“Cool” UI Design

I think Squarespace 7.1 has a “cool” user interface. I’ve been using it for just a short while but it’s easy to customize and I think the updates are convenient. Previous versions required that you select a Theme or Template and work with that design throughout. This was nice and cohesive; however, it made altercations and customizations difficult. It also made integration of different template pieces difficult.

In the newest update, there are no templates. Instead, you can pick pieces of code and add sections to your website by a simple click and drag method. Layouts are predesigned for you but, for the most part, are nearly 100% customizable.

In the Design menu, you have the option of changing your font, font size, color, background color, and even motion or animated graphics.

You have the categories clearly labeled which allow you to navigate to your pages, design, marketing, support, and so on. Within those pages, each call to action is easily identified, allowing the everyday person to be a “developer” of their own.

For the bigger bucks, you have a seamless way of embedding subscriptions, emailing lists, orders, products, etc. Aside from the minimalistic aesthetic, I think the simplicity of the user interface is what makes Squarespace an incredible platform.

On a side note: I would argue that Medium.com has a less than awesome UI. The little “+” feature is difficult to locate, and without hovering the mouse over the right place exactly, I wouldn’t even know you had the option of adding images into your posts. That being said, it is easy to use once you find it.