Hello,


My name is Ben Sisto and sometimes I build Squarespace websites for people. If you’d like me to build you a website, please email me at ben.sisto@gmail.com.

 

Some Context

I am an artist more than a web designer, but I’ve learned how to do this pretty efficiently and with the needs of artists in mind. I build simple, easy to maintain websites that place focus on your work, and do my best to ensure all the extra little things are checked off. SEO, 404 pages, easy mobile nav, and other things you should know about, but not worry about.

This is what I think about websites, generally:

  1. You need one. Social platforms 1. come and go, 2. are designed to distract viewers, and 3. are full of garbage, like ads and SPAM

  2. Sites should be direct, accessible, and easy to navigate for viewers

  3. Sites should be organized and easy for you to maintain on your own

Pricing & Plans

I charge $2,000 flat per website, not hourly. The whole process typically takes two weeks, top to bottom.

You will also need to sign up for Squarespace. As of Fall ‘24, their basic plan is $192/year, or a bit under $2 / day. I don’t work for Squarespace, but I’ve found it to be the most straightforward, easy-for-all service out there. Trust me: Wordpress is a nightmare and you’ll be up to your eyeballs in 3rd party plugins; the backend on Wix isn’t as streamlined. That’s my 2 cents.

Examples

What’s Included

  • Setting up your custom Squarespace page

  • Registering a new, or managing your existing, domain (the www part)

  • Organizing assets into easy to manage folders (crucial!)

  • Creating a simple, effective menu

  • Creating a splash / intro page

  • Up to (3) gallery pages with up to (20) images per page

  • An about / bio / CV type page

  • Contact page and/or form

  • Adding your social media links

  • Ensuring website looks and works great on desktop and mobile

  • Custom Favicon (image that shows up next to the www)

  • Custom 404 (Page Not Found) message; ensures brand continuity

  • SEO check-list (optimizing file names, copy, etc)

  • Proper alt. image text for accessibility

  • Ensuring images center and display best as thumbnails

  • Systems for categorizing and tagging your media


Advanced File Help

  • Ensuring all files are correctly named and organized.
    This is maybe one of the most important things! I am a type-A file nerd and have helped organize files, folders, and assets at places like Ace Hotel, Google, and multiple arts nonprofits.

  • This is an on/offline thing. In addition to the site itself, you’ll get back a zip file or Drive folder with all your assets, neat and tidy.

  • Modest copy editing help if needed (bios, CVs, etc)

  • Photo / media editing help is offered at additional rates if needed


Meetings and Check Ins

  • One hour initial meeting to form a plan

  • Homework assigned to you: images, copy, other stuff needed

  • One hour check in on website draft

  • One hour review of how Squarespace works / how to manage it

  • One hour of updates and help if needed, in the next 6 months


A Final Thought

A web designer? Me? No. If you want a top-level code expert with 20 years in product, UX, and systems design, you’re looking for my brother, Matt.

I’m an artist and producer who had to figure some stuff out along the way. My process is not code heavy (save a few custom CSS things…don’t worry, it’s easy); in large part the service I offer is organizational. I’d like to build you a straight-forward, easy to maintain site that highlights the work you’ve already done.

Thanks for the consideration!

>> ben.sisto@gmail.com