Questions to ask before you hire a Squarespace designer

Written By emma porter

10 minute read

Squarespace makes it easy to bring a website into being. You can drag and drop things in place, and suddenly you’ve got a digital home for your business.

For many though, there comes a point where calling on a professional Squarespace designer feels like the natural next step. It’s about peace of mind, saving precious hours, and ensuring your site actually reflects the energy of your business.

The goal of a designer for Squarespace is to help you weave together strategy and design so your site feels like an authentic extension of you. A place where your work, your message, and your magic flow in harmony, while also being structured to grow with you.

The challenge is that hiring isn’t always simple. Where do you even look? How do you know if a designer’s process will support you? What if their portfolio is stunning, but the style doesn’t feel like yours? These are the little knots that can trip people up, and they’re exactly why asking the right questions matters.

Oh, and before we wander too far, let me introduce myself.

 
 
 
 

I’m Emma, a Squarespace designer who specializes in bold, edgy websites for the weird and the woo. If you’re craving a digital home that feels like an extension of your energy - something that honors your magic and also gets the practical work done - then hi, it’s so good to meet you. Feel free to book a chat to discuss your project.

So, let’s walk through this together. By the end, you’ll feel clear and confident about the questions to ask before hiring a Squarespace designer, and ready to find a collaborator who’s aligned with your goals and your business mission.

Choosing the right designer is about finding someone whose approach resonates with you, who understands your vision, and who makes the process feel supportive rather than stressful. When you know what to ask up front, you give yourself the best chance at a collaboration that feels good from start to finish.

So let’s begin with the questions that will help you find not just any designer for Squarespace, but the one who feels aligned with your goals, your style, and the future you’re building.

  1. Clarify Their Expertise and Experience

Before you dive into a project, it’s worth understanding a designer’s background. Squarespace might be simple on the surface, but when you’re investing in a site that represents your work, you want someone who knows the platform deeply and can bring ease to the process. Some designers focus entirely on Squarespace, while others spread their energy across different platforms. Neither is wrong, it just depends on what feels right for you and the kind of focus you’re looking for.

This is where it's also a good idea to look at their portfolio. A portfolio is a window into that experience. It might look gorgeous at first glance, but you’ll also want to see if it connects with the kind of site you’re dreaming up. Do they have examples that feel close to your style, or projects that speak to your type of business? Paying attention here makes it easier to tell whether their design approach will actually vibe with your goals.

Questions to ask:

  • How long have you been designing on Squarespace specifically?

  • Do you specialize in Squarespace, or is it one of several platforms you use?

  • Can you share examples of Squarespace projects in my industry (portfolio review)?

✨ Quick note: I exclusively design in Squarespace. If you’re planning on launching a website there, consider signing up for my newsletter! It’s full of tips, insights, and inspiration to help you make the most of your digital space. ✨

2. Understand Their Design Process

Every designer has their own way of moving from idea to finished website, and getting a sense of that rhythm upfront can save a lot of stress later. Some people are very structured, with clear phases and check-ins, while others work in a looser, more fluid way that lets things organically take shape, and leave room for changes that need to be made if something doesn’t feel right. I recommend finding the approach that helps you feel supported and confident as your site comes to life.

Asking about their process also helps you see how they handle the practical pieces along the way. Do they give you a chance to review mockups before anything gets built? How do they weave your branding, copy, and SEO into the design so everything works together? And when you want to shift or adjust something, what does the feedback process look like?

The answers here will show you not only how a designer works, but also how they collaborate, and that’s just as important as the finished product.

questions to ask:

  • What does your design process look like, from discovery through launch?

  • How do you incorporate branding, content, and SEO into the design?

  • How do you handle revisions and client feedback?

3. Technical Knowledge and Functionality

A shiny design is fun to look at, but the real magic is in how your site functions day to day. This is where your designer’s technical skills come into play. Squarespace covers a lot on its own, but sometimes you’ll want extra tweaks (like custom CSS or code injections) that make the site feel less cookie-cutter and more like yours.

How your site performs in the wild is just as important as how it looks. Most people will first land on your website from their phone, so mobile optimization is a must. Accessibility matters too, because your work should be easy for everyone to experience. These are the kinds of details that may not sound glamorous, but they’re what make a website reliable and welcoming long after launch.

SEO tends to come up in this part of the conversation too. A Squarespace designer should know the basics so your site has a strong foundation. And if you want a deeper SEO strategy, a good designer can connect you with someone who specializes in that.

Questions to ask:

Questions to ask:

  • Are you familiar with custom CSS or code injections for more advanced needs?

  • Will the design be mobile-optimized and accessible?

  • How do you approach SEO basics, and do you recommend specialists for deeper work?


Quick note, I have some FAQ on my Squarespace website design page about these questions. I’d love for you to explore these more.

4. Communication and Collaboration

How you and your designer stay connected during a project makes a huge difference in how the whole process feels. Strong communication helps you know what’s happening, when to expect updates, and how to share feedback without stress.

It’s worth asking how they prefer to communicate. That might be over email, on Zoom, or through scheduled check-ins, and ask what their usual response time is when you send questions or notes. Every designer has their own rhythm, and knowing it in advance helps you decide if it works well for you.

You’ll also want to know who you’ll be working with directly. Some designers are solo (that’s me, hello 👋) while others work within a larger team. Neither approach is inherently better, it just depends on what kind of collaboration feels most comfortable for you.

questions to ask

  • How will we communicate during the project (Virtual meetings, or emails)?

  • What’s your average response time for questions and feedback?

  • Who will I be working with directly, just you or a larger team?

5. Timelines and Deliverables

Having a sense of how long a project will take and what you’ll receive at the end makes the whole experience feel more grounded. Some designers work quickly, others prefer to take things slower and give each step extra attention. Asking about their typical timeline helps you see if it matches what you’re hoping for with your launch.

If timing is especially important to you, ask whether the designer can work with that. For example, I often collaborate with clients to identify auspicious launch dates so the unveiling of their site feels aligned with their energy and vision. Not every designer works this way, but it’s worth seeing how flexible their process can be around timing.

It’s also good to know how they handle changes or delays along the way. Business priorities shift, new ideas pop up, and sometimes the unexpected happens. A designer who can communicate clearly in those moments will make the process feel a lot smoother.

And then there’s the final handoff. Once your site is live, you’ll want to know what kind of support or resources you’ll walk away with. Do they give you training so you can manage updates yourself? Will you get documentation or design files for reference? Knowing this in advance helps you feel confident about keeping your site thriving after the project wraps up.

questions to ask:

  • What’s your typical project timeline?

  • How do you handle project delays or changes in scope?

  • What’s included in the final handoff (training, documentation, design files)?

6. Pricing and payment

Money talk doesn’t have to feel scary, it’s simply part of setting clear expectations. Asking upfront about how a designer structures their pricing gives you a sense of what the project will look like from start to finish. Some work on a flat fee, others create packages, and sometimes there are payment plans available to make things feel more manageable.

It’s also worth clarifying what’s actually included in the price. A design fee usually covers the creative work itself, while things like hosting, stock photography, or copywriting may sit outside of that scope. Knowing this ahead of time helps you plan and keeps everything transparent.

And then there are those sneaky extras that can pop up, like premium fonts or third-party tools. A good designer will be upfront about those possibilities so you don’t get hit with surprises later. The more clarity you have at the beginning, the more confident you’ll feel about your investment.

questions to ask:

  • How do you structure pricing—flat rate, hourly, or packages?

  • What’s included in your pricing (hosting subscriptions, stock photography, copywriting)?

  • Are there potential hidden costs I should be aware of?

7. ongoing support and maintenance

Launching a site is exciting, but what happens after is just as important. You’ll want to know whether your designer offers training so you can confidently make updates on your own. Squarespace is built to be user-friendly, but a guided walkthrough or recorded tutorial can save you hours of trial and error.

It’s also helpful to ask about the kind of support that comes once the project wraps. Some designers include a set amount of post-launch care, while others offer ongoing maintenance or retainer options if you’d rather have continued help. Identify what type of support will help you feel comfortable and capable once the site is live.

Questions to ask:

  • Do you offer training so I can edit and update my site independently?

  • Do you provide ongoing maintenance or retainer options?

  • What level of post-launch support is included?

8. Wrapping it up

Choosing a Squarespace designer is a big step, and the questions you ask along the way can make the process so much clearer. When you know how someone works, how they communicate, and what kind of support they offer, it’s easier to tell whether they’ll be a good fit for you and your vision.

The right partnership should feel collaborative and steady. Clarity around timelines, pricing, and post-launch care means you can step into the project with confidence instead of uncertainty. That sense of ease makes the whole experience more enjoyable and helps you focus on the exciting part - bringing your website to life.

And sometimes, the timing itself is part of the magic. I often work with clients to choose auspicious launch dates so their site doesn’t just go live, it arrives aligned with their energy and goals. Those small details can make the process feel intentional, grounded, and a little enchanted.

If you’re ready to find a designer for Squarespace who can hold both the strategy and the magic of your project - hi, that’s me! Let’s connect and create a site that feels like home for your work.

Additional questions you might have about hiring a Squarespace designer

  • Not always. Squarespace is designed for DIY, and plenty of people get started on their own. But if you want a site that feels aligned with your goals, saves you time, and grows with your business, bringing in a designer can be a supportive investment.

  • Pricing varies depending on the scope of your site and the designer’s experience. Some charge flat rates, others offer packages or payment plans. What matters most is clarity - ask what’s included so you know exactly what you’re investing in.

  • Yes. One of the best things about Squarespace is how user-friendly it is. Most designers (myself included) provide training or resources so you can feel confident making updates without needing ongoing help.

  • Most designers cover the basics - things like titles, descriptions, and alt text. For deeper SEO strategy, it’s often best to work with a specialist. A good designer will know where their role ends and can point you toward trusted experts if you want more.

  • Timelines vary based on the complexity of your site and the designer’s process. If timing is important, let your designer know - personally, I even help clients choose auspicious launch dates when that feels aligned.

  • Having your branding ready (logo, colors, fonts) makes the process smoother, but it’s not always required. I actually offer branding as part of my service packages, so if you’re starting fresh or want to refresh your visual identity, we can create that together before diving into your site. This way your website and your brand feel aligned from the start.

  • Yes! Many clients move from platforms like Wix or WordPress to Squarespace. A designer can help migrate your content and reimagine your site in a way that feels fresh, aligned, and easier to manage.

  • No problem. That’s something you can figure out together in the discovery phase. A designer can guide you through what’s essential and what can wait for later, so your site grows at a pace that feels sustainable.

 

✨ Want more insights, tips, and behind-the-scenes magic? Join my newsletter! it’s where I share guidance on websites, design, and digital strategy for the weird and the woo. ✨

emma porter
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