Website Templates vs. Custom Design: What’s right for you?
Feeling unsure about which website path is right for you?
Whether you're dreaming of a polished DIY site or craving hands-on support with every pixel, you’ve got options… and that’s a very good thing. This post breaks down the two main ways I help clients build beautiful Squarespace websites (plus how to choose the right platform if you're still deciding).
From budget-friendly Website Template Kits to fully custom website design support, I’ll walk you through what each one includes, who it’s for, and how to know which is the best fit for where you are right now. ✨
Website Template Kits: The DIY Approach:
What’s a Website Template Kit?
A Website Template Kit is a ready-to-go design that gets installed directly onto your own Squarespace account. You customize it using my step-by-step video tutorials, and then launch your new site when you're ready. What separates my Website Template Kits from other website templates online is that this kit is truly an all-in-one solution for your brand, social, and website. Get #allthethings: A plug and play logo design, set of icons, color palette, brand fonts, stock imagery, copywriting prompts, a Squarespace Website Template and instagram graphics created in Canva to keep your instagram marketing consistent and on brand. All of this in a budget-friendly package without sacrificing quality. The best part? You can get started today.
Who is a Website Template Kit for?
If you’re just starting out and want to take matters into your own hands, a Website Template Kit is a budget-friendly solution that lets you build your brand at your own pace. It’s perfect for business owners who are willing to roll up their sleeves, follow clear guidance, and want to launch a site they’re proud of—without breaking the bank.
Most of my students work on their site a few hours a week and launch within a month. Some even knock it out over a long weekend! You’ll have lifetime access to the tutorials and 6 months of a free Squarespace trial, so you can work around your own schedule.
What’s included in a Website Template Kit?
With a Website Template Kit purchase you’ll get a plug and play logo design, set of icons, color palette, brand fonts, stock imagery, copywriting prompts, a Squarespace Website Template and instagram graphics created in Canva to keep your instagram marketing consistent and on brand.
The built-in pages you’ll receive include:
Main Pages:
Home, About, Services, Free Resources, Contact
Extra Pages:
Sales Page (long-form), Media Page, Blog, Podcast Page, Freebie Page, The Shop, Instagram Links, Custom 404 Page
The Pros and Considerations:
Pros:
Affordable price point
Full branding + website solution in one
Easy to customize and launch quickly
Can be upgraded later with Design Days or The Awakened Brand
Considerations:
You’ll be doing the manual work (tutorials make it easy, promise!)
Best suited for resourceful and self-motivated business owners
Custom Website Design work:
What is custom website design work?
Within The Aligned Website package I offer custom website design, where I create the site for you—tailored to your vision, offers, and customer journey. From unique layouts to personalized features, every detail is thoughtfully designed and implemented. Whether you need three sales pages or a homepage video, I make it happen. I also handle all the tech: contact forms, pop-ups, freebie delivery, and more.
You’ll receive personalized copy guidance, a completely custom Squarespace site, and a supportive process from start to finish.
Who is custom website design work for?
This is a great fit if you’re ready to invest time, energy, and resources into building a site that fully represents your brand. You might be a newer business owner or someone who's been around a while—the key is that you're excited and ready to collaborate.
Also, if you already have an existing Squarespace site that needs a refresh, custom work is often the best route so we can protect your existing SEO and links while upgrading the design.
What’s included in custom website design work?
Inside of the Aligned Website Package you’ll receive
Website Questionnaire + 1 hour Discovery Call so I can get to know you and your target market.
Copywriting Prompts and 2 hour Copy Call for Copy Guidance
Squarespace Website custom to your needs (home, about, services, long format sales page, shop page, blog or podcast page and free resources page)
Mobile Optimized
Email Software setup
Domain setup support
Contact forms and Client Onboarding tech stack consulting
Customer Journey/Flow Consulting
Photography Photoshoot Guidance and Stock Imagery Selections
SEO Foundations using Squarespace’s Checklist and referrals for professional SEO partners for ongoing SEO work
The Sundai Studio Squarespace Tutorial Library
Pros and Considerations:
Pros:
You get a true partner for strategy, tech, design, and flow
Full customization for your unique offers and content
Hands-off for you in terms of setup and implementation
Considerations:
Custom websites require a higher financial and energetic investment
You’ll need time to review materials and provide assets (it often forces you create that new freebie idea!)
A larger investment compared to templates—but a strategic, long-term one. Plus payment plans are always available.
Most likely, you’ll also need to add on a Design Day or The Awakened Brand package to sort out your logo design and branding before you can jump into the website, which can add a bit more time to your overall project timeline.
An important note: I never want anyone to actually overdraft their account to pay for a website. If custom work isn’t in the cards right now, the Website Template Kits in the Sundai Shop are a wonderful alternative.
Choosing your website platform (and why I recommend squarespace)
There are lots of platforms to choose from: WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Showit… but here’s why I typically recommend Squarespace for coaches, therapists, and service-based businesses:
It’s easy to use and beginner-friendly
It offers beautiful design flexibility
It requires no plugins, patches, or monthly tech headaches
Great customer support, and secure from bugs or hackers
Let’s break down some of the others:
Wix: Budget-friendly but glitchy. Fewer design options and harder to scale.
Shopify: Great for product-based businesses. Not ideal for service providers.
WordPress: Powerful for bloggers but expensive and hard to manage. Plugins = extra cost and maintenance.
Showit: High design flexibility but not as easy to use. Blog/podcast needs separate WordPress setup.
Kajabi/Podia: Great if you’re already running a course-heavy business. Fewer design options, but efficient and smart for lean business models.
Squarespace: Beautiful, intuitive, and built for service-based businesses. For most of my clients, it's the best all-around choice.
Building Your Team for a Website Redesign
If your budget allows, it can be so helpful to work with a designer, copywriter, and photographer together. But if that’s not feasible, don’t worry—you can absolutely make magic with a smaller team.
You might:
Hire a designer and DIY your copy with my provided templates
Work with a designer + copywriter, but use your existing imagery for your website redesign
Or go all in and hire all three
No matter what combo you choose, I’ve seen stunning websites come together. Truly.
Next steps? Look up pricing for each expert you’re considering, trust your gut, and book free discovery calls. You’ll start building your dream team in no time.
Ready to get started?
Start shopping Website Template kits if that’s what feeling exciting or Book a Free Consult Call if custom website design feels like something you want to explore.
Website projects are exciting! I’ve seen firsthand how downright rejuvenating it can be for your business.
After working with Sundai Studio…
✨Ali quadrupled her monthly revenue…
✨Dessa booked a podcast interview…
✨Maddie made her first course sale…
✨Tori increased her opt-in rate by 40%...
✨Jen’s instagram post went viral…
That's the power of an aligned brand and a business owner who is excited about marketing.
That’s it! Whether you’re a client reading this or you’re someone on the internet looking for some guidance, I hope this blogpost feels supportive for wherever you are in the process.
If we haven’t met yet, I’m Jena Thielges a Brand and Website Designer. I specialize in working with women who are coaches, therapists, healers and service providers. Founded in 2019 on seven years of agency experience, Sundai Studio is more than a brand and web design studio—it’s your energy, embodied in design. Because even your branding should feel aligned.
Check out my offers here and get in touch if you’re ready to book a free consult call!
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