How The Lincoln Studio Approaches a Squarespace Website Project (From Brief to Launch)
You've found a designer you like. You're almost ready to reach out.
And then the doubt creeps in.
What if I don't know what I want? What if I can't explain my business properly? What if it takes forever and costs more than the quote? What if I hand everything over and end up with something that doesn't feel like me?
These are real fears. And nobody talks about them enough.
So here's exactly what working with The Lincoln Studio looks like — from the first conversation to the moment your site goes live. No mystery. No surprises.
Step 1 — The discovery call
Everything starts with a conversation. And not about colours or fonts.
I want to understand your business. Who are your ideal clients? What makes you different? What's not working about your current online presence? What do you want people to do the moment they land on your site?
This call usually lasts about 30 minutes. It's relaxed. There's no pressure and no obligation — it's genuinely just a conversation to figure out if we're the right fit for each other.
But it shapes everything that comes after. A website that isn't built around a clear understanding of your business is just a pretty brochure. And pretty brochures don't bring in clients.
Not sure if your current site is working for you? Take the free Website Scorecard before we speak — it'll give you a clearer picture of where you stand. → Take the free scorecard
Step 2 — The proposal
After our call, I put together a detailed proposal. What we'll build. How long it will take. What it will cost.
No vague estimates. No surprise add-ons later.
The proposal covers the pages I'll design and build, the timeline from kick-off to launch, what I need from you to get started, and the investment and payment schedule.
Once you're happy with everything and the deposit is in — I get to work.
Step 3 — The content phase
Here's something a lot of people don't expect.
The words on your website matter just as much as the design. A beautifully designed page with weak copy won't convert visitors into clients. So before I start building, I ask you to provide your content — the text for each page, your logo, your photography, and any other assets I'll need.
I give you a simple content guide to make this as painless as possible.
Don't have professional photos yet? That's okay — we can work with what you have. Don't love writing? I can help with that too.
This is the phase that most often causes delays. Not because of anything we do — but because gathering content takes time. The more prepared you are here, the smoother everything goes.
Step 4 — Design and build
This is where things go quiet on your end. And that's normal.
I'm heads down, building. I work directly in Squarespace from the start — which means you see real progress, not static mockups that may or may not translate to the final site.
Every decision I make — layout, typography, spacing, imagery, flow — is made with your brand and your goals in mind. Nothing is decorative. Everything is intentional.
I share a first look at around the halfway point, so you can see the direction early and give feedback before everything is finalised.
Step 5 — Review and refinement
Once the initial build is complete, I share the full site with you for review.
This is your chance to go through every page carefully. I want you to be genuinely happy with the result — so I take feedback seriously and work through revisions until everything feels right.
I ask that feedback comes in one consolidated round where possible. It keeps the project moving and makes sure nothing gets lost in back-and-forth.
Step 6 — Launch
Once you've signed off, I handle everything technical.
Connecting your domain. Checking every page across devices and browsers. Making sure your SEO foundations are properly set up. Then I hand the keys over to you.
Before I go, I walk you through how to update and manage your site yourself — so you feel confident making simple changes without needing to call me every time. Squarespace is genuinely easy to manage once someone shows you the ropes.
You leave knowing exactly how to keep your site looking its best.
What happens after launch?
I don't disappear the moment your site goes live.
I'm available for questions in the days after launch, and if anything needs a quick tweak I'll sort it out. Beyond that, I offer ongoing support packages for clients who'd rather hand off updates entirely — but many clients are perfectly happy managing their own site after the handover session. Which is exactly how it should be.
How long does the whole process take?
Most projects take between 3 and 6 weeks from kick-off to launch.
The biggest variable is always the content phase — which is why I recommend starting to gather your text and photography as soon as the project is confirmed.
Ready to start?
If this sounds like the kind of process you've been looking for — clear, collaborative, no surprises — I'd love to hear about your project.
The first step is just a conversation.
