Meet Jessica:

My passion and focus is good design, whether it’s websites or marketing.

With endless research, non-stop hands-on experience, and a sprinkling of semi-healthy perfectionism, you can teach yourself anything... and that’s what I did over the past 12 years with graphic and website design. I’ve managed to create a steady and successful career by creating branding kits that help small businesses get a step up in a world all that is all about the visual elements, paired with a modern, functional website they can easily manage on their own, with a little guidance. 

I started my journey in Wordpress and then fell in love with the simple and beautiful nature of the Squarespace platform but was disappointed with the lack of customization. I began training and working on front-end web development using CSS, HTML, and Javascript over the years to make the sky the limit when it comes to customization of Squarespace sites.

 


Skills & Experience

Web Development

  • Squarespace: Specializing in designing and customizing user-friendly, visually compelling Squarespace websites, I ensure each site is tailored to your needs and easy for clients to manage.

  • CSS, HTML, JavaScript: With front-end development expertise, I add advanced customizations to websites, creating unique functionality and a polished look that stands out from template-based designs.

Design & Branding

  • Figma: Proficient in creating wireframes and mockups to bring design ideas to life and ensure a seamless development process.

  • Photoshop: Expert in photo editing, graphic creation, and enhancing visuals to make your brand pop.

  • Illustrator: Skilled in vector-based design, logo creation, and branding materials.

  • InDesign: Proficient in creating professional layouts for print and digital media, such as brochures, presentations, and reports.

Marketing & Advertising

  • Social Media Management: I help businesses build their presence across social platforms, ensuring consistent branding, engagement, and growth.

  • Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest + Ads: Managing ad campaigns that drive targeted traffic, increase conversions, and expand your reach.

  • Google Ads: Crafting and optimizing Google Ads campaigns to ensure your brand reaches the right audience at the right time.

  • Email Design & Marketing: I create eye-catching email templates and implement marketing strategies that boost engagement and conversions.

    • Mailchimp, Sendinblue, Constant Contact, Robly: Proficient in these platforms, I handle everything from design to campaign management, helping you nurture your audience effectively.

SEO Optimization

  • Ensuring that your website is optimized for search engines, helping your site rank higher and attract more organic traffic.

Content Strategy

  • Developing content plans that align with your brand's voice and marketing goals, ensuring consistent messaging across platforms.


Web Design Process

Starting point.

If we're not starting from scratch, the first step is to figure out where your domain and current website are hosted. We’ll also determine if any services, like an online store or email, are attached. From there, we can:

  1. Transfer or replace your services with Squarespace.

  2. Keep your existing services and point your domain to a new Squarespace site.

  3. Update your current site on its current platform.

Understanding fees and pricing.

If you’re using Squarespace, we’ll discuss the platform’s fees (either monthly or annually) to keep your site active. My design fees are separate from Squarespace and depend on the work involved in transferring your site and creating the new design.

  • You’ll find Squarespace pricing here: https://www.squarespace.com/pricing

  • My web design prices are $50 per hour and website packages start at $850 for a one-page basic website.

Review Proposal and Contract.

Once we’re aligned, I’ll send a proposal detailing my fees, along with a simple contract that ensures your information is secure and covers policies like cancellations and what to expect during the process.

Collect and Layout.

Next, I’ll gather key information about your business, brand identity, design preferences, target audience, and any assets you have, like logos and photos.

Any and all input at this stage is welcome! The more, the merrier. Here’s a list of some of the things I’ll need:

  • Logo Files, Branding Kits, Colors

  • Photos for your website

  • Key points to promote or the purpose of your site

  • Examples of other websites you like

  • Ideas for style, look, and feel

From there, I’ll design a layout that ensures a smooth user experience, guiding visitors through your site and marketing funnel.

Create a Squarespace account.

If we’re using Squarespace, I’ll guide you through setting up an account where you can access the site in progress. This also sets up payment for hosting your website after launch.

Design Proof.

Here’s where the fun starts! I’ll create a visually appealing and mobile-friendly website that works across all screen sizes. We’ll review it together and make any necessary revisions to ensure everything aligns with your vision.

  • Responsive sites: It’s important to note that responsive websites often look simpler on mobile. While we can create an immersive desktop experience, some elements may not translate to smaller screens. The majority of users (80-90%) access websites via mobile, so prioritizing mobile design is crucial.

  • Finishing Touches: In this phase, I’ll apply final revisions, check all links and buttons, optimize images, and ensure your SEO is in place. This step can take some time, as I’ll carefully comb through the entire site to ensure everything is perfect.

Final Checks.

We’ll do one last round of revisions, ensuring the site looks great and functions properly across devices and browsers. At this point, I’ll request the final payment.

If your domain is hosted elsewhere, I’ll either need access to that account or provide instructions to point your domain to the new site. The domain transfer can take 24-72 hours.

Launch Day!

Once everything is set, we’ll publish your site on Squarespace. I’ll guide you through setting up your payment for hosting. Your website will be live, and I’ll be available for 30 days to help with training, troubleshooting, or any small fixes.

Support

Switching platforms or moving existing websites can be stressful, but I’m here to make the transition as smooth as possible, ensuring no website downtime. Please reach out with any questions or concerns!


Frequently Asked Questions

Is Squarespace right for me?

Great question! Whether Squarespace is the best fit depends on your business needs. In some cases, platforms like WordPress or other builders may be more suitable, particularly if you need highly customized integrations or a large-scale site. But in most instances, Squarespace can handle just about everything you need.

Here are a few reasons why I love Squarespace:

No Maintenance Hassles: Unlike other platforms, Squarespace doesn’t rely on plug-ins, meaning no regular updates or maintenance to worry about. Your site will look and function just as it did on day one, without the need for constant check-ins.

User-Friendly: Squarespace is designed with ease of use in mind. After a bit of training, you’ll be able to manage your site, update content, change photos, post blogs, or adjust business information—no coding skills required. It’s ideal for small business owners who want to manage their own website after it’s built.

We can discuss your specific needs early on to determine if Squarespace is the best choice for you.

What does my Squarespace subscription include?

Squarespace is an all-in-one content management system or CMS. With a single subscription, you can create a website, host your content, register domains, sell products, and much more.

Every full Squarespace subscription includes:

  • Website building tools
  • Content hosting
  • Search engine optimization
  • Squarespace Analytics
  • Responsive design for mobile viewing
  • 24/7 Customer Support

You can add these other features:

  • Custom domain name
  • Email by Google Workspace
  • Email Campaigns
  • Advanced Commerce features
  • Stock images

Can I move to Squarespace from another platform?

Absolutely. If you already own your domain or have a site hosted by another provider, you can move to Squarespace using these options:

If you already own a domain - You can transfer your domain to Squarespace or point it to your Squarespace site.

If you already have a website - If you have a site with WordPress, Blogger, or Tumblr, you can import your blog content to Squarespace. Otherwise, since Squarespace is its own distinct platform, you'll need to rebuild your site using our templates and tools.

If you already have an online store - If you have an online store with Shopify, Big Cartel, or Etsy, or can prepare a list of products in a .csv, you can import your products to Squarespace, then build your site using our templates and tools.

Will you write my copy and content for me?

This is something that varies by client and really depends on whether or not I think I can do your specific business or brand justice. Otherwise, I can recommend some professional copywriters for you.

Can you provide the photos for me?

Absolutely, but for an additional cost because it takes time to find and edit the photos, as well as pay for stock photo subscriptions.

Do I need to purchase a Squarespace subscription before you begin the design process?

No, there’s no need to purchase a subscription before we start. In fact, I recommend waiting until I give you the go-ahead. If you’re new to Squarespace, I can offer you a 20% discount on your first year when you purchase an annual plan. This way, you can save while ensuring we set everything up properly from the start.

How does payment work?

A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot. The final 50% is due after our last round of revisions (if you have an existing Squarespace website) or before the keys to your website are handed over (if you are a new Squarespace customer).

How long will my project take?

Projects usually take about five weeks but it can vary depending on the complexity of your website, your adherence to deadlines, technical hiccups, etc. I provide a timeline at the beginning of each project but I try to remain flexible within reason.

Do you offer a la carte design services?

Yes, I offer a la carte services such as making website updates, other maintenance, technical help, design work, etc. Contact me for details.