How to Choose a Squarespace Designer in 2026 (Without Getting Burned)
Let me guess, you've been scrolling through portfolios for longer than you'd like to admit, everything looks good, and you still have no idea who to actually hire.
That's the trap. When it comes to finding a Squarespace designer, there's a lot of genuinely talented people out there... and also a lot of people who know how to present their work in a way that looks impressive without telling you much about whether they can actually help you.
Over the years, the questions people want answered usually aren't "how do I find a designer?", they're "how do I know if this person is actually good?" and "what's a fair price for this?"
So that's what this guide is really about. Not just where to look, but what to look for.
First: Get Clear on What Your Site Needs to Do
Before you start talking to anyone, get honest with yourself about one thing: what do you actually need this website to accomplish?
This sounds obvious, but it's the step most people skip, and it ends up costing them later when they're three weeks into a project and the designer is asking questions they don't know how to answer.
Most business websites fall into one of a few buckets:
Lead Generation: You want people to reach out, book a call, or fill in a form. The whole point is turning visitors into warm conversations.
Sales: You're selling products or courses directly through the site, so checkout flow and product presentation matter a lot.
Authority / Personal Brand: You want people to immediately trust you. Coaches, consultants, and speakers often need this more than anything else.
Portfolio: You're a creative, and the site is the work. It needs to show range and feel unique.
Each of these requires a genuinely different approach. A site built to generate leads needs strong CTAs and clear messaging above the fold. A personal brand site needs to make someone feel something within the first five seconds. If the designer you're talking to doesn't ask which one of these applies to you before they start talking about colours and layouts, that's your first sign they're not thinking strategically.
What to Actually Look for in a Portfolio
Portfolios are tricky because almost everyone has one that looks good on the surface. The real question isn't "does this look nice?", it's "does this work?"
Here's how you should approach reviewing anyone's portfolio:
Ask yourself if you understand the business within seconds. Open one of their sites cold, like you've never heard of the client. Can you tell immediately what they do, who they help, and what you're supposed to do next? If you're squinting or scrolling to figure it out, the messaging and structure aren't doing their job, regardless of how beautiful the design is.
Look for variety in style, consistency in quality. If every site looks almost identical, same layout, same vibe, same structure, it usually means the designer is leaning heavily on templates and swapping out photos and fonts. That's fine for some projects, but if you want something that feels genuinely tailored to your brand, it's worth noticing. You can browse our portfolio here to see the range of work we've done across industries.
Check whether the sites are actually live. Some designers showcase concepts or mockups rather than real published work. There's nothing wrong with having a mix, but you want to see real sites that real clients approved and are actively using.
Look at the mobile version. Seriously. A huge proportion of website visitors are on phones, and some designers who are great on desktop get sloppy on mobile. Pull out your phone and check a few of their sites, or shrink your browser window. If things are misaligned, text is too small, or CTAs are buried, that's a gap you'll be living with.
Squarespace Specialist vs. General Web Designer - Does It Matter?
Short answer: yes, it usually does.
Squarespace isn't WordPress or Webflow. It has its own logic, its own quirks, its own way of doing things. A designer who's built 50 Squarespace sites is going to work faster, hit fewer walls, and know how to push the platform further than someone who mostly works on WordPress and takes occasional Squarespace projects.
Specifically, you want to look for someone who:
Has a real history of Squarespace work (not just a line on their services page saying they offer it)
Knows their way around custom CSS, because that's what separates a Squarespace site that feels truly custom from one that looks like the template it came from
Stays current with the platform. Squarespace has changed a lot with their Fluid Engine update and 7.1, and if someone's still talking about 7.0 like it's the default, they might be a bit behind
A Squarespace-focused designer will also know how to handle things like SEO setup, mobile responsiveness tweaks, and third-party integrations without it becoming a whole project-within-a-project.
It's also worth checking whether a designer holds official credentials. Squarespace Circle Membership, particularly at the Platinum tier, means a designer has built a significant number of sites and has been vetted by Squarespace directly. It's not the only signal to look for, but it's a meaningful one.
Let's Talk About Pricing (Honestly)
This is the part people most want to know and often get the vaguest answers about, so here's an honest breakdown.
Budget range ($300–$800): You're likely looking at designers who are early in their careers, or marketplace-style platforms like Etsy or Fiverr. The work can be fine, but you're often getting a template with your content dropped in. If you have a simple site and a tight budget, this can work, just go in with realistic expectations.
Mid-range ($1,000–$3,000): This is where the majority of independent Squarespace designers sit. You're getting someone with real experience, a defined process, and actual strategic thinking. Most small businesses and service providers are well served here.
Higher-end ($3,000–$6,000+): At this level, you're typically working with someone who has a strong track record, a refined process, possibly a team behind them, and who is thinking about your site as a business tool, not just a design project. Strategy, messaging guidance, and ongoing support are often built in.
One thing worth knowing: a $2,500 site that's built properly with clear structure, solid SEO foundations, and messaging that converts, will almost always outperform a $700 site that looks decent. The ROI math isn't complicated. If you're still on the fence about whether the investment makes sense, this post on why your Squarespace website is your best sales machine breaks it down well.
Freelancer vs. Agency vs. DIY - Which Makes Sense for You?
DIY
Squarespace is genuinely one of the most accessible platforms for building your own site. If your business is early-stage, your budget is limited, and you can invest a weekend into learning the platform, DIY is a completely valid option. The challenge is that design tools don't teach you how to think about structure and messaging — that part is still on you.
Freelancer
For most small businesses and solo professionals, a freelancer is the sweet spot. You're working directly with the person doing the work, communication is straightforward, and if you find the right one, the quality can be just as high as an agency, often for less.
Agency
Makes more sense when the project is genuinely complex — multiple service lines, custom functionality, ongoing marketing support, or a tight deadline that requires more than one person working on it. The trade-off is higher cost and sometimes less direct communication.
A rough guide: if the website is your primary sales tool and you want it done properly, a freelancer with proven experience. If it's one piece of a bigger brand or marketing system, consider an agency. If you're just starting out, DIY until you have the budget to invest properly.
If you're considering switching platforms entirely, say, moving from WordPress or Wix to Squarespace, that's a separate decision worth thinking through. We've helped a number of clients make that transition, and it's often smoother than people expect. You can read more about why more businesses are switching from WordPress to Squarespace.
Questions That Will Tell You Everything You Need to Know
Most people ask surface-level questions and get surface-level answers. Here are the ones that actually cut through:
"What would you change about my current site, or my idea, and why?"
A designer who's worth hiring will have a point of view. They won't just validate everything and nod along. If the answer is vague or overly agreeable, it usually means they're more focused on landing the project than doing the work well.
"How do you decide what goes on a page and in what order?"
This question is specifically about strategic thinking, not just design skill. The answer should involve user behaviour, hierarchy, and goals, not just "it depends on the content."
"What does your process look like from start to finish?"
You want a clear, defined answer here. Not a list of buzzwords, an actual description of steps, timelines, review rounds, and what's expected from you. Vagueness in the process usually leads to scope creep and frustration.
"What happens after launch?"
Good designers think past the finish line. Do they offer any post-launch support? Training so you can update the site yourself? A handover session? This matters more than most people expect. A good example of what this looks like in practice: our website maintenance and support service is specifically built around keeping sites healthy after they go live.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
No live portfolio. If you can only see mockups or "coming soon" placeholders where client work should be, be cautious.
The conversation stays entirely on aesthetics. If a designer only wants to talk about colours, fonts, and how the site will "look" without ever asking about your goals, audience, or conversion strategy — take note.
Unclear or shifting pricing. A professional knows what their work costs. Vague estimates or prices that change before you've even agreed on scope are a sign of disorganisation.
Slow or inconsistent communication in the early stages. How someone communicates before they have your money is often exactly how they'll communicate during the project. If follow-ups are delayed or responses are vague before you've signed anything, that pattern tends to get worse, not better.
No contract or unclear deliverables. Any designer worth hiring will have a contract. It protects both of you. If someone baulks at paperwork or can't clearly state what's included, walk away.
Where to Actually Find Good Squarespace Designers
A few places that are genuinely worth checking:
The Squarespace Specialist directory: Squarespace has its own directory of vetted designers. It's not exhaustive, but the bar for getting listed is real, so the quality tends to be solid.
Square Design Guild: A community specifically for Squarespace designers, with a showcase of featured sites. If you find a site in the showcase that resonates with your style, you can click through to the designer directly.
Google: Sounds obvious, but searching "Squarespace designer for [your industry]" or "Squarespace designer [your city]" will surface designers who've invested in their own SEO, which, incidentally, is a decent sign they know how to apply those same skills to your site.
Design by Ency: If you want a more polished, professional option, Design by Ency is worth considering. Led by Nick, the studio focuses on custom Squarespace websites that balance strong design with usability, branding, and a smooth client experience.
Blogs about Squarespace: Designers who write educational content about Squarespace tend to know the platform deeply. If you're reading a helpful Squarespace guide (hey, like this one), check if the author offers design services.
Upwork: For freelance designers with verified reviews and work history. Look at review volume, response time, and how detailed the feedback from past clients is. Short generic reviews tell you less than one detailed review from a real project.
Before You Decide: A Quick Gut-Check
Once you've shortlisted a few options, run through this before committing:
Do you actually understand what your site needs to accomplish? (If not, revisit that before anything else.)
Have you looked at real, live sites, and not just screenshots or mockups?
Did the designer ask about your goals before talking about design?
Is the process clearly explained, with realistic timelines and defined deliverables?
Do reviews or testimonials mention both the working experience and the results? (You can read what our clients say over on our testimonials page.)
Does the price reflect the level of thinking and involvement you actually need?
If most of those are solid, you're in good shape.
Final Thought
Choosing a Squarespace designer isn't a small decision. The site you end up with is how thousands of people will experience your business, first impressions, credibility, and whether they stick around or click away.
A well-built site does real work for you. It builds trust before you've said a word. It turns visitors into people who want to reach out. It grows with your business instead of needing to be rebuilt in two years.
That's what you're actually paying for when you hire the right person. Not a pretty design, but a business asset. Take your time, ask the right questions, and when something feels off, trust that instinct.
If you want to talk through what your site needs, book a free 15-minute call — no pitch, just an honest conversation about your project.
FAQ
How much does a Squarespace designer cost in 2026?
Most experienced independent designers charge somewhere between $1,500 and $5,000 for a full site. Budget options exist below that, and specialist agencies can go significantly higher. The price usually reflects how much strategy and customisation are involved, not just how many pages you're getting.
How long does it take to build a Squarespace website?
For most projects, it takes somewhere between 2–6 weeks from start to finish. That timeline depends heavily on how quickly you can provide feedback and content, the designer can only move as fast as you do.
Do Squarespace designers help with SEO?
Yes, good ones do help with SEO, at least for the technical foundations, such as page structure, headings, meta descriptions, image optimisation, and mobile performance. Ongoing SEO (ranking for search terms over time) usually requires additional content work on top of that.
Can I update my Squarespace site myself after it's built?
Yes, you can update your Squarespace site yourself after it’s built. That's one of the reasons Squarespace is so popular. A good designer will hand the site over with a clear explanation of how to make edits, so you're not reliant on them for every small change.
Is Squarespace actually good for business websites?
For most service businesses, personal brands, coaches, consultants, and smaller e-commerce stores, yes, genuinely. The platform has matured a lot. The main limitation is if you need very custom functionality that goes beyond what Squarespace supports natively.
What's the difference between a Squarespace redesign and a new build?
The main difference between a Squarespace redesign and a new build is that a redesign takes an existing site and rebuilds it with a stronger structure, updated design, and better performance, while keeping your existing brand and content. Whereas a new build starts from scratch. If you already have a site that's underperforming, a Squarespace website redesign is often the faster, more cost-effective route.
Want more Squarespace tips like this? Browse the Design by Ency blog, we publish guides on design, SEO, and making the most of your Squarespace site.
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Your Squarespace Designer
Hi, I’m Nick. I've been designing killer brands and stunning websites for over five years. I have worked with all types of clients of all sizes, from entrepreneurs to global corporations, and I combine my graphic design & branding experience with Squarespace specialism to make bespoke websites that are uniquely you.
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