I spent two months creating content, designing graphics, and setting up a layout for my newsletter—trying to find that sweet spot between looks and my brand's style.
Then, three weeks before launch, I hit a snag. Despite perfecting my content, I had nowhere online to showcase it.
My followers asked where to learn more, potential clients messaged me directly, and I was sending everyone to a basic, outdated landing page—thanks, WordPress.
I needed a professional website—and fast.
Why didn’t I hire a designer? The quotes I got ranged from $2,500 to $8,000, taking six to eight weeks.
Why didn’t I build one from scratch? I'd tried that before, and, after three days of choosing fonts and colors, I just gave up.
Then, I discovered website builders with templates—like beehiiv.
In about two hours, I created a sleek, professional site that looked expensive but was quick and affordable. Plus, beehiiv automatically generates a landing page for each newsletter—double win!
Here's what I learned about choosing website builders with templates—and why I'd pick beehiiv again in a heartbeat if I needed to launch something new tomorrow.
Table of Contents
Why I Needed a Website Builder With Templates
My situation was probably familiar to many entrepreneurs and creators who face similar struggles. I had content to share and a looming deadline—though I kept pushing it back, yet I kept getting stuck on design choices instead of focusing on what mattered: sharing my newsletter.
Last year, I attempted to build a website using a complex platform—WordPress, my go-to option after previous failures (I don’t learn from my mistakes).
I spent weekends looking at hundreds of templates, second-guessing every choice. Hidden fees, additional apps, and security issues—all of it delayed my progress.
By Sunday, I’d bookmarked 17 templates and read countless Reddit posts and blogs, but had made no real progress on my content.
That experience taught me that too many options can be paralyzing. I needed a simple website builder with beautiful, professional-looking templates, so I could focus on writing rather than debating font sizes or design details.
Jon Finkel, author and newsletter creator, said, “Just like authors spend significant time making sure we get the cover of our books right, newsletter creators have the same chance to make a powerful impression with their landing page and email design.”
Cost was another factor. Hiring a designer could have cost $2,500 to $8,000—and would have taken six to eight weeks, pushing my launch date again.
Additionally, custom websites create ongoing dependencies; every small change requires learning code or hiring someone else, which can hinder momentum in those early days.
What I really needed was a solution that offered professional design quality, speed, and control, so I could keep moving forward.
How I Chose the Right Template for My Project
My primary goal was to create a newsletter on marketing strategies and productivity methods. This meant I needed a template that could effectively showcase educational content while building trust with visitors who may be considering hiring someone for their marketing needs.
When I began evaluating different website builders, I knew I needed to be strategic about selecting a template. I wasn't just picking a design. I was choosing the foundation for how potential customers would perceive my business.
I Looked for a Design That Matched My Use Case
With each platform (WordPress, Wix, beehiiv, etc.), I would filter out templates that felt too corporate or too casual. The overly professional designs made me look like a Fortune 500 company (which might intimidate individual buyers), while the super-casual ones made me look unprofessional.
I was looking for that middle ground – authoritative but approachable.
When I browsed beehiiv's template library, one design immediately caught my attention:
Header: It had a clean header area perfect for my value proposition.
Content: In the content section, I can share helpful articles to demonstrate expertise and include built-in areas for testimonials and potentially add new features like a course or an app.
Email: The template had an integrated email signup form prominently placed – something I knew would be crucial for building my audience.
Mobile Interface: The template also handled responsive design automatically. I'd made the mistake before of choosing a template that looked great on a desktop but was nearly unusable on mobile. Since over 60% of my traffic comes from mobile devices, this was a non-negotiable requirement.
I Kept Things Simple, So I Could Launch Sooner
I learned one of my most valuable lessons about using website builders effectively: resist the urge to customize everything just because you can.
My first instinct was to change the fonts to something more "unique." I spent 30 minutes browsing Google Fonts before realizing the default font was actually perfect – it was readable, professional, and didn't distract from my message. The template designers had already made smart choices; I just needed to trust them.
I also avoided the temptation to add complex animations or interactive elements. Sure, they looked cool in the preview, but they would have added hours to my setup time and would potentially slow down my site's loading speed.
The color scheme was another area where I practiced restraint. The template came with a clean blue and white color palette that conveyed a sense of trustworthiness and professionalism. Rather than spending hours tweaking shades and contrasts, I simply swapped in my brand colors using the built-in customization tools.
I focused on the essentials: clear headlines, compelling copy, and obvious next steps for visitors.
With beehiiv, the whole process took 15 minutes instead of five hours. This simplified approach allowed me to launch within my deadline while still having a site that looked intentionally designed, rather than thrown together.
Take it from Leqwane Lynch, the founder of The Alerts Daily newsletter, who once said in an interview, “I was able to use it [beehiiv] to create the newsletter from scratch on just a blank page and go from there to make the design that I used to create the newsletter.”
Why Trust Me
Linda Hwang has extensive experience in B2B marketing and previously worked at a renowned international facilities management company. There, she played a crucial role in creating effective content and social media marketing plans. Now, Hwang is a marketing consultant who helps small businesses create compelling brand stories.
What beehiiv Helped Me Do That Other Tools Didn't
After trying several different website builders (WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, etc.), beehiiv stood out for reasons that went beyond just having attractive templates. The platform solved multiple problems I didn't even realize I had with other tools.
I Got a Clean, Branded Site Up in Minutes
The actual setup process with beehiiv was straightforward.
After creating my account, I was immediately prompted to choose a template based on my project. I selected a newsletter design that I felt would work with my brand, and, within seconds, I had a fully functional template with placeholder content.
The customization process felt intuitive rather than overwhelming.
I clicked on the site title and typed in my business name.
I clicked on the hero section and pasted in my value proposition.
I uploaded my logo by simply dragging it into the designated area – no file size restrictions or format conversion needed.
What impressed me most was how the template automatically adapted to my content.
When I added my first section of content, the layout adjusted to accommodate the text length, then, I uploaded educational content and some client testimonials, and they appeared in an attractive grid format without any additional formatting on my part.
The entire process, from signing up to having a complete, branded professional website, took less than two hours. That included writing all the copy, uploading images, and testing everything on mobile devices.
I've never experienced that level of speed with any other website builder that uses templates.
I Could Add Email Signup, Posts, and Pages in One Place
One of the biggest advantages of beehiiv became apparent when I began considering ongoing content marketing.
With other website builders, I would have needed to integrate third-party email marketing tools, set up separate blog hosting, and somehow make everything work together seamlessly. beehiiv handled all of this in the platform.
The email signup forms were built right into my website templates, and new subscribers were automatically added to my mailing list. I could create and send newsletters from the same dashboard where I managed my website content.
The blog functionality was equally seamless. I could publish articles directly from the platform, and they automatically appeared on my website with consistent formatting – no plugins to manage, no compatibility issues to troubleshoot, and no separate logins to remember.
This integration saved me both time and money.
I'd previously been paying $90-$125 per month for hosting a WordPress website. It would incorporate a hosting server, backup server, domain name, SEO, spam protection, themes, theme updates, theme security updates, signup forms, and various other plugins to achieve what beehiiv handled in one platform for less.
I Didn't Need Extra Plugins or Support To Make Changes
The independence factor turned out to be huge.
With my previous website setup, making simple changes often required either learning new technical skills or seeking help.
Want to add a new testimonial? That's a support ticket.
Need to update pricing? Better hope you remember how to access the backend.
Found a typo? Search through multiple pages to find the specific typo and hope it didn’t alter any design coding.
With beehiiv, I could make changes in real-time without any technical knowledge.
The morning of my newsletter launch, I realized I wanted to add another section and image to my homepage to direct visitors to a special welcome landing page. I logged in, clicked on the relevant section, typed in my new copy, added the URL, and published the change – all within three minutes.
This level of control was particularly valuable during my launch week when I was constantly optimizing based on user feedback.
The drag-and-drop website builder functionality made these updates feel natural rather than technical. I could literally drag elements around the page to reorganize content, resize images by dragging corners, and add new sections by clicking a plus button. It felt more like editing a document than building a website.
What I'd Tell a Friend Looking for a Website Builder With Templates
If my best friend called me tomorrow asking for website advice, here's exactly what I'd tell them based on my experience.
Don't overthink your website template. Pick one that fits your industry, looks good on mobile, and launches quickly—you're always free to change it later. Your first site doesn't need to be perfect. Just get something professional online fast and improve with feedback.
If you're on a tight budget, try free options like Wix or beehiiv. Keep in mind, free platforms often come with limitations like branding and fewer features. Wix's free plan includes branding and no custom domains. For a serious business, investing a small monthly fee is worthwhile.
Platforms like Google Sites are free but very basic—great for testing ideas, not building credibility. Choose a platform that can grow with you. I’ve learned this the hard way. My first site couldn't keep up with my evolving needs. beehiiv scales from simple pages to complex operations, making management easier.
A professional website is essential now, but it doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. Using a good builder with templates gets you online fast, builds trust, and helps convert visitors. I wish I'd started with beehiiv earlier—it would’ve saved time and money, letting me focus on creating value rather than technical hassles.
If you need to get online quickly without sacrificing quality, start with beehiiv.
The web doesn't need another perfect website. It needs authentic, valuable content. A solid builder helps you reach your audience faster and focus on what truly matters.
Ready To Get Your Professional Website Live Today?
If I were starting over today, I'd head straight to beehiiv and get my site up this afternoon.
You can have a professional website with integrated email marketing up and running within the next two hours – no technical skills required, no designer fees, and no waiting weeks for someone else to build what you need.
Don't let another week pass by, sending people to a mediocre landing page or, worse, having no online presence at all.
Your audience is ready to hear from you; your customers are looking for the solutions you provide. The only thing standing between you and a professional website is the decision to take the first step.
Try beehiiv free for 30 days!
Your future self will thank you for taking action today, rather than spending another month researching options. Trust me on this one – I wish I'd made this move sooner, and I guarantee you will, too.
