How Much Does Each Squarespace Template Cost?

Squarespace Templates Are Free

When you sign up for any Squarespace plan, you get full access to the entire template library. There is no premium tier for templates and no extra charge for specific designs. Every template is available on every plan.

This is a significant advantage over platforms like WordPress, where premium themes can cost anywhere from $30 to $200 or more. With Squarespace, the template cost is built into your subscription.

Customization Costs

If you hire a designer or developer to customize a Squarespace template beyond what the built-in editor allows, that is where costs add up. Professional customizations typically range from a few hundred dollars to $2,000 or more depending on the scope of work.

One important detail: if you switch to a different template later, any custom code or design work tied to the old template may not carry over. You could end up paying for the same type of work twice.

Stock Image Costs

If you need stock images for your site, licensing fees apply. Stock photo licenses typically range from $5 to $200 per image depending on the source, quality, and usage rights.

Never use images without proper licensing. Copyright holders and their legal representatives actively search for unauthorized use, and the penalties go well beyond the original license fee. They include the standard rate plus legal costs and additional damages.

Any image found online can be copyright-protected. Only use images you have created yourself, have explicit permission to use, or have purchased a license for.

Hosting and Plan Costs

Squarespace is an all-in-one platform, so hosting is included in your subscription. You do not need to buy hosting separately. Different plans and pricing tiers offer varying features, so choose the one that fits your needs.

Understanding Squarespace Pricing Tiers

What the Tiers Include

Squarespace plans differ in features like ecommerce tools, bandwidth, and contributor access. Higher-tier plans include advanced features like abandoned cart recovery and product subscriptions. Basic plans cover everything most small sites and blogs need.

If you are building an online store, choosing a plan with advanced ecommerce features is important for supporting payment gateways and shopping cart functionality.

Seasonal Discounts

Squarespace regularly runs promotions, especially during Black Friday, the new year, and back-to-school periods. These sales can knock 20-30% off annual plans. Signing up for the Squarespace newsletter alerts you to upcoming deals.

Tips for Keeping Template Costs Low

Balance Cost and Design Quality

Since Squarespace templates are free, your main cost decision is whether to hire someone for customization. Before paying for custom work, explore the built-in design tools -- the Style Editor, custom fonts, color palettes, and layout options cover a lot of ground.

Check Community Reviews

The Squarespace community forum and third-party review sites can help you find templates that work well for your type of site. Learning from other users' experiences saves you time and helps avoid templates that look good in previews but perform poorly in practice.

Think Long-Term

Pick a template that can grow with your business. A flexible template that adapts to changing needs saves you from paying for redesigns later. Consider how the template handles new pages, different content types, and future features you might want.

Third-Party Premium Templates

While Squarespace's own templates are free, third-party designers sell premium Squarespace templates through marketplaces like Etsy and independent sites. These typically cost $50 to $300 and offer more unique designs or niche-specific layouts. If you go this route, make sure the template is compatible with the latest version of Squarespace.