Template Sellers Tell All
As an experienced web designer, you may be exploring how to unlock the magic of passive income. Selling Squarespace website templates can be a compelling add-on to your web design business as a means of generating an additional revenue stream and making your design expertise more accessible to clients in your target audience. Squarespace has an excellent selection of free templates, but how can you offer clients even more specificity to refine their online presence?
Circle Day 2023 brought together template-selling powerhouses Nick and Hannah Ippolito of SquareKicker, Promise Tangeman of Go Live HQ, and Monica Kovach of Hold Space Creative, to discuss how to effectively create and sell templates and increase income for your web design business.
Empowering the web designer community
Template selling is more than additional revenue; it’s a way to empower you as a web designer and enhance your relationship with clients. Creating affordable and user-friendly resources for solopreneurs and small businesses can help you establish a strong online presence. Templates can help you reach more clients on their own terms by offering a more affordable and faster-to-launch version of traditional web design.
Templates are also a way to give more businesses access to better design, which enhances the overall health of the industry. For instance, Monica transitioned from therapist to designer. Because of her deep knowledge of the mental health industry, her templates speak to the specific needs of therapists and coaches, enabling them to connect with their clients through effective online platforms. Monica sees template selling as a way to make therapy and mental healthcare more accessible by helping therapists and coaches reach more people and find the right clients.
Before launching your template shop, it’s essential to make a plan. Take time to think about your own business and how template design can benefit you, your community, and your clients.
Getting started with template selling
Many web designers are drawn to the idea of passive income but may feel overwhelmed by the idea of starting a template shop. Nick acknowledges that getting started requires you to front load your work and then move on to selling and marketing templates, meaning only a fraction of the template selling process is actually focused on design. SquareKicker’s new end-to-end system, SquareKicker Templates, streamlines the process of creating and selling templates so you can focus on other aspects of your web design business.
Aspiring template creators shouldn’t be afraid to take the plunge. The process of becoming a template seller is more approachable than it may seem. Use the following steps as a guide to getting started.
1. Start small
The barrier to entry is smaller than you think. You don’t need 40 templates to become a template seller. Instead of trying to create a vast catalog of templates, begin with two templates. This approach helps you focus on quality rather than quantity, making it more manageable to maintain and market templates effectively. There’s a remarkable level of design flexibility, even with a single template, but it’s a good idea to offer your clients a choice. Promise suggests that two is the magic number in this case.
2. Find your niche
Be clear on who your ideal client is and focus your offerings to the needs of that audience. If you’re just starting out with templates, defining a niche can lead to streamlined template creation, better marketing, and more sales. For instance, while Monica works with therapists and coaches, Promise focuses on service-based businesses and solopreneurs. Consider your niche. Consumers are looking for templates that serve their particular industry and needs, so you can gain a competitive edge by providing specialized solutions.
3. Innovate for your audience
Think about how your templates can make things easier for your clients or other designers, and don’t be afraid to innovate. You know your audience better than anyone, so try to create products and resources that both boost your business and benefit your clients.
Learn more about creating and selling website templates in Promise’s interview on the Circle blog.
The key to crafting high-selling templates
Creating website templates that stand out and appeal to clients is crucial for success. The following principles can help you develop templates that sell successfully:
1. Simplify customization
Templates should offer a balance between pre-designed elements and customization options. Clients appreciate templates that require minimal customization to achieve a desired look.
2. Be industry-focused
Templates should include well-placed content elements that cater to the specific needs of your defined niche. Having content that aligns with the industry or aesthetic makes a template more valuable to clients.
3. Provide excellent customer support
Design customer feedback and support mechanisms into your project delivery process. Providing exceptional customer support can set your template shop apart. Reliable and responsive support not only ensures client satisfaction but also encourages repeat business.
Keep in mind that templates are not the enemy of individuality, but a starting point for brand recognition and attractive design. When it comes to creating unique templates within a niche, it may feel like you’re making all templates look the same. While templates may share a base design, incorporating niche-specific content and imagery can create individuality. Plus, offering additional services is an opportunity to upsell clients on add-ons that can help them stand out even more.
Embracing the potential of selling website templates
The earning potential of selling templates is only growing as the demand for elevated, plug-and-play options for websites increases. From starting small and targeting a niche to embracing innovation and delivering exceptional customer support, the opportunities are plentiful for both aspiring and experienced template creators.
Special thanks to Hannah Ippolito, Nick Ippolito, Monica Kovach, and Promise Tangeman for sharing their expertise at Circle Day 2023. Visit the Circle blog for more session highlights.
Want more?
Check out Squarespace Circle, Squarespace’s program for professional designers. Along with exclusive content, discounts, and other perks, Circle brings professionals together from all across the globe to exchange advice while connecting with new clients and collaborators.
