How to Work with a Circle Member from a Business Owner’s Perspective
When building a website, there are two options to turn your vision into a reality: do it yourself or enlist the help of a skilled web designer. While it may be tempting to go the DIY route—especially with a user-friendly platform like Squarespace—I can confidently say one of the best investments I’ve made in my small business was hiring a professional to create an engaging, branded website.
That said, I didn’t settle for just any web designer. I found someone who understood my specific industry, goals, and aesthetic vision. More importantly, they were communicative, clear on timelines and deliverables, and open to ongoing collaboration. An added bonus? Their Squarespace Circle membership—more on that next.
As a result of working together, I now have a website that authentically represents my brand as well as a strategic partner to lean on when I have questions or need help with site updates or revisions. Shoutout to Connie Holen of Pixality Design!
Read on to learn the benefits of choosing a Squarespace Circle member, along with valuable insights to make the most of working with a professional web designer.
Why work with a Circle member
Squarespace Circle is a program designed to support a community of creatives, developers, and designers who use Squarespace to build websites for themselves and their clients. Web creatives are eligible for the program when they’ve built or contributed to at least three Squarespace websites.
Working with a Circle member offers perks and discounts for you as a client too. To start, you can feel confident knowing you’re teaming up with a designer who specializes in Squarespace. You’ll also receive extended free trials—six months versus the default two weeks—and 20% off your first year on the platform and integrations like Email Campaigns, Digital Products, and Acuity Scheduling. Learn the key benefits of working with a Circle member.
I was set on having a Squarespace website for my business, so I wanted to collaborate with a designer who is well-versed in the platform. The Squarespace Circle badge assured me of my designer’s expertise. It also signaled she'd stay up to date on platform updates and have direct access to the Squarespace support team if necessary.
Understanding the process of web design
From concept to completion, each stage of the web design process is important. Here’s a breakdown of every step, and how to make the most of each.
Clarify roles and responsibilities
To ensure the web design process is both productive and enjoyable (it should be!), define clear roles and responsibilities from the get-go. Work with your designer to decide who does what during each phase of the project. Document each person’s responsibilities so you both have a point of reference.
Define goals and objectives
The cornerstone of any successful web design project is a clear vision. Take time to articulate what you want to achieve with your website, whether it's to increase online visibility, enhance user engagement, or drive conversions. Make your goals measurable, setting specific key performance indicators (KPIs) that offer a quantifiable evaluation of success. Then, work with your designer to align these goals with the elements of your site.
Regularly revisit and refine your goals throughout the project, updating them as needed to meet evolving business needs and user feedback. This approach means the web design stays focused on achieving your objectives and delivering a meaningful user experience.
Open communication channels
Effective communication is foundational to any client-designer partnership. Clear and consistent communication guarantees ideas are exchanged seamlessly, keeping the project on course.
Work together to establish preferred communication channels and expectations for response times. Whether it's through email, project management tools, video calls, or other platforms, having a well-defined communication strategy helps prevent misunderstandings and keeps everyone on the same page with progress.
Set a realistic timeline
A realistic and documented timeline provides a clear roadmap, aligning expectations with achievable milestones. It paves the way for thorough planning, preventing unnecessary rush or pressure on both client and designer. A clear timeline also acknowledges potential challenges and includes buffers. The result? More time for thoughtful decisions and a transparent experience overall.
Budget for success
Managing the finances of a web design project may feel overwhelming, but it’s a crucial part of the process. To start, research industry standards and prices for similar projects to establish a baseline budget. Next, work with your designer to determine the scope of your project, including the type of website and its features as well as any additional costs related to domain registration, hosting fees, and any software or tools you might need.
Beyond core design and development costs, factor in expenses that help your site stand out. For example, SEO support to enhance the website's visibility in search engines, a professional copywriter to create content that converts, or social media assistance for strategic promotion once the site is live. No surprise invoices here—anticipating these costs helps you build a more comprehensive budget from the jump.
Provide feedback
Effective feedback is key to refining your project and achieving the desired outcome. Begin by offering specific and constructive comments, focusing on both positive aspects and areas that may need improvement. Be clear and concise in your communication, using descriptive language to convey your thoughts. Reference the project's defined goals and objectives to ensure feedback aligns with the overall vision. Consider using visual cues, like comments on design mockups or screenshots, to highlight specific elements. Be timely in your feedback, addressing issues as they arise to avoid delays. Most importantly, encourage a collaborative dialogue. Ask for your designer's input and suggestions—they’re the expert, after all.
Trust the design expertise
If there’s one piece of advice I hope you take away from this article, it’s this: trust your designer. This trust isn’t about giving up control—it's about embracing a partnership grounded in respect and collaboration.
Your designer offers knowledge and experience. In other words, they know what works and what doesn’t. Plus, they understand the nuances of user experience, aesthetics, and latest design trends. By entrusting them with their craft, you’ll open the door to innovative solutions and top-notch design.
Test and iterate
Web design is an inherently iterative process, where multiple rounds of testing and feedback take place to achieve the final product.
During testing phases, actively evaluate the site's functionality, user experience, and overall design. Lean into collaboration with your designer and provide constructive feedback that goes beyond pointing out issues. Again, trust in the process and recognize that each round of testing and feedback can bring the project one step closer to meeting your goals.
Celebrate success
As your project nears its final stages and your website goes live, it's time to celebrate. Surprisingly, this is an often overlooked aspect of a web design project. Take a moment to acknowledge this milestone with your designer—you did it!
Next, acknowledge your designer’s hard work and dedication by writing a review, sharing a testimonial, or making a referral. Your words may inspire someone else to start their own web design journey with the support of a professional web designer.
There’s a lot that goes into a web design project. It requires a detailed plan, open communication, and an eye for detail. This is why having a strategic partner makes all the difference. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to find an incredible designer and Circle member to bring my website to life; I know you will too.
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.
