Self Made

The 7 best Squarespace templates for video creators, streamers, and filmmakers

All Squarespace templates support video, but some work better than others.
By Haley Henschel and Stacia Datskovska  on 
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Overview

Best for a portfolio

Lange

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Best for a one-page site

Oranssi

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Best for freelancers

Laurie

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Best for agencies

Nolan

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Best for hosting virtual classes

Passero

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Best for streamers and YouTubers

Otroquest

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Best for an online store

Lexington

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See 2 More

EDITOR'S NOTE: Mashable readers can save 10% on new Squarespace plans with the coupon code MASHABLE10.

Looking to take your filmmaking, video-editing, or streaming talents beyond YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok, or Twitch? A personal website filled with your best work can attract potential clients, grow an audience, and help flesh out your brand. It can even serve as an alternate source of income — especially with the rollout of Squarespace's new "Courses" feature, which allows you to package your expertise into multimedia lessons and sell it to eager site visitors.

As far as website builders go, Squarespace is a popular pick for creatives because it takes a streamlined approach to site management and design. With pricing starting as low as $16 a month, all of its plans include 24/7 customer support, unlimited bandwidth, performance metrics, SEO features, ecommerce tools, and SSL security. It also maintains a huge library of stylish, mobile-optimized website templates that are easily customized using drag-and-drop page elements; you don't need any coding experience to create a visually stunning site that runs smoothly.

Better yet, every single Squarespace template supports video.

Truthfully (and depending on how decisive you are), this could be a blessing or a curse. On the one hand, you've got so many templates to choose from — over 240, to be more specific. On the other hand, you've got so many templates to choose from that it can be hard to pick one, especially if you're still not sure exactly how you want your site to look.

After reviewing dozens of templates, we put together this guide to choosing the best Squarespace templates for video and a roundup of our current favorites. So, if you're a filmmaker, streamer, vlogger, or video creator of any kind, check out the stylish templates below.

What is a Squarespace template?

A Squarespace template or theme is a pre-built demo website that'll serve as "a starting point to help inspire your site's design," according to the brand's support center. You can leave that website mostly as-is and simply repackage the demo content with your own branding, or give it a top-to-bottom makeover with different colors, font packs, layouts, and content blocks — it all depends on how unique you want your site to be (and how much time and effort you feel like investing in its design).

Templates work differently depending on the version of Squarespace you're running. You've got two options as of 2023:

  • Squarespace version 7.0 contains 91 templates sorted into different "families" that share the same fixed structure and formatting options. Some experienced Squarespace designers prefer using this version because a handful of its advanced functionalities still aren't available in the newer one (the Brine template family's parallax scrolling effect, for example), but the inability to mix and match features from different families can make it feel inflexible and frustrating.

  • Squarespace version 7.1 merged all 140-plus of its templates into one family, so all of them share the same features and style elements. The demo designs wind up looking a little more homogenous, but the trade-off is that you can easily switch between templates without risking content loss. Version 7.1 templates can also be built out using Fluid Engine (new as of mid-2022), Squarespace's next-gen, grid-based content editor; it offers more flexibility for block placements and layout options compared to the platform's Classic Editor.

Some fine print: It's technically possible to move from version 7.0 to version 7.1, but that usually involves a manual rebuild and a potential hit to your site's search ranking on Google. If you're not sure which version you should use, go ahead and boot up Squarespace's free 14-day trial — that'll let you explore both before locking in a paid plan.

Remember to use the code MASHABLE10 to save 10% on your paid membership.

How do you add video to a Squarespace site?

You can add videos to your site in three different ways, which also depend on the version of Squarespace you're running.

  1. Embed videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Animoto, or Wistia using a URL or embed code. This works with video blocks, embed blocks, gallery blocks, gallery pages, cover pages, lock screen backgrounds, and some banners and product pages (depending on the template family) in version 7.0, and with videos pages, video blocks, embed blocks, section backgrounds, lock screen backgrounds, and some gallery blocks (depending on the site area) in version 7.1. You can even include livestreams from YouTube and Vimeo, but note that they may not work after the stream is over depending on your settings.

  2. Upload .mp4, .m4v, or .mov files. Version 7.1 also lets you add clips directly to any video page or section background (up to 5GB or 500MB, respectively). These play on the platform's custom video player and feature editable titles, descriptions, URLs, thumbnails, and metadata. Note that all Squarespace plans come standard with just 30 minutes of high-resolution video storage, but you can upgrade by activating its Member Sites feature for an extra fee. (More on that in a sec.)

  3. Swap static images for animated .gif files. Sound-free GIFs that play and loop automatically can go anywhere on your site where images are supported, including image blocks, banners, and gallery blocks. Both versions of Squarespace give you this option.

This one comes with an important caveat as well, which is that Squarespace doesn't include any video metrics in its analytics tab. Plays of embedded videos may add to your total view count, but you'll have to contact your host (e.g., YouTube) for more intel.

What other video tools does Squarespace offer?

Squarespace has launched a few cool video-related tools within the past couple of years, one being the aforementioned Member Sites feature (previously called Member Areas, FYI). Add it to your plan for as low as $9 a month to unlock more video storage (10 or more hours, to be exact) and the ability to gate certain content on your site, including virtual workshops, tutorials, packages, newsletters, and (as of August 2023) full-fledged courses. It makes a good in-house alternative (or supplement) to Patreon or YouTube channel memberships, as you can charge users a one-time fee or a recurring subscription for access.

Squarespace fleshed out its free Unfold app for social content with additional video features in 2022, adding a Slideshows tool that can stitch a series of images and clips for TikTok or Instagram Reels (complete with custom templates, filters, and effects). It's available for both iOS and Android.

Users can also take advantage of Squarespace Video Studio, an app for creating premium videos you can share directly to your site and/or on social media. (This one's available exclusively for iOS.) Featuring professionally designed video templates you can autofill with your site's brand styles and product images, its AI voiceover tool and built-in teleprompter (with script length suggestions!) make it easy to whip up clips on the fly. It's free to download with any Squarespace plan or trial, with full access unlocked for Business and Commerce subscribers. If you don't have the latter two plans, you'll only be allowed access to four project templates in Studio.

Do note that, as of September 15, 2023, Squarespace is stopping its support of Video Studio — but this won't affect your ability to keep using the app if you already have it downloaded. For users who sign up after that date, Squarespace suggests making premium videos using its Marketing Kit in the main Squarespace app.

Last but surely not least, as we briefly mentioned before, Squarespace recently announced its new Courses feature for video creators on August 21, 2023. It's yet another manifestation of Squarespace's brand vision "Everything to Sell Anything" (Mashable reporter Haley Henschel discusses Courses in detail in her guide to the best Squarespace templates for e-commerce sites). This vision aims to equip creators with as many options as possible to monetize their content and make passive income.

Using Squarespace Courses, "anyone can easily create and sell a professional online course, from chefs selling cooking lessons to wellness instructors creating meditation videos and photographers teaching the basics of photography," according to a Squarespace press release.

Courses can be made using layouts that match your brand and site style, can be organized into lessons and chapters, and are also powered by Fluid Engine. Just like with the Member Sites feature, Courses lets you choose a fee structure for your customers and sell video courses either individually or in bundles.

For those who are intrigued by the idea of monetizing their know-how but aren't quite sure how to get started, check out the Squarespace Courses guide to get started.

How do you pick the right Squarespace template for video?

Squarespace's templates tab lets you filter its library by type and topic, which should help you condense your pool of candidates quite a bit. Hit the "Preview" button after clicking on any template to see what a live version could look like. Unfortunately, very few of these preview sites include video content, but keep in mind that they're fairly easy to add almost anywhere on a site. Squarespace notes that "you may find it easier to start with a design that's already close to how you want your site to appear," so focus mainly on colors and layouts that catch your eye.

Need some better direction? Keep scrolling to check out seven Squarespace templates that work especially well for video right off the bat.

Note: Most of our recommendations are from Squarespace version 7.1, but we've sprinkled in a few options from version 7.0 that continue to stand out. Templates have been labeled accordingly.

a screenshot of the squarespace template lange

Lange

Best for a portfolio

Lange may be a Squarespace version 7.0 template, but a stunning homepage filled with full-bleed banner images for different projects (which you can easily swap for GIFs or videos) has secured its standout status. Each of those projects direct to separate pages where you can stash credits and go into detail about your process, while links to a simple one-column blog, a contact page, and an "about" page ("Studio Info") live in the top navigation menu. It could probably use some social icons somewhere, but other than that, it's an ideal video portfolio site right out of the gate.

Honorable mentions: Elliott (7.1), Flatiron (7.0), Hawley (7.1), Minetta (7.1), and Zion (7.1).

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a screenshot of the squarespace template oranssi

Oranssi

Best for a one-page site

Need a website that's packed with information but extremely easy to navigate, especially on mobile? Go with Oranassi, a slick Professional Services template that covers all of your need-to-knows on one page. Its demo version features a scrolling carousel of visuals up top where a collection of GIFs could go, followed by a list of your services, more project teasers, a company mission statement, some team member headshots, and a rotating gallery of client testimonials. Better yet, the whole thing is peppered with lots of call-to-action buttons that link out to your email. We're not fans of the typewriter-style typeface Squarespace picked for its body text, which feels odd and kind of distracting, but you can change that in a click or two.

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a screenshot of the squarespace template laurie

Laurie

Best for freelancers

Bright and inviting, Laurie is a retro-inspired Portfolio/Professional Services template with two obvious strong suits: showcasing your work and connecting you with potential clients. Its comprehensive homepage slips tons of visuals among sections for your bio, a list of services, testimonials, and a collection of recent blog posts; alternating colors and some cool fade-in animation effects keep it from feeling like an information overload. Visitors can submit inquiries directly through a separate contact page — there's a great pre-made form there — or hit the red "Free consultation" button at the top of the site to find a time to meet using a built-in Acuity Scheduling block.

Honorable mentions: Margot (7.0) and Quincy (7.1).

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a screenshot of the squarespace template nolan

Nolan

Best for agencies

Nolan is another template from the Portfolio/Professional Services categories with a bold, one-stop homepage. It immediately presents visitors with your mission statement, a featured visual, and a link to a list of your services, then continues with a prompt to see your full portfolio, a featured project with a cool collage-y layout, and a past client roster. An "about" page ("Company") in the top navigation menu is where you'll introduce the staff and/or the company's vision and values. The typefaces in the demo version are perfect for mobile, and the white-on-black color scheme is moody and elegant — anyone who uses Dark Mode will be a fan. Its only notable flaw? A mysterious lack of social icons anywhere on the site. You'll have to go in and add those yourself.

Honorable mentions: Bergen (7.1), Sackett (7.1), and Utica (7.1).

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a screenshot of the squarespace template passero

Passero

Best for hosting virtual classes

Not famous enough for a MasterClass? No problem: A Squarespace template like Passero that's pre-enabled with its Member Areas feature makes it easy to publish and monetize your tutorials and workshops (or any kind of videos, honestly). One of the few templates that actually features video in its demo site, its relatively short homepage includes full-bleed visuals, multiple calls-to-action, and a participant testimonial. You'll find an "About" page with instructor bios, a "Classes" page with course curriculum, a "Contact" page with a simple form, and a "Login" link for subscribers in the top navigation. Squarespace did a good job with the calming neutral color palette, too.

Honorable mentions: Comet (7.1) and Growwell (7.1).

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a screenshot of the squarespace template otroquest

Otroquest

Best for streamers and YouTubers

Another rare template that includes video in the demo, Otroquest is pre-configured for someone who puts out a steady stream of content. Highlights include a schedule for upcoming livestreams, a grid of your VODs, a store page for merch, and a fantastic "Support" page with prompts for tipping, subscribing, purchasing Twitch Bits, and joining a community (hello again, Member Areas). Social icons for your Twitch, YouTube, and Instagram pages appear in the top and bottom navigation menus so visitors never have trouble finding them. The only thing we don't like about Otroquest is that the featured blog post at the beginning of the homepage makes it seem like a news site at first glance, but that's an easy delete.

Honorable mention: Arcade (7.1).

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lexington squarespace template with barbecue restaurant details

Lexington

Best for an online store

Lexington is a playful modern template that’s well-suited for online stores with featured videos, whether you want to demonstrate how a product works or give potential customers a behind-the-scenes look at your process. Its dedicated, pre-made “Videos” page includes a full-bleed banner GIF and thumbnails that can be sorted into different categories; clicking on one takes you to a fullscreen video with space for a brief writeup below. Meanwhile, its grid-style shop features product images that change when hovered over. A simple bio page and a “Contact” page with a pre-added form round it out. 

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Topics Squarespace

How we tested

Mashable writers (particularly Mashable Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel have tested and reviewed dozens of popular Squarespace templates. In addition to selecting the best Spacespace template for video creators, we have previously selected the best Squarespace templates for writers, artists, and small business owners. In short, we've spent a lot of time reviewing every aspect of Squarespace's design tools.

When testing a Squarespace template, we consider a number of important factors, including overall aesthetics and design, functionality, how easy it is to setup and customize, and if it has a robust feature set.

For video creators in particular, we looked for templates that have plenty of room for video blocks and embedded video content. Because filmmaking, vlogging, and content production are so visually focused, we also looked for Squarespace templates that prioritized visual design over written content.

Mashable Image
Haley Henschel
Senior Shopping Reporter

Haley Henschel is a Chicago-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable who reviews and finds deals on popular tech, from laptops to gaming consoles and VPNs. She has years of experience covering shopping holidays and can tell you what’s actually worth buying on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Her work has also explored the driving forces behind digital trends within the shopping sphere, from dupes to 12-foot skeletons.

Haley received a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and honed her sifting and winnowing skills at The Daily Cardinal. She previously covered politics for The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, investigated exotic pet ownership for Wisconsin Watch, and blogged for some of your favorite reality stars.

In her free time, Haley enjoys playing video games, drawing, taking walks on Lake Michigan, and spending time with her parrot (Melon) and dog (Pierogi). She really, really wants to get back into horseback riding. You can follow her on X at @haleyhenschel or reach her via email at [email protected].

Mashable Image
Stacia Datskovska
Mashable Shopping Intern

Stacia Datskovska is an NYU journalism major (graduating this December). Her work has appeared in USA Today, Boston Globe, Teen Vogue, HuffPost, Bustle, and more. When she's not writing something or other, Stacia can be spotted crying over poetry, making a home-cooked meal, or walking on an NYC pier. For her more half-baked thoughts: @staciadats on Twitter.


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