7 Things to Do as a New Squarespace Web Designer
Starting a successful Squarespace web design business presents unique challenges, particularly because it might seem like the market is already saturated with web designers offering Squarespace services. You may wonder, “Is it too late to join the party? Can I even make a full-time living offering web design services?”
With new businesses constantly cropping up and the rising popularity of Squarespace, it’s not too late. In fact, it’s a great time to jump in because you can offer a host of Squarespace-related services: full-website builds, site redesigns, sale page designs, custom templates, plugins, CSS tweaks and troubleshooting, SEO consulting, scheduling and email marketing setup, integrations with third-party apps, online courses, workshops, and so much more.
Whether you’re starting fresh or want to pivot from your existing graphic design or digital marketing services, focusing on Squarespace web design services can be a game-changer for your long-term business success.
Discover seven strategies you can use to go full-time with your web design business and follow your dream of running a successful online business.
1. Use current skills
Start where you are with what you already know and have. It’s possible to fall into the trap of, “I need to learn more, train more, and read more before I can start offering my design services,” or, “I don’t have a big email list.” There will always be more to learn. It’s never-ending. But, if you’ve already successfully built websites, you already have the skills to help someone set up their website and begin offering web design services. Use your current skills and build from there.
Add a description of your services to your website
Create a portfolio that showcases the websites you’ve created so far, including for friends and family
Tell your network by sending them an email or making a social media post announcing your design services and new website
Introduce yourself as a Squarespace web designer and put that in your email signature and all your existing social media profiles
2. Try video marketing
Teach what you know with video.
Putting your expertise on video demonstrates to potential clients that you know your subject matter well, and it helps them to get to know you by seeing your face and hearing your voice. You begin to build a body of work and establish yourself as an authority on your subject matter. Then, your work stands as evidence.
Videos are great for transitioning clients through the offboarding process. For those less familiar with Squarespace, you can walk them through updating their site and help them become comfortable with the platform.
Video content also benefits your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. Clients searching online for a solution to a problem (i.e., branding their business, operating the Squarespace platform, identifying best practices for site layout, etc.) can discover your services through video content.
Lastly, you can help people resolve their issues at a moment when they may not be able to afford a custom web design project. In doing so, you can establish your expertise and create brand awareness for when they can afford to hire you in the future.
As a reminder, start where you are and with what you’ve got. You don’t need fancy video equipment. Using a screencast app to record your screen is good enough to get you started.
Pro tip: Invest in a good microphone. While a video with a lower resolution is acceptable, one with bad audio is just too difficult to follow.
3. Increase your rates periodically
Raising your rates is an area that can be challenging for new Squarespace web designers. When you’re starting out, you simply want to get booked. You may feel that because you are new, your work warrants lower rates. That may be fine for a while, and it will earn you some projects. But to survive and, more importantly, thrive as a full-time web designer, you’ll need to increase your rates from time to time.
Pricing a project and getting what you deserve for your services is based on a few factors: what the market will pay you (market value); what you feel is the right compensation for your time, skills, and services (“gut” price); and your business costs. When there's an alignment, your price and what the market will pay should match. Otherwise, you’ll need to up-level your services, skills, and customer experience to match your asking price. Learn more about the art of raising your rates.
4. Learn the business side of design
Running a successful web design business is more than just knowing how to design great websites. There's the business aspect, which is crucial to get a handle on if you’re trying to make a living. Sign up for a course, get a business coach, or look through the Circle blog to help you learn about marketing, client acquisition, design workflows, client communication, and your role as a business owner.
Whatever you can spend, think of it as an investment in yourself. When you apply what you learn, your business will benefit.
5. Learn to customize with CSS
While Squarespace’s platform is extremely customizable, you may find there are clients who have specific requests for their websites. The more you learn CSS, the more likely you can agree to take on these projects. There are experienced Circle members who teach about CSS both through paid courses and trainings, as well as free video channels. Take advantage of all that know-how and use it to up-level your clients’ websites.
Find peers who specialize in CSS in the member-only Circle Forum.
6. Cultivate generosity and empathy
Although it may not feel inherently relevant to running a business, a mindset that’s geared toward generosity and empathy flows into everything you’ll do as a Squarespace web designer. This doesn’t mean not setting boundaries or communicating your expectations. It’s about adopting an attitude of understanding and avoiding negative mindsets and frustrations with people or situations when things don’t go as planned. By seeking to understand your client’s goals and perspectives, you’ll foster a more cohesive working relationship. Learn more about the mistakes Circle members recommend avoiding when working with clients.
7. Add value wherever possible
Your clients will count on you to make their vision a reality through a professional website. With that, there are add-ons that can enhance your clients’ websites, making them more than an online presence. Whether it’s selling memberships, setting up Acuity Scheduling, integrating Email Campaigns, creating Digital Products, or establishing custom domains, there’s so much you can do to create bespoke websites that make your clients stand out as professionals in their industry.
Remember, the website you create for your clients is a living presence that can and should evolve with their business. There will always be a good reason for you to re-engage your client and contribute even more to their website.
Begin your journey as a web designer
These seven strategies are a jumping-off point as you establish your Squarespace design business. Most of all, believe in yourself—especially when venturing on your path as a new Squarespace web designer. For more wisdom on getting started as a professional web designer, check out these guides:
*This post was originally published on September 30, 2021. It has since been updated.
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 across the globe to exchange advice while connecting with new clients and collaborators.
