Practical Test of Squarespace: How I Created a Website with the New Features and AI in 60 Minutes
BUSINESS
As a self-employed entrepreneur and founder of FEMPRENEUR, I’ve often faced the challenge of creating a professional website that not only looks great but also perfectly represents my brand. With limited time and technical know-how, this can quickly become overwhelming. But when I heard about Squarespace’s new Refresh 2024 product update, I was immediately curious. They promised AI-powered tools that would make the process not only easier but also more creative. My mission: build a completely new website in just 60 minutes. Let’s see if that works!
Domain Creation & Creative Business Name in Seconds
I started my experiment from scratch - no domain and no business name. Luckily, Squarespace offers an AI-powered business name generator. After briefly describing my idea, the AI quickly suggested creative names, and I found the perfect one in no time.
The domain registration process was just as simple: I entered my desired domain, and Squarespace immediately checked its availability. Within a few clicks, the domain was secured. Existing domains can also be easily transferred. This allowed me to jump straight into creating my test website, thanks to the 14-day free trial.
Website Creation with AI
With one click on “Create Your Own Website” I got started right away. First, I selected the core theme of my site, then I specified what I wanted to achieve with the website - e.g., “sell products” or “offer online courses”.
Then came the question of how I wanted to create the website: with an AI assistant or a pre-made template? Even though over 160 beautiful templates were available, I was curious and opted for the AI assistant.
AI-Assisted Design Kit
The new Squarespace Blueprint AI from Squarespace greeted me right away and guided me step-by-step through creating my website. It felt like having a personal web designer by my side - only this one is available 24/7.
In just under five minutes, the basic structure of my website was ready. Everything was perfectly aligned, and I didn’t have to worry about details like colors or fonts. Of course, the content still needed to be adjusted, but I was impressed by how fast and easy it all was.
Layout Switcher and Themes
Even though I was satisfied with the initial design, I still wanted to experiment a bit. This is where the new Layout Switcher came into play. In just a few clicks, I could change the entire design of my website and try out different layouts - without constantly having to re-enter the content.
The Creative Boost from AI
What really impressed me during this process was the combination of human creativity and AI tools. Squarespace’s design intelligence doesn’t take over the thinking - it supports you and offers inspiring ideas that I might not have considered otherwise.
For instance, in the content section, I was able to generate texts for my homepage with just a few clicks, which were not only consistent but also aligned with my brand. This saved me a lot of time without feeling like I was losing control of the creative process.
Refinements and Business Tools
Once the design of my website was in place, I focused on Squarespace’s business tools. The new features, like customer invoices and memberships, are real game-changers for self-employed people.
In just a few minutes, I set up a professional invoicing system to bill my services directly. I also added a membership option, allowing my clients to access exclusive content - perfect for monetizing content.
Creating Online Courses Made Easy
Creating an online course was surprisingly easy as well. With just a few clicks, I could upload videos, structure chapters, and design an appealing user interface. I chose the subscription model, which is completely commission-free. Thanks to the integrated marketing tools, I can also promote my course directly.
Analytics
Of course, I also need insights into my KPIs, like clicks or conversions, to see how my website and products are performing and to identify potential areas for improvement.
For this, Squarespace offers its Analytics tool, which provides detailed insights into traffic and user behavior on my website. I can see where visitors come from, which pages are the most popular, and how they navigate my site.
Conclusion: A Professional Website in One Hour
After 60 minutes, my website was up and running - with a professional design, appropriate content, and all the features I needed for my business. The new Squarespace features, especially the AI integration, made the entire process much easier. What impressed me the most was how perfectly the tools are tailored to the needs of self-employed individuals.
Whether it’s membership models, e-commerce, blogs, online courses, or appointment scheduling - everything is available in one place. And invoicing, email marketing, or BioSites (link-in-bio pages) for social media? All of that can be done directly through Squarespace, without complicated technology.
The intuitive drag-and-drop editor makes it super easy to add new features, which both my clients and my revenue will appreciate.
In just one hour, my site was ready for launch. Of course, fine-tuning takes a little more time, depending on the complexity. Still, I was amazed at how quickly I was able to create a professional, attractive website - without being a tech expert.
Squarespace is fun, easy to use, and offers creative templates. I definitely recommend it! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced web designer, it’s worth trying!
If you’re considering creating a website, there’s no better time. With Squarespace, you can easily design a professional online presence - whether for an online shop, courses, or appointment bookings.
By the way, you can create your test website for free with the 14-day trial - only when you publish the site do costs apply.
Website: https://squarespace.com