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The best Squarespace portfolio starting design for most painters and visual artists is Cami. It keeps attention on large artwork images and leaves room for a concise introduction, selected projects, and an inquiry call to action. Talva is a stronger choice for photographers and artists with a consistent visual style, while Zion suits creators working across several categories.
For service-led creative businesses, choose Ortiz, Reseda, or Adri. Writers, marketers, and strategists should look at Suhama. For a new 2026 site, generally avoid Wells and York: both are version 7.0 template families, while Squarespace’s current system is version 7.1.
Squarespace’s own portfolio guide currently highlights the same seven 7.1 designs discussed below.
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| Design | Best for | Strongest feature | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cami | Fine artists and multidisciplinary visual artists | Large imagery and generous white space | Can feel empty with too little work or context |
| Talva | Photographers and cohesive visual portfolios | Image-led presentation | Mixed visual styles can look disjointed |
| Zion | Multi-category creatives and studios | Full-screen imagery and category navigation | Hover effects need careful mobile testing |
| Ortiz | Freelancers selling creative services | Portfolio, services, biography, and booking path | More business-focused than a simple gallery |
| Suhama | Writers, marketers, and strategists | Text-forward one-page structure | Long copy can make it difficult to scan |
| Reseda | Visual freelancers who need bookings | Services, pricing, and scheduling | Public pricing does not suit every business |
| Adri | Creative studios, agencies, and consultants | Process, testimonials, and consultation CTAs | May feel too corporate for an emerging artist |
These are recommendations by use case, not an objective technical ranking. Squarespace says all version 7.1 templates belong to the same template family and share the same features and style options. Your practical choice is therefore the starting layout, sample content, initial page structure, and amount of redesign required—not a permanent technical framework.
#1 Best Overall
- Ergonomic Posture Correction: Designed to elevate your laptop to the perfect eye level, this adjustable laptop stand significantly reduces neck, shoulder, and spinal fatigue. Transform your desk into a healthier workstation, ideal for long hours of typing, Zoom meetings, or gaming.
- Unshakable Dual-Rod Stability: Unlike single-hinge models, our stand features a highly engineered dual-support rod mechanism. It perfectly distributes weight to ensure a 100% wobble-free typing experience, safely supporting heavy-duty devices up to 22 lbs (10kg).
- Advanced Thermal Cooling Panel: Maximize your device's performance. The unique geometric heat-vent design on the upper panel provides superior airflow compared to standard solid stands. This continuous heat dissipation prevents your laptop from thermal throttling and hardware damage during intensive tasks.
- Universal 10-16” Compatibility: A versatile computer riser that seamlessly fits all 10 to 16-inch laptops. Broadly compatible with MacBook Pro/Air, Dell XPS, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Chromebook, and large gaming laptops. The anti-slip silicone pads firmly grip your device and protect it from scratches.
- Foldable, Portable & Ready to Go: Maximize your productivity anywhere. The dual-foldable design allows the stand to collapse completely flat in seconds. Easily slip it into your backpack or briefcase, making it the ultimate portable office accessory for business trips, cafes, or hybrid work setups.
Once a 7.1 site has been started, Squarespace says you cannot simply switch it to another template. You can substantially redesign the site, or recreate it elsewhere, but choosing a starting point that resembles your intended structure can save considerable work. See Squarespace’s version and template documentation.
Cami: best overall for fine artists
Cami is the best starting point for painters, illustrators, mixed-media artists, and art directors with a small number of strong projects. Its minimalist presentation, large images, and white space allow the work to establish the visual identity.
It is particularly effective when each project has a clear title and a carefully selected hero image. For a painter, that might mean organizing work by series rather than uploading every finished canvas. A project page can then include the medium, dimensions, date, exhibition history, and a short statement.
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Choose Cami if: your work should lead the page and you have a tightly edited collection.
It is not ideal if: visitors need to compare many service packages, book appointments, or navigate several business divisions.
Minimalism is not a substitute for information. Add a short positioning statement, an About page, and a visible contact or commission CTA. Otherwise, a sparse layout may look unfinished rather than refined.
Talva: best for photographers and cohesive visual work
Talva suits photographers, portrait artists, travel photographers, and illustrators whose work has a consistent palette or art direction. Its image-first structure works best when visitors can move through a sequence without being distracted by unrelated styles.
Use project titles that explain the assignment or series instead of generic labels such as “Work 1.” Add captions where context matters, and place a contact, print-sale, or booking link near the gallery rather than making visitors search for it.
Choose Talva if: your portfolio is primarily visual and your projects share a recognizable aesthetic.
It is not ideal if: your work varies dramatically by client, medium, or visual language and needs extensive explanation.
Large images are central to the experience, but the design itself does not guarantee fast loading. Export appropriately sized files, compress them before upload, and avoid unnecessary autoplay video backgrounds. Use descriptive filenames and useful alt text.
Rank #2
- Broad Compatibility: Besign LS03 Laptop Mount is compatible with all laptops from 10''-15.6'', such as Air 13, Pro 13 / 15 / 2018 / 2017 / 2016, Lenovo ThinkPad, Dell, HP, ASUS, Chromebook, and other notebooks.
- Ergonomic Design: This LS03 Laptop Stand could elevate your laptop by 6’’ to a perfect viewing level, help you improve your posture and reduce neck and shoulder pain. This laptop stand is super easy to detach and assemble.
- Stable And Protective: This laptop stand is made of premium Aluminum alloy, it is sturdy, support up to 8.8 lbs(4kg), no worry any wobble at all; the rubber on the holder hands sticks tightly, ensure your laptop stable on the stand and prevent any scratches.
- Keep Laptop Cool: the open aluminum design provides good ventilation and airflow to prevent your laptop from overheating. It folds flat if you need to store it, create extra space on your desk and keep your desk clean and organized.
- Easy to Use: thanks to the detachable design, you could assemble it very easily it 3 steps.
Zion: best for multi-disciplinary creatives
Zion is a strong starting point for designers, creative directors, and studios working across distinct categories such as branding, web, print, illustration, or motion. Full-screen imagery creates immediate impact, while categories can separate otherwise unrelated work.
Use categories to clarify your offer—not to hide your best work. A visitor should be able to understand what you do and see a representative project without guessing where to click.
Choose Zion if: you can populate several categories convincingly and want a highly visual homepage.
It is not ideal if: you have only three projects, or your visitors need detailed case-study summaries immediately.
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Hover previews can be attractive on a desktop but less obvious on a touchscreen. Use visible category labels and descriptive project titles, then test the navigation on an actual phone. Do not make hover the only way to communicate meaning.
Ortiz: best for freelancers selling creative services
Ortiz is designed for a freelancer who needs to sell expertise, not merely display finished work. It combines a biography, recent work, services, and a booking path, making it suitable for brand designers, web designers, consultants, and freelance art directors.
Replace vague “About me” language with four practical answers: who you help, what you do, what outcome you create, and how a prospective client starts. Turn portfolio entries into evidence of the service you sell by including your role, deliverables, constraints, and result.
Choose Ortiz if: the site’s primary purpose is generating qualified inquiries.
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It is not ideal if: you want a quiet personal gallery with little commercial information.
Suhama: best for writers and marketers
Suhama’s text-forward structure fits copywriters, editors, content strategists, SEO consultants, and communications professionals. A professional summary, selected project links, resume, and contact section can make a persuasive one-page portfolio.
Keep each project summary short: identify the client or publication, your role, the problem, and the result. Link to the full case study, published article, or campaign where possible. Use headings and short paragraphs so recruiters and clients can scan the page.
Rank #3
- ✔️[Foldabe & Protable] - Foldable laptop stand for desk & Protable computer stand, It combines the advantages of market brackets, convenient travel laptop stand. Easy to use. Suitable for working at home, office and outdoor, improve comfort.
- ✔️[360°Rotation] - The computer stand with 360° rotating base, 360° rotation connected with the base is more flexible, the computer stand allows you to rotate the laptop to any angle.
- ✔️[Stable & Durable] - The Computer stand is made of one-piece fiber metal material, which is more durable and stable than ordinary aluminum alloy computer stands. The upgraded rotating base makes the stand performance more stable, and the non-slip silicone protects the laptop from sliding.Only supports laptops up to 16 inches.
- ✔️[Ergonmic Desing] - You can freely adjust the height and angle of the laptop stand to keep it at eye level, which helps to reduce the pressure on your body while working. Whether sitting or standing, there is a comfortable angle.
- ✔️[Wide Compatibility] - Our laptop stand is compatible with all laptops from 10-16 inches, such as MacBook Air/Pro, Google PixelBook, Dell XPS, HP, ASUS, Lenovo ThinkPad, Acer, Chromebook and Microsoft Surface, etc. It is an ideal companion for computer workers.
Choose Suhama if: your strongest evidence is writing, strategy, or measurable communication work.
It is not ideal if: the portfolio needs large visual galleries or long, image-heavy case studies.
Reseda: best for booking-based portfolios
Reseda is a practical choice for wedding and commercial photographers, commissioned artists, and other visual freelancers who need to explain services, show pricing, and accept appointments. Squarespace describes it as compatible with Acuity Scheduling.
Public pricing works well when packages are predictable. If scope varies substantially, use starting prices or package ranges and send visitors to a qualification form or consultation instead. Explain what is included, turnaround times, licensing, revisions, and the next step.
Choose Reseda if: visitors need a clear path from viewing work to booking a shoot, session, or commission.
It is not ideal if: you sell high-value bespoke work that requires a conversation before any price can be meaningful.
Adri: best for studios and creative businesses
Adri is more conversion-oriented than a pure portfolio. It gives a studio, agency, architect, interior designer, or established freelancer room to explain process, experience, client satisfaction, testimonials, and consultation options.
Use the structure to show how you work: discovery, strategy, production, delivery, and support. Testimonials should be specific and attributable where possible; “great to work with” is weaker than a statement describing the problem solved or result achieved.
Choose Adri if: clients are buying a defined process or high-value service.
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It is not ideal if: you are an emerging artist whose work—not an agency-style sales narrative—should dominate the site.
Two Squarespace portfolio templates to avoid for a new 2026 site
Wells
Wells is a version 7.0 template family built around sidebar navigation and gallery pages. It is not automatically a bad-looking design, and an existing site may have a strong reason to keep it. However, Squarespace says version 7.0 remains supported while development and bug-fix priority is lower as the company focuses on version 7.1. See Squarespace’s Wells documentation.
Rank #4
- 【Adjustable & Ergonomic】：This laptop stand can be adjusted to a comfortable height and angle according to your actual needs, letting you fix posture and reduce your neck fatigue, back pain and eye strain. Very comfortable for working in home, office and outdoor.
- 【Sturdy & Protective】 ：Made of sturdy metal, it can support up to 17.6 lbs (8kg) weight on top; With 2 rubber mats on the hook and anti-skid silicone pads on top & bottom, it can secure your laptop in place and maximum protect your device from scratches and sliding. Moreover, smooth edges will never hurt your hands.
- 【Heat Dissipation】 ：The top of the laptop stand is designed with multiple ventilation holes. The open design offers greater ventilation and more airflow to cool your laptop during operation other than it just lays flat on the table.
- 【Portable & Foldable】：The foldable design allows you to easily slip it in your backpack. Ideal for people who travel for business a lot.
- 【Broad Compatibility】：Our desktop book stand is compatible with all laptops from 10-15.6 inches, such as MacBook Air/ Pro, Google Pixelbook, Dell XPS, HP, ASUS, Lenovo ThinkPad, Acer, Chromebook and Microsoft Surface, etc.Be your ideal companion in Home, Office & Outdoor.
Use it only when: the sidebar-and-gallery structure is essential and you knowingly accept a legacy platform direction.
York
York is another version 7.0 family, notable for its distinctive project-page system. Version 7.1 uses portfolio pages and projects instead of the old 7.0 project-page architecture. That makes York a poor default for a new site, even if its presentation remains appealing.
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The evidence supports a legacy-platform warning—not claims that Wells or York are universally ugly, slow, mobile-unfriendly, or unsupported.
How to choose quickly
- Mostly images and a small, edited portfolio: Cami or Talva.
- Several disciplines or service categories: Zion.
- Freelance creative services and lead generation: Ortiz.
- Writing, marketing, or strategy work: Suhama.
- Sessions, shoots, or commissioned work: Reseda.
- Studio, agency, architecture, or consultation-led work: Adri.
- Existing 7.0 site with a specific legacy feature: consider keeping Wells or York rather than migrating solely for fashion.
What to build after choosing a starting design
A portfolio is more than a homepage grid. Squarespace recommends a clear presentation of work supported by project descriptions, an About section, contact information, and calls to action. Your structure should answer both “Is this person good?” and “What should I do next?”
Use a portfolio page for projects
In the browser editor:
- Open the Pages panel.
- Select the + beside the navigation area where you want the page.
- Choose Portfolio, select a layout, enter the page title, and press Enter.
- Select Edit, then the pencil icon to style the portfolio section.
- Select + to add a project, or open an existing project and choose Edit.
- Add the project’s images and information, then publish, schedule, or save it as a draft.
Current 7.1 portfolio layouts include Grid: Simple, which places titles below featured images; Grid: Overlay, which places titles over images; and Hover: Background, which changes the section background when a project link is hovered. Portfolio projects are separate from the portfolio landing page. See Squarespace’s portfolio-page guide.
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Blocks cannot be added inside the portfolio section itself, although block sections can be placed above or below it. The Squarespace app can manage many site tasks, but it cannot add new portfolio pages or edit portfolio projects; use the desktop or browser editor for those tasks.
Give every project a useful structure
- Project title and client, publication, or series name.
- Your role and the services you provided.
- The brief, audience, or artistic premise.
- Constraints and process where they help explain the work.
- Deliverables, medium, dimensions, or techniques.
- The result, outcome, or exhibition and publication context.
- A next step: inquire, book, view related work, or contact the artist.
A gallery is appropriate for showing finished work. A UX, branding, marketing, architecture, or product-design portfolio usually needs case studies that explain the brief, role, constraints, process, deliverables, and outcome.
Test with real content
Template demos use art-directed imagery, short copy, and consistent crops. Before committing, replace the demo content with at least three representative projects. Check thumbnail crops, project titles, paragraph lengths, mixed image ratios, and the site on a real phone. A layout that looks complete with 20 projects may feel unfinished with three.
Make the primary CTA visible, use descriptive link labels, check color contrast, provide alt text, and make sure keyboard users can understand the navigation. Squarespace describes its portfolio layouts as mobile-optimized, but your actual images, type sizes, content, and interactions still need testing.
Which Squarespace plan do you need?
For most solo portfolios, Basic is the sensible starting point. It is generally enough for a personal portfolio, a few supporting pages, a blog, and ordinary inquiry forms.
Best Value
- ✅【Adjustable & Ergonomic】：This laptop stand can be adjusted to a comfortable height and angle according to your actual needs, letting you fix posture and reduce your neck fatigue, back pain and eye strain. Very comfortable for working in home, office and outdoor.
- ✅【Sturdy & Protective】 ：Made of sturdy metal, it can support up to 17.6 lbs (8kg) weight on top; With 2 rubber mats on the hook and anti-skid silicone pads on top & bottom, it can secure your laptop in place and maximum protect your device from scratches and sliding. Moreover, smooth edges will never hurt your hands.
- ✅【Heat Dissipation】 ：The top of the laptop stand is designed with multiple ventilation holes. The open design offers greater ventilation and more airflow to cool your laptop during operation other than it just lays flat on the table.
- ✅【Portable & Foldable】：The foldable design allows you to easily slip it in your backpack. Ideal for people who travel for business a lot.
- ✅【Broad Compatibility】：Our laptop holder is compatible with all laptops from 10-17.3 inches, such as MacBook Air/ Pro, Google Pixelbook, Dell XPS, HP, ASUS, Lenovo ThinkPad, Acer, Chromebook and Microsoft Surface, etc.Be your ideal companion in Home, Office & Outdoor.
Choose Core when you need custom code, more integrations, multiple contributors, advanced marketing features, or a portfolio-business hybrid. Plus and Advanced are usually unnecessary for a simple portfolio; consider them only when video storage, digital products, or commerce volume makes the economics worthwhile.
Squarespace’s current plans are Basic, Core, Plus, and Advanced. Its FAQ says plans start at $19 per month when paid annually, but pricing, features, transaction fees, currency, and availability vary by location and billing frequency. New sites receive a 14-day trial with no credit card required, but there is no free-forever website plan. Check the live pricing page and current transaction-fee information before buying.
Annual website plans include one year of free domain registration for new websites, according to Squarespace’s pricing information. You can also connect a domain you already own. Optional additions include Acuity Scheduling for appointments and Squarespace Email Campaigns for newsletters. Neither is necessary for a basic portfolio with a contact form.
FAQ
Are Squarespace 7.1 templates actually different?
They differ mainly in their starting layouts, demo content, visual direction, and initial page structure. Squarespace says they share one template family, features, and style options.
Can I change a 7.1 template later?
Not with a simple template switch. Plan to redesign or recreate the site if you later want a different starting structure.
Should I use a portfolio page or regular gallery sections?
Use a portfolio page when you want a central project index with individual project pages. Use regular sections when you need more control over a custom landing page or want blocks mixed directly into the layout.
Can I sell prints, products, or services?
Yes, but the appropriate commerce features and fees depend on your plan and location. Verify the current plan details before choosing Plus or Advanced solely for selling.
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Yes. Add a resume or CV page, link to a downloadable document, or include selected experience directly in an About or text-forward section.
Do I need a separate booking tool?
No. A contact form may be enough. If clients need to select appointment times, deposits, or availability, evaluate Acuity Scheduling.
Are Wells and York completely unsupported?
No. The precise warning is that they are version 7.0 families with lower development priority than the current 7.1 direction. Existing users may have good reasons to retain them.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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