DIY Doesn’t Mean Disorganized: How to Clean Up Your Squarespace Site Without Starting Over
So, you built your own Squarespace website. Maybe you stayed up way too late tweaking fonts or choosing just the right beige. You watched the tutorials, you dragged the blocks, and you hit "publish" like a boss.
But now, a few months (or years) later, something feels... off. Not broken. Not bad. Just a little chaotic.
Here’s the good news: You don’t have to start over. You don’t have to hire a designer (yet). And no, your site isn’t a lost cause. With a few focused changes, you can take your existing Squarespace site from "functional but meh" to "actually working for you."
This post is for the DIYers. The perfectionists-in-recovery. The business owners who are doing all the things and just want their website to make sense again.
Let’s clean it up.
Step 1: Revisit Your Navigation (and Ruthlessly Edit It)
Your site navigation is the GPS of your website. If it’s cluttered, confusing, or trying too hard to be cute, visitors will get lost or give up.
Ask yourself:
Are all of these pages necessary?
Can I group anything under a dropdown?
What’s the ONE thing I want people to do on this site?
Quick Fixes:
Remove outdated or low-traffic pages
Reorder items based on priority (not alphabetically)
Use simple, clear page names like "Services," not "Magic Stuff"
Your navigation should feel like a short, obvious list of options—not a treasure hunt.
Step 2: Audit Your Fonts & Colors (No More Frankenbranding)
DIY websites tend to suffer from one common problem: inconsistent branding. You started with one vibe, found another font you loved halfway through, then added a third color because Pinterest said so. Now it’s chaos.
Here’s how to clean it up:
Choose 1 heading font and 1 body font (that’s it!)
Stick to a color palette of 2-3 brand colors max
Use your brand colors with intention: 1 primary, 1 accent, and 1 neutral
Pro Tip: Head to Design > Site Styles and create consistency across all text blocks. No more rogue headings.
Step 3: Declutter Your Homepage
Your homepage should do three things:
Tell people what you do
Tell them who it's for
Tell them where to go next
If it's doing too much (or too little), it's time to streamline.
Trim the fluff:
Remove filler like "Welcome to my corner of the internet"
Cut down text blocks to key info + one strong CTA
Prioritize scannability with short paragraphs and bold headlines
Think of your homepage like a movie trailer. It should hook them, not tell the whole story.
Step 4: Check for Consistent Spacing & Layouts
Nothing screams "DIY" like misaligned sections and weird spacing. But fixing this is easier than you think.
Here's what to do:
Use consistent padding across sections (especially top and bottom)
Align images and text blocks for a balanced look
Stick to 1 or 2 layout styles throughout (columns, image left/text right, etc.)
Pro Tip: Use the "Spacer" block sparingly. It’s a tool, not a crutch.
Step 5: Simplify Your CTA Strategy
Many DIYers forget to ask their site visitors to do... anything. Or they ask them to do 12 things at once.
Let’s fix that.
Ask yourself:
What is the ONE main action I want people to take?
Is that CTA visible within the first screen of the homepage?
Am I repeating that CTA in a few key places?
Examples of strong CTAs:
Book a free call
Shop the collection
Download the free guide
Make your buttons pop with a bold color and direct language ("Grab the Free Checklist" > "Learn More").
Step 6: Run a Mobile Reality Check
Squarespace does a solid job with mobile responsiveness, but it’s not perfect out of the box. Take a few minutes to view your site on your phone like a regular visitor.
Look for:
Weird text wrapping
Stretched or stacked images
Buttons that are too close together
Popups that cover everything
Quick fix: Use the Mobile Preview tool in the editor and adjust padding/images as needed.
Step 7: Update Your Footer (Because It’s a Hot Mess, Isn’t It?)
Footers are often an afterthought. But they matter. They’re like the last impression your site leaves.
Include:
Your logo or business name
A short nav menu or site links
Your email or contact link
Social icons (if active)
Copyright info
Skip the newsletter sign-up unless you have a compelling reason or freebie.
You Don’t Need a Total Overhaul to Look Put-Together
Most people don’t need a brand-new website. They need a clean-up.
They need:
A few strong design decisions
A little consistency
A lot of clarity
If your Squarespace site is 80% there, the last 20% isn’t about perfection. It’s about purpose.
So no, DIY doesn’t mean disorganized. It means you care. You’re figuring it out. And with the right tweaks, you can make your site work for you—not just exist online.
Want a checklist to help you clean up your site without hiring a designer?
[Download the No-BS Website Polish Kit] → Your hour-or-less guide to making your DIY site finally look intentional.
You've got this.
