If you’ve ever opened Squarespace, clicked around a few templates, and felt your brain do that Windows XP startup sound↗… breathe. You’re not “bad at websites.”

Most entrepreneurs assume websites start with design. Favorite colors, cute fonts, a template you love. But here’s the truth (and the reason so many DIY websites feel chaotic): Web design actually starts with a plan — not design. Before any layout happens, you need clarity on what your website needs to say, what each page is supposed to do, and how your visitors should move through it.

And here’s the good news: you don’t need 27 pages, 18 dropdowns, or a secret portal only your future self will remember exists. Learn the exact pages I recommend to every client inside my done-for-you Squarespace web design service — and the ones included in all my packages. They’re the foundation of a simple, strategic, no-overwhelm website.

Let’s make your website feel less like a guessing game and more like something you actually enjoy building. Because once your pages make sense, your website finally starts working for you — not the other way around.

What Planning Your Pages Will Actually Do For You

When you understand the job of each page, you stop guessing and start making confident decisions. Planning your pages first helps you write faster, design smarter, and avoid the “ugh, I’m lost again” spiral that makes, so many DIY websites feel chaotic. It’s the step that saves you hours of frustration and leads to a website that feels aligned, clear, and easy for both you and your visitors.

And the best part? This works no matter how you build your site. Designer, DIY, template, custom — clarity always wins.

The 4 Pages Every Website Needs

These pages are the backbone of a clear, conversion-friendly Squarespace website. Simple to plan, quick to write, and strong enough to grow with your business.

1. Homepage

Your homepage is the place where people decide if they want to keep browsing or click away. It should quickly explain what you do, who you help, and why they’re in the right spot. Since most visitors skim fast (yup, we all do it), your homepage has to make things easy to understand right away.

A good homepage also shows people where to go next. Maybe they want to learn more about you, check out your services, or reach out. When the page feels simple and clear, visitors trust you faster, feel supported, and stay on your site instead of bouncing off to look somewhere else.

2. About Page

Your About page is about connection. It's not about copy-pasting your entire CV, but through the parts of your story that help your visitors feel seen. People hire people↗, and this page is where your values, personality, and approach make someone think, “Yup, she gets me.”

This page matters because it builds the emotional bridge between “I like her vibe” and “I trust her as my designer/strategist/service provider.” The more human and personality-packed the page, the stronger the connection.

3. Services Page

Your Services page is the decision-maker, where people decide if you’re the right fit. It helps visitors understand what you offer, how you work, and what they can expect from you. Clear, simple descriptions make it easy for someone to think, “Okay, I get this… and I want it.”

This page matters because it removes that (normal) hesitation visitors usually feel. When your process, inclusions, and results are easy to understand, people feel confident moving forward. Inside my own web design projects, this is the page where clients tell me they finally feel relief — like, “ahh, okay… now it makes sense.” And that clarity is exactly what turns interest into action.

4. Contact Page

Your Contact page is the place where a visitor turns into a real lead. It should feel warm, short, and easy to complete. By the time someone clicks this page, they already want to reach out — your job is to make that step feel simple and stress-free.

A clear form, a friendly note about what happens next, and maybe a link to your FAQs help people feel comfortable pressing send. This page matters because even small friction can make someone back out. When the contact process feels smooth, visitors follow through instead of disappearing.

How This 4-Page Strategy Works in Practice

Inside my web design projects, this simple four-page structure is often the moment everything clicks for clients. Their sites go from messy and overwhelming to something that feels intuitive — because it is.

And it’s not just gut feeling. Studies show that clear structure improves user trust and makes people more likely to take action on a website. Straightforward navigation and focused content increase engagement and reduce drop-offs↗ — exactly what these core pages are designed to do.

Clarity isn’t just nice to have. It’s what turns website visitors and prospects into clients.

Why a Strong Foundation Matters for Your Website Success

Your website isn’t just a place to exist online. It positions you as the expert you already are, builds trust with the right people, and quietly attracts clients who feel aligned with your work. When your pages are clear and intentional, your website becomes a tool that works for you around the clock — not another task on your to-do list. It gives your business a polished, professional edge (because Instagram alone won’t cut it), and it supports your growth in the background every single day.

These four pages give you the structure to grow, shift, and evolve without needing to rebuild your entire site each time. It’s the kind of foundation that makes everything else easier: your offers, content, marketing, and client experience.

And hum… once your website finally makes sense, it’s a lot easier to feel proud of it again.