How Squarespace Circle Helped Me Grow My Web Design Career
Creatives need a community to do their best work, but when you work from a computer, finding that community can sometimes take extra effort. For Circle members Sam Crawford and Cody Juhnke, the Circle community has been more than a resource hub, it’s been a network for learning, collaboration, and even friendship. Both have used Circle to transform their respective businesses.
Sam Crawford is the founder and head designer of by Crawford, a web design studio that specializes in bespoke Squarespace websites for medium to large corporations. Despite his rapidly growing client list, Sam still runs everything on a daily basis. “You name it, I do it!” he says. Working one-on-one with companies has helped him foster close and enduring client relationships. “I actually met up with one at Circle Day in New York this year!” he adds.
Cody Juhnke is the owner and founder of Pluto Studio (formerly Moov Labs), Ghost Plugins, and Ghost Marketplace—three unique businesses that all revolve around Squarespace. Pluto Studio provides small businesses with beautiful, uniquely designed Squarespace websites, while Ghost Plugins caters to designers and other professionals working on client projects. The site hosts the largest library of free plugins just for Squarespace, along with premium “Super Plugins” and fully designed Squarespace templates. Ghost Marketplace is a product-based marketplace where designers and developers, including many Circle members, can browse plugins, templates, and guides.
In addition to being entrepreneurs and Circle members, Sam and Cody are Community Leaders, an opportunity that exists to honor members who have made significant contributions to the community. We’ve asked them to share their unique approaches to running Squarespace web businesses, and how Circle has helped them along the way.
When did you start using Squarespace?
Sam Crawford: I started dabbling in Squarespace in late 2018 and went all in in 2019. I actually started because I wanted to create a website for my agency at the time and had seen ads for Squarespace every time I went on YouTube. It seemed intuitive right out of the box, and I was so impressed with the final product I was able to achieve with zero training or knowhow (I wasn’t design-oriented at the time at all—I was actually a professional copywriter). Little did I know, this little experiment would change my entire life!
Cody Juhnke: I originally had a bad experience with a designer who disappeared on me, leaving me with no budget to hire someone else. I had to build my own site out of necessity—which is when I first discovered Squarespace.
When I was done with my [Squarespace] site, I realized I enjoyed building my own site. I started reading online articles, watching videos, and eventually joined Circle too! I became really invested in design, the process, and its creativity.
It’s strange to think about, but I really did fall into Squarespace and design by accident. I’m glad my experience happened, because now I have three businesses and love what I do. Squarespace truly helped me turn an experience into an interest into a passion.
Why do you continue to use Squarespace?
Sam: Because I absolutely love it. I love literally every single element! The creative side of it, solving client problems, the community, the Squarespace team, creating blogs and tutorials for YouTube, coaching others—the list goes on. The whole Squarespace ecosystem is refreshingly unique within the web design space, and every day I continue to dive deeper into it.
I honestly couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I’ve now got three separate Squarespace-based businesses, so I’m putting my money where my mouth is!
Cody: Simple, it’s the best! Other platforms I’ve tried have never seemed to match what I love about Squarespace. Ever since my first impression of Squarespace back in 2013, I’ve remained loyal to Squarespace and its vision. The simplicity in use, while offering top-tier features, including its membership and subscription features, have really helped me launch and grow each of my businesses.
When did you join Circle?
Sam: I joined Circle early 2020 soon after completing my third website.
Cody: I joined Circle in 2016, but I found my original love for Squarespace in 2013.
What do you like about the Circle community?
Sam: A genuine sense of belonging. Everyone is always happy to offer free support to those who need it. We’re also all working towards a common goal of making Squarespace the best platform for ourselves and our clients, which just feels great.
And after Circle Day, I feel like I have become ‘real’ friends with so many fellow members. Not only that, but a lot of us have actually collaborated off the back of this on things like in-person meet-ups, podcasts, AMA's, projects, etc., which is testament to the strength of the Circle bond.
Cody: I’m very thankful for Circle and how community-focused it is. It not only helped me in my businesses, but it’s given me the opportunity to form great connections and even some amazing friendships with those in the Squarespace Circle community.
How has being a Circle member benefitted or changed your business? What was it like before and after?
Sam: I became a Circle member pretty early on in my Squarespace journey, so it’s hard to think of life before it! It has more so been a gradual growth over years by utilizing the tools available to me via Circle.
For instance, six-month trials have been an absolute game changer. As a pro, spinning up a website within the standard two-week trial just isn’t feasible with client revisions, comms, etc., so this extended period has allowed me to handle huge projects with ease.
Cody: When I first started out in 2013, I was still learning and turning to so many resources about design and how to code—but I always found myself coming back to Circle. Circle really is where I really learned a lot and what helped me launch multiple businesses within the Squarespace community.
What is your favorite Circle benefit?
Sam: It’s a mix of two. Early beta feature access (shoutout to the Release Tracker for helping me keep a note of these) and the help from the Circle forum. Without these, I wouldn’t have made half the progress that I have in such a relatively short span of time.
Cody: Can I say two? Definitely the early access to new features in Circle Labs and updates from the Squarespace Product Teams on upcoming changes to the platform. Knowing these things ahead of time really helps us maintain and create a positive experience for our Pluto Members, as well as our customers at Ghost Plugins and Ghost Marketplace.
What is your advice for someone who is considering joining Circle?
Sam: Pretty simple really—do it! Get those three websites on your dashboard and venture inside the club. Honestly, even if it was just for the community aspect, it’s worth it. Now with Circle Day too—it is just such a no-brainer.
Cody: You should definitely join Circle! Circle is built on—and driven by—a very collaborative, creative, and friendly community. So whether you’re a long-time designer/developer, or just new to Squarespace, Circle is a great place to be for everyone!
What is your advice for other Circle members looking to expand or evolve their business?
Sam: Make use of your network. By this, what I mean is you need to be active in the forums. If you hit a roadblock, just ask for help. Need some coding assistance? Ask for help. You can literally ask for anything in the Circle Forum, and someone will help you out.
What I try to do nowadays is assist more than I ask. That way, we’re all paying it forward and it keeps our little ecosystem thriving.
If you’re just getting started, though, it’s fine if you just want to ask. People genuinely want to help you. Before I joined Circle, I didn’t have any design or coding experience at all. I learned it all through the forums and communities by asking questions. So if you want to get good—just ask!
Cody: Be authentic and different. Write down some things that help your business stand out from others and then really hone in on those differences to expand and evolve your business. These differences can be found in your branding, design aesthetic, the unique products and services you offer, or just how you run your business overall. It’s important to be authentic and transparent when building your business—don’t try to carbon copy somebody else’s concept, business model, or ideas. This will never work out and will only hurt you in the end. Always be authentic.
For Sam Crawford and Cody Juhnke, Circle was initially an indispensable learning tool. Both asked for help in the members-only forum to solve specific design and development problems, growing from novice users to seasoned professionals along the way. As they’ve become successful experts in their respective businesses and careers, they’ve shifted to giving back to the community by sharing their knowledge with others through the same forum. They embraced Circle, not just as a powerful tool for professional development, but as a hub for everything from inspiration to friendship.
Special thanks to our interviewees for sharing their expertise.
Sam Crawford is an award-winning Squarespace web designer who has built and delivered over 300 websites. He is founder and head designer of by Crawford, a web design studio that specializes in bespoke Squarespace websites for medium to large corporations.
Cody Juhnke is the owner and founder of Pluto Studio (formerly Moov Labs), Ghost Plugins, and Ghost Marketplace. Through a unique pricing model, Cody empowers small businesses to create a beautiful online presence on a budget.
Want more?
Check out Squarespace Circle, Squarespace’s program for professional designers. Along with exclusive content, discounts, and other perks, Circle brings professionals together from all across the globe to exchange advice while connecting with new clients and collaborators.
