Which platform should I choose — Squarespace, WordPress, or Shopify?

It depends on your business goals. Squarespace is ideal for service-based businesses and creatives who want an elegant, low-maintenance site. WordPress offers the most flexibility and scalability, perfect if you need custom functionality or advanced SEO. Shopify is built for e-commerce and product-based brands. During our discovery phase, we help you choose the platform that fits your needs and technical comfort level.

How much does a website cost?

Most of our custom website projects range between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on the platform, page count, integrations, and content requirements. Squarespace builds are usually quicker and more affordable, while Shopify or WordPress projects can vary more based on complexity. If you’re unsure what fits your budget, we’ll guide you through options in our discovery call.

Do I need to know how to code to update my website?

Not at all. Whether your site is on Squarespace, WordPress, or Shopify, we make sure it’s easy for you to manage. We’ll walk you through how to update your text, images, and products without touching code. For clients who prefer a hands-off approach, we also offer ongoing maintenance and support packages.

Will my website include SEO setup?

Yes — all our websites are built with SEO in mind. That includes page titles, meta descriptions, optimized images, and clean URL structures. We also offer add-on SEO services like keyword research, blog setup, and Google Search Console configuration to help you start ranking faster.

What’s the process like from start to finish?

1. Discovery Call: We learn about your brand, goals, and target audience. 2. Proposal & Booking: You choose your package, sign the agreement, and make the initial payment. 3. Design & Build: We design your site layout and bring it to life with your content and imagery. 4. Feedback & Revisions: You’ll have review rounds to make refinements. 5. Launch & Training: Once approved, we handle launch and give you a walkthrough so you can manage your site confidently.

Can you redesign my existing website?

Absolutely. Whether it’s a WordPress site that feels outdated, a Squarespace site that needs a refresh, or a Shopify store that’s not converting, we can redesign your website while keeping your content and improving your layout, visuals, and SEO structure.

What if I don’t have branding or photos yet?

No worries — we can design your site using temporary placeholders and update it later once your assets are ready. We also offer brand design and photography add-ons or can connect you with trusted brand photographers and copywriters to round out your visuals and messaging.

Do you offer templates?

Not yet! We’re creating customizable website templates for Squarespace, WordPress, and Shopify — designed for small business owners who want a professional, launch-ready website without the full custom cost. Templates will be available soon through our shop.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, we typically split payments into two or three parts — one to start, one during design, and one at launch. We also offer extended plans for template purchases or add-ons, making it easy to get started without a large upfront investment.

What makes working with a professional website designer worth it?

A professional designer brings strategy, structure, and user experience expertise that go beyond just visuals. We focus on how your audience uses your website — what they see first, how they navigate, and what makes them convert. The result is a website that not only looks great but actually grows your business.

A website that converts isn’t a pretty page. It’s a system.

WEB DESIGNBUSINESS

Jan 22

Written By Aneet

Discovery calls are my favorite things. I’ve tried sending pricing list but that just doesn’t work for me. On most of these discovery calls, I often hear people saying things like:

“I just need something cleaner.”
“My website doesn’t feel like me anymore.”
“I think I’ve outgrown this.”

And while design is part of the equation, here’s the reframe that tends to unlock better results:

A website that works isn’t a pretty page. It’s a system.

Especially for female-led, service-based businesses, having clarity about these systems changes everything. Your website isn’t just there to show your work, list your services and look pretty; it needs to support your growth, attract the right clients, and quietly do some of the heavy lifting for you.

So let’s talk about how to create a website that actually works:

Why thinking of your website as a system changes everything
How to move to a conversion-focused one
Templates vs custom website design (and how to choose)

What does it mean to create a website that works?

A website that works doesn’t shout. It guides.

Instead of confusing visitors by putting everything on one page, you need to gently guide them through:

Who you help
What you offer
Why it matters
What to do next

That’s the difference between a pretty page and a website system. A pretty website is designed to be looked at. A system is designed to be used.

When you think of your website as a system, you put yourself in your client/customer’s shoes. We all browse the internet and spend countless hours looking for services and products but when it comes to our own website, we forget to ask crucial questions like, does your website:

Attract aligned visitors
Build trust before the inquiry
Answer common questions upfront
Filter out the wrong-fit leads
Encourage the next step without feeling salesy

Asking these questions is the beginning of turning a “pretty website” into one that converts.

Signs your website is no longer working for you

You may be ready for a system-based website if:

You’re attracting misaligned inquiries
Visitors browse but don’t take action
You’re constantly explaining your process one-on-one
Your services have evolved but your site hasn’t
Your website doesn’t reflect the depth of your work

Why your website has stopped converting?

Many business owners don’t need a new website (I know I am saying this as a website designer, but hey it’s true!)
Most businesses don’t need a new website. They need a more intentional one.

Most websites often fall short because:

They’re Built for Browsing, Not Decision-Making
Visitors scroll, admire the visuals, and leave. You can easily check this if you’ve look at your ‘Bounce Rate’.
There’s no clear flow, no momentum, and no sense of what happens next.
They Prioritize Aesthetics Over Clarity

And don’t get me wrong, design matters. A well designed website is essential to establish your brand’s authority, but clarity is what builds confidence.

If a visitor can’t quickly understand:

Who your services are for
What problem you solve
Whether you’re the right fit

They won’t convert, no matter how beautiful or fun the site is.

And the biggest pitfall that might be causing you clients; treating every visitor the same

Not everyone lands on your website ready to book.

Some visitors are:

Researching
Comparing options
Looking for reassurance

A website should support multiple decision stages, not just the final one. What happens if a customer leaves your website and comes back? Are they able to find the relevant CTA’s easily, or are your links buried in text? Are your services, inclusions and prices listed clearly? What makes you different: Does your website answer this question in one glance? These are some questions I ask during my strategy calls that give clarity to how the website should be designed.

How to create a conversion-focused website (system thinking)

My background in technology has had a profound impact on my thinking. I don’t think about just putting something out there, I think in systems. When you start thinking in systems, your website becomes less about pages and more about flow.

A conversion-focused website system typically includes:

Clear page hierarchy (what matters most is seen first)
Intentional user paths (not endless choices)
Messaging that speaks to real objections
Strategic calls to action that feel natural
SEO-friendly structure that supports long-term traffic

This doesn’t mean your website has to feel rigid or corporate. Done well, it actually feels calmer, clearer, and more aligned.

At this point you might be asking, what about templates, what is better: templates vs custom website design and the honest answer is: it depends.

When Website Templates Make Sense

Templates can work well if:

You’re early in business
Your offer is straightforward
You want to launch quickly
You’re comfortable making updates yourself

A thoughtfully customized template can convert, if the content, structure, and flow are intentional. The issue isn’t templates. It’s assuming the template is the strategy.

When Custom Website Design Is Worth It

Custom websites tend to convert better when:

Your business has evolved
You offer multiple services or pathways
Your audience needs education and trust-building
You want your website to pre-qualify leads

Custom design allows your website system to be built around your business, your messaging, your clients, your growth goals. If you have clarity on your goals and audience, a custom design might be worth the investment. It’s not about being fancy. It’s about creating something that supports where you’re going next.

When your website is built with intention, clarity, and flow, it stops being something you feel apologetic about… and starts feeling like a quiet, confident extension of your business.

About me:

Hi I’m Aneet. I’m a website designer based in Seattle, WA. My love for design & code is only matched by my appreciation of classic novels, history, and music from eras before I was born (maybe I’m an old soul). I love solving problems through strategy, design, or code, and love 1:1 conversations that make you lose track of time. If you want to connect, feel free to reach out on Instagram @brandunpuzzled (Instagram is where I hang out, at least on DMs!). Thank You for stopping by :)