How to Prepare for Your Squarespace VIP Design Day (Get the Most Value)
You've booked your VIP Design Day—exciting! Now you're probably wondering: what do I actually need to do before the big day?
The good news: proper preparation makes all the difference between a productive session and one where we're scrambling to find passwords or waiting for content approvals. When you come prepared, we can focus entirely on transforming your website instead of troubleshooting logistics.
Here's exactly how to set yourself up for success.
➻ Why Preparation Matters
Think of your VIP Design Day like a professional photoshoot. The photographer can't create stunning images if the location isn't prepped, the outfits aren't chosen, and the lighting isn't right. Same principle here.
When you're prepared:
We maximize every minute of the 8-hour design day
Decisions happen quickly because you've already gathered what you need
There's no downtime waiting for content, images, or approvals
You get better results because we're executing, not planning
When you're not prepared:
We spend valuable design time hunting for content or passwords
Decision-making slows down because you're choosing images on the fly
Important features might get skipped due to time constraints
You don't get the full value of the intensive session
Let's make sure you're in the first category.
➻ The Complete Preparation Checklist
1. Gather All Your Content (Before the Strategy Call)
What you'll need:
All written content for pages we're updating (services descriptions, about page copy, etc.)
High-resolution images (not phone screenshots or tiny web images)
Your logo files (preferably in .png or .svg format)
Brand colors (hex codes if you have them)
Any PDFs, documents, or downloads you want to include
Pro tip: Put everything in a shared Google Drive folder or Dropbox. Don't email 47 separate attachments—organize it clearly so I can find what I need quickly during the design day.
Resource: Use a free tool like WeTransfer if your files are too large for email, or create a shared Google Drive folder for easy collaboration.
2. Know Your Priorities
You probably have a wish list of updates and improvements. That's great—but not everything might fit into one VIP Design Day.
Before our strategy call, rank your priorities:
Must-have (deal-breakers if we don't accomplish this)
Should-have (important but not critical)
Nice-to-have (would be great if time allows)
This helps me allocate time strategically during the design day. We'll tackle the must-haves first, then move down the list.
Example prioritisation:
Must-have: Fix broken contact form, update services page, mobile optimization
Should-have: Add new portfolio projects, refresh homepage layout
Nice-to-have: Create a blog section, add Instagram feed
3. Have Your Login Credentials Ready
You'll need to provide:
Squarespace login (email + password)
Admin access to your site
Any third-party integrations (Acuity, Mailchimp, Calendly, etc.)
Domain registrar login (if we're connecting a custom domain)
Important: Make sure you can actually log in before the design day. Nothing kills momentum like discovering your password doesn't work at 9 AM on design day.
Security tip: Use a password manager like LastPass or 1Password to securely share credentials without emailing passwords in plain text.
4. Clear Your Calendar for Quick Responses
You don't need to sit and watch me work for 8 hours—that's not how VIP Design Days work. But you do need to be available for quick feedback via email or messaging.
During the design day, be ready to:
Approve design directions within 15-30 minutes
Answer quick questions ("Which service should be listed first?")
Choose between 2-3 options I present
Give the green light on changes before I move to the next section
Block off:
Key decision points (I'll let you know when I need input)
15-20 minutes at the start and end of the day for check-ins
Availability to respond within 30 minutes during work hours
5. Review Your Current Website (And Take Notes)
Before our strategy call, spend time clicking through your existing site.
Ask yourself:
What's working well that we should keep?
What frustrates you every time you see it?
What are visitors asking about that isn't clear on the site?
What pages do you avoid sending people to because they're outdated?
Write this down. These insights help me understand what really matters to you beyond the surface-level "make it look better."
6. Look at Inspiration (But Don't Overthink It)
If you've saved websites you love, share 2-3 examples with me before the strategy call.
Focus on:
Specific features you like ("I love how they display their portfolio")
Layout styles that appeal to you
Functionality you want to replicate
Don't worry about:
Finding the "perfect" example
Sites in your exact industry
Matching every detail (we're refining YOUR site, not copying someone else's)
Resource: Create a Pinterest board or save links in a Google Doc—whatever works for you. Tools like Savee or Are.na are great for visual inspiration collecting.
7. Understand What's Realistic for One Day
VIP Design Days are incredibly productive, but they're not magic. Here's what we can typically accomplish:
Realistic for one full-day VIP session:
Redesign and refine 3-5 pages
Update branding elements (colors, fonts, imagery)
Add new functionality (booking system, contact forms, etc.)
Complete mobile optimization
SEO improvements
Navigation restructuring
Probably too much for one day:
Complete website rebuild from scratch (consider my Custom Website Design packages instead)
Building a large e-commerce store with 50+ products
Creating entirely new content/copywriting for 10+ pages
Complex custom coding requiring extensive testing
If you're unsure whether your project fits, that's exactly what our pre-strategy call is for—we'll assess together.
➻ The Week Before: Final Prep
One week before your VIP Design Day:
✅ Complete the questionnaire I send you (this shapes my prep work)
✅ Organize all assets in your shared folder
✅ Confirm your priority list is clear
✅ Test your login credentials to make sure everything works
✅ Review any inspiration examples you want to share
✅ Clear your calendar for quick response availability
Two days before:
We'll have our final strategy call to review everything, confirm the plan, and make sure we're 100% aligned on goals.
The night before:
I'll send a final confirmation email with the plan for the day and any last-minute reminders.
➻ On the Design Day: What to Expect
9:00 AM: We kick off—I'll send you a quick "starting now" message
Throughout the day: I'll update you on progress and ask for feedback as needed
12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch break (I'll keep working, but responses might be slower)
End of day: Final walkthrough and handoff
Your role: Stay reachable via email and respond to questions within 30 minutes when possible.
➻ After the Design Day: What Happens Next
Once the intensive 8-hour session wraps up:
I'll spend 2-3 hours on final polish, mobile optimization, and refinements
You'll receive training videos within 24-48 hours
You have up to 2 hours of revisions within one week
You get two weeks of email support for questions
Use your revision time wisely: Focus on meaningful tweaks, not complete redesigns of sections we already finalized.
➻ Common Questions
"What if I don't have all my content ready?"
We can work around some missing pieces, but the more prepared you are, the better results you'll get. If major content is missing, we might need to reschedule to avoid wasting your investment.
"Can I make decisions during the day, or do I need to decide everything beforehand?"
Both! We'll finalize the strategy beforehand, but design is collaborative—I'll present options during the day and you'll choose what feels right.
"What if we don't finish everything on the list?"
We'll prioritize the must-haves first. If there's more to do, we can discuss a follow-up VIP half-day session or I can provide recommendations for what you can tackle yourself.
"How involved do I need to be during the actual 8 hours?"
You don't need to watch me work, but plan to check your email every hour or so for quick approvals. Think of it as being "on call" rather than actively participating the whole time.
➻ The Bottom Line
Your VIP Design Day is an investment in your business. The more prepared you are, the more transformation we can accomplish in those focused 8 hours.
Preparation = Better Results
When you show up organized with clear priorities, the right content, and availability for quick decisions, we can focus entirely on elevating your website instead of scrambling for basics.
Ready to book your VIP Design Day?Let's schedule your consultation call and start planning your website transformation.
Already booked and want to make sure you're fully prepared? Save this post as your go-to checklist—I'll also send you detailed prep materials once your session is confirmed.
