How to Become a Squarespace Designer: Complete Guide for 2024
Want to become a Squarespace designer but not sure where to start? I had been working as a web designer for 15+ years, slogging through projects on a platform that neither I or my clients liked. And then I found Squarespace. I was drawn to the platform's beautiful templates and ease of use but wasn't sure if I could actually make a living as a Squarespace designer. Fast forward to today, and I can tell you it's not just possible, it's an amazing career choice that offers a sustainable income doing work you love.
If you're ready to become a Squarespace designer in 2024, this guide will walk you through what you need to know. Whether you're dreaming of freelance freedom or looking for a new career path, I've got you covered with real-world advice from someone who's been there (and made all the mistakes so you don't have to!). We’ll cover:
Understanding Squarespace as a platform
Skills you need to succeed
Building your portfolio
Finding your first clients
Continuing to learn and grow
Looking for quick inspiration? Check out my Behind the Scenes of my Squarespace Design Business to see what's possible as a Squarespace designer.
🎯 1. Understanding Squarespace as a Platform
First things first - let's talk about what makes Squarespace special. After working with pretty much every website platform out there (seriously, I started with HTML back in the day), I can tell you that Squarespace hits that sweet spot of being both powerful and user-friendly. According to WebsiteBuilder.org's comprehensive guide, Squarespace consistently ranks as one of the top platforms for professional web designers.
What is Squarespace?
Squarespace is an all-in-one website building platform that lets you create stunning websites without getting lost in code (though knowing some code can definitely level up your game - more on that later!). Think of it as your digital canvas with guardrails - you get gorgeous templates and intuitive tools, but also the flexibility to make each site unique. As Creative Bloq notes in their Squarespace review, it's particularly well-suited for designers who want to focus on creativity rather than technical complexity.
✨ Key Features That Make Squarespace Stand Out
Beautiful Templates: Seriously, there are some beautiful starter templates if you don’t want to start from scratch - sleek, modern, and they make your work look amazing right out of the box
Responsive Design: Every site automatically looks great on phones, laptops, and desktops (this is huge for your clients!) **okay, small caveat here, you DO need to check your site on mobile to fine-tune your design for small screens
Built-in E-commerce: Perfect for clients who want to sell online (though between us, if a client needs a complex store with hundreds of products and variants or is considering dropshipping, you might want to point them to Shopify)
SEO Tools: Everything you need for onsite SEO to help your clients get found online is baked into the platform.
👥 Who Uses Squarespace?
In my experience, Squarespace attracts a fantastic mix of clients:
Small Business Owners: They love how professional their sites look without breaking the bank
Creatives: Photographers, artists, writers - anyone who needs a beautiful portfolio
Service Providers: Coaches, consultants, wellness professionals (these are some of my favorite clients to work with!)
Non-profits: The platform's affordability and ease of use make it perfect for organizations with limited resources
💻 2. Skills You Need to Succeed
Want to dive deeper into the business side? Check out my Building a Successful Web Design Business workshop where I share exactly how I built my Squarespace design business.
Let me share what I've learned about the skills that really matter in this field (and no, you don't need to be a coding genius!).
🎨 Design Fundamentals
Here's what actually matters when you're starting out:
Understanding basic layout principles
Having an eye for typography (this makes such a difference!)
Knowing how to use color effectively and an awareness of accessibility
Making design choices that guide visitors where you want them to go
Pro tip: Start by studying Premium template shops that offer strategic Squarespace templates. They're masterclasses in good design principles!
🔧 Technical Skills
While Squarespace is user-friendly, some technical knowledge will set you apart:
Basic CSS (enough to know how to find code snippets online and copy and paste)
Understanding of responsive design
SEO best practices
Image optimization (this one's huge for site speed!)
You can find great code for Squarespace from seasoned developers.
👋 Client Communication and Management
This is the part that often makes or breaks a web design business. You need to:
Set clear expectations from the start
Manage projects effectively (I use HoneyBook for this - total lifesaver!)
Communicate deadlines and requirements clearly
Handle feedback professionally
📂 3. Building Your Portfolio
Let's talk about creating a portfolio that actually brings in clients (because that's the whole point, right?).
🎨 Examples of Your Work
When I first started on Squarespace, I worried about not having enough client work to show. Here's what you can do:
Build a great site for yourself that sets the tone for your style
Create example sites for imaginary businesses (but make them realistic!)
Offer to redesign sites for friends or family (but only if they go through your actual process)
Include screenshots of different page types (homepage, services, contact, etc.)
Pro tip: If you're using demo sites, be transparent about it. Clients appreciate honesty, and many won't mind as long as your design skills shine through.
📝 Case Studies That Convert
Here's what I've learned makes a case study actually work:
Start with the client's problem (what wasn't working with their old site)
Show your solution (with before/after if possible)
Include specific results (traffic increases, more inquiries, etc.)
Add a client quote (these are gold for building trust!)
Remember to get permission from clients to share their projects - I usually include this in my contract right from the start.
💬 Testimonials That Build Trust
The secret to great testimonials? Guide your clients a bit. Instead of just asking "can you write a testimonial?" I ask specific questions like:
What problems were you facing before we worked together?
What made you choose to work with me?
What specific results have you seen from your new website?
This approach gets you detailed, meaningful testimonials instead of just "great to work with!" (though those are nice too!)
🎯 4. Finding Your First Clients
This is the part everyone wants to know about! Here's what actually works (and what doesn't).
🤝 Networking That Actually Works
Forget spammy DMs - here's what I've found brings in real clients:
Join local business groups (in-person or online)
Engage in Squarespace communities
Connect with complementary service providers (brand designers, photographers, copywriters)
Share your knowledge in Facebook groups (but don't sell - help!)
Tell everyone you know that you are a Squarespace Designer and ask them to connect you with anyone who might need a website
📱 Social Media Strategy
I'll be honest - you don't need to be everywhere. Pick one or two platforms and do them well. For me, that's:
LinkedIn (great for B2B connections)
Instagram (perfect for more personal content)
Pro tip: Create content that helps your ideal clients, not just other designers. I see a lot of designers only creating content for other designers - but unless you're planning to mainly offer designer resources, focus on content that attracts your ideal clients!
💰 Setting Your Rates
This is always a tricky one! Here's what I wish I knew when starting out:
Start with a rate that feels slightly uncomfortable (if it feels easy to charge, or you don’t have at least one person say it’s out of their budget, it's probably too low)
Factor in ALL your time (client communication, revisions, etc.)
Consider offering different service tiers:
Template customization (great for beginners)
Custom design (as you gain confidence)
Day rates
Maintenance packages (hello, recurring revenue!)
📚 5. Continuing to Learn and Grow
The web design world moves fast - here's how to keep up without getting overwhelmed.
📖 Resources I Actually Use
These have been game-changers for my business:
Squarespace's own tutorials (free and helpful!)
Circle Forum (where I connect with other Squarespace designers)
Will Myers’ Code Curious Membership (for when you want to level up)
🤝 Building Your Support Network
Don't try to go it alone! Here's what's helped me:
Join Squarespace designer communities (The Official Squarespace Circle community is a great place to start)
Find an accountability partner
Attend local or virtual meetups
Consider joining masterminds (but be picky - they're not all created equal!)
🎓 Creating Additional Revenue Streams
Once you've got client work flowing, consider:
Creating templates (I’m a proud student of Kate Scott’s Scale with Templates course)
Offering workshops
Building online courses
Writing blog posts (with affiliate links)
Providing website audits
🎉 Ready to Get Started?
Remember, everyone starts somewhere! I started on Squarespace in 2018 and within a year I was running a successful Squarespace design business, and you can too. Start with one small step - maybe it's taking a Squarespace tutorial, or designing a practice site, or joining a community of other designers.
Want to fast-track your journey to become a Squarespace designer? Get on my waitlist for The Web Designer’s Playbook to see exactly how I run a custom website project from start to finish, keeping it on track and ending with a happy client. It’s everything I wish I’d known when I was starting out.
Want to stay in touch? Join my email list to grab my Squarespace Prelaunch Checklist and get regular tips, behind-the-scenes insights, and first dibs on new resources for Squarespace designers.
And if you found this helpful, I'd love to hear about your journey! Connect with me on Instagram @christypricewebdesign.
Remember: Building a successful web design business takes time, but with the right foundation and consistent effort, you can create a career you truly love. I'm rooting for you! 🚀
Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a Squarespace Designer
Do I need coding experience to become a Squarespace designer?
Nope! While knowing some basic HTML and CSS can help you customize sites more extensively, you absolutely don't need coding experience to get started. Squarespace's drag-and-drop interface lets you create beautiful sites without touching code. Start with the visual editor, and you can learn the coding bits as you go (if you want to!).
How much can I make as a Squarespace designer?
Income varies widely depending on your services, experience, and how much time you put into your business. When starting out, many designers charge $1,000-3,000 for a basic website project. As you gain experience and streamline your processes, you can increase your rates and add additional revenue streams like templates or maintenance packages.
How long does it take to learn Squarespace?
You can learn the basics of Squarespace in a few weeks of dedicated practice. Most designers feel comfortable taking on client projects after 1-2 months of consistent learning and practicing with demo sites. Of course, you'll keep learning new tricks and techniques as you go - I still discover new things after years of designing!
What's the difference between Squarespace and WordPress?
Squarespace is an all-in-one platform that includes hosting, security, and updates, making it easier to maintain than WordPress. Squarespace provides a more streamlined experience that's perfect for most small business websites. And my favorite part? I never have to clean up a hacked WordPress site again.
Do I need a design degree to become a Squarespace designer?
Not at all! While formal design education can be helpful, it's not necessary. What matters more is developing a good eye for design through practice and study. Many successful Squarespace designers (myself included!) are self-taught. Focus on understanding design principles, user experience, and how to help clients achieve their goals.
How do I find my first clients as a Squarespace designer?
Start by creating a strong portfolio (even if it's with practice sites), networking in business groups (online or local), and connecting with complementary service providers like photographers and copywriters. Many designers get their first clients through word-of-mouth referrals or by helping in Facebook groups where their ideal clients hang out.
Can I become a Squarespace designer part-time?
Absolutely! Many designers start their Squarespace business as a side hustle while working another job. The flexible nature of web design makes it perfect for part-time work. Just be clear with clients about your availability and set realistic timelines for projects.
What tools do I need to start my Squarespace design business?
To get started, you really just need:
A computer with a reliable internet connection
A Squarespace account (to practice and build your portfolio) - free until you are ready to publish your first site!
Basic design tools (Canva works great for beginners!)
Project management tools (I use HoneyBook, but you can start with free tools)
A way to take payments (you can even send invoices right inside Squarespace)
How do I price my Squarespace design services?
Start by researching what other designers in your market charge. Consider your experience level and the value you provide. Remember to factor in all your time - not just design work, but also client communication, revisions, and project management. Most importantly, charge rates that make the work sustainable for you.
Is Squarespace design still a good career choice in 2024?
Yes! The demand for professional websites continues to grow, and many businesses prefer Squarespace's balance of beauty and functionality. While AI and no-code tools are changing the landscape, there's still strong demand for designers who can create strategic, branded websites that help businesses achieve their goals.
Want to learn more about building a successful Squarespace design business? Check out my Building a Successful Web Design Business workshop where I share all my secrets for creating a sustainable design business you love.
