Behind the scenes with a squarespace web designer: What to expect in the design process.
In this article I’ll go over my design process, so you can get some insight into what it’s like to work with a Squarespace designer for vegan brands.
With every website I design, there is a process that I go through before I even venture into the web design platform to start building it.
Q: What kind of businesses do you work with?
Answer:
I work with clients across a wide range of industries. I collaborate with vegan and eco-conscious service-based professionals, including architects, chefs, lawyers, authors, podcasters, hospitality, nutritionists, therapists, holistic healers, doctors, nurses, and more. Although I am open to working with product-based entrepreneurs, most of my clients are service-based businesses.
Some of my clients are vegan or run vegan businesses, while others may not identify as vegan but share a commitment to making a positive impact.
In short, I work with compassionate individuals who care deeply about the impact they have on the world.
Q: What’s your process like from start to finish?
Answer:
First is the Brand Interview AKA Strategy Call: The Foundation of the Design Process
The first step in my design process is always the brand interview—it’s the most crucial aspect of setting up a successful website. The strategy call is where we define your brand's core objectives, identify your target audience, understand the problems you solve, and outline the goals for your website. It’s about making sure your website is built to drive conversions and attract your customers.
As a strategy-focused designer, I dedicate 80% of the process to strategy. My goal isn’t just to create something beautiful……it’s to ensure your website achieves its goals. Once we’ve nailed the strategy, the website design process begins.
Collaboration Is Key- Web design is a highly collaborative process. For clients who’ve never worked with a web designer before, it might seem like a simple transaction, but it’s more involved than that. Clients play an active role, providing the designer with the assets needed to create the website.
For example, did you know that a web designer isn’t typically a copywriter? That means you’ll need to provide the copy for your site, which is a vital part of the process.
A successful website is made up of three core components: design, copywriting, and photos. The copy and photos need to be ready before we can start designing the site. My clients usually book a month out, so they have time to gather the assets for their website.
During the strategy call, we’ll discuss timelines and establish due dates for all the assets, ensuring we stay on track and meet deadlines.
Think of it like a home renovation — you wouldn’t hire a designer, walk away, and hope for the best. You’d want to be involved, give feedback, and make sure it’s aligning with your vision along the way.
The same goes for web design. Staying engaged helps the process flow smoothly and ensures the final product really feels like you. When communication stalls, the project can too — and we definitely want to keep things moving forward.
Next Step: Defining Brand Personality
The next phase is all about brainstorming the look and feel of the website. One of the best ways to capture this is by creating a style tile or mood board.
A style tile is essentially the visual extension of the strategy call. It helps the client get a clear sense of where the website is headed by showcasing typography, color palettes, and imagery. Think of it as a visual draft that sets the tone for the design.
In many ways, a style tile is similar to the mood boards or collage images that interior designers use when designing a space. Just as they would present these visuals to clients before making major design decisions for a home, I do the same with web design. It’s a way to gather inspiration and make sure we’re all aligned before diving into the full design.
Once the style tile is approved, the web design process begins. The client will then be presented with the design to review and suggest any final edits.
Here is an example of a style tile below:
The website design process begins
Once the creative direction is locked in, it’s time to bring it all together with the copywriting. Think of the copy as the main character, and the design as the supporting role that makes it shine.
Because I’m a strategy-first designer, I treat your messaging as seriously as your visuals (if not more). If your website doesn’t clearly communicate what you do and why it matters, it’s not going to do the heavy lifting for your business. Your site should be working for you, attracting the right people, building trust, and getting them excited to reach out.
By the time someone books a call with you, your website should’ve already done most of the work. They’re not coming in cold because they’ve already seen what you’re about, and they’re in.
This is also the part where you get to take a breath and let me do my thing by putting all the puzzle pieces together. It’s a really special phase where you get to feel supported and seen, and your business website starts to take shape visually in a way that feels right.
The Final Step: SEO optimization & newsletter connection
The final and one of the most crucial steps in web design is SEO optimization. Implementing SEO is essential to ensure your website ranks well in Google searches. With all due respect, many people who attempt to DIY their websites have little understanding of how to properly optimize for search engines.
SEO can be a complex beast to tackle, and even some web designers struggle to fully grasp it. That’s why it’s important to work with a designer who has a solid understanding of SEO, ensuring your website not only looks great but performs well too.
For businesses like vegan cafes, pop-ups, restaurants, or local businesses, SEO is especially critical. Most potential customers searching for your business are looking for your menu. People want to know what you offer before they visit in person, so having a website that clearly displays your menu and other offerings is essential.
Unfortunately, I often see vegan businesses relying solely on a Facebook page or Instagram account. While social media is helpful, it cannot replace the power of an actual website. A well-designed website is far more robust and offers a range of tools and functionalities that social media simply can’t.
Time to launch
I’ll take care of all the technical details for you—from connecting your domain and integrating your newsletter provider with your Squarespace account to managing the entire launch process. While domain connection can often be the most complex part of website design, it’s a breeze for me after launching countless sites. You can rest easy knowing everything will be handled smoothly and efficiently.
After your website launches, there’s still plenty we can do together, especially when it comes to your marketing strategy. Whether it’s setting up a blog, optimizing your Google My Business profile (if you’re a local business), or creating graphics for your launch and beyond, I’m here to support where I can.
I’m not a marketer, but your website is a big part of your overall marketing strategy — and I like to help bridge that gap with practical advice, especially around content, visibility, and getting the most out of your new site.
Q: What if I don’t know exactly what I want?
Answer:
That’s completely okay! Many of my clients come to me unsure of exactly what they want, and that’s where the process really shines. We’ll begin with a brand interview, where we’ll dive deep into understanding your business, goals, and vision. This helps me get a clearer picture of what you need, even if all the details aren’t fully figured out yet. This is also extremely helpful to the client because it gets them to think about their business in a way that they might not have thought of.
However, it's important to note that having worked with at least a few clients and having a solid understanding of who your ideal customers are—and the specific problem your business solves—is crucial. In other words, a foundational website design works best for business owners who’ve been in the game for a bit and have a clear sense of their mission.
Without this clarity, you might find yourself spinning your wheels without making much progress, and unfortunately, a designer can not write your whole business plan, so if you’re still figuring out those key elements, it might be best to consider a DIY website.
Q: How long does the process take?
Answer:
2-4 weeks for a foundational website design. The process can take longer if you need a brand kit or copywriting. We have in-house copywriters and branding experts.
Q: How much does it cost?
Answer:
My web design packages start at $2,800.
Brand kit design starts at $1,800
Copywriting is $1,400 if you would like to work with an in-house copywriter.
Ready to take your website to the next level?
Let’s work together to create a site that reflects your vision, attracts your ideal clients, and helps your business thrive. Get in touch today to schedule an intro call and start the process!
