The first time someone paid me to build their website, I was sitting on my dorm bed, juggling a design brief, a half-eaten Cup Noodles, and about 15 open Chrome tabs. I wasn’t a computer science major; I was a design student who lost sleep over fonts and knew just enough coding to get by (thank you, MySpace). It started as a way to make extra cash, but I quickly fell in love with the process. There’s something so satisfying about organizing content and making it not just functional, but beautiful.
Like a lot of beginners, I hit a wall early on. I had ideas, but I didn’t have the coding skills to bring them to life. That changed when I discovered Squarespace. Suddenly, I could make custom changes—everything from layouts to design details—without needing to know how to code. Since then, I’ve built 32 websites, every single one on Squarespace. Spoiler alert: I’m not switching anytime soon.
Squarespace is a website builder that lets you design and launch a professional-looking site—no coding required. With sleek templates, intuitive drag-and-drop tools, and built-in features like blogging, e-commerce, and analytics, it makes the whole process feel less like tech setup and more like creative play.
It’s the platform I reach for because it handles the backend stuff seamlessly, so I can stay focused on design. Whether you’re a total beginner or someone who just wants to save time, Squarespace gives you everything you need to build a site that looks custom, fast.
Whether you’re building your first website or designing for a client, Squarespace makes it easy to get started and even easier to make it look great. I always begin by wireframing the homepage—a rough sketch using placeholder text and images to block out the layout. Squarespace makes this step super approachable, even for beginners, with tools that help you see your ideas come to life without any coding.
You can also save sections as reusable blocks, which saves time and keeps everything consistent. Once the layout’s set, I just swap in the real content and polish the design. The backend is so intuitive that most clients can manage their own site after a quick tutorial. And if you want more customization, it’s there. I’ve built collage-style banners and custom layouts myself, no developer needed.
How to build a site on Squarespace
If I were building a new site tomorrow, here’s exactly how I’d approach it:
Choose a template that fits the vibe. Palmer and Clune are some of my go-tos for clean, modern layouts.
Wireframe the homepage with placeholder text (Lorem Ipsum is your friend!) and visually block out the structure.
Save key sections as reusable blocks. This keeps your design consistent and makes it a breeze to build out new pages without starting from scratch.
Add real content and brand elements like color, fonts, and imagery.
Preview and tweak the mobile version. Since that’s where most people will view your site anyway.
My favorite Squarespace features (and how you can use them)
Once you’ve got the basics of your site set up, customization is where the fun really begins—and Squarespace gives you tools that anyone can use to make a site feel professional and unique. Here are a few standout features you’ll want to know about:
Mobile Editor View: Since most visitors will be on their phones, you can preview and adjust the mobile version of your site so it looks just as good as desktop—no extra tech skills required.
Built-In Payments: Whether you’re selling products, offering services, or taking deposits, you can set up secure payments directly on your site without third-party apps.
Scheduling (powered by Acuity): Perfect if you’re a coach, consultant, or small business owner—clients can book and pay for appointments in one place, saving you time.
Analytics & SEO Tools: Even if you’re not an SEO expert, Squarespace shows you what’s working—like which pages get the most traffic—so you can make smarter decisions about your content.
Reusable Content Blocks: Create things like testimonials, contact forms, or CTAs once, then repurpose them across multiple pages to keep your site cohesive and polished.
With these features, you can run almost every aspect of your business in one place—whether that means showcasing your work, selling products, offering services, or sharing content.
My advice for beginners
Building a website can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not a designer. But trust me, you do not need a design degree or any coding experience to start with Squarespace. I actually encourage my clients to DIY their site first. It helps them see what’s working and what isn’t, and gives them a clearer sense of what their brand really needs.
Sometimes, they end up loving what they built and never hire a designer. That’s a total win in my book. Start simple. Open a Google Doc and outline your site: what pages you need, what content goes where, and how users should move through it. Ask yourself:
What does my ideal visitor need to see first?
What questions or hesitations can I address right away?
What’s the most logical order for my content?
Once you have that map, pick a template, plug in your content, and adjust things until it feels like you. And remember, websites aren’t meant to be perfect on day one. They’re meant to grow with you.
TL;DR
I started building websites in college with no formal training, and now I’ve designed over 30 sites using Squarespace. It’s the one platform that lets me turn creative ideas into custom, professional websites—without needing to hire a developer. From reusable content blocks to built-in SEO tools, it’s easy to use and powerful enough to grow with you. If you’re just starting out, it’s honestly the best place to begin.
Kirra is a Deputy Art Director at The Everygirl, and The Everymom. She leads The Everygirl Media Group’s visual identity and leads a team of talented graphic designers. Her work includes graphics with hand-drawn elements, engaging article graphics that draw you in, and monthly tech backgrounds.
From small community newspapers to country music marketing, Paige has found the most fulfillment in finding and sharing the uniquely human stories that compel an audience. As a Branded Content Editor at The Everygirl, she is able to combine her excitement about women’s issues and pop culture with her editorial skills to create quality content for our brand partners.
