How To Start A Squarespace Design Business (& how I got my first $10k project with no portfolio)
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Some folks feel that being an entrepreneur is a risky path in life. On the contrary, I argue that it’s a lot more volatile to be an employee who is always subject to the whims of their employer.
With the situation in the world causing a lot of people to be out of work and entire businesses to close for good (!), many of us solopreneurs are continuing to chug right along.
Do I feel fortunate for this? Absolutely. Do I think I’m 100% safe and secure from outside forces? Oh heck no.
But I am in more control of my future and my income than I would be if I worked for a company. Not to mention, because I work from home— the need to social distance doesn’t really apply when my client interactions happen in the 2-dimensional land of email exchange.
So, in our current times, becoming your own boss and starting an online business might not be volatile at all, relatively speaking, and might just instead be the next step you need to take to stay afloat.
How to start your own Squarespace Web Design Business (& work online from anywhere!)
Starting out - what to do before taking on clients
Before you dive in and haphazardly begin marketing yourself or taking on clients, there are a few precursor skills and knowledge you need to have in your toolbelt.
First, be sure you’re experienced enough with the platform. Build a Squarespace site or two, try out versions 7.0 and 7.1 to decide which you prefer to use.
Read articles from Squarespace designers about running a business, and also read articles about Squarespace design itself. Learn ways to customize sites, try out some custom CSS and understand the capabilities there.
You will inevitably run into a ton of issues once you start designing for clients; go ahead and get familiar with troubleshooting problems. Whatever your client wants to achieve, it can probably be figured out with enough research. Google is your best friend for this. Learn how to ask better questions to Google and get proficient at investigating solutions. This will be one of the most valuable tools in your toolbelt.
How to get clients when you’re starting out
First, build your own professional website to market yourself. Spend some time browsing other Squarespace designer’s sites to get an idea of how they present information, what needs to be included, etc. and then put your own personal spin on things. Be sure to feature your portfolio, if you have one, and explicitly outline what your package(s) offer(s).
Next, create an Upwork profile. Despite what everyone says about Upwork, this is how I got started with my own Squarespace web design business, It worked well for me to help establish a clientele, develop experience, build my portfolio, and of course- make money!
Last of all, reach out directly to local or online businesses who seem in need of a new website. Highlight what you can do for them and how a new website could really help grow and propel their brand forward. If you really have some spare time, create an outline so they can visualize what their site would look like.
Always remember when speaking to clients: focus on what you can do for them. And be sure to listen intently to their needs so you can respond sincerely.
Contracts + Invoicing
Contracts and invoices are crucial elements of having your own web design business. So spend some time learning about different approaches to invoicing and contracts.
Don’t feel overwhelmed though. To this day, I run a sleek and simple (but quite lucrative!) solo business using the simplest of software and procedures. No need to overcomplicate.
You can stick to DocuSign for contracts and Paypal or Zelle for invoicing when you’re starting out (I use Docusign for contracts and invoicing, fyi).
Rehearse good communication etiquette
Spend some time thinking about how you want to present yourself to clients, details you want to highlight, and ways to structure your proposals and responses.
You’ll be interacting with clients via email, proposals, and over the phone most likely. Think about ways to inject warmth and humanity through flat text.
Get clear on how you can help clients and find an eloquent way of presenting that information. Practice how to come across clear, concise, professional and genuine. (Also be prepared to have to say No or to stand firm on your position, as some clients will try to haggle services. I don’t experience this much at all anymore, but I did the first year).
You got your first client! Now what?
You’ll need to develop a process for how and when to send contracts and invoices, your guidelines around completion of those, then decide which approach you’ll take to start gathering content from your client before the project start date arrives.
Gathering content from clients can be like pulling teeth, so it’s important to be very clear about the importance of this happening before the project start date arrives. I use language in my communication exchanges as well as my contracts that help drive this point home, and I rarely ever have issues getting content from clients nowadays.
Develop a work flow
The project start date has arrived— where to begin?!
You’ll develop your own work flow organically in time, but the first few projects will be some stumping of toes, so just go ahead and expect that and know that it’ll get smoother as time goes on.
I recommend planning out your project in advance, and setting goals for each day of the project to ensure you stay on track.
And all this brings me to…
My New course: How To Start A Squarespace Design Business
For a thorough explanation on every single aspect of running your own Squarespace design business, from how to get clients, to communication etiquette, to contracts and invoicing, project workflow, offboarding, taxes, business registration, and SO much more, I offer this wonderful new course:
My first $10,000 project
Less than three years ago, I decided to apply for a job on Upwork to design a Squarespace website for a client.
I had no portfolio other than my own website I had designed (quickly and in 3 days, mind you!).
I used customer service skills and showed genuine care about my potential clients brand, and after weeks of them interviewing several other freelancers, they hired me! I could hardly believe it.
It was a month and a half long project that paid $10,000. Not bad!
I was motivated and inspired, but also scared to death. Talk about imposter syndrome— it was real! At that point in time, I was an imposter!
But I dove in head first, working from morning until night to accomplish the task at hand.
Essentially, I got paid to learn. Any issue I ran into, I would research until I found the right answer.
I ended up with a happy client who also hired me to design two more websites for them after that project ended!
All from a brand new Upwork profile with no portfolio.
Now I rank at the top of Google for Squarespace Web Design & Squarespace SEO Expert and have learned so much. I’m no longer an imposter whatsoever, but what a journey it has been.
I know how uncomfortable and disorienting starting out can be. You’re full of questions about whether you can make this work or not.
A mentor is so helpful during this time, and that’s exactly what I hope this course will be— a business mentor to help you succeed.
Let me know if you have any questions in the comments. I’m happy to help!
Thanks for reading everyone and take care~
x Tiffany
Welcome!
Hey there! I’m Tiffany ~ a Squarespace Web Designer & SEO Expert. I design beautiful & professional websites that rank well on Google, & I teach courses on becoming a Squarespace SEO Expert, Monetizing Squarespace, and Starting Your Own Squarespace Design Business!
Feel free to contact me at: tiffany@tiffany-davidson.com
Sign up for a free Squarespace trial here! #afflink
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