t supported in the traditional sense, the platform offers extensive template customization options to achieve almost any design goal.
