Hire a Squarespace Expert: What to Look For
Hiring someone to build your website shouldn't feel like a gamble, but for many business owners, it does.
I've spoken with people who invested thousands of dollars into a website only to discover months later that it wasn't bringing in traffic, wasn't generating enquiries, and was almost impossible to update without asking the designer for help. The website looked good, but it wasn't helping the business grow.
After building Squarespace websites for businesses across different industries, I've noticed the same hiring mistakes come up again and again. The problem usually isn't choosing the wrong platform, it's choosing a designer based only on visuals.
A beautiful homepage means very little if nobody finds it on Google or knows what to do once they land there.
That's why, before you hire a Squarespace expert, there are a few things I'd personally look for if I were hiring a web designer today. These aren't theories or generic tips you'll find in every blog post. They're the same things I've seen separate websites that quietly sit online from those that consistently attract visitors, build trust, and generate enquiries.
Whether you're launching your first website or planning a redesign, this guide will help you make a more informed decision, and hopefully save you from an expensive mistake.
Why Choosing the Right Squarespace Expert Matters
A website is often the first impression people have of your business. Within a few seconds, visitors decide whether to stay, explore, or leave.
That's why hiring a Squarespace expert isn't just about finding someone who can build a good-looking website. You're hiring someone who can help your business:
Build trust with potential customers
Rank higher on Google
Convert more visitors into enquiries or sales
After working on Squarespace websites for businesses across different industries, I've noticed one thing: the best-performing websites don't succeed because they look beautiful, they succeed because every design decision supports a business goal.
Things to Look for Before You Hire a Squarespace Expert
1. Portfolio
Every industry has different goals.
A photographer wants bookings.
A coach wants consultation calls.
An ecommerce store wants purchases.
The best Squarespace designer isn't necessarily the one with the prettiest portfolio, it's the one who understands businesses like yours.
When reviewing a portfolio, ask yourself:
Does their design style fit your brand?
Do the websites feel easy to navigate?
Would you trust these businesses after visiting their websites?
Don't immediately reject someone if they haven't worked in your exact niche.
Instead, ask for inspiration websites or share a Pinterest board that represents your vision. An experienced designer can often adapt their process to different industries while still delivering outstanding results.
2. Completed Projects
This one is a little tricky.
A designer who has built 200 websites isn't automatically better than someone who's built 70. Every website teaches a designer something new, whether it's improving layouts, solving mobile issues, working with integrations or understanding how different businesses attract customers.
I've noticed this in my own work. The websites I design today are significantly better than the ones I built when I first started. That's simply what happens when you keep learning from real client projects.
Quality will always matter more than quantity, but seeing a consistent history of completed projects is still a good sign that the designer has refined their process over time.
3. Read Testimonials and results
A strong portfolio shows you what a designer can create.
Testimonials tell you what it's actually like to work with them.
Before hiring a Squarespace expert, don't just skim the star rating. Spend a few minutes reading what past clients actually say.
Look for patterns.
Do clients mention clear communication? Was the project delivered on time? Did the website help their business grow? These are far more valuable than generic comments like "Great designer!" or "Highly recommended!"
The best testimonials usually talk about outcomes, not just the experience.
Maybe the client started receiving more enquiries, saw an increase in online sales, or finally had a website they were proud to share. Those are signs that the website is doing its job.
That said, it's important to be realistic.
No designer, not even the best one, can guarantee first-page Google rankings or overnight business growth. A website is only one piece of the puzzle. SEO, content marketing, social media, paid ads, and the quality of your product or service all play a role.
From my experience, the businesses that see the best results are the ones that treat their website as an ongoing investment rather than a one-time project. They continue publishing helpful content, improving their SEO, and refining their messaging over time.
So don't look for a designer who promises instant success. Look for someone with a consistent track record of delivering high-quality work and happy clients. That's usually a much better indicator of what you can expect.
Need Help with Your Squarespace Website?
Book a free kick-off call to discuss your project requirements in detail. Whether you're launching a new Squarespace website, redesigning an existing one, or looking to improve functionality and user experience, we'll help you explore the best options for your goals.
4. SEO Knowledge
If there's one thing I believe business owners should ask every web designer, it's this:
"How do you handle SEO?"
Surprisingly, many designers never talk about it.
Their focus is creating a beautiful website, which is important, but a beautiful website that nobody finds on Google isn't much of an investment.
SEO isn't something you add after a website launches. It starts during the design process.
The way pages are structured, images are uploaded, headings are organised, and internal links are planned all have an impact on how search engines understand your website.
In fact, around 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine, which is why getting the foundation right from day one matters.
From my experience, technical SEO is where many websites fall behind. I've reviewed websites that looked fantastic but loaded slowly, had missing page titles, oversized images, and confusing heading structures, all of which make it harder for Google to crawl and rank the site.
Every designer has their own process, but before hiring one, I'd ask what's actually included in their SEO setup.
At a minimum, I'd expect them to take care of things like:
Writing unique page titles and meta descriptions.
Compressing and optimizing images for faster loading.
Using proper heading structure (H1, H2, H3).
Writing descriptive alt text for important images.
Setting up clean, readable URLs.
Checking basic Squarespace SEO settings, such as SSL and search visibility.
These aren't "advanced SEO" tasks, they're the foundation of a well-built website.
Personally, I treat SEO as part of the website build, not an optional add-on. A website should look professional and be ready to compete in search results from the day it launches.
And if you've heard that "Squarespace isn't good for SEO," that's simply a myth. Squarespace provides all the essential SEO tools needed for most businesses. The difference isn't the platform, it's how well your website is built.
5. CSS Skills
This isn't something I'd call a deal-breaker, but if you're investing $2,000 or more in a Squarespace website, I'd expect the designer to have at least a working knowledge of CSS.
Squarespace is incredibly flexible, but every platform has limitations. Sometimes a button needs better spacing, a mobile layout needs fine-tuning, or a section needs a custom touch that isn't possible with the built-in editor alone.
Those small improvements are often what make a website feel unique.
You've probably heard people say, "All Squarespace websites look the same." I don't believe that's true. More often, it comes down to the designer's creativity and technical ability.
A designer who understands CSS can usually solve those little challenges without overcomplicating the website or relying on unnecessary plugins. It may seem like a small skill, but it often makes a noticeable difference in the final result.
6. Timeline
Every designer works differently, so before hiring a Squarespace expert, make sure their timeline matches your expectations.
Some designers take 3–4 weeks to complete a website, while others offer accelerated projects that are finished in just a couple of weeks. Neither approach is right or wrong—it depends on your schedule and how quickly you can provide feedback.
Personally, I complete most business websites within 1–2 weeks. My clients appreciate the fast turnaround, but it also means they need to stay involved throughout the project by reviewing designs, providing content, and sharing feedback promptly.
If you're someone who likes to take your time making decisions or has a busy schedule, a longer timeline may actually be a better fit. On the other hand, if you already have your branding, content, and ideas ready, a shorter project can help you get online much faster.
Before signing any proposal, simply ask:
How long will the project take?
What's expected from me during the process?
What could delay the launch?
Having clear expectations from the beginning helps avoid unnecessary frustration for both you and the designer.
7. Copy
A great-looking website won't perform well if the message isn't clear.
That's why it's worth asking how website copy is handled before you hire a Squarespace expert.
From my experience, most website projects fall into one of three categories:
You write the content yourself
Many designers provide content planners or questionnaires to help you organise your ideas. This works well if you're confident writing about your business and want to keep project costs lower.
The designer works with a copywriter
This is often the best option if your budget allows it.
A professional copywriter knows how to write content that not only sounds good but also builds trust, improves SEO, and encourages visitors to take action. Good copy can make just as much difference as good design.
Personally, I work with a professional copywriter whenever a client needs help creating their website content. It makes the process smoother and usually leads to a stronger final website.
You're expected to provide everything
Some designers simply expect you to deliver all the content before the project begins.
There's nothing wrong with this approach, but it's important to know in advance. Writing website copy often takes longer than people expect, and if your content isn't ready, it can delay the entire project.
Before hiring a designer, ask whether they provide content guidance, work with a copywriter, or expect you to handle everything yourself. Knowing this upfront can save you a lot of time, and a few headaches.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right Squarespace expert isn't about choosing the designer with the flashiest portfolio or the lowest price.
It's about finding someone who understands your business, asks the right questions, and builds a website with purpose, not just one that looks good on launch day.
A great website should earn your visitors' trust, support your SEO efforts, and make it easier for people to become customers. That's why I always encourage business owners to look beyond visuals. Review live projects, read testimonials carefully, ask about SEO, and make sure the designer has a clear process from start to finish.
Still looking for the right Squarespace web designer? If you're unsure who to hire, feel free to book a free consultation. We'll discuss your business, your website goals, and the strategy I'd recommend, so you can make an informed decision, whether you choose to work with me or someone else.
