My Client Process to Build Your Squarespace Website

If you’ve ever hopped off a call with a web designer and thought, “Great… but what happens now?” — you’re not alone.

In fact, this is one of the most common questions I get on discovery calls with new clients. And honestly? It’s exactly why hiring a Squarespace website designer should feel like a relief, not another thing on your to-do list.

My job isn’t just to design you a beautiful Squarespace website. It’s to guide you through the entire process, from that very first conversation right through to launch day (and beyond). You don’t need to manage timelines, figure out what comes next, or know the right jargon — I’ve got you.

I work using a clear, step-by-step client process that keeps things calm, collaborative, and genuinely enjoyable. I’ll do the heavy lifting, keep things moving, and make sure you end up with a bespoke Squarespace website that not only looks great, but actually converts visitors into customers.

Below, I’m walking you through my full 8-step website design process, so you know exactly what to expect when working with me as your UK-based Squarespace website designer for small businesses.

Step 1: Discovery Call (No Obligation, No Pressure)

Before I ever send a quote or proposal, I like to start with a relaxed, no‑obligation discovery call over video.

This call is your chance to tell me:

  • What you’re looking for from your new Squarespace website

  • What’s currently not working (or doesn’t exist yet!)

  • Where your business is right now — and where you want it to go

If you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed, that’s completely fine. A lot of my clients come to me knowing they need a better website, but not quite knowing what that looks like yet. That’s where I come in.

I’ll ask plenty of questions about your business, your services, your audience, and your goals. From there, I can recommend exactly what your website needs — whether that’s specific pages, features, or functionality — and explain how Squarespace can support that.

I’ll also walk you through how I work, what my process looks like, and why Squarespace is such a great platform for small businesses in the UK.

After the call, I’ll put together a bespoke proposal and quote, tailored specifically to your business.

Step 2: Kick‑Off Workshop

Once you’re booked in, we kick things off properly with a dedicated kick‑off workshop.

This is where I fully immerse myself in your business and brand — and honestly, it’s one of my favourite parts of the process. As a fellow small business owner, I find it genuinely inspiring to learn about what you’ve built.

During this session, we’ll cover:

  • Your business story and values

  • Your ideal customers or clients

  • What branding you already have in place (logos, colours, fonts, imagery)

  • How you want people to feel when they land on your website

Your website shouldn’t just look nice — it should feel like you. Personality is such an important part of effective web design, especially for service‑based businesses.

Design Inspiration & Competitor Research

We’ll also start gathering design inspiration together. I’ll bring:

  • Examples of Squarespace websites I love for their design and usability

  • Websites from your industry or sector

We’ll look at these together and talk through what works — and what definitely doesn’t. I’ll ask questions like:

  • What do you like about this page layout?

  • How do these images make you feel?

  • Do you prefer bold headers or something more minimal?

Design is subjective, so this step helps me really understand your preferences and make sure I’m designing something that fits your vibe perfectly.

Step 3: Homepage Design

I always start the design phase with your homepage.

At this stage, I’ll create an initial design mock‑up using placeholder text and images. This allows me to:

  • Map out your branding within a web design context

  • Experiment with colours, fonts, layouts, and spacing

  • Create a strong visual direction before getting into the finer details

Once the first draft is ready, I’ll send you a PDF so you can review it in your own time (no pressure to give instant feedback).

We’ll then have a quick call to talk through your thoughts. This is your chance to be completely honest — tell me what you love, what you’re unsure about, and what you really don’t like. I promise, my feelings will not be hurt. My favourite clients are the ones who give clear, confident feedback!

Using your notes, I’ll refine the design and create a second version that feels spot‑on.

Step 4: All Page Designs

Once the homepage design is signed off, I’ll move on to designing the rest of your website pages.

Rather than sending these over one by one, I design them as a complete set and share them with you together. This allows you to:

  • See how the pages work as a whole

  • Ensure consistency across the entire site

  • Spot any gaps or opportunities in your content

At this point, we’ll also start mapping out what content lives where. Website design and content go hand‑in‑hand, so we’ll keep communication really clear as ideas develop.

Think of this stage as shaping the structure and flow of your website — making sure visitors are guided exactly where you want them to go.

Step 5: Content Development (Copy & Images)

This is where everything really starts coming to life.

Using the page designs as reference points, we’ll begin:

  • Writing website copy (all the words!)

  • Gathering and organising imagery

I’ll set up a shared Google Drive folder, with a Google Doc for each page of your website. Each document will clearly outline:

  • Every section on the page

  • The copy needed for each section

  • The images required

Flexible Copywriting Support

You can choose how hands‑on you want to be here:

  • Write all the copy yourself

  • Collaborate with me on it

  • Or have me write everything for you

If I’m writing the copy, I’ll just need some bullet points and background from you. My background is in marketing, so I’ll always approach your content with strategy in mind — thinking about SEO, messaging, and how to speak directly to your ideal clients.

Step 6: Squarespace Build‑Out

Once all copy and images are ready, I’ll start building your website in Squarespace.

This is where I recreate the approved designs within the Squarespace platform, making sure everything is:

  • Fully responsive

  • Easy to navigate

  • Optimised for usability and conversions

The build itself usually takes around 1–2 days.

If you don’t already have a domain name, I can also purchase and connect this for you — keeping everything simple and stress‑free.

Step 7: Final Tweaks & Testing

When the build is complete, I’ll invite you into Squarespace as an editor so you can explore the site properly.

This is your final opportunity to:

  • Request design tweaks

  • Adjust copy

  • Move images around

It’s totally normal for new ideas to pop up at this stage. Seeing everything live often helps both of us spot small refinements that make a big difference.

We’ll also use this phase to:

  • Test usability

  • Check calls‑to‑action (CTAs)

  • Make sure your website speaks clearly to your customers

Step 8: Handover & Squarespace Training

Once all final changes are complete, I suggest we both do a final proofread and link check.

Then we’ll hop on an hour‑long handover call where I:

  • Transfer full ownership of your website to you

  • Walk you through how to use Squarespace confidently

You’ll learn how to update images, edit copy, and make small changes as your business grows — without needing to rely on a developer for every tweak.

And don’t worry, I won’t disappear. I’m always just a message away if you get stuck, and I can stay on as an editor so I can jump in quickly if needed.

And That’s It — Your Custom Squarespace Website Is Live 🎉

Ta‑da! You now have a fully custom, strategically designed Squarespace website that reflects your brand, supports your business goals, and is easy for you to manage.

If you’re a small business owner looking for a Squarespace website designer in the UK and want a clear, supportive process from start to finish, I’d love to hear from you.

👉 To get started, fill out the enquiry form below and we’ll book in your no‑obligation discovery call.

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