DIY: Website
After my website refresh | June 2020
Website Homepage in January of 2019
I’d been wanting to redo my website but wasn’t sure where to start. I’d been following @bigcatcreative on Instagram for a while and decided to invest in a website template. It was SO easy and my site is incredible! I wanted to create a site that was at the same high quality of my design work. After using a free template for a couple years and being unsatisfied with it, I finally feel like my website accurately depicts my brand because of my template investment!
*Please note that this blog post does include some affiliate links, meaning that I do make a small commission if you make a purchase. Thank you for helping to support my business.
When I decided to give my website a refresh, I decided to invest in a template! I began shopping around for some website templates and there were three different features that I was looking for:
The biggest requirement I had for my website template was that I needed to be able to change things when I needed to. I am constantly updating my shop, adding new projects to my portfolio, writing blog posts, and making general updates to my site. I needed to be able to make these changes whenever I needed to and that’s one big reason why I decided to go with a template instead of hiring out.
As a designer, branding is so important to me and I needed my website to be cohesive and on brand. Using a template allows you to customize each part of your site by adding in your own fonts, brand colors, icons, boarders, etc. The template teaches you how to use import these elements and helps you determine the size that your files should be.
The last requirement pertains to budget. Ideally, I wanted to keep my website refresh under $500. This template was only $150 and is worth every penny. (If you do not already have a website, you’ll need to purchase a domain, website plan, a commerce plan if you plan on being a shop, etc. The $150 that I mentioned before covers the cost of your template).
General Information
The templates from Big Cat Creative are for Squarespace!
They are $150 each.
The templates are responsive (meaning they work on both desktop and various screen sizes).
FAQ’s:
How long did it take you?
It took me a couple days to get the bulk of my site but together; however, the final touches weren’t finished for about a week. For me personally, I rely on my website for my business so I wanted to speed up the time that it would be “under construction.” That being said, I worked on it consistently for about a week. You can go at your own pace and take as much time as you need. Additionally, depending on how much information or pages you’ll have, you may need more time to write website copy, take photos, upload projects, etc.
What does my purchase include?
The template from Big Cat Creative includes step by step instructions on how to build your website, start to finish. There are video tutorials and resources to help you DIY your website!
Do I need to know how to code?
No, you do not! There’s no coding required and everything you need to know is taught through the video tutorials.
Which template do you have?
I purchased the Sophie template! I was contemplating purchasing the Lacey but ended up with the Sophie and I’m so thrilled!
How do I choose a template?
Big Cat Creative has a variety of templates to choose from and I don’t think you can go wrong! When I was deciding on which template, I asked some friends and family to see which one was “more me.” Ask your loved ones and trust your gut; however, they are so customizable that you’ll be able to create your perfect site no matter which one you choose!
Is it compatible with Squarespace 7.0 or 7.1?
There are website templates for both Squarespace versions!
What is your favorite part of your site?
I honestly love how on brand it is now! Before it was so plain and boring but it’s now beautiful and so much more interesting to look at.
How has your website refresh changed your business?
Having a website that is at the same level as my design work is so comforting. I feel confident directing people to my website and I have noticed an increase in sales and bookings. It looks and feels more professional and there’s more content on it. The more content you have, the longer people will stay on your site. I highly recommend Big Cat Creative’s Squarespace templates if you’re looking to build your website!