Do you only work with Squarespace websites?

For website builds and redesigns, yes. Squarespace is the platform I specialise in and where I can guarantee the result — beautiful, easy to manage, and powerful enough for ecommerce, bookings and memberships. If you are currently on Wix, WordPress or GoDaddy, migration is included. For ongoing digital partnerships, I work with businesses on any platform.

Are you the editor of High Flying Design Magazine?

I am. High Flying Design is an online magazine for female founders — real stories, real thinking, and real women worth knowing about. Ranked #8 in FeedSpot's Top 50 Women's Magazines 2025 and 2026. If you found your way here through the magazine, welcome. The web design and digital partnership work sit alongside it. Same thinking, different application.

What did you do before web design?

More than people expect. Before going freelance I spent four years at ThoughtLDR, a specialist thought leadership agency, working my way from PR and communications executive to assistant director. I worked across enterprise accounts including Mercedes-Benz, Monotype and Jitterbit — running LinkedIn programmes, writing for C-suite founders, and building positioning strategies that help businesses become known for something. That background is why working with me feels different to hiring a web designer. I think about your whole digital presence, not just the page in front of me.

Do you offer consultancy without doing the build?

Yes. If you have your own designer or developer but want strategic input on structure, messaging, user experience or project direction, I can work as a consultant. This suits larger businesses, brands, councils and non-profits who have internal teams but want an experienced strategic eye on the work.

Do you work with businesses outside Essex?

Yes — I am based in Chelmsford, Essex but work with clients across the UK and internationally. Everything is managed online.

Hi, I’m Shannon.

I rebuild websites for established small businesses that are better than their current website suggests.

The sky should be the limit, not your current website! Elevate your online presence with a custom web design that has marketing thinking baked in from the start: scroll-stopping, strategic, and set-up to GROW with you.

Not looking for a new web design? I also offer website content audits and ongoing website growth support.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PROJECT →

The Hair Hut - Luxury Hair Salon Web Design (Copy) (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

TRUSTED BY:

You deserve a website that works for you, and is as unstoppable as you are

75% of your audience will judge your business based on your website design… and in only 0.05 seconds (yes, you read that correctly).

So, for your business to succeed, your website must make a first impression that’s as powerful as if you were to meet your prospects in person. The kind of meeting that starts with your warmest smile and a complimentary cup of coffee.

First impressions can only take you so far, though: the rest of the experience must also be top-notch. And if you’re planning on growing your brand, and I bet you are, your website must be able to grow with your business.

But none of this is the case for you right now, is it?

Your current website is holding you back

Perhaps you built it yourself. Maybe you looked for the cheapest custom web design services you could find years ago. Either way:

• Your current website is outdated and no longer represents your brand
• Your website hasn’t been making your life any easier. In fact, from trying to maintain it to struggling to update it, you dread logging into its confusing backend (we’re especially looking at you, WordPress!)
• Your website is “there” but not really doing anything for you, other than gathering virtual cobwebs
• Deep down, you feel ashamed whenever you direct your audience to it

First of all: we’ve all gotta start somewhere! But now it’s beyond time to invest in a website that actively helps you grow.

And redoing it won’t mean going backwards. On the contrary, you’ll be replacing a website that you’ve outgrown and that holds you back with one that propels you forward.

"Shannon doesn’t just design websites, she thinks commercially. She’s helped refine our positioning, improve how we communicate with advertisers, and build a platform that genuinely supports growth. It’s given us the foundations to explore expansion beyond Essex into neighbouring counties.

I’m genuinely proud to share the site everywhere. Our new website is an absolute thing of beauty. I’d recommend Shannon to any business looking for a website that actually moves them forward.”

— Graham, editor of Over The Edge

And what can you expect? Well, fast forward a few weeks, and picture this:

A new custom website design that genuinely embodies your vision and brand (I’m not the kind of web designer that try and keep their portfolio consistent. Yours should look like you, not like everyone else I've worked with.)
It keeps on actively selling for you in the background. Some of our clients made the entire investment back within the first month!
A backend that’s actually pleasant to log into, with smart automations doing the boring jobs for you.
Your website has become the core of your business and informs the rest of your marketing. Thanks to my web design, it’s maximised for business growth and makes amplification tactics like press, emails, social media and paid ads work harder.
You finally feel confident knowing you have a stunning and strategic website, and are proud to showcase it.

Your new website will be **built around your brand, bringing together aesthetics, strategy, and functionality**. It’ll be designed to wow your specific target audience and drive actual results based on your goals.

"I have worked with Shannon now for over 6 years right from my initial website design to my brand new website and rebrand. Shannon is incredible at what she does, so insightful and able to offer insight as to what can help create a strong website and brand to bring in more customers. Over the years her services for me have included blog support, newsletters and so much more for my business. Shannon understands my business and the way to market and position my business to give me the strongest chance of success. She is so lovely and a real pleasure to work with, always offering suggestions for my business I hadn't even thought of. I truly love my new website and can't recommend Shannon highly enough for this service or any other support you need in your business."
— Barbara Ayisi
“Shannon has added SO much value to my business! I'm absolutely over the moon with my website, Shannon couldn't have been more helpful, kind, passionate and professional!

If you are thinking of getting a website made or edited Shannon, GO FOR IT! It will be one of the best decisions and investments you make for your business. Thank you Shannon for your amazing expertise and knowledge you really are the best!”
— Mollie, The Hair Hut
"I've been working with Shannon for over 6 years now, and I honestly couldn't imagine my business without her. She's designed multiple websites for me over the years, and has always maintained, updated, and evolved them as my business has changed and grown. She's on a completely different level when it comes to what she does. Not only does she create beautiful, high-end websites, but she also thinks about the function of your business, helping you become more systemised, automated, and streamlined behind the scenes. What I love most is how well she understands my vision. I never have to over-explain things, she just gets it, and somehow brings it to life even better than I imagined. Working with Shannon has genuinely been one of the best investments I've made in my business."
— Fay Harris, Socialuxe UK
"Shannon helped me develop a more functional website and got it appearing on search engines. My client base has grown thanks to the work she's done for my skin clinic in Colchester, SkinRenewal. And when I had the idea for a second business, 40+ Skin Bootcamp, she helped me bring it to life too. I couldn't have done it without her."
— Carla, SkinRenewal & 40+ Skin Bootcamp
"Oh my God Shannon, this is so much better than I thought it was going to be. I love it so much. It's like my dream website. I can't even believe it's mine, it's so beautiful. You've literally thought of everything. I'm so, so happy. I feel so proud of it. Thank you, it's amazing."
— Alex, The Studio by Alex

Squarespace Website Design and Development for Small Businesses in Essex

Your website is the foundation and online home of your small business, so that's where we start. I bring 8 years of marketing experience and a passion for designing and developing websites on platforms that let me code and create magic whilst saving you time and effort.

Every website design project includes:

• Custom website design that’s as unique as your brand

• Layout that looks fab and works well on both desktop devices and phones

• SEO optimisation to give you the best chances of attracting your target audience organically on Google

• Integrations, like your social media, newsletter, and booking system, that save you time by making your core platforms and tools work together

• Domain set-up, connection, or transfer depending on your situation

• All the relevant privacy and legal pages to keep you compliant

• Additional week of post-launch support should you have any final questions

• BONUS: free site training. Custom videos walking you through your new website back-end so that you can always update and maintain it on your own

Investment

Clients typically invest between £2,500 & £5,000, depending on stages, scope and ambitions.

“Shannon has added SO much value to my business! I'm absolutely over the moon with my website, Shannon couldn't have been more helpful, kind, passionate and professional!

If you are thinking of getting a website made or edited Shannon, GO FOR IT! It will be one of the best decisions and investments you make for your business. Thank you Shannon for your amazing expertise and knowledge you really are the best!”

— Mollie Barnard, founder of The Hair Hut

My custom web design packages are a one-off investment. After that, all you’ll have to pay for is the actual Squarespace website (and domain and hosting, if you purchased them separately).
Current Squarespace website prices: from £16 to £36 a month depending on your plan (personal, business, commerce, or eCommerce)
You don’t have to worry about it: we’ll recommend the best transition in your case, making it smooth and easy by taking everything off your hands.
Depending on what it involves, we can discuss this during our initial call and add it to the scope of your custom web design project.
Your branding and website copy. That’s it!
We highly suggest that you have your copy in place before investing in custom web design so that we can build its layout around it.
If you’re not sure where to start, we can recommend some trusted copywriters for you.
Absolutely. Everything will be arranged and taken care of online.
So, while I’m based in Essex, I work with established small businesses and founders all over the world (the wonders of taking your business online!).
You’ll receive your first draft within 4 weeks on average.
However, this will really depend on the size and type of project. So, the timeline will be scoped during our initial consultation once we know more about what you need.
As a freelance Squarespace website designer, I only take one custom project at a time to guarantee the best results.
So, yes: to avoid waiting too long, I recommend getting in touch and reserving your spot as soon as you’re ready.
You can reach me at hello@highflyingdesign.com, pop me a message on WhatsApp (+447763863466), or click the link below to book your complimentary consultation call.

FAQs on my Small Business website design

There’s more than one way we can work together.

You're showing up on social media, posting consistently, and still wondering why enquiries aren't coming in. The problem isn't your content. It's that your website isn't working hard enough between posts.

Social media gets you seen today. Your website and blog get you found for years. And right now, your website probably isn't doing either.

The good news? That's fixable. Once your site is in good shape, building the content layer around it, blog posts your ideal clients are actually searching for, landing pages that convert, an SEO strategy that compounds over time, is what turns your website from a digital business card into your hardest working team member.

Done right, it builds your authority and starts attracting opportunities you'd otherwise have to chase. A journalist from Stylist magazine approached one of my clients. Not because she posted more, but because her site and her blog made her look like the expert she already was.

Not sure where to start? A Website Content Audit & Strategy Session is the best first step. One focused session, a clear plan, and you'll know exactly where to go from there.

GET IN TOUCH ABOUT RETAINED SUPPORT →

"Shannon helped me develop a more functional website and got it appearing on search engines. My client base has grown thanks to the work she's done for my skin clinic in Colchester, SkinRenewal. And when I had the idea for a second business, 40+ Skin Bootcamp, she helped me bring it to life, too. I couldn't have done it without her."

— Carla Pooran, founder of SkinRenewal

Shannon Kate Murray

Squarespace website designer and content strategist based in Essex, UK. She’s also the founder of High Flying Design, an online magazine for women in business and aspiring entrepreneurs.

INSTAGRAM / / CONNECT WITH SHANNON ON LINKEDIN / / HELLO@HIGHFLYINGDESIGN.COM