PLATFORMS & TOOLSSquarespace first, but not the only tool in the kit.
I build most sites on Squarespace, but I'm equally happy working in WordPress, Wix, HubSpot or IONOS if that's what you're already running. If you need an online booking system, for classes, appointments or tables, that's worth mentioning early, as it affects which platform makes sense.
Never built a website before, or not sure what any of this means? That's completely fine, most of my clients start exactly there, and I'll talk you through it in plain English.
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Looks smart and professional straight away, no design skill needed on your end
Everything, hosting, security, updates, is looked after for you in one place
Has online booking built in, good for classes and appointments
Not the best fit if you need something very unusual or complicated
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Almost anything can be added on to it, huge amount of flexibility
You fully own it, it's not tied to one company
Booking systems can be added, but need setting up separately
Needs more ongoing looking-after (updates, security) than the others
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Easy for you to drag things around and make small changes yourself
Good ready-made options for bookings, events and forms
Costs can creep up once you start adding extras
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Good option if you already use it to manage emails or customers
Website and customer records talk to each other automatically
Expensive if all you need is a simple website
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Cheap — the most budget option on this list
Very basic and limited — few design options, doesn't look as polished
Not something I'd recommend if you want the site to do very much
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Happy to work with whatever platform your site is already on — no need to move it just for me
I'm a quick learner, so if it's a platform I haven't used before, I'll research it properly before touching your site
Why I recommend Squarespace
For most of the small businesses, schools and charities I work with, Squarespace strikes the best balance: it looks professional straight away, the technical side is handled for you, and once I hand a site over you can genuinely update it yourself without needing me for every small change. WordPress, Wix and HubSpot all have their place too — I'll always recommend whichever fits your budget and how hands-on you want to be day to day. Alongside the platforms themselves, I design in Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud, and set up booking systems like Acuity Scheduling where a client needs one.
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Hosting: where your website's files live online, so people can visit it
Domain: your web address, like shoredesigndorset.co.uk
Template: a ready-made design I customise for you
Plugin: an add-on that gives a website extra features
CMS: the system used to add and edit your own content
SSL: the padlock icon that shows your site is secure
SEO: how easily people find your site when they search on Google
Meta: the short description that shows up under your link in search results
SSO: signing in once to access several accounts, instead of a separate password for each
Migration: moving a website from one platform to another without losing its content
Ecommerce: selling products or services directly through your website
Who pays for what: hosting and domain (URL) costs are always the client's own responsibility; my £30/hr rate covers design and build time only
Honest, flat pricing
£30/hr, no hidden costs, no agency markup
One person, start to finish
you deal directly with Kristal, not an account manager
Established 2012
over a decade of experience, not a new/unproven studio
Local to Dorset
based in Wimborne, understands the local market (schools, charities, small businesses)
That's a completely normal question to ask, and I'm always happy to talk it through honestly.
Not sure a website's worth it yet?
GET IN TOUCHHave a project in mind?
Whether it's a full website build, branding, print design or ongoing social content, tell me what you're working on and I'll come back with how I can help.
STUDIO Shore Design Dorset, est. 2012
BASED IN Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1WS
PHONE 07793 744068
EMAIL shoredesigndorset@gmail.com
INSTAGRAM @shoredesign_dorsetFACEBOOK @shoredesindorset