From Custom Code to Squarespace: Ablard Websites Relaunch

From Developer to Business Owner: The Journey So Far

When I left university, I fell into a job with an accounting software company learning to write websites. The websites were written from scratch and were designed to integrate straight into the software. I spent many happy years doing this and my knowledge evolved as my experience increased.

So when I decided to go self employed I chose to stick to what I know and write my websites in a similar way - from the ground up designing my own content management system.

I was thinking as a developer but not as a business owner - and spoiler this wasn’t working for me.

The Reality of Wearing All the Hats

Trying to launch with completely custom code meant everything I was trying to create was eating up time. Time that I didn’t have to spare, having become a mother of 2 young children. 

I hadn’t learnt what being a business owner meant. 

Being the heart and soul of your business, means you are also (but not limited to):

• Marketing your services

• Building customer relationships

• Managing your time

• Performing quality control

• Supporting clients

As well as building and deploying the websites. 

I was spreading myself too thinly/not achieving it - something had to give.

A Misconception of Website Builders

Up to this point, I had judged website builders - I thought they were brilliant for someone who wanted to go down the DIY route but not necessary for someone who can write code.

I then realised I had been trying to reinvent the wheel - everything I wanted to build to create beautiful, powerful and flexible websites could be achieved using an existing platform. 

I could in fact apply my knowledge and experience to get the most out of the builders themselves and quickly create websites for others.

Why Squarespace Works for Me and You!

My priorities while researching possible website builders were:

• Easy for clients to customise and maintain their sites

• Flexibility to use my own custom code to enhance the sites

• Ability to create beautiful designs that don’t scream website builder

I feel that Squarespace captured these and so much more. 

It is an intuitive platform that offers a wide range of functionality, fast performance and adaptable for responsive design. It makes my life as a designer and developer easier rather than trying to work against the host. 

Squarespace Website Designer: What I Can Offer You

I offer high quality Squarespace websites for service-based businesses, delivered in just 2 weeks. I am applying my website expertise to bring you websites to be proud of.

It also allows me to offer templates available for you to personalise to your audience. 

My Squarespace websites are:

• Designed for women-led service providers and creatives

• Built in just 2 weeks with SEO best practices and user experience in mind

• Easy to update and maintain without tech overwhelm

If you’re ready for a website that is beautiful, strategic, and easy to manage - explore my 2 week Squarespace website package.