The Web Designer Rut: Why DIY Squarespace Fails (And How Moonshot Gets You Paid)

Sick of endless tutorials and still not landing clients? Uncover the practical steps to kickstart your web design career with real support.

Introducing Moonshot: Become a Squarespace Web Designer!

If you've ever sat there staring at your laptop, fiddling with a web builder, wondering how designers make it all look effortless while you wrestle with layouts and search for lost buttons, you're far from alone. I’ve met hundreds of creative folks who love design but stall out when turning that passion into paid projects, especially on platforms like Squarespace. The Moonshot Programme exists because I got tired of seeing people tread the same path, working relentlessly, piecing together tutorials, and still feeling like they're missing the main trick.

Squarespace is a fantastic platform, but like any tool, its value depends on how you use it. Knowing where to click isn’t the same as knowing why to click it, or how to confidently take on projects that pay the bills. Let’s cut through the fluff and talk honestly about what holds so many talented people back, and how Moonshot gives you the support (and the push) to finally break into the industry, start landing paid client work, and get your confidence ticking over.


Why This Matters

Time and money are two things we never seem to have enough of, especially when building a freelance or design career. If you want to become a web designer, you quickly run into two brick walls: either you slog through piles of free YouTube videos and hope something sticks, or you splash out on a “comprehensive” online course, finish it, and nothing really changes. You have knowledge, but no proof. No network. No idea how to land projects that actually make money.

People often ask, "Isn't it just about learning the software?" Actually, no. The real challenge isn’t Squarespace, or even design itself. There is a gap between learning in isolation and building real, confidence-boosting skills that someone will happily pay for. If you’re tired of being another “soon-to-be” web designer, you’re in the right place. Moonshot will help you get unstuck and earning, quickly, and you won’t have to wade through endless theory or fall for empty promises.


Common Pitfalls

Let’s be honest: most people don’t fail because they can’t handle the technical bits. They stumble on the process, the how, the real deal, not the infographic. Most aspiring Squarespace designers get tripped up by the following:

  • Overdependence on Tutorials
    Bouncing between free guides and half-baked courses, thinking “one more video and it’ll click.” Except it rarely does.

  • Zero Accountability
    Learning in isolation feels productive until you realise you’ve made a beautiful homepage and absolutely nothing else. No portfolio, no roadmap, still no clients.

  • Fear of Client Work
    It’s easy to experiment with dummy projects. The terror kicks in when you’re on the hook for a paid site and can’t get a straight answer fast.

  • Misunderstanding the Market
    Plenty of folks think a shiny design is all it takes. The reality is, a good Squarespace designer spends just as much time setting up processes, fielding questions, and solving client problems as shuffling blocks.

  • Trying to Wing It Alone
    Without responsive, real-world support, simple mistakes turn into major delays. Each hour you get stuck is another hour you’re not learning (or billing).

If you recognize yourself in any of these points, don’t worry. Every designer starts there. Getting out of this rut is the hard part, and most courses don’t help with it.


Step-by-Step Fix

You can’t shortcut experience, but you can follow a proven process to build it faster if someone shows you properly. Here’s what happens in the Moonshot Programme, step by step. Think of it as a hands-on apprenticeship rather than just another video series.

Step 1: Set Yourself Up for Success

The first thing we do is help you build momentum. In the opening week, you’ll walk through your toolkit, set up Squarespace, nail your workflows, and get a clear sense of what makes a site project-ready.

What you actually do:

  • Register and configure your own Squarespace account
  • Set up your first practice site (your portfolio or a real client brief, you choose)
  • Map out your 6-week project milestone plan

Pixelhaze Tip:
Don’t try to “learn it all” before you start. The sooner you get your hands dirty with a real site, the faster you’ll start to see where your learning gaps are (and fix them with help).
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Step 2: Learn by Doing (and Not Alone)

From week one, you’re into the practical work. Instead of passive “watch me do this” videos, Moonshot offers a Done With You environment. There are twice-weekly, 2-hour live workshops where you co-build real Squarespace sites, guided every step of the way. We troubleshoot, demonstrate, and have a laugh while fixing common gotchas together.

What you actually do:

  • Attend interactive workshops and build your own 5–8 page website live
  • Ask questions as you encounter problems. Get direct feedback, not hope-for-the-best forum replies.
  • Complete weekly multiple-choice quizzes and short challenges so the essentials stick

Pixelhaze Tip:
If you get stuck or your site looks “off” in some mysterious way, flag it in the session. Often, someone else has run into it too. Speaking up is half the battle, and everyone learns faster when the hard bits get unpicked in real time.
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Step 3: Tap Into Mission Control Support

Launching a new skillset can be daunting. Moonshot skips the “go figure it out” attitude most online courses use. Instead, you get Mission Control—direct support from a team with decades of experience in every industry imaginable. This support brings relief and makes it possible to fix problems as they arise.

What you actually do:

  • Submit your toughest questions for instant help. No more frantic Googling.
  • Get solid, practical tips on branding, content transfer, client management, and SEO
  • Share screenshots or even live demos if things go sideways

Pixelhaze Tip:
If you find yourself confused by label styles, navigation oddities, or content blocks that don’t do what you want, ask Mission Control. Using this resource can save time and prevent frustration later.
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Step 4: Build Your Portfolio (and Get Real Feedback)

Skill is important, but so is having proof. Every Moonshot participant completes the course with a launch-ready, real-world portfolio project. You also get peer review and expert critique, which serves as a practice run for real client launches—without the anxiety of a public failure.

What you actually do:

  • Build a full Squarespace site, with your own branding and content (or a client’s, if you're brave)
  • Present your finished project to the group for actionable critique and practical fixes
  • Add your completed project to your personal or business portfolio

Pixelhaze Tip:
Don’t aim for perfection. The best feedback happens when things are only 80% polished. That’s when you uncover mistakes and learn faster. The final polish comes once you know what actually needs attention.
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Step 5: Access a Lifetime VIP Community and Resources

Finishing Moonshot doesn’t leave you in the lurch. You automatically become a Pixelhaze VIP and gain access to a vault of extra resources: all our courses, premium Squarespace plugins, updated templates at member prices, and a lively private community.

What you actually do:

  • Join regular webinars where we cover new features, trends, or industry challenges
  • Post projects for peer review, client support, or troubleshooting
  • Download free and member-exclusive templates and plugins to improve your builds

Pixelhaze Tip:
Most successful designers don’t work solo; they turn to their network for tough challenges, strategy help, and honest feedback. Checking in with the community for even 10 minutes a week keeps you up to date and helps you deal with any roadblocks quickly.
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Step 6: Keep Skills Current with AI and Advanced Modules

Web design changes quickly, so you need to update your skills regularly. With Moonshot, you can add advanced modules on topics like AI content tools, SEO, Canva/Squarespace integrations, or photo editing. Jump into these whenever you're ready to stay ahead.

What you actually do:

  • Enrol in mini-courses as your interests grow (optional, included in the package)
  • Experiment with AI-assisted tools to streamline content creation and help clients work more efficiently
  • Learn to combine designer tools (like Canva or Photoshop) to create strong results

Pixelhaze Tip:
Don’t wait until a client asks for an AI-powered site before you learn these skills. Exploring these tools now helps you get ahead of the competition and makes it easier to cope with new requests later.
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What Most People Miss

New designers often overlook a key point: the job is about being reliable and getting things done when it matters—not about perfection.

Clients do not expect you to know every inch of Squarespace. They want you to launch work on time, solve problems calmly, and respond quickly to daily website challenges. Most courses train you for solo work, but Moonshot prepares you to succeed in real-life contexts. You’ll handle client requests, adapt quickly, and learn to focus on the work that actually matters.

The skill that takes you from “good” to “great” is not memorizing menus, but becoming comfortable with new problems. As you gain experience and reach out to your Pixelhaze network when needed, you stop getting thrown by surprises. This is how you set yourself apart.


The Bigger Picture

You may join a course like Moonshot wanting technical skills. What you’ll gain is a system that supports your whole freelance career. Once you complete the course, here’s what you’ll notice:

  • Consistent Earning
    You’ll confidently pitch and complete client websites, often making back your course fee with a single project. You’ll also spend less time worrying about pricing or getting stuck during builds.

  • Professional Reputation
    A live portfolio and a strong community network do more for your career than any certificate. Clients care about your work and your references.

  • Real Support Network
    If you’re stuck late at night because a site won’t launch, you can tap into Mission Control or the community Slack. This help lets you avoid missed deadlines.

  • Future-Proof Skills
    As website design evolves, you’ll have ongoing access to professional development. This means you’re never left behind as a Moonshot graduate.

  • Personal Confidence
    Most importantly, the hesitation disappears. You’ll say, “I build Squarespace websites,” and have the real-world results to back it up.


Wrap-Up

I’ll be blunt: if you’re reading this, you’re already more committed than the average designer. Breaking into web design isn’t about luck, and you’re looking for a method that works. The Moonshot Programme gives you a practical, community-based system to equip you with the tools, support, and real-world experience you need to move from “wannabe” to working designer.

To make the choice easier, there’s a 40% early bird discount running for a limited time. One paid client covers your course—and then some. We’ll help you get unstuck, start earning, and build confidence. All you have to do is take the jump.

Want more systems like this? Join Pixelhaze Academy for free at https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership.


Moonshot Programme: FAQ

Q: How long is the programme, and is it full-time?
A: The Moonshot Programme runs for six weeks. You’ll need 4–5 hours each week for core lessons and another 2–4 hours (your call) for project work. Fits alongside a day job or freelance gigs.

Q: Do I need a background in design or code?
A: Not at all. We have participants from all backgrounds: creatives, techies, and complete newcomers. No code required. If you can use a browser and write a paragraph, you’ll fit right in.

Q: What kind of support do I get during the course?
A: Besides live workshops, you get access to “Mission Control”, which provides one-to-one guidance and group help from veteran designers. Ask anything; there are no stupid questions.

Q: What’s included in the VIP membership?
A: You receive lifetime access to Pixelhaze’s library of courses, exclusive Squarespace plugins, deep discounts on new templates, and a private networking group. You keep these even after you finish your six weeks.

Q: Can I really get paid projects after finishing?
A: Absolutely. Most participants land their first paying project within two months of finishing, often recouping course costs on their debut build. And you’ll have the portfolio and support to keep going.


Jargon Buster

  • Squarespace:
    Website builder known for ease of use, drag-and-drop simplicity, and powerful templates (no coding needed).

  • DWY (Done With You):
    Training where experts work alongside you as you learn, helping you build actual projects, not imaginary ones.

  • SEO (Search Engine Optimisation):
    The art of making your website show up on Google so it can help bring in more business.


Big ambitions need a solid launchpad. The Moonshot Programme provides the structure, community, and practical guidance to help you finally step into the web design career you want to start. We’ll see you on the inside.

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