How to Build a Website, Part 3: Using the Squarespace Website BuilderWelcome, Small Business owners, entrepreneurs and community, to episode 004, which is part three in our five-part series for the Web and BeyondCast launch, on how to build a website for business. I'm Ray Sidney-Smith and so far, I’ve chatted with with experts on the principles of good website design and development, and getting your content together for your website launch. On today’s show, I have a panel of Web experts for building a website completely using a website builder called Squarespace. Let’s see what Squarespace is all about and if they’re the right choice for your business website.

(If you’re reading this in a podcast directory/app, please visit http://webandbeyondcast.com/004 for clickable links and the full show notes and transcript of this cast.)

If you'd like to discuss this episode, please click here to leave a comment down below (this jumps you to the bottom of the post), or contact us.In this CastRay Sidney-Smith, Host

Kerstin Martin

Originally from Germany, our first Squarespace expert panel member is Kerstin Martin, who has lived in four countries and travelled around the globe before settling down in the beautiful seaside town of Bellingham, WA. Her professional background in the airline, technology, finance and education industries eventually led her to starting her own business in her early 50s, as a Squarespace Web Designer and officially endorsed Squarespace Authorized Trainer. Kerstin specializes in designing professional websites for small businesses in only three days, and also teaches popular online courses in Squarespace web design, SEO and e-course hosting, as well as a business course on building a successful web design business.

Paige Brunton

Our next Squarespace expert panelist is Paige Brunton, a Squarespace web design expert, who helps creative entrepreneurs launch sites that connect and convert, all in just two weeks. Paige’s blog is the go-to destination for Squarespace info, helping thousands of Squarespace users every month. Her Start Your Squarespace Website Workbook is a popular free option for setting up the foundation of your Squarespace site. Paige earned a master's degree in the arts from the University of Mississippi. You'll find Paige traveling Europe and Asia where she lives as a location-independent digital nomad.

Brad Good

And, last but not least, Brad Good is an officially endorsed Squarespace Specialist, Authorized Trainer and has been building sites on Squarespace since 2008. He has helped hundreds of Squarespace customers with their websites. Brad started a web development company, based in San Diego, California, in 2015 that specializes in Squarespace and has built a team of 13 talented designers and developers.Questions/Topics We Discussed About Squarespace

What are the benefits/advantages and disadvantages of using a website builder platform like Squarespace versus building on a self-hosted website content management system?Who is Squarespace best for?What’s the process you take clients through when they want to launch a website?What challenges business owners the most when trying to get a website launched, in your experience working with owners?You work in a very visual niche industry with creative and design professionals. How does that affect your design process? I’m guessing these sites are image and/or video rich; does that require different accommodations within Squarespace?How does Squarespace square up against other website builders regarding mobile/responsive design, loading speed (desktop/mobile), SEO, and design flexibility?Are there features that Squarespace really cannot do well? Do you use other services or tools to overcome those within Squarespace?Squarespace has a reputation of being a “do-it-yourself” platform. What’s the value in paying a professional?

Show NotesResources we mention,