Custom Squarespace and Shopify websites

My Squarespace website design service

Squarespace offers beautiful website templates that are user-friendly and easy to customize, but creating an intuitive website structure, selecting the right images and color palette, and writing effective copy can be challenging. That's where I come in. As a Squarespace expert, I provide custom coding to enhance your website's appearance and functionality, as well as offer photography and videography services. Whether you need a new website or want to improve an existing one, I'm here to help.

Why Squarespace?

  • You can update it yourself! Once I’ve built your website for you, you will have full access to your site and depending on your technical abilities, may never require my services ever again!

  • All Squarespace templates are made by Squarespace, unlike the other content management systems (Wordpress, Shopify) which have user-generated templates. This means that it is very straightforward for you to figure out how to make changes to your own Squarespace site just by Googling. 

  • Support! Squarespace offers 24 hours support which has been useful to me on so many occasions. Either a phone call or a web chat will get your mystery solved. 

  • No need to update your site to the latest version. Squarespace's development team handle all of that for you, so you never have to worry about running updates and features not working anymore.

When is Squarespace not a good idea?

If you have a very specific idea of how your site needs to look and function, you might be better off working with a developer to build your site. If you are planning on selling a lot online, and shipping internationally, Shopify is better.

How does the process work?

Some website designers and branding agencies offer a selection of designs to choose from before the build. However, I have streamlined my website design process over four years to make it the most cost and time effective for everyone. It enables you to get the website of your dreams quickly taking 3-6 weeks.

Consultation /First draft

To begin, I collaborate with you to discover your design preferences, pinpoint your ideal audience, and map out how they'll discover your site and what content they'll expect.

Next, I gather all the written content, graphics, and images you can provide. Don't worry if writing's not your forte - I can interview you or work from bullet points. With all the necessary assets in hand, I lock myself away for a week (or so) and hammer out your first draft.

Second draft

I offer two revision rounds where you can make changes to the website design. To ensure a smooth process, please provide all your revisions in one go, either through email or a document. We can also schedule a meeting via phone, Zoom, or in-person to discuss your desired changes. If changes come in bit by bit, there's a risk that I may miss one.

If we're doing a photoshoot, it typically happens after the second revision round. The photos will then be added to the final draft.

Final draft

Once all your final amendments have been made and signed off, we can proceed to launch your site together in person or remotely, depending on your preference. If you've requested training, this is usually the best time for it.

To get your new Squarespace account up and running, I'll send you instructions on how to make the payment along with my final invoice. Once payment is made, I'll connect your site to your domain, and your site will be ready to go. Et voilà! Your new site is complete.

What’s included

  • A consultation

  • A questionnaire/interview that will ensure your website will look the way you’d hoped.

  • Restructuring/writing copy

  • Text-based logo design

  • The big build

  • Custom CSS, and Javascript to make your site look and work better than a standard Squarespace website

  • 2 rounds of amendments

  • Access all areas to your site to change whenever you want

  • Standard SEO

  • Linking your site up to your domain

  • 1 week of support post-website launch

Optional extras:

  • In-depth search engine optimisation - Competitor analysis, keyword research, in-depth site optimisation, set up Google Search Console, Bing Webmaster Tools, Google Analytics, connect Google Business Page (if it makes sense to do so) and set up Google Adwords, plus full report of my findings and suggestions. (£500)

  • In-depth site handbook, documenting fonts and colours used, along with detailed instructions about how to update your site (£250)

  • 1-hour training session (£100 + travel expenses if any)

  • Mailchimp or Squarespace newsletter design, set-up and training (£250)

  • Squarespace / Calendly Scheduling set up and training (£125)

  • Presentation and document templates (£250)

All of this is flexible and further add-ons are always available for example, I can offer an intensive training session on using your website or we could make a landing page video.

Similarly, if you already have your photos and copy ready to go, I will reflect the price accordingly. 

Pricing

Projects generally start at around £1,500, but the cost can go up or down depending on what you need. If you want to get a better idea, fill out my questionnaire and I’ll get back to you within a couple of days.

Squarespace costs

I usually recommend the Squarespace Business Plan which enables you to use all of Squarespace’s Premium blocks and customisation. It also includes the following: 

  • Unlimited Pages, Galleries, and Blogs with Unlimited Bandwidth and Storage, and Unlimited Contributors

  • Mobile-Optimised Website

  • Advanced Website Metrics

  • SSL Security Included

  • 24/7 Customer Support

  • Promotional Pop-Ups

  • Sell Unlimited Products & Accept Donations

  • Mobile Information Bar

  • Complete Customisation Through CSS and JavaScript

  • Premium Blocks and Integrations

  • Announcement Bar

Because I am a Squarespace circle member, you will receive 20% off your first year costing £180 a year. After that it will cost £216 a year  or £21.60 a month. The price can go lower or higher depending on what functionality you require. 

Sound like something you need?

If you’re interested in working with me, I’d love to hear from you. My email is hello@sarahhalliday.com. I offer a free 30 minute consultation, either via email, on the phone, over Zoom to find out exactly what you’re looking for and to see if we are a good fit.

If you’re looking to get a quote quickly, you can fill out my website quotation form.