How David Alex Became a Trusted Voice in the Web Design Industry
Location: Irvine, California.
Started using Squarespace: 2014
Title: Digital Designer
David Alex’s path to web design wasn’t traditional, but it was intentional. After creating his first website to support a cause he cared about, he realized digital tools could drive real-world impact. What followed was a steady evolution—from self-taught freelancer to studio owner to educator—fueled by a love for teaching and a deep understanding of user experience. Today, David is a Circle Platinum Partner and Community Leader. He runs a web design agency that blends client work with scalable content, helping others build better websites and stronger digital strategies.
Read our interview to learn how David’s business has evolved since 2016 and how he has become a trusted educator in the web design industry.
What originally drew you to web design, and how did you get your start in the industry?
My journey into web design began unexpectedly during a mission trip to Southeast Asia. While working at an orphanage, I fell in love with the kids there and wanted to help them in any meaningful way possible. I realized that building a website for a sponsorship program could make a real difference, but there was one problem—I had never built a website before.
I returned home determined to learn everything I could about web development. After countless iterations on that first site, it launched successfully and helped get hundreds of kids sponsored. That initial project sparked something in me. A few years later, I created my second Squarespace website for the company where I was working. Then, about 18 months after that, I took the leap into freelancing and landed my first client project. That decision has since led to building hundreds of sites and working on over a thousand projects.
What made Squarespace your platform of choice for web design, and what keeps you using it?
Squarespace stands out as the most intuitive platform for end users to manage their websites. I firmly believe that business owners shouldn't have to learn how to code, and everyone should be empowered to manage their own website. While they don't need to handle the initial design—that's where we come in as experts—they should absolutely be able to update copy, add or remove sections, update business hours, change contact information, and handle other routine maintenance.
What's your favorite Squarespace tool or feature, and why does it stand out to you?
My favorite Squarespace tool is Fluid Engine. The ability to build beautiful, elegant sites with a consistent look and feel is essential to my work, and Fluid Engine provides that consistency across all sections and builds. I also love Site Styles for its extensive options with text, fonts, colors, and dynamic color systems. Together, these features empower me to create stunning websites elegantly without having to worry about code at all.
How has that part of your business evolved over the last decade?
Over the past decade, my business has fundamentally evolved from a one-to-one approach to a one-to-many model. While I know I could work successfully with just a few clients each month, I recognized that thousands of people have the same questions and could benefit from the knowledge I've gained.
This realization led me to focus on creating comprehensive content and positioning myself as a media company first before a web design company. This approach ensures people can find the answers they're looking for, and if they need additional help, they can reach out to me and my team. Interestingly, some of my best and biggest projects have come from people who learned from my content before deciding to hire me.
What inspires you to keep sharing your knowledge and educating others?
What drives this educational approach is honestly a bit selfish—I just love teaching. It's one of the gifts I feel I'm truly good at, and something I could do all day without getting tired. Teaching allows me to express who I am while taking complex concepts and making them simple and accessible.
When I share knowledge, I focus on taking something big and intimidating, like building a website for the first time, and making it straightforward. I also strive to provide solutions in a scalable way, ensuring they can be easily found online by anyone who needs that specific answer while building their website.
What advice would you give to web designers and SEO professionals navigating the evolving landscape of AI?
When it comes to the evolving landscape of AI in web design and development, I always ask myself: what is the core asset that I bring to the table?
A decade ago, it would have been coding. A few years ago, it would have been design layouts. But today, it's strategically understanding user experience and guiding people from knowing nothing about a business to taking meaningful action within that business ecosystem.
This represents a completely different use case and experience than what websites served 10 or 20 years ago. With AI and evolving technologies, the fundamental purpose of websites has shifted, and it's crucial to help web designers understand this transformation.
You're no longer being hired for the same things you were hired for before—what clients need today is different. The more you can understand your value proposition as both a Squarespace expert and a user experience expert for website design and digital ecosystems, the more it changes how you position yourself, how you sell, and what outcomes you're driving toward.
How do you make the most of Circle membership?
My Circle membership has been invaluable to my growth. The Circle community provides a genuine experience with other designers, and it's reassuring to know that others are dealing with similar frustrations, issues, and challenges—and may have solutions to share.
I love connecting with other designers in the Circle community because it allows me to learn from and grow alongside them. Beyond the community aspect, all the perks and benefits are incredible—the subscription discounts, the extended trial periods for new sites. These benefits have become staples in my business, and I honestly don't know how I'd function without them.
Key takeaways
Here are some of the top insights from our interview with David:
You don’t need code to design beautiful, functional websites
Teaching can be both a form of service and a scalable business model
AI is shifting the value web designers provide, so it’s important to know what skills make you most valuable
Community is essential to long-term success and provides access to long-term learning opportunities
Read some of David’s work on the Circle blog:
This article was originally published on September 21, 2021. It has since been updated.
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