The best website templates are supposed to make life easier. But it's easy to lose time scanning through huge, cluttered collections to find something usable.

Many designs are too plain, too cluttered, too outdated, or simply wrong for your brand. The right tools and templates should help you cut through the noise and get started with the actual site.

Quality content trumps showy extras, and you want to invest your time into where it counts. I found that a smaller (but sufficient!) library of templates was plenty. After all, most brands only need the one website.

Here’s what worked for me — and what might help you get up and running faster, too.

Staring at a blank screen can be paralyzing.

So don't do it.

Take advantage of others' work. It's a little like hiring an experienced web designer without the price tag.

Starting with a template gives you a foundation and makes it easy to visualize the end result. You also get built-in solutions and pre-designed elements. Just plug in your content where directed.

There's no need to compromise your vision. beehiiv publications like Drugstore Cowboy keep designs clear and clean without sacrificing style.

Many incredible no-code websites prove you can do it all — and do it all quickly.

beehiiv’s Website Builder stands out for its flexibility, ease of use, and modern templates.

But the best part is the ability to integrate website and newsletter design for a cohesive brand experience. You can also take advantage of AI email marketing and beehiiv's growth tools, which include a built-in referral program and recommendation network.

Having everything in one place saves time and eliminates headaches. I can focus on website and newsletter content without bouncing between apps. As a gal who values efficiency, I appreciate the smooth workflow.

At the beginning of the design process, I set my colors, fonts, and logo. I entered my brand color palette, but you can also choose between palettes of complementary shades and preselected, accessible fonts.

Consistency across the site establishes the professional polish that gives visitors confidence in your content.

Pro tip: Still deciding on your brand colors? Use a free palette generator. You can pick your starting hue and find shades that look good with it. Some will even let you upload an image and generate a palette from that.

beehiiv templates fit into two categories: Basic and Advanced.

Basic templates start you off with a homepage and an optimized landing page, but you can also add additional pages. It's perfect for creators who need a simple, user-friendly home for their content. 

Advanced templates provide the layout for multiple pages. You don't have to use them all, but you can add pages introducing readers to your team, your recommendations, your premium options, etc.

For example, I started with The Atlas Collective template and chose the pages that I needed from the provided collection.

You're not locked into the exact layout of any page. Customizing your website is as easy as dragging and dropping. Tweak navigation, swap hero sections, and reorganize content blocks to shape your site how you want it.

Pro tip: Don't overlook the mobile preview tool. Mobile browsers account for 64.35% of all internet traffic. You don't want to alienate a large portion of your audience, and this handy button lets you double-check that your site looks great on any device.

The Settings tab in beehiiv's Website Builder is where you can fine-tune the details that keep your site running smoothly. From SEO tweaks to social integrations, this single dashboard simplifies the technical aspects of managing your website.

Start by optimizing your SEO settings. Update meta descriptions and titles with your keywords, so people searching for your content can find it.

Next, ensure your social links are up to date. Adding direct links to your active profiles makes it easier for visitors to engage with your brand across platforms. You can also manage comments and tracking from this hub.

Stay on top of things by reviewing these settings once a week. Regular updates optimize your site and make you aware of small issues before they can become big problems.

After trying a handful of tools over the years, I found that many options are so bloated with features that they hinder progress.

While drag-and-drop tools supposedly "democratize" web creation, some are so complex that they require serious training — or more trial and error than I'd like.

Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Webflow often present one main challenge: feature overload. Having endless design options looks great on the surface, but it can quickly become overwhelming. It’s like being handed an entire toolset when you only needed a hammer.

On the other hand, some tools are too restrictive. Templates that don’t allow much customization leave websites feeling cookie-cutter and disconnected. You don't want to spend more time working around the template than building your ideal website.

beehiiv avoids these pitfalls with templates designed to be both practical and adaptable. They give structure without locking you in, letting you focus on crafting a clean, professional design while making adjustments that suit your brand.

Each of these platforms brings unique strengths to the table. However, for creators looking for functionality above all, beehiiv offers distinct advantages that can make website building more streamlined and enjoyable. 

While platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Webflow are powerful, their extensive features can slow you down. These tools shine for design-intensive projects but often involve intricate setups that can delay your launch. 

beehiiv’s templates are built with speed in mind. Equipped with essential features like pre-designed subscriber forms and blog layouts, these templates allow you to focus directly on your content.

Webflow’s extensive design options make it a favorite among advanced users, but the trade-off is a fairly steep learning curve. Wix and Squarespace, on the other hand, are more beginner-friendly but still offer a dense range of tools that can feel overwhelming. 

beehiiv's interface is clean and approachable, designed to guide users without overloading them. Both beginners and experienced creators find the platform intuitive and accessible.

Templates should offer flexibility without making you feel boxed in. While the other platforms give more options, beehiiv templates are designed with the creator and newsletter publication in mind.

beehiiv probably isn't the right choice for certain types of businesses — particularly local services that require multiple integrations or built-in scheduling tools. Nor is it a good fit for design gurus who need the ability to upload their own HTML templates.

But beehiiv is ideal for creators who want to launch, grow, and earn with their content as smoothly as possible.

One of the best things about beehiiv templates is how seamlessly everything connects. Your website, posts, and subscriber pages all work together, so there’s no need to switch between platforms. This integration means fewer clicks, faster publishing, and more time for creating.

Set up your homepage, and you can jump straight to writing blog posts or building subscriber pages — all of which sync automatically. Updates or new articles appear instantly across your site.

Templates also come with preset sections like calls-to-action, featured posts, and simple signup forms. Just pick what you need and drop it in. The layouts already look polished, so you only need to tweak details to match your brand.

Choosing the right website template can set the tone for your entire project.

Select templates that align with the type of content you’re publishing. A clean blog layout might work better for writers, while visual-heavy portfolios are ideal for other types of artists.

No matter what template you choose, keep navigation simple and always preview your site on mobile devices. A well-organized and accessible website will always leave a stronger impression than one overloaded with unnecessary extras.

If you’re ready to take the next step, beehiiv’s templates have you covered.

Sign up for a free trial today and see how easy it is to build a site that looks great and performs even better.

Why Trust Me

I'm a professional marketer as well as a veteran beehiiv writer and client. I regularly use the platform for my own brand and creative work.

The best layout depends on your website’s purpose and audience, but good layouts are:

Keep the focus on your brand and content.

Choose a website template that fits your goals and creates a great user experience. Here’s what to look for:

Identify your site’s main focus, whether it’s a blog, store, or portfolio, and pick a template designed for that use.

Ensure your template looks good and works well on phones and tablets, since most visitors browse on mobile.

Pick a template that lets you easily change colors, fonts, and layouts, so your site matches your brand.

The best program for building websites depends on your needs. But beehiiv stands out for creators who want a central hub for their website and newsletter. It provides clean templates and best-in-class newsletter tools in a beginner-friendly platform.