How to Use Templates Without Looking Generic

Here’s the good news: because we’re using Squarespace, the hard part’s already done for you.

The templates are clean, modern, and mobile-ready right out of the box. You can move pages and menus around with a drag-and-drop. You can even connect your domain in a couple of clicks. And if you mess something up? Undo is always just one step away.

That’s why I picked Squarespace, it saves you from hours of Googling how to fix your footer.

But here’s the question everyone asks: “If I’m using a template, won’t my site look like everyone else’s?”

Not if you use it the right way.

Why Templates Aren’t the Enemy

Templates aren’t what make a site look generic. What makes a site look generic is when creators leave them on autopilot, keeping all the default photos, filler text, and layouts.

A template is just a starting point, like an empty house. Whether it feels “cookie cutter” or not depends entirely on what you put inside.

How to Make a Template Feel Like Yours

You don’t need to be a designer. Just focus on a few simple tweaks that make a big difference:

• Swap the filler images for your own. Even a few real photos of you, your work, or your process instantly make the site personal.

• Keep fonts and colors simple, but consistent. Stick to 2–3 colors and one or two fonts. That consistency makes your brand feel polished without over-designing.

• Rearrange what you don’t need. Squarespace makes it easy to delete sections or move blocks around so the site reflects your flow—not the template’s default.

• Focus on clarity over cleverness. Rename menu items with simple, direct labels: Home, Blog, Join, About. Nobody wins an award for mysterious navigation.

Avoid the Over-Customization Trap

The danger isn’t looking generic, it’s wasting weeks over-customizing. Endless font swaps, color experiments, and layout tweaks won’t build your business.

A simple, clean site that’s live is always better than a “perfect” site that never launches.

Closing Thought

Squarespace (or any good platform) gives you templates that handle the heavy lifting: mobile design, clean layouts, built-in blogging, and easy navigation.

Your job isn’t to reinvent the design, it’s to make small, personal tweaks so the template reflects you without slowing you down.

That’s how you launch fast, look professional, and avoid getting stuck in design quicksand.