Should You Hire A Squarespace Web Designer?
When it comes to building a website, there are many factors to consider. From the size and complexity of the site, to your budget and technical expertise, it can be overwhelming trying to decide if you should DIY or hire a professional. In this blog post, we will explore five key considerations to help you decide whether or not you should hire a Squarespace web designer or do it yourself.
1. What is the size and complexity of your site?
The size and complexity of your website can have a significant impact on the amount of time and effort required to build it. If you're planning a small, straightforward website with just a few pages, you may be able to handle the design and development process on your own. However, if you're planning a larger, more complex site with many pages and features, it may be more efficient and effective to hire a web designer.
If you opt to DIY, you can either build a website from scratch or buy a website template from a designer. A template will save you time, especially if you don’t have an eye for design or knowledge about site strategy and user experience.
If you opt to design a website from scratch, you will have to strategically layout your website and consider things like user experience. You’ll need to plan out the content of your site to make sure that you cover everything your ideal client is looking for and ensure it is extremely easy to navigate.
Squarespace has some free templates but they are simplistic and are not designed for conversion. Not to mention they look pretty basic and will not offer you the custom feel that a premium template or a custom-designed site provide.
2. How much do you know about user experience and website strategy?
UI/UX (user interface/user experience) design and strategic website flow are crucial elements of a successful website. A well-designed website will be easy to navigate, visually appealing, and provide a positive user experience. If you don't have a strong understanding of UI/UX design and how to create a cohesive website flow, you may want to consider hiring a web designer who does.
In today’s over-saturated online market, you need to be extremely strategic and provide an exceptional user experience in order to connect with and win over your ideal client. User experience is no longer optional. If you do not take into consideration how a user will interact with your site and what they are really looking for, you will lose business.
There is a lot more that goes into a website than first meets the eye. It is not enough for the website to just look good. From where you place buttons to the order and flow of the site, website strategy is more intensive than just piecing together information and images.
3. What is your budget?
Budget is always a key consideration when it comes to building a website. If you have a limited budget, you may need to be more selective about the features and design elements you include on your site. While it is more cost-effective to do it yourself, you want to make sure you are willing and capable of designing an aesthetic and functional website. So, while it is cheaper to build your own site, you may be missing out on business if you are lacking an effective website. In which case, a DIY’d site will actually lose you money.
If you have a web design budget, you will free up your own time and energy while making an investment that will grow your business. If budget is a concern, ask your potential web designer if they offer payment plans.
I don’t say this to to scare you away from DIY’ing your own site, but it is important to know that a hastily made website can cost you business. It is worth considering wether you are able to invest in your business with a marketing-friendly site.
What does a custom Squarespace website cost?
A custom website will range anywhere from $2,000-$15,000+. Why such a wide range? So many factors go into how much a custom build will cost such as: how many pages do you need? Do you need SEO? Does your site require integrations? A 5 page website with a couple integrations (like email marketing or scheduling software will cost around $2,000-$3,000. More experienced designers will usually cost more. Some Squarespace web designers include SEO in their packages and some don’t and will incur an extra fee. I personally include SEO in all of my packages. You will need to get in touch with a web designer to see how much your specific site will cost. Get in touch to see if Magdalene Design Co. can help you elevate your online presence.
How much do website templates cost?
Good Squarespace templates range from $149-$900. Again, you will want to make sure you do your research and find a template that is designed strategically and with user experience in mind.
4. How much time do you have? What is your time worth?
Building a website can be a time-consuming process, especially if you have limited experience or are learning as you go. If you have a busy schedule or are unable to devote the necessary time to the project, it may be more efficient and cost-effective to hire a web designer who can handle the process for you. Additionally, consider the value of your time – if you could be using your time to generate income in other ways, it may be worth it to hire a web designer and free up your time.
If your hourly rate is $75-$150, it is definitely worth the investment to hire a web designer. You would be losing money during the time it would take for you to learn how to design an effective and functional website.
5. Are you tech literate?
Finally, consider your level of technical expertise. If learning new platforms makes you want to stick your head in the sand, it might be a good sign to hire a designer. While Squarespace is relatively easy to learn, it will still take the average tech-literate person weeks to learn the ins and outs of the platform. Not to mention the time it will take you to learn the strategy that goes into an effective, user-friendly website.
Consider the integrations your site may need. If you have en email opt-in or other integrations, you will need to learn how to properly embed them. If you are not technically savvy, this could take a significant amount of time and frustration.
On the more technical side of things, you also need to connect your domain, do some basic SEO optimization, and connect Google Search Console and Google Analytics to your site. This can be overwhelming and you want to be sure you do it correctly. Most custom designers will handle all of this for you.
In conclusion, there are many factors to consider when deciding whether or not to hire a web designer. From the size and complexity of your site, to your budget and technical expertise, each situation is unique. By carefully evaluating your needs and resources, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to hire a web designer.
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My name is Sarah and I help photographers, coaches, & therapists grow their businesses with strategic Squarespace websites.