Custom Squarespace Website Cost: What You Pay For And Why
If you have ever wondered about the cost when a custom Squarespace website quote comes in at $3,000, $5,000, or $10k or more, this guide is for you. It can be hard to see where that investment goes, and a lot of the important work happens behind the scenes.
This post is part of my Confident Client Series, where I help you make confident, informed decisions about your website. I’m Meg, a Squarespace web designer and SEO specialist, and I consider myself your Confidence Catalyst for this series, because my goal is to bridge the gap between your expertise and your online presence. I am not here to convince you to work with me specifically. I am here to give you clarity so you can move forward with confidence, whether you hire me or another designer.
In this guide, I walk you through what pricing actually covers. We will look at strategy, web design and user experience, content and copy support, the technical build, revisions, training and launch support, and project management. I will also touch on your ongoing Squarespace subscription and how custom work compares to using a template.
By the end, you should understand where your investment is going, what is included in a true custom project, how pricing ranges are shaped, and what red flags to watch for so you can feel more confident about your next step.
If you prefer to watch or listen, you can follow the series on my YouTube channel.
What You'll Learn in This Article
The 7 Major Cost Components Of Your Investment
When you hire a Professional Squarespace designer for a Custom Squarespace site, your investment typically gets divided across these areas:
Discovery and strategy
Design and user experience
Content and copywriting support
Technical build and implementation
Revisions and refinement
Training and launch support
Project management
I will walk through each one so you can see what is happening behind the scenes.
1. Discovery & Strategy
Discovery and strategy happen before any design work starts. This is where your web designers get to know you, your business, and your goals so they are not guessing when they open up Squarespace and start building your website. A thorough strategy here also helps define the overall timeline and project duration.
This stage usually includes things like:
Questionnaires to gather details about your business and brand
One or more discovery or strategy calls
Planning the customer journey through your pages
Mapping out your new site
SEO research and strategy
Here we look at your business goals, your audience, your brand, and your competitors. The goal is to build a strong foundation so the site will actually support your small business's goals, rather than just looking nice on the surface.
2. Design & User Experience
Once the strategy and branding are clear, the web design starts.
In this phase, your designer is creating:
Custom page layouts
A clear visual hierarchy so visitors know where to look first
A design that works well on mobile devices, not just desktop
Your expert designer makes intentional choices about:
Typography
Color palette
Imagery
Spacing and layout
Every little visual decision is made on purpose to support your content and your goals. You will see these design options presented for your feedback and approval, so you can help shape the final result.
3. Content & Copywriting
Content and copy are a big part of how your site performs.
Depending on your designer and the package you choose, this part of your custom Squarespace website project may include:
Copywriting for key pages
Copy editing for content you provide
SEO keyword research and content strategy
Guidance on how to structure your content
Help sourcing stock imagery and other visual elements
Even if your designer is not fully writing your copy or sourcing your website photos, a good one will guide you on what type of content your site needs and options for where and how to get it.
If you want to go deeper into SEO setup on Squarespace in general, I also have a separate tutorial-style guide on how to set up your Squarespace website for SEO success, but for this project cost breakdown, just know that some level of strategy or basic setup can be part of the package.
Keep in mind that anything not provided by you or included in your designer's package may require contracting an outside Professional Agency or additional vendors to create that content. That will impact your Timeline / Project duration and your total website cost. Such professional services will likely add thousands to your total website design costs.
4. Technical Build & Implementation
This is the part most people picture when they think of web design, but it is really the build stage where strategy turns into a real site.
Here your web developer is:
Building out the number of pages in Squarespace
Adding any custom code or plugins needed for custom features and functionality
Integrating third-party tools like e-commerce setup, scheduling software, or email service providers
Setting up your basic SEO settings
Configuring forms so inquiries go where they should
Connecting analytics so you can track performance
Testing to make sure everything works and flows properly
Viewing your website on various screen sizes to ensure it's mobile responsive
They click all the buttons, test every form, and make sure links and flows behave the way they should. Many of the problems they solve here are things you might not even know could go wrong until something breaks. This is a big part of the value in hiring someone who does this all the time.
5. Revisions & Refinement
Most professional designers build revision rounds into their custom Squarespace packages.
Revisions are not just about fixing mistakes. They are about:
Getting your feedback on the design and layout
Fine-tuning details like spacing, imagery choices, and copy spots
Making sure the site matches what you discussed in strategy
A common approach (and one I use) is to build the homepage first and present that to you. Once the homepage is approved and the overall style and structure feel right, then the rest of the pages (per the agreed number of pages) are built to match that design direction.
This process makes the project more efficient and keeps everyone aligned.
6. Training & Launch Support
When your site is ready to launch, you should not be left staring at a new dashboard in your website platform with no idea what to do.
Your custom Squarespace website cost often includes some level of training and launch support, such as:
One-on-one training sessions with your designer
A resource library or video tutorials
Written or video documentation tailored to your specific site, reflecting the designer's expertise
A post-launch support period
If your site includes custom code, plugins, custom features and functionality, or specific software integrations, you should receive instructions on how to work with those later. You also want clarity on how to do basic tasks on the Squarespace platform, like editing text, swapping photos, or creating new pages.
Just as important, you should know how to get support after the initial support period ends. Even if that future help is a paid add-on, there should be a clear path so you are not stuck if something breaks or you get stuck trying to update something.
You do not want to be handed a site and left to figure everything out alone.
Remember, we want you to feel confident at the end of this process!
7. Project Management
The last major piece is one many people forget to factor into the pricing.
Behind the scenes, your web developer is usually:
Managing timeline / project duration and milestones
Keeping communication organized
Gathering and tracking content and assets
Coordinating with any third-party vendors or tools
Learning about the specific software you need to integrate
Keeping you updated on what is due and what is coming next
They are wearing all the hats, so the project keeps moving rather than stalling.
The real work is a lot of organizing and decision making that never shows up on the final website, and may seem transparent to you, but makes a huge difference in your experience over the course of your project. This project management heavily influences the final pricing structure and is part of the charge web designers include to deliver a smooth process.
Additional Costs Beyond Your Designer
Your custom Squarespace website project quote does not include everything.
On top of paying your designer, you will also pay Squarespace directly for hosting. That shows up as a recurring monthly or annual Squarespace subscription fee for your plan.
A few key points here:
This fee is separate from your web designer's charge web designer
You pay it straight to the Squarespace platform, not your designer
You can choose monthly payments, but annual saves money over time (hint: if you work with a Squarespace Circle like me, we can also secure you a discount on the first year of your annual subscription!)
So when you look at overall cost, remember to factor in both the one-time (or project-based) design and the ongoing platform subscription.
Oh, and don't forget about your domain cost (this is your URL). You can get that from Squarespace, GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc., and it will run you around $10-$20 per year.
Why Custom Squarespace Websites Cost More Than Templates
You might be wondering why a custom build is thousands of dollars when you can buy a template for a few hundred.
Templates can be great tools, and there are many strong ones out there. But here is the key difference:
A template gives you a premade web design and general layouts for a DIY website. You are responsible for:
Learning the Squarespace platform
Implementing the design
Doing your own SEO setup
Sourcing and structuring your content
Troubleshooting when things do not work
A Custom Squarespace site is:
Designed specifically for your brand and business goals
Structured to support your audience and customer journey
Implemented for you by a Squarespace web designer
Often paired with SEO support, content guidance, and training
Backed by a designer who is invested in your success
You can think of it like buying a dress off the rack versus having one tailored for you. They might look similar on a hanger, but they do not fit or feel the same when you put them on.
What You Are Really Paying For (Plus Typical Cost Ranges)
When you invest in a custom Squarespace website, you are not only paying for the hours spent inside the editor.
You are investing in:
Your Squarespace web designer’s years of expertise
The peace of mind that things are set up correctly
The time you save by not wrestling with the platform yourself
Strategic thinking that helps your site actually support your business
A website that can help convert visitors into leads or clients
Your Squarespace web designer has spent a lot of time building and refining that skill set so they can translate it into a site that works for you.
In terms of actual numbers, here is the general range you will often see:
Many custom Squarespace projects start around $2,500 to $3,000
A common average for a custom site is around $5,000
As complexity increases, it is very normal to see projects in the $10,000 to $20,000+ range
Higher investments are especially common for:
E-commerce setup
Custom features and functionality
Migrating large sites from other website builders to Squarespace
Projects that include SEO, copywriting, photography, or content sourcing
Ongoing support or retainer-style add-ons
Final pricing is shaped by things like:
How complex your website needs to be
Your business needs and goals
Your designer’s experience level
The project timeline
How many extra services are bundled in
So if you see a wide range when you start comparing options, that is why.
Pricing Red Flags To Watch For
When you are comparing costs across designers for custom Squarespace sites, it helps to spot a few red flags.
When It Seems Too Cheap
If a quote feels surprisingly low, ask yourself:
Are they a junior designer skipping strategy or discovery?
Is any copywriting or SEO work included, or will you be on your own?
Is the site actually custom, or are they quickly reusing the same template for everyone? Check their portfolio to assess the quality of past work.
Will they support you after launch, or will you be left on your own?
Low prices can sometimes mean corners are being cut in places that really matter for your long-term results.
When It Seems Too Expensive
If something feels very high compared to other quotes, ask:
What exactly is included in this package?
How does this compare to typical pricing in your industry or region?
What makes this expert designer different from other designers I am considering?
You are allowed to ask for clarity. Clear answers are part of a healthy working relationship.
If you want more help on what to ask before you hire anyone, I break this out in detail in my Confident Client Series guide on 10 must-ask questions before hiring a web designer. That resource lines up closely with what I touch on briefly here.
What Happens After Your Site Launches
Your relationship with a designer does not have to end the day your site goes live.
In the next part of the Confident Client Series, I talk about your post-launch relationship with web designers, what happens after launch, and how you can think about support, updates, and next steps once your site is out in the world.
If this breakdown was helpful, you might want to stick around for that.
Wrapping Up Your Custom Squarespace Website Cost
When you look at a project quote now, you know it is not just a number for “making things look pretty.” Your Squarespace website cost covers strategy, design, content support, technical build, revisions, training, and project management, along with years of experience and expertise wrapped into one package.
Partnering with a professional Squarespace designer ensures you receive this full value.
If you found this helpful, stay tuned for the next installment of the series, where I explain what to expect and options for post-launch website support from your web designer.
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