What It's Actually Like to Work With Me (From First Call to Launch Day)
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Okay, so you're thinking about getting a new website.
Maybe you've been putting it off for a while, maybe you're not sure what it actually involves, maybe you're worried it's going to take up too much of your time (or maybe a combination of all of those).
I've intentionally created a web design process that requires very little of your time, aside from some key check-ins to make sure we're both on the same page before moving to the next step.
Let me walk you through exactly what it looks like.
BEFORE THE PROCESS
Before anything else, we'll get on a free 30-minute Zoom call. No pitch, no pressure, just a real conversation about your project, where you are, and where you want to go. If we're a good fit, great. If not, you'll still leave with clarity.
After the call, I'll send you a custom project proposal. This will include package options, timeline, process, and investment.
PHASE 1: ONBOARDING
Once you've decided to move forward with the project, I will send over the Project Questionnaire and an invoice for the first 50% of the project. At this point, we'll also put a start date on the calendar. The project will take around 2 weeks from the start date to complete.
Before the start date, I'll need the completed Project Questionnaire, all photos, branding materials, content, etc. that need to be included in the project. The Project Questionnaire is where everything starts. It's not just a form to fill out, it's how I get inside your business and figure out what your site actually needs to do.
Gathering these deliverables will take a little time for you upfront, but the more content that I have to work with, the better the result will be. (Also - breathe a sigh of relief because your work is mostly done after this step.)
PHASE 2: CREATIVE DIRECTION
This where the magic starts to take shape. At this point I'll create the moodboard and establish the full visual direction (color palette, fonts, images) and overall feel of the site. This is the step most DIYers skip entirely and end up with a site that looks confusing. A website is built one layer at a time, and this is the foundational layer that everything else will be built on.
Once I've created the moodboard, we'll hop on a quick Zoom call to look at it together and make sure it feels right before moving forward.
PHASE 3: THE BUILD
Once the moodboard is approved, the real work starts. This is where I do the heavy lifting of the site.
First, I design your home page in a design program before a single thing gets built in Squarespace. Then we hop on a quick Zoom so you can see it and tell me what you think. Does it feel like you? Does it have the vibe you’re going for?
This check-in exists for one simple reason: it's a lot easier to adjust a design before it's been built into a full site than after. Once you give the green light on the home page, I build out the entire site, optimize it for mobile, write or refine the copy, set up your contact forms, integrate your booking system, and dial in your SEO.
This is the part where I hunker down and go quiet for a bit while you go about your normal day to day life. Most clients are surprised by how much of the heavy lifting I handle. Your job is easy: Show up, share your vision, and trust the process.
PHASE 4: REVIEW AND LAUNCH
This is the exciting part when you get to see your new site!
We hop on one last zoom call for the unveiling where you’ll see the finished site for the first time. We go through it together, and you tell me anything you want adjusted. I make any final revisions based on your feedback, connect the domain, send the final invoice, and get ready to go live.
Launch day is as exciting for me as it is the client. It never gets old.
You also get 30 days of post-launch support in case something breaks or you have a question after launch.
What's included in a custom Squarespace website?
Everything your site needs to actually work, not just look good. Depending on the package, that includes custom visual direction (moodboard, color palette, fonts, imagery), mobile optimization, SEO, copywriting support, and up to 10 pages built from scratch around your business. No templates, no recycled layouts, no one-size-fits-all anything. Every decision is made specifically for you.
How much does a custom Squarespace website cost?
Packages start at $1,500 for a one-page starter site and go up to $6,500 for a full multi-page build with brand strategy, advanced SEO, and copywriting. Most clients land somewhere in the $4,000-$6,500 range depending on the scope of their project. Every project gets a custom proposal, so you'll know exactly what you're getting and what it costs before you commit to anything.
How much of my time will this actually take?
A lot less than you'd think. Your biggest lift is at the beginning, filling out the project questionnaire and gathering your content, photos, and branding materials. After that, you'll check in at a few key points (moodboard approval, home page approval, and final review) and I handle everything in between. Most clients are surprised by how little they have to do once we get started.
What if I don't like what you design?
Honest answer: it hasn't happened yet, and here's why. The onboarding process is thorough on purpose. Before I build a single page, we've already aligned on visual direction, tone, and goals through the moodboard and creative direction phase. By the time you're seeing the actual site, it's not a surprise, it's a confirmation of everything we've already agreed on. And every package includes revisions to make sure we get it right before launch.
People always ask me what my favorite project is. Honestly? It's whatever project I'm working on right now. Not because the others weren't great, but because I'm always learning new features or creating new design ideas, and the site I'm building today is the best one I've ever built.
I mean, that's kind of the whole point - right?
Which means if we work together, you're getting my best work.
Don’t just take my word for it. Here’s what a few clients had to say:
"If you're on the fence about investing in a new site, just do it. You'll ultimately save yourself so many headaches and avoid doing things the hard way."
"Jessica clearly put herself in my perspective and most importantly my clients' perspective to design the strategy of the website."
"I never in a million years would have come up with something as beautiful, clear, concise, and user-friendly as my newly redesigned website. While I had many visitors to the old site, it didn't result in business queries. I'm thrilled with the clarity of my service offerings and how easy it is for clients to get started."
If this sounds like your kind of process, I'd love to hear about your project.
*This post may contain affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on this site at no additional cost to you.
