How to Use Other Website Examples for Inspiration Without Copying Them
It’s good to have an idea of what you like and don’t like for your website before you start building.
Most people who start out creating a website do one of two things:
They choose a Squarespace template and struggle to fit their content into preset boxes.
They copy another website example that looks like everyone else in their industry.
You don’t want to fall into either of these traps, and you don’t have to. Website templates are great for ideas, but they shouldn't limit your vision.
Here is how to get inspiration from other websites and examples without copying them.
Using Canva for Inspiration
Canva is a free design tool that I absolutely recommend for any Squarespace website build. Squarespace and Canva go together like peanut butter and jelly.
There is also a $12 dollar per month subscription that I absolutely recommend for its extension of free images and templates, ability to download PNGs with transparent backgrounds, and quick resize ability.
You. Need. Canva.
Use Canva Presentation Templates to Map Out Your Website Sections
As mentioned earlier in the design best practices section, you want to use a different website section every time you are talking about something new or explaining something in a different way.
Use one section when you are explaining why people should trust you. Use another section when you are displaying your most recent blog posts or videos.
Presentation templates in Canva are great for a few reasons:
They show layouts like you would see on a web page.
They show cool color palette combinations.
They have tons of great icons, photo frames and combinations of photo frames that will make it easy for customization.
The key here is to choose sections that vibe with the type of website you are going to create. For example, don’t choose a photo-heavy template if you don’t have a ton of professional photography.
Feel free to select colors from one template and icons and images from another template.
Use Pinterest to Get Inspired for Specific Sections
Pinterest has a large number of website design pins that you can save to a board of your own. I like the following search terms:
Presentation layouts
UI/UX design website
Cool website design
Modern website design
You can also follow my curated Pinterest board of website layouts to save even more time.
The key to looking at other templates and examples is to pull out HOW they laid something out without trying to copy WHAT they laid out.
You might even create different boards for the different types of sections that you will need for your website, such as homepage, about, shop, portfolio, etc.
Use other websites for inspiration
Go through your favorite website and jot down WHY they are your favorite.
Is it their easy navigation? The way they use graphics? Their colors?
Pull your favorite things from each of these websites, just as long as they are parts and not everything. Remember, to have a slightly different feel for each new page of your website depending on its goal.
This can be especially helpful when you pull from industries that are very different from your own. I like the color scheme of the graphics of Headspace, and the blog layout of Backlinko.
Think of it like a beautiful Frankenstein creation where you are choosing the things on websites that spark joy for you. (Yes, I love a Marie Kondo reference.)
Screenshot these specific sections and upload them to Canva to use as inspiration later on, or copy and paste the URL you love into your Website Design Planner.
If you’d like some help planning out don’t hesitate to schedule a free web design consultation call with me.
Written by Clint Mally