Why I Use Squarespace to Build Websites
 

Once Upon A Time…

… a long time ago, when I first tried to be a freelance web designer in college, I tried to code out (with what I now know was very little coding knowledge) a family friends’ website for their small business.

It was a disaster.

I could code the general framework, images and content with HTML, add splashes of color, fix alignment, spacing, and change fonts with CSS. I basically could make an online brochure with links to different brochure-looking pages. But beyond that, I was useless. The client was a local equipment rental business, so obviously they wanted a way to track rental inventory. “SURE! I can do that!” Nope. Apparently, inventory management was WAY over my head, as it would require a lot more coding knowledge than I knew at that time. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize this until I was already in the thick of it. I was embarrassed! I couldn’t give my client what they wanted because I just didn’t know how!

Luckily, I could chalk it up to being young and dumb, and they forgave me (and even generously paid me for what I had done already), and we’re still very close to them - in fact, even closer now that I’ve moved back to Maine!

That was back then… and times sure have changed! Enter the age of WYSIWYG website design.


Why Do I use Squarespace?

With so many different website design services out there, why do I choose to use Squarespace?

There are several articles already that answer this question - Paige Brunton is an amazing Squarespace resource, and answers that question thoroughly in her own blog post. So does Lauren Hooker from Elle & Company in her blog post.

So even though everyone’s already said everything about the subject, I’ll throw in my $.02 anyways!

It’s designed for designers (and non-designers, too!)

Right out of the box, Squarespace’s templates are clean, modern, sophisticated and stylish. The building blocks of Squarespace’s website builder have the perfect amount of padding (or space around elements) built right in to give every element on the page the proper amount of breathing room. This ultimately gives Squarespace templates a clean, simple and “airy” look to them. And while you COULD replicate that with other website programs, this does it without you having to think about it!

The interface to build pages is incredibly user-friendly, especially for tech-savvy people, but even for those who aren’t! The management system is very well thought out, and organized in such a way that it actually makes sense! Here’s a glimpse of what the back-end of Squarespace looks like:

Here’s a view of the main menu for my website! If you want to create or edit your pages, simply click “Pages.”

Here’s a view of the main menu for my website! If you want to create or edit your pages, simply click “Pages.”

 
 
Here’s a view of the left menu section, when I’m in the Pages section of the main menu.

Here’s a view of the left menu section, when I’m in the Pages section of the main menu.

 
Clicking the “+” icon in Page or Navigation sections brings up a clean, simple overlay to choose the type of page or content you want to add.

Clicking the “+” icon in Page or Navigation sections brings up a clean, simple overlay to choose the type of page or content you want to add.

 
Once you’re on a page, and you’re ready to add Content Blocks (like text, images, products, etc.), simply hover over the page area to reveal input area pointers, and click to open this Content Block Option overlay.

Once you’re on a page, and you’re ready to add Content Blocks (like text, images, products, etc.), simply hover over the page area to reveal input area pointers, and click to open this Content Block Option overlay.

 
Adding an image reveals this overlay, where you can add the image from your computer, change the design of the image, and even add animations!

Adding an image reveals this overlay, where you can add the image from your computer, change the design of the image, and even add animations!

 


Squarespace takes care of itself

Since your site is fully hosted on Squarespace’s servers, you (or an expensive developer) don’t need to worry about security updates or bug fixes, and you’ll always get the latest and greatest updates pushed directly to your account. Did Squarespace come out with a new feature? Great, you’ve already got it! Anything that you would have to pay a developer to take care of if you were hosting and developing your site yourself, is already taken care of by Squarespace’s team. You can sit back, relax, and let your site work hard for you… and not be working hard on your site!


All inclusive, no add-ons needed

Unlike open-source website builders like Wordpress, Squarespace keeps everything that is allowed into a Squarespace website VERY tightly controlled. There’s no such thing as “adding plug-ins” from third-party companies to add features to your site. This may seem restrictive, and it can be in some regards, but Squarespace really strives to already have everything you need at the tip of your fingers! Sure, you can enable the full “Developer Mode” on Squarespace and code your little heart out for a fancy, super custom site… but Squarespace generally has enough functionality built right in, and managed closely by a team of very smart developers, so everything works just the way it should - every time, on every template.

That’s not to say that there aren’t really cool features that can be added by using the Custom Code section, and there are plenty of really great resources to find this code and implement it on your site. It’s recommended that you have someone experienced to add any custom code to your site, as the Squarespace support team may be limited in their ability to help you out.

A Super supportive support team

Speaking of the support team, Squarespace’s support team is EPIC. They’re there for your 24/7 - so when I hand off your website to you, and you have any questions at all, if I’m not available, you can chat with the support team any time. They really do their best to assist you as quickly as possible. A perk of me being a Squarespace “Circle Member” is that we get priority in the support queue. That means if you’re a client of mine, I can likely get an answer for your pronto! But even if you ask the team yourself, they’re really great to work with and will be as fast as they can be!


Every rose has it’s thorn…

Now, as much as I love Squarespace, it does have it’s flaws… but then again… don’t we all?

When should you NOT use Squarespace?

There are times when hiring me to do your website on Squarespace just wouldn’t be a great fit! Businesses who need a LOT of customization and complexity on their site probably wouldn’t want to use a drag-and-drop website editor like Squarespace, and would probably be better off hiring an actual developer.

Versioning & When Changes are made live

This is something that bothers me quite a bit: If you make changes to your site, then really mess it up somehow, there’s no going back to a previous version. There IS an “undo” feature, but that is only good up until you click “Save.” Speaking of clicking “Save”, once your site is live (and set to public), any changes you make will be visible to the world as soon as you hit “Save” again. If you’re working on updating a certain section of a page, and want to step away for a while, you can’t just save the updates, but not publish it to the world. According to Squarespace, there are some work arounds to help you out:

 
 
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Mobile Design is locked in

Finally, I have to commend Wix on doing a great job at allowing mobile-specific customization. Squarespace definitely lacks in this department, as it strictly creates a stacked, responsive version of your desktop site. Wix allows you to hide, add, or re-arrange elements specifically for mobile devices, without affecting how your desktop site looks. I’ve run into issues with Squarespace where I really want to hide some icons on mobile, because they are just taking up too much valuable real estate - but I can’t, without removing them from the desktop site as well. This is something I sincerely hope that Squarespace will look into fixing in the near future. It bothers me enough that I MAY even consider using Wix as an alternative site builder (along with Squarespace) for future client projects.

Well, there you have it…

Thanks for listening to my opinions on Squarespace, and why I enjoy using it for my client projects.

JenniferComment
Joining the Freelancing World at 30
 

Hey freelancing world!

I’m Jennifer, I’m new-ish here, and I’m 30. (No… WAIT, I’M 31! 🤦🏼‍♀️) Who says you’re ever too old to make drastic career changes?

I’ve officially joined the business of freelance design. Well, not officially, I guess… because I haven’t made any money yet.

Nope. Not one cent.

But I don’t mind… yet. I’m getting my feet wet and building my portfolio by offering my services free of charge to a select group of non-profits & businesses around Lincoln County, Maine. I’m still applying for User Experience Designer jobs (which was…or still is?… my real profession) around the Portland area and also looking at remote positions. But even if I were to get a full-time, 9-5 job, I’m determined to keep up the freelancing work as a side hustle.

Since moving back home to Maine this past October, I’ve vacillated between diving head first into full-time freelance design work and finding a secure 9-5 job that comes with an annual salary. It’s a bit scary when you get to be 30 (or 31, in my case) and you feel like you still haven’t got it figured out. I didn’t think it would take this long to find a job in Maine… and while I AM being picky about location (I really want to work remotely), I think I’m a really well qualified candidate for a lot of the UX design positions available.

While I wait to find a full-time job, I’m using this down time to focus on my freelance design career. Who knows, maybe this will pay off sometime soon in the future? If you’re curious about what I’ve been designing for the non-profits & businesses here in Lincoln County, Maine? Take a gander…


Hearty Roots:

Hearty Roots is an amazing local non-profit that encourages youth in Lincoln County to get outside, be adventurous, but also learn mindfulness and build self-esteem. Separate boys and girls week-long sessions are “purposefully portable” and take advantage of Lincoln County’s public lands and waters, allowing kids to bring their families back to those accessible areas long after the camp sessions have ended. I was able to attend the girls’ February break “closing circle" ceremony at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson, Maine (just across the lake from where I live!) It was awesome to see a group of girls be so thoughtful and kind towards each other and to themselves, and to see them excited about outdoor activities, even in the freezing Maine winter.

I offered Haley Bezon, the founder and director of Hearty Roots, a full branding package that includes logo design, a brand style guide, some print material designs and a responsive Squarespace website. We just finished the logo, and Haley wanted to get some stickers and a banner made up for the Snow Ball Benefit Gala which is benefiting Hearty Roots on March 2nd (come get fancy with us and get your tickets here!)

Here’s the logo I came up with for Hearty Roots - next up, some more print designs and a full website refresh!

 
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Boothbay Region Health Center:

The Boothbay Region Health Center is the Boothbay Region’s community-owned healthcare organization. Their goals, as listed on their website, are:

1. To take local control of our primary health service.

2. To establish a patient-driven primary care practice model

3. To increase access and to use primary health care services appropriately.

4. To make both individual and community-wide choices that will result in improved health status.

What a great organization to help out!

I’ve been working on a poster for BRHC’s upcoming spring fundraising event:

 
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Kennebec Equipment Rental:

A family-owned business for generations, Kennebec Equipment Rental is a staple in Maine’s equipment rental industry, with 6 locations all over Maine. My family is very close with the owners of KER, so I am always willing to lend a hand for any design needs they may have!

I designed their logo several years ago, but was most recently asked to design a t-shirt!

 
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Jefferson Moto

Finally, what’s the use of being married to a freelance designer if you can’t take advantage of free design? For my husband’s new power sports service & repair shop, I designed the logo, business cards, website and signage for the shop! I even came up with the tagline (how witty am I!?) Have some toys you need repaired? Come talk to Henry at Jefferson Moto.

 
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