5 Simple (and easy!) Steps to Building Your Squarespace Website
If you want to build an online business and work from anywhere, then my friend you must have a website! I know for some, starting from scratch can be overwhelming and with today’s blog post, I hope to break it down into 5 simple (and easy!) steps for you when it comes to not online building an website but doing it with Squarespace.
I absolutely love using Squarespace. They make it so easy as the creator to build myself exactly what I need without having to get too techy with code. Although, I have used some custom code injections on my site (that was super simple and easy to do!) but I’ll share that in a later post.
One of the main challenges I see people face when just starting out is knowing where to start when it comes to building their website. If you've ever built a site before or are in the process of doing it right now, then you know the type of overwhelm that can hit when you open up your laptop and begin to work on it.
Especially if you've just gotten home from a long day at your full-time job and you're already a little it tired. Your brain is fatigued and it doesn't want to think more than is needs to.
My goal is to provide you with a clear path and actionable steps on how to build your website from layout, to content and more. I'll be referencing Squarespace because that is the platform I use but if you decide to go with Wordpress, there is still relatable information in today's show.
Before we dive in…
I'm going to assume that you've already selected your domain and purchased it. If you have not and are stalling because you're waiting to find the "perfect domain", you're buffering. Stick with your gut and make a decision on which domain you want to use. If it helps, you can always change down the road if you absolutely need to.
One of the biggest ways I see people stall themselves when building a site is to go straight from nothing to desiring the best ever website they've built or scene. Meaning, they just jump right in. Doing this is what creates overwhelm because it is hard to know exactly what you want to do with your site and what you need to do at each step.
I want to look at your website as your home and you are the tour guide.
Step 1 - Identify What You Like
First, if you have zero clue as to how you want your website to look, I encourage you to browse other websites in your industry and see which ones you like. You want to understand what it is that you like about them and why you're attracted to those types of websites.
Different types of businesses will have different types of layouts for their website. A blog vs an online product shop vs an online service based business will be different from one to the next.
This will help you avoid overwhelm.
Step 2 - Write Copy for Your 3 Most Important Pages
My friend Jacqeline Fisch, who was on the She Did It Her Way podcast in episode 320 (click here to listen) shared that to help avoid overwhelm when first building your site, to focus on writing copy for 3 main pages; About Me, Sales and Landing page.
Sales Page -This is a page solely for your offerings. Jacq has a great blog post on "15 writing prompts for a sales page that does its job." Let's say you're not sure about what you're selling, it would still be helpful to consider understanding what goes into a sales page that way you can inspire yourself to take action in understanding what it is that you want to offer.
About Me Page - This page is so important. It is one of the most visited pages on your website. You have to assume that most of the traffic to your website is new so therefore, people visiting for the first time know nothing about you. Your “About Me” page should tell a story about your journey, why you're doing what you're doing and how you help people "Just like You" as in the visitor. You want to assume that those visiting your site are your ideal custom avatar. This goes back to being a great tour guide. Jacq also has a great post on help you craft standout about me page, click here.
Landing Page - It is any page where website visitors land when they first reach your site. Your landing page could be your sales page.
Before trying to write these in Squarespace, I want you to open up a GoogleDoc or Evernote, and write them there first. The whole purpose is to help breakdown this entire process into bite sizable chunks so that you avoid overwhelm and execute.
Give yourself 30 minutes to write the first draft for each page. Then take a day or two break before going back and completing them.
Step 3 - Select Your Squarespace Template
Because you did step 1, you already have a sense of the type of website template you are looking for. When you select the template you want to work in you'll have the option of using their default fonts or setting the fonts to whatever you'd like and color palette. If you chose to not use their default fonts, theres an easy way to play around with fonts that I’ll share in step 4. Again, this is all to avoid overwhelm and procrastination.
Site Design:
Login to your Squarespace account. Click “Design.”
Click “Site Styles”
Customize Site Styles:
Step 4 - Customize (Fonts/Color Palette/Photos)
If you decide you want to use different set of fonts and color palette, you can easily create your own. One way I recommend in doing so is using a great software called Canva. In Canva you can create your own “Brand Kit” where you can play around with different colors and see what groups of colors you like together. You can also do this with fonts.
Create a folder with photos you want to use for your site that way they are readily accessible.
Step 5 - Build Your Site
Install your template.
Delete any pages you don't plan on using.
Create the pages you want. Remember focus on just the main three; sales, about me and landing page.
Update the color palette and fonts
Final thoughts:
Other key things to have on your site when you go live:
Privacy Policy - this is extremely important because you're collecting data when a user comes to your site AND when they put sign up for your opt-in using their email address
Terms of Service - this is for because you're selling services
Cookie Policy
Disclaimer - if using affiliate links
