Studio Talk 5・Christy Price
Christy is one of my favorite human beings! Since meeting online and working in the same Squarespace circles we have also become friends and chat regularly on Zoom. We share common values and design aesthetics as well as decades of professional experience before becoming Squarespace designers. Christy’s five tips are so sound and spot on, I would encourage any new online business owner to take them to heart. I actually can’t pick a favorite tip because I love them all!
Christy Price is a Squarespace Circle member and Authorized Trainer who specializes in web design for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
She offers Squarespace Tips and Tricks on her website as well as video walkthroughs on her YouTube channel. Her Squarespace Pre-Launch Checklist is also a popular free resource for Squarespace users.
She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, daughter, and two black labs.
1) What is your professional background and how did you get into Squarespace web design?
I’ve been a web designer for over 20 years (yes, I am much older than your average Squarespace designer!). I started working in web design back in the day when we coded sites directly in HTML and used Netscape Navigator as our browser. It has been a fun ride! I saw firsthand the shift toward using CSS, then the rise of content management systems.
For years I worked in WordPress, but it never really clicked with my clients and they didn’t feel comfortable managing their sites themselves. So I spent a year creating sites on all the popular website builders (Wix, Weebly, Squarespace, etc.) looking for a solution that would allow me to create a great website, then hand it off. My clients love having the freedom to maintain their sites themselves. At the end of 2017, I fully transitioned to Squarespace.
2) What was your safety net (e.g. a partner, another job, savings etc.) when you first started out and how did that help you?
My husband had a job with a steady paycheck and benefits. I was able to work part-time while our daughter was growing up and I began working full-time in 2018.
3) How many websites did you design during your first year and how did your clients find you?
My first Squarespace website was a referral. During my first official year as a Squarespace designer, I designed twelve full websites and worked on sixteen as a Designer for a Day®.
4) Do you have a niche market, or a speciality, or are you more of a generalist?
I work with small businesses and entrepreneurs based in the US, and most of my clients are service providers. In my portfolio right now you’ll see attorneys, interior designers, therapists, and educators. I build sites in two weeks and tend to book out a few months in advance.
I also offer a Designer for a Day® service in which I work with clients one-on-one to level up their Squarespace websites in one day. This is great for clients who have a DIY site that needs some polish or for clients who want to learn how to update their website themselves.
5) What are your five top tips for starting your own business?
1. Just start.
It won’t be perfect. It may not even be pretty. But it is a step in the right direction. Since I began working in Squarespace, I completely overhauled my client onboarding and offboarding processes. You have to see what works and what doesn’t and go from there. Value progress over perfection.
2. Find community.
Some of my first Squarespace jobs came from usesixty.com, which sadly isn’t running anymore. But it provided me with a community of peers to learn from. I’ve also found great communities in Facebook groups and on other social media.
3. Run a lean business.
If you already have a computer, web design doesn’t require much monetary investment. Choose systems that are free or cheap when you start. Use HelloSign for contracts instead of a full-blown automated system like Dubsado. (I did this for years before paying for software.) Use Wave for accounting instead of Quickbooks. (I’m actually still using Wave!). Invest in something only when it solves a problem.
4. Expect a learning curve.
In my first year as a full-time Squarespace designer, I worked a TON. I was not only building websites, but I was learning best practices and the ins and outs of the platform. It can be overwhelming at times, and that is completely normal.
5. Don’t be afraid to pivot.
If the niche you chose isn’t working, pick a different one. Try your hand at different things. In 2019, I decided to create two courses to see if I wanted to focus on being an educator. I enjoyed creating the courses but I missed the relational aspect of design. I decided that I want to keep my focus on working one on one with clients for now, but also plan to add new courses as time allows.
