Frequently Asked Questions

We know that choosing a web designer is a big decision — and you'll probably have a few questions before you get in touch. We've pulled together the things our clients ask us most often. If you can't find what you're looking for here, just drop us a message and we'll get back to you.

Working With Us

What it's actually like to work with our team, from your first conversation through to launch and beyond.

  • Made by Dave started as a one-man operation (that one man being Dave) and has grown into a small, tight-knit team of designers, consultants and creatives. We've been doing this for over twelve years, we've built more than 650 websites, and we're consistently ranked in the top 0.1% of UK Squarespace Experts. When you work with us you'll typically have a dedicated designer leading your project, but you'll have the backing of the whole team behind that person. We're small by design. It means you'll always know who's working on your site, and you won't get passed around between departments.

  • It starts with a conversation, usually a phone or video call, where we get to know you, your business, and what you're hoping your website will do for you. From there we'll agree a timeline, gather your content (we believe design follows content, so we'll need at least an outline before we start designing), and then we get building. We work directly in Squarespace, which means you can see your site taking shape in real time rather than waiting weeks for a big reveal. We design, you give feedback, we refine. It's collaborative and agile. Once everything's signed off, we handle the domain connection, run through a pre-launch checklist, and take your site live. After that, we provide training so you can manage it yourself, or we can stick around for ongoing support if you prefer.

  • However works best for you, honestly. Most of our communication happens over email and video calls, but we've worked with clients who prefer WhatsApp, Slack, or a quick phone call. We'll agree this at the start of your project. What we will say is that we're responsive. We don't disappear for days, and we keep you informed at every stage. You'll have regular design reviews and we'll flag anything that needs your attention rather than letting it slow things down.

  • Absolutely. We're based near London, but we work with clients across the UK and internationally. We've built sites for organisations in the US, Canada, Europe and beyond. Everything we do can be handled remotely. The tools we use (Squarespace, Zoom, email) don't care about geography. Time zones occasionally need a bit of coordination, but we've got plenty of experience making that work.

  • Everything from sole traders and startups through to established SMEs and multinational organisations. We've built sites for individuals launching a personal brand, small charities with tight budgets, and larger organisations like Skyscanner and NHS-affiliated bodies.

    The common thread isn't size. It's that our clients care about having a website that genuinely works for their audience. Whether you've got five pages or fifty, we'll approach it with the same attention to detail.

  • We've worked across a remarkably wide range of sectors over the past decade. Our portfolio includes professional services, healthcare, finance, education, e-commerce, nonprofits, churches and faith-based organisations, entertainment, property, fitness, aviation, heritage and estates, photography, and more.

    That breadth of experience is actually one of our strengths. We bring ideas and approaches from one industry that can work brilliantly in another. Take a look at our portfolio to see the variety of projects we've delivered.

  • Three things, really.

    First, we only work with Squarespace. That's not a limitation, it's a deliberate choice. While other agencies spread themselves across five or six platforms, we've poured ten years and 18,000+ hours into mastering one. That depth shows in the quality of what we produce.

    Second, we're a Platinum-tier Squarespace Expert, we sit on the Squarespace Board of Community Leaders, and are Authorised Trainers. These are credentials that fewer than a handful of UK agencies hold simultaneously.

    Third, we actually care about the handover. A lot of agencies build your site and wave goodbye. We train you to manage it yourself, and we're genuinely on hand when you need us after launch. Your site is yours, and we want you to feel confident running it.

  • Of course. Head over to our portfolio page to browse a selection of the 600+ websites we've designed and built. We've worked across dozens of industries, so whatever your sector, there's a good chance we've done something similar. If you'd like to see work that's specifically relevant to your industry or needs, just ask. We're happy to walk you through relevant case studies on a call.

Squarespace

Everything you need to know about the platform we build on, and why we chose it.

  • Yes, and we chose this path deliberately. Early on we made the decision to specialise rather than spread ourselves thin across multiple platforms. That decision has served our clients well. It means every member of our team knows Squarespace inside and out, from its design capabilities to its quirks. We've built over 600 sites on the platform and clocked more than 18,000 hours working within it. When you work with a specialist, you benefit from depth that a generalist agency simply can't match.

  • We work primarily with Squarespace 7.1, which is the current and most feature-rich version of the platform. If you're on an older version (7.0), we can help you migrate. We'd generally recommend it, as 7.1 offers significantly more design flexibility, better performance, and access to the latest features including the Fluid Engine editor.

  • This is something we do regularly. We've migrated hundreds of sites from WordPress, Wix, and other platforms onto Squarespace. Our team has a tried-and-tested migration process that preserves your content, maintains your SEO value where possible, and gives your site a fresh design that takes full advantage of what Squarespace can do. Clients who've made the switch consistently tell us they find Squarespace far easier to manage day-to-day.

  • Squarespace comes with solid SEO fundamentals built in: clean URLs, automatic sitemaps, SSL certificates, mobile responsiveness, and easy-to-edit page titles and meta descriptions. It's a strong foundation. Where it gets really effective is when those built-in tools are combined with proper SEO strategy: well-structured content, appropriate heading hierarchy, optimised images, and thoughtful internal linking. That's the work we do as part of every project. We also set up Google Search Console and Analytics so you can monitor and improve your search performance over time. SEO is a marathon, not a sprint, and we'll make sure your Squarespace site is set up to run that race well.

  • It absolutely can. Squarespace has a comprehensive e-commerce system built right into the platform: product listings, inventory management, payment processing, shipping calculations, discount codes, and automated customer emails. It handles physical products, digital downloads, services, and subscriptions. For most small to medium businesses, it provides everything you need without the complexity (and plugin headaches) of something like WooCommerce. We've set up online stores for all sorts of businesses and can guide you through the best configuration for your specific needs.

  • Squarespace supports member areas where you can restrict content to subscribers or paying members. This works well for things like premium content libraries, online courses, or client portals. It's not as customisable as dedicated membership platforms like Memberful or Kajabi, but for many use cases it does the job without adding another subscription to your tech stack. We can advise on whether Squarespace's built-in membership features will work for what you have in mind, or whether a third-party integrations like Memberspace would serve you better.

  • That's one of the main reasons we build on Squarespace. The platform was designed to be managed by non-technical users. It's visual, drag-and-drop, and you can see your changes in real time. We provide training at the end of every project (tailored to your experience level) so you leave feeling confident about making updates, adding content, and keeping your site fresh. We also offer our SquareHead advanced course for teams who want to go deeper. And if you ever get stuck, we're a phone call or email away.

  • Squarespace has been running since 2003 and hosts millions of websites globally. They handle all hosting, security, SSL certificates, and software updates as part of your subscription.

    There are no plugins to patch, no security vulnerabilities to monitor, and no server maintenance to worry about. Their uptime is excellent. Your site data is backed up and you can export your content at any time. It's one of the real advantages of using a managed platform.

Our Services and Scope

What we do, what we don't do, and how to figure out which of our services is right for you.

  • Our core services cover everything you'd need for a Squarespace website project. That includes full site builds (new websites from scratch), site redesigns, platform migrations (moving from WordPress, Wix, or older Squarespace versions), online store setup, designer reviews (where we audit and improve an existing site), our Designer for a Day service, branding and design, asset creation (photography, video, illustration, copywriting through our network of creative partners), site functionality improvements (speed, SEO, mobile optimisation, analytics setup), training, and ongoing support. We also handle smaller tasks: adding a form, tweaking fonts, connecting a domain, or fixing a specific issue. No job is too small.

  • A full site build is a complete website project from start to finish: discovery, design, development, content integration, testing, launch, and training. It's the right choice when you need a new website or a comprehensive redesign, and it runs over several weeks depending on the scope.

    Designer for a Day is a focused, single-day session where you get dedicated time with one of our designers to tackle a specific list of tasks. That could be refreshing layouts, adding features, fixing issues, or fine-tuning styling. It's ideal when your site is mostly there but needs expert attention to take it from good to great, or when you have a defined set of improvements and a tight timeline. It also includes a pre-day consultation call and post-day revisions, so you get more than just eight hours of work.

  • We do. Our Branding & Design service covers logo creation, colour palettes, typography selection, and full brand guidelines that work across web and print. That said, branding is most effective when it's part of a website project.

    Your brand identity and your website should be built in conversation with each other, not in isolation. If you already have established branding, we'll work with what you've got and make sure it translates beautifully into your Squarespace site.

  • Yes, and this is something we feel strongly about. The imagery on a website can make it or break it. We offer photoshoots where needed, working with experienced photographers who understand that website imagery has specific requirements (aspect ratios, resolution, composition that works within web layouts).

    When original photography isn't feasible, we source high-quality royalty-free stock photography and art-direct the selection to make sure it fits your brand. We also handle image optimisation to keep your site loading quickly.

  • We can help with content through our network of copywriters as part of our asset creation service, but we'd always recommend that the core messaging comes from you or your team.

    Nobody knows your business, your voice, and your customers better than you do.

    What we will do is advise on content structure: how to organise your pages, what information should go where, how to write for the web (which is different from writing for print), and how to structure content for SEO.

    We believe design follows content, so we'll want at least an outline of your content before we start designing.

  • We build SEO best practices into every website we create: proper heading structure, clean URLs, optimised images, meta descriptions, alt text, sitemap configuration, and Google Search Console setup. Beyond that, we offer site functionality services that include deeper SEO work: performance auditing, mobile optimisation, analytics configuration, and strategic guidance on improving your search rankings over time.

    What we don't offer is ongoing SEO management as a standalone retainer service. We're web designers, not an SEO agency. But we'll make sure your site is set up to perform well and can recommend specialist partners if you need ongoing SEO support.

  • This isn't something we offer, and it's a deliberate choice. We specialise in web design and we've chosen to stay focused on what we do best rather than becoming a full-service marketing agency. We think that's better for our clients. You get genuine depth of expertise in web design, not a surface-level spread across six different disciplines.

    If you need social media support, we're happy to recommend partners we trust. What we can do is make sure your website integrates well with your social channels: linking your profiles, embedding feeds, and making sure your site content is easily shareable.

  • Similar to social media, this isn't our area. We're web designers. We build websites that look great, work brilliantly, and give you the tools to grow your business online. But we don't manage ad campaigns, email marketing, or content marketing strategies. We've found that trying to be everything to everyone dilutes quality, so we stay in our lane. We can, however, set up the technical foundations: connecting email marketing platforms like Mailchimp, configuring newsletter signup forms, and making sure your site supports your broader marketing efforts.

  • Our core expertise is in Squarespace website design, and that's where we deliver the most value.

    If your project requires a fully custom web application or native mobile app built from the ground up, that's outside our current scope.

    That said, the line between websites and apps is blurring all the time, and Squarespace itself is becoming increasingly powerful.

    A lot of what people think requires custom development (client portals, booking systems, member areas, e-commerce workflows) can actually be achieved on Squarespace or through integrations we already work with.

    If you're unsure whether what you need is a website, an app, or something in between, talk to us.

    We'll give you an honest answer, and if it's genuinely beyond what we can deliver, we'll tell you.

  • Absolutely, and this is something we do a lot. It's worth noting that we approach redesigns thoughtfully. We'll want to understand why you're considering a redesign and make sure the reasons are sound before diving in. Sometimes a full redesign is exactly what's needed. Other times, a designer review or a set of targeted improvements will achieve what you're after more efficiently (and more affordably). We'll always be honest about which approach we think will give you the best return on your investment.

  • We do. We offer a free accessibility audit for Squarespace websites. Accessibility matters to us. Every website should be usable by everyone, regardless of ability, and there are legal obligations around this that many businesses aren't aware of. Our audit looks at your site against established accessibility standards and provides practical recommendations for improvement. We can also implement the changes as part of a project or standalone task.

Project Practicalities

The nuts and bolts: costs, timelines, payments, and what we need from you.

  • It genuinely depends on what you need.

    A five-page brochure site is a very different project from a fifty-page e-commerce build with custom functionality.

    We don't publish fixed prices because every project is different, and we think cookie-cutter pricing leads to cookie-cutter results.

    What we can tell you is that we deliver excellent value for money, our pricing won't break the bank, and we'll always be upfront about costs before any work begins.

    The best way to get a sense of pricing is to get in touch and tell us what you're looking for. We'll come back with a clear, no-obligation quote.

  • We work on a 50/25/25 basis. That's 50% upfront to get the project started, 25% after the first presentation of your site design, and the final 25% when the website has been signed off and launched.

    This structure keeps things fair for both sides. You're never paying the full amount before seeing any work, and we're not carrying all the financial risk either. We'll agree everything in writing before we start.

  • It depends on the scope. A smaller brochure website might take three to four weeks. A larger, content-heavy site with e-commerce, custom features, and multiple rounds of revision could take two to three months. The two biggest factors that affect timeline are the complexity of the build and how quickly content is provided. We can't design around content that doesn't exist yet. We'll give you a realistic timeline at the start of every project and keep you updated throughout. If you're working to a hard deadline (a product launch, an event, a rebrand), let us know upfront and we'll plan accordingly.

  • At minimum, we'll need an outline of your content: the text, imagery, and information you want on your site. We believe design follows content, and we can't create an effective layout without knowing what's going on each page.

    Beyond that, it helps to have your logo files, brand guidelines (if they exist), any specific examples of websites you like (and don't like), and a clear idea of what you want your website to achieve. Don't worry if you don't have all of this polished and ready. Part of our process is helping you figure it out.

  • Absolutely, go ahead. Most of our clients already have a domain, or they purchase one themselves through providers like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or 123 Reg. Once you've got it sorted, we handle connecting it to your Squarespace site as part of the project.

    If you'd prefer us to help with domain selection or purchase, we can do that too. Squarespace also offers domain registration directly through their platform, which can simplify things.

  • We don't impose a rigid revision limit. Our process is collaborative and iterative. We design, you give feedback, we refine. That back-and-forth is built into how we work, not treated as an extra. That said, there's a difference between refining a design direction and fundamentally changing course multiple times, and we'll always be open about what's in scope. We find that because we involve clients throughout the process (rather than disappearing for weeks and then presenting a finished product), most projects reach a great outcome without any drama around revisions.

  • Because we work collaboratively and show you the site as it develops, it's very rare for a client to be unhappy with the end result. Problems get caught and addressed early, not at the final reveal. If something isn't right, we'll work with you to fix it. We want you to be thrilled with your website, not just satisfied. Our reviews speak for themselves on this. Our clients consistently highlight the communication, the collaborative process, and the quality of the end result.

Technical and Platform Questions

For the more technically minded: mobile, code, integrations, hosting, and data.

  • Every Squarespace website is fully responsive, meaning it automatically adapts to look and function properly on any screen size: desktop, tablet, or smartphone. Given that more than half of all web traffic now comes from mobile devices, this isn't optional. We go further than just relying on Squarespace's built-in responsiveness, though. We manually review and refine the mobile layout of every site we build, because the automatic mobile version doesn't always get the spacing, image sizing, and content hierarchy right. Your site will look intentional on every device, not like a desktop site that's been squeezed onto a small screen.

  • When it's needed, yes. Squarespace does an enormous amount out of the box, and for most projects we can achieve everything within the platform's native tools. When a project requires something beyond what's available natively (a specific layout behaviour, a design detail, a third-party integration) we'll write custom CSS or JavaScript to make it happen. Any custom code we add will typically sit in the background and you won't be aware of it. We keep it clean, well-documented, and we'll explain what it does so you're not left with a mystery black box.

  • Squarespace integrates natively with a wide range of tools: Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Mailchimp, social media platforms, payment processors, scheduling tools like Acuity, and more. For integrations that aren't built in, we can often connect tools using custom code injection, embed blocks, or services like Zapier. We'll always advise on what's possible, what's practical, and whether a particular integration is worth the added complexity.

  • No. One of the great things about Squarespace is that hosting is included in your subscription. That means server management, security patches, SSL certificates, CDN (content delivery network) for fast loading worldwide, and automatic backups are all handled for you. There's no separate hosting bill, no server configuration, and no maintenance to worry about. It's all managed by Squarespace as part of your plan.

  • Squarespace provides tools to help you meet GDPR requirements: cookie banners, privacy policy pages, data export and deletion capabilities, and options to manage how third-party scripts handle user data. However, GDPR compliance isn't just about your website platform. It's about how your business collects, stores, and processes personal data. We'll set up the technical side of things on your site (cookie notices, privacy links, form configurations), but we'd always recommend consulting with a legal professional about your broader data protection obligations. For what it's worth, we're ICO registered ourselves and take data protection seriously.

  • Site speed is something we actively work on during every project. We optimise images (which are the single biggest factor in page load times), minimise custom code, use Squarespace's built-in lazy loading, and structure pages to load efficiently. Squarespace's hosting infrastructure includes a global CDN, which helps your site load quickly regardless of where your visitors are located. We can't guarantee a specific speed score, as that depends on factors like how much content is on each page and what third-party scripts are running, but we'll make sure your site is as fast as the platform allows.

  • Yes, as standard. We configure Google Analytics and Google Search Console on every site we build, and we'll walk you through how to access and interpret the data. These tools tell you where your visitors are coming from, what they're looking at, how long they're staying, and how your site is performing in search results. If you need more advanced tracking (conversion goals, event tracking, integration with other analytics platforms) we can set that up too.

After Launch

What happens once your site is live: training, support, ownership, and next steps.

  • Every Squarespace website is fully responsive, meaning it automatically adapts to look and function properly on any screen size: desktop, tablet, or smartphone. Given that more than half of all web traffic now comes from mobile devices, this isn't optional. We go further than just relying on Squarespace's built-in responsiveness, though. We manually review and refine the mobile layout of every site we build, because the automatic mobile version doesn't always get the spacing, image sizing, and content hierarchy right. Your site will look intentional on every device, not like a desktop site that's been squeezed onto a small screen.

  • Training is a core part of what we do, not an afterthought. At the end of every project, we provide tailored Squarespace training, pitched to your team's experience level, covering everything you need to confidently manage your site. That includes adding and editing content, managing images, updating navigation, and any specific features your site uses (e-commerce, blog, events, member areas). Sessions are typically pre recorded or we can where appropriate offer a Zoom call, and we provide recordings so you can refer back to them. We also offer our Squarehead advanced course for teams who want to develop deeper Squarespace skills.

  • If you need us, we're here. Some clients prefer to manage their site independently after launch, and we set you up to do exactly that through training. Others want ongoing support, and we're happy to provide it. We also follow up with every client after launch to check how things are going and whether you need anything. Whether it's a quick question over email, a design tweak, or something more substantial, we're a phone call away. There's no obligation to sign up for a support retainer, and we'll never pressure you into one.

  • Your site is yours. Full stop. We don't hold sites hostage, we don't lock you in, and we'll never penalise you for deciding to work with someone else. The design, content, and structure of your website belong to you. If you choose to move on, we'll wish you well and help make the transition smooth. We believe good work speaks for itself, and the fact that so many of our clients stick with us over many years suggests that approach is working.

  • You can, though we'd obviously recommend sticking with Squarespace! The platform allows you to export your content (blog posts, pages, some product data) in a standard format that can be imported into other systems. Moving a full website design to a completely different platform does involve rebuilding the visual design from scratch. That's true regardless of which platform you're moving from or to. If you're ever considering a move, talk to us first and we'll give you honest advice about whether it makes sense.

  • Through Squarespace's built-in editor. You log into your site, navigate to the page you want to change, and edit directly. It's visual and intuitive. You can update text, swap images, add new pages, publish blog posts, manage products, and more, all without touching any code. The training we provide at the end of your project is specifically designed to make you comfortable with all of this. And if you ever hit something you're not sure about, you can reach out to us or check the resources on our blog and YouTube channel.

  • We do. For clients who want ongoing peace of mind, we offer monthly maintenance packages that keep your site in top shape.

    That might include content updates, design tweaks, performance checks, SEO improvements, or just having us on hand when you need something done quickly.

    Every business is different, so we tailor our packages to fit what you actually need rather than locking you into a one-size-fits-all plan.

    Squarespace handles the heavy lifting when it comes to hosting, security, and platform updates, so our maintenance work focuses on the things that make a real difference to how your site looks, performs, and grows with your business.

    If you're not sure whether a maintenance package is right for you, get in touch and we can talk through the options.

  • Absolutely. Websites aren't set-and-forget. They need attention as your business evolves, design trends shift, and your audience's expectations change. Sometimes that means a full redesign, but often it means a series of targeted improvements: updated imagery, refreshed layouts, new features, better mobile experience, or improved SEO. Our Designer Review and Designer for a Day services are specifically designed for this. Get in touch and we'll take a look at what you've got and recommend the most effective (and most cost-efficient) way to bring it up to scratch.