How to create a blog post template on Squarespace

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After you do a thing a thousand times you start to learn ways to lessen the work associated with it, and that's exactly what I've done with my blog posts.

I've written more than 200 posts now, and I've got a system to make the act of creating the post layout itself much simpler so that I spend more time on the content itself than the design layout for it.

And today I'm sharing those tried & true methods with you!

Because Wordpress, Showit, and the like have more of a rigid blog content setup than Squarespace has, and like it or not, sometimes it’s always good to start with a structure for something like this since you DON'T want your readers to be surprised by the layout of each post. You DO want them to get familiar with the layout so they know what to expect & find each post easy to read through.

But how does one create a template for Squarespace blog posts? They don’t support that, …right?

Technically no, –but it’s easy to do if ya think outside the box!

This also works for anything else you can templatize within Squarespace, like adding events, adding new podcast episodes, or video post notes (using a Blog collection) if you don’t do written blogs. It even works with portfolio pages in 7.1’s Portfolio collection. Get creative with it!

Here are 2 quick & easy methods to create your own template, and how to re-use it for new posts going forward. (And a bonus ‘how-to’ in the video below!)

Don’t forget to read through the things to remember too, for a post checklist, a list of must-haves for every post, and a bonus how-to for setting up a sidebar in your posts!

Create a blog post template in Squarespace

Method #1

Create a reusable draft layout.

Start with a blank slate, add all the elements you want each post to have, then save but DON’T publish it. Keep it as a “Draft.”

Next time you go to create a new post, simply click the ••• on that post in the list, click Duplicate, then edit & publish the copy of that draft instead.

Method #2

Duplicate a post you’ve already published.

If there’s a post you’ve already published that had a layout you love & want to reuse, by all means, reuse it!

You can do essentially the same thing as Method #1 with any post that’s already been posted. Simply click the ••• on that post in the list, click Duplicate, then edit & publish the copy of that post instead.

Things to remember...

Per-post checklist:

• always edit the post title

• always add a pin-able image to the post

• sprinkle in links to related posts where applicable

• update any CTA links or buttons

• in the settings for that post, always update:

  • the thumbnail image
    (the image that shows up as the banner in some templates, and the image that shows when you share the post link)

  • URL slug
    (ie: yourdomain.com/blog/url-slug-for-this-post-goes-here)

  • categories & tags
    (yes, use both! More on that over here.)

  • SEO settings
    (an appropriate title & description, to make it easier for people to find in related Google searches)

5 things each post should always have:

1. a pin-able image:
   add at least one, if you have more, stick ‘em at the bottom of the post to keep them out of the way of your super-duper content

2. an intro with some relatable content:
   preferably a story about you & something you struggled with related to the content so readers know you’ve been in their shoes

3. content organization:
   make sure your post is divided up into sections that are easy to read with no loooong & boring paragraphs. Break it up with headlines, checklists, bullets, numbered lists, images, videos, audio, etc

4. A call-to-action button related to the content:
   this is a great way to make every post actionable for your readers & encourage them to do something, whether it’s going to grab a freebie they’ll find really helpful or buying your product, –make the ask.

5. a list of similar posts:
   Summary blocks are great for this! Learn more about how to set up a relevant set of posts using Summary Blocks over here!

Sidebars are helpful, but can also be distracting.

You can use this method to add a sidebar to your blog post ‘template,’ but make sure you check out that post before you do, so you’ll know the pros & cons of having one before you implement the idea.

watch the video + 1 bonus method!

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Of course; that’s genius!

After using Squarespace’s blogging platform since 2016 I’ve learned a thing or two. 😉

Wanna soak in some more tips & tricks? Follow along!

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