Allie Astell
Circle: What did you do before building websites?
Allie: I have a degree in media and communications and worked in advertising up to 2006. From there, I worked at a publishing company looking after their magazine and various websites. It was when I was made redundant from the publishing company that I founded Manage My Website.
Circle: Tell us about your business, Manage My Website.
A: Manage My Website (MMW) helps anyone who needs Squarespace assistance – from web design to consultancy, training and workshops to coding, plus branding, email marketing and social media consultancy. We’re a one-stop shop providing whatever our clients need to promote themselves online. I’m incredibly proud of the fact that April 2020 heralded our 11th year in business!
Circle: How did you start building sites on Squarespace?
A: The moment that I built my first ever Squarespace website in the kitchen on my very dated little white MacBook seems so long ago now. At that time, I was project managing the build of websites on other platforms. I had no idea how to build a site from scratch! A friend asked if I’d heard of a relatively new platform called Squarespace. That moment changed everything. Curious, I built my own website, learning about web design as I went along.
Social media was in its infancy back then too. I began to post (with not much of a clue as to what to do although I did enjoy following celebrity exploits!), and slowly built up my client base. I offered extremely well-priced web design in return for the opportunity to learn more about the business I’d chosen to go into and the intricacies of using Squarespace. In those days I was using Squarespace 5 — a very different kettle of fish to the slick and polished version of the platform we’re using these days.
“I know it sounds cheesy, but Squarespace has changed my life. I think back to the day in January 2009 when my friend asked me, “Have you heard of Squarespace?” and I realise that it was absolutely pivotal to everything that’s happened to me in the last 11 years.”
Circle: Once you started learning the platform, when did you start using Squarespace as a primary tool for your business?
A: I noticed around 2011 that people didn’t seem to be so hung up about legacy platforms anymore and were open to trying out something new, but I think things became much more serious for two reasons. When MMW was added to the old Specialists directory, enquiries came in fast, and I realised I had a business with a lot of potential. I also noticed a huge change when Squarespace started marketing heavily during the Superbowl and on UK TV.
Also, initially I used to only train my clients how to update the sites I’d built for them. But as Squarespace started to grow in popularity, I realised that there was a niche for training people one-to-one or in groups to build their own sites, so I launched our training service in 2013 and was invited to give lectures and give workshops.
Circle: Why do you work with Squarespace over some other website building platforms?
A: Aside from obvious reasons like gorgeous templates, ease of use, a very intuitive CMS, and regularly updated functionality, the main reason I’m such a fan of Squarespace is that it puts my clients in total control.
As all the sites are hosted by Squarespace, there’s no middleman to worry about. If a website goes down, it will be back up in no time at all as the issue is likely to be short term. There’s also excellent support via email and live chat whenever my clients need help. Once we’ve built a website for a client, we don’t have to be kept in the loop unless they want us to be. And I like that a lot.
Circle: What’s the most memorable website you built?
A: I think the most unique website I worked on was one for women to find clothes that don’t require a bra. It was extremely niche, kind of fascinating and one that will probably never make our portfolio as it was a little risqué for our more conservative clients, but I was intrigued. It was a whole new world to me!
Circle: How does Squarespace help you stand out in your field?
A: I think what helps me stand out in the web design/training field is Squarespace’s brand and reputation. The marketing style is very unique and gets people’s attention, making people want to find out more. These days I don’t really have to explain what Squarespace is, as most clients already know about the platform and have had a look at the templates on offer before they contact me.
“Believe in yourself. I know you sometimes feel like a fraud when talking to clients, but over the years you’ll build up a vast bank of knowledge and will become an authority in this sector.”
Circle: What would you tell your former self to do differently in relation to your business and/or working with Squarespace Circle?
A: I would tell myself to:
Keep your accounts in order. Sorting through 12 months’ worth of invoices and receipts to get your tax return off on time is a total nightmare.
Be choosy about who you work with. Trust your gut instinct when you know that a client has the potential to be very awkward.
Go above and beyond the call of duty to keep your clients happy, but don’t be too soft. You’ll lose a lot of money doing too many favours, so put a value on your skills.
Believe in yourself. I know you sometimes feel like a fraud when talking to clients, but over the years you’ll build up a vast bank of knowledge and will become an authority in this sector.
Learn to delegate. You’re a total control freak so it will be a challenge. But in a few years’ time you’ll have an incredibly strong team to support you. Make use of them and try to maintain some kind of work-life balance.
Circle: Is there anything else you want to share?
A: I know it sounds cheesy, but Squarespace has changed my life. I think back to the day in January 2009 when my friend asked me, “Have you heard of Squarespace?” and I realise that it was absolutely pivotal to everything that’s happened to me in the last 11 years. So, a big thank you to Jay Graham and everyone who’s been involved with MMW since it was founded.
Special thanks to Allie for sharing her story.
To learn more about Allie or to hire her for your project, visit Squarespace Marketplace.
