What to ask a Squarespace website designer before you hire them.
So, you've decided you need a new website.
You've Googled around, asked your mates, looked at a few portfolios, maybe even sent a couple of enquiry emails… Now you're on a call with someone who seems decent. But what do you actually ask? And how do you really know what the answers should be?
Most people default to "how much does it cost?" and "how long will it take?" Both fair questions. But neither will tell you whether this person is the right fit — or whether you're going to end up with a site that looks nice but doesn't actually do anything for your business.
Here's what I would recommend asking instead…
Question 1 to ask - Do you start with strategy, or do you start with design?
This one separates the designers from the strategists pretty quickly.
A lot of website designers will kick off with a moodboard, some colour options, maybe a few template ideas. That's not necessarily bad - but if nobody's asked you what makes your business different, or who your ideal client actually is, the site is going to be built on shaky ground.
Also, beware, a lot of website designers will offer a ‘Strategy call’ meaning a call to determine a sitemap (plan of your site) and discuss the functions you need. Again - not necessarily bad, and definitely useful to the process. But in order to establish the goals of the project, we need to understand what’s not working at the moment ie. the underlying problem(s), not the symptoms. And whether the issue is with your brand positioning or offers rather than which pages your website needs.
Question 2 to ask - Do you write the copy, or do I? Or, do you use AI?
There is nothing ‘wrong’ as such with any of these answers. Each provides options at different budgets.
But the quality of the copy matters more than most people realise.
Copy and design aren't separate things. If you're writing your own copy in a Word doc and someone else is building the site, there's a good chance they won't fit together properly. The words end up too long, or too short, or structured in a way that doesn't match how the page is laid out.
Also, bearing in time the few seconds you get to win over your audience before they leave your site, the copy and messaging used has to be the best it can be. If yo’re not clear what you do, who for, and why your audience should choose you, you’ll lose that visitor.
Ask upfront: is copywriting included? And if not, what support do you get?
Some designers offer a guided framework - where you write it but they shape it. Others write everything for you. Neither is wrong, but you need to know what you're getting before you start.
Good web copywriters also understand the theory of keyword optimisation (for the more traditional world of SEO) and also how to write to the newer AI LLMs. Get this right and you’ll achieve more cut through faster and bring in the leads faster too.
The words matter as much as the pictures!
Question 3 to ask - Can you show me examples of businesses you've worked with?
Portfolio work tells you a lot — but only if you look at the right things.
Don't just look at whether it looks good. Ask yourself: do I immediately understand what this business does? Is it obvious who it's for? Does it make me want to find out more?
A beautiful website that doesn't communicate clearly is just an expensive brochure. You want to see sites that are clear first, pretty second.
Listen out for signs that the designer is commercially aware of how that site helped their client eg. increased visits, conversations or even confidence in terms of their sales and marketing. Any indication that the project was approached from a practical standpoint, not simply a creative one.
Question 4 - What happens if my business has evolved and my positioning isn't clear yet?
This is the question most people don't think to ask — but probably should!
If you're not crystal clear on your positioning before you start, a good designer should flag that. Because if you're vague about what makes you different, the website will be vague too. And a vague website doesn't convert.
Some designers will just build what you give them and hand it back. Others (the ones worth working with) will push back, ask harder questions, and help you get clear before a single page gets built.
Ask them what they do when a client isn't sure what to say. The answer will tell you everything.
Question 5 - What does the process actually look like?
You want to understand the timeline, what's expected of you, and what happens after launch.
A few things worth asking specifically:
How long will this take from start to finish?
What do you need from me, and when?
What support do I get after the site goes live?
What's not included?
That last one is important. Surprises after you've paid a deposit aren't fun. Especially if you’re on a tight budget.
One final thing…
The cheapest option and the most expensive option are rarely the right answer. What you're looking for is someone who understands your business, asks good questions, and builds a site around how your clients think - not just how it looks on a screen.
If a designer can't clearly explain their process, or jumps straight to design without asking about your positioning - keep looking.
A good Squarespace website designer will make you feel like they get it before they've built a single page.
In my opinion, the most important factor is that personal fit. Your website is a hugely important part of your business - you want to be working with someone you trust, you get on with and you feel you can easily communicate with.
