We mostly work with small, independent businesses and solo professionals.
That includes photographers, therapists, coaches, trades, shops, cafés and local studios.

If you care about how your business looks online and want a clear, calm website that feels like you, we will probably get on well.

Yes. Old Bear Studio is focused on Squarespace.

That means we know the platform very well, from design and layout through to ecommerce, bookings and basic SEO.
If you need something Squarespace is not suited for, we will say so and point you in a more suitable direction rather than forcing it.

Squarespace is reliable, secure and easy for non-technical people to update.
Design is handled in a visual editor, so you are not stuck with a developer for every tiny change.

As an official Squarespace Partner and Circle Gold Member, we get early access to features and tools that help keep your site tidy behind the scenes. We also get 20% off your first year of Squarespace hosting, which we pass on to you as part of the project.

The honest answer is that it depends on what you need.

A small brochure site with a handful of pages is very different to a shop with products, stock control and shipping rules. On the Services pages we give guide prices for typical projects so you have a ballpark from the start.

Once we have had a chat about your goals, we will give you a clear written quote so you know exactly what is included.

Most standard sites take a few weeks from first call to launch.

Some of this depends on how quickly content and feedback arrive. If you are able to respond promptly and already have copy and images ready, things move faster. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, we can build in more breathing space.

If you have a hard deadline in mind, tell us upfront so we can say whether that is realistic.

In simple terms:

We have an initial chat about your business, your goals and what is not working right now.

We prepare a proposal with scope, price and timescales.

We agree the plan, set up Squarespace and gather your content.

We design and build the site, checking in with you at key stages.

We refine things together, test, then launch.

After launch, we show you how to update things yourself.

It is collaborative but not overwhelming. Our job is to handle the technical bits so you do not have to.

You do not need everything perfect, but it helps if you can pull together:

A rough list of pages you think you will need

Any existing logo, brand colours or fonts

Text you already have for About, Services and Contact

A selection of images you like and have permission to use

If something is missing, we can help you work it out as we go.

Yes, within reason.

Many clients arrive with rough notes or older copy that feels a bit tired. We can tidy, restructure and rephrase it so it is clearer and easier to read online. If you need full copywriting from scratch across a complex site, we may suggest a separate copywriting package.

For some projects we can help refine existing branding, choose better fonts and colours, and create simple type-based logo treatments.

If you need a full brand identity or detailed logo work, we can either keep the website moving with a simple placeholder approach or put you in touch with a specialist designer.

Yes. This is one of the main reasons we work with Squarespace.

You will be able to edit text, swap images, add basic pages and adjust many sections without touching any code.
For more advanced layout changes, you can always book a small block of Squarespace Help and Support time and we will jump in for you.

We build informal training into every project.

Near launch, we walk through the site together and show you how to make common updates.
If you prefer something more structured, you can also book dedicated Squarespace training sessions where we screen share and go step by step until you feel confident.

That is exactly what our Squarespace Help and Support service is for.

If something is broken, a layout is annoying you or you just cannot get a page to look the way you want, we can log in, fix it and tell you what we did. It is flexible time that you can use for tweaks, small additions and questions.

Often, yes.

If the underlying structure is sound, a refresh can be a good option. That might mean new layouts, improved navigation, sharper copy and better use of images. If your current setup is very tangled or based on an older template, starting fresh can sometimes be quicker and cleaner. We can decide that together.

Yes, within the limits of what can be imported.

In practice, that usually means recreating your site structure in Squarespace, bringing content across and giving it a cleaner, more modern design. Certain things like complex page builders or very custom features will need to be simplified or redesigned.

If you already have a domain, we can help you point it at the new site.
If you do not, we can advise on buying one and make sure it is connected properly.

For email, we can help you set up records so your hello@ address continues to work, although the mailbox itself will stay with your chosen email provider.

No one can promise specific rankings, but we build every site with solid SEO basics.

That includes clear page structure, sensible headings, fast loading, mobile-friendly layouts and relevant page titles and descriptions. If you want to go further, we also offer focused SEO tune-ups and guidance on content that helps you be found for the right searches.

Yes.

Most projects are run remotely via email and video calls, so location is not usually a problem. Time zones can affect meeting times, but we can work that out easily enough.

After launch, you are not abandoned.

You will have access to basic training, and you can always book Squarespace Help and Support time when you need a hand with changes, new ideas or small fixes. If you prefer a more ongoing relationship, we can talk about a light maintenance arrangement that suits how busy your site is.

If there is anything you are unsure about, just get in touch.

Send a quick message through the contact form and tell us a bit about your business and what you are trying to achieve. We will let you know the best way forward and whether Old Bear Studio is the right fit for you.