Thinking of redesigning your site in 2026? Start here!

Hey there,

Happy New Year! As we stare into the abyss that is 2026, I know what a lot of you are thinking…

“I need a new website.”

I get it, and I’m right here with you¹

But before you go all-in on a website redesign, there are many decisions to be made, from what platform to use to how to convey your value to what you want folks to do once they’ve landed on your site.

That’s why I’m chatting with Stacey Nicholls of Space Cookie Designs!

Stacey is a Squarespace designer and strategist who blends creative intuition with real-world business strategy. She builds websites for small business owners that reflect who they are and clearly support their business goals.

Enjoy!

Stacey! Welcome! I love to kick things off with the same question for everyone—if your brand were an animal, what would it be?

Hands down, a fox. Foxes are curious, playful, strategic, and always pay attention to what’s happening under the surface. Kinda like the fox nosediving into the snow for dinner.

I can totally see this! I think your curiosity and playfulness are a few reasons we hit it off when we first connected!

As a website designer, you talk a lot about building an intentional website that “feels like you.” What does being intentional about your website mean, and how does that help business owners reach their bigger goals?

Every element on the websites I create has a job. I don’t add extra things to the webpage just to fill space or draw attention. That’s because people will find out about your business from many different places and only ever see a small part of your brand at a time.

When your website actually feels like you, you can market confidently, knowing that people get the right first impression when they land on your site. And when it’s structured intentionally, it naturally guides people to the main goal of the website—buy the thing, book the call, etc.

I love that the idea of every element having a job. Aesthetics are important, but not at the expense of functionality and understanding. I hate to leave a website thinking, “What the heck does this person even do?!”

And speaking of doing things! Before you were a web designer, you were a wedding photographer. What do you carry over from that career into your work today?

Photography gave me the foundation of creativity that I bring to my business. While I loved being a part of the wedding day, the rest of the job was burning me out. I wanted a way to continue being creative and supporting people, but remove the time-bound pressure of the wedding day, so I pivoted to graphic design and then web design.

Photography taught me how to see, graphic design taught me how to communicate with visuals, and website design taught me how to make it interactive. Those layers work so well together and really influence how I approach websites now.

RESPECT. I can’t imagine the pressure of being part of someone’s wedding day. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and you’re responsible for capturing it right.

And while a wedding day only happens once (hopefully!), your website is something people come back to again and again. It’s never really “done” in the same way. It has to evolve as your business evolves. What are some signs that it’s time to upgrade your website?

If you cringe internally every time you have to send someone to your site, then it’s time for an upgrade. The website that got you to this point in your business won’t get you to your next level. When you’ve been doing the work for a while and you’ve figured out what the real pain points are, you’ve likely structured your offers to meet those pain points. If your website doesn’t reflect that, then it’s time for a refresh.

Websites solve business problems. The point of your website is to take some of the stress off your shoulders by doing the early trust-building and selling for you. If your website is just a pretty brochure, you’re likely missing opportunities.

I’m guessing a lot of folks reading this are cringing as they read these words! When should they do these updates themselves? When should they hire you?

If you’re tech-savvy and willing to learn, DIY can take you pretty far. There is a lot of solid info out there, and if your messaging is dialed in, you can build something that works.

If your eyes cross with the thought of updating your site or you’re tired of guessing about what goes where, then we should talk. I help people skip the overwhelm and get a site that actually supports their business.

AMEN to having your messaging dialed in. Being tech-savvy is one thing. Knowing how to speak to pain points and articulate your value is another.

Speaking of messaging—I talk to a lot of people who think they have a website problem, like, “I have two audiences, how do I filter this on my site?” But I see this as a brand problem.

So on that note, what are the things people must have in place for their website to make sense and be impactful?

I totally agree, that’s a brand problem.

Websites structure information and guide people deeper into your ecosystem, but the messaging needs to be clear first. If you’re not sure who you help or why you’re the perfect solution to a client’s problem, then a pretty site won’t do anything to grow the business.

The foundation needs to be there first, which is why your work is so important! Otherwise, it’s like giving someone a map without a destination—lots of paths, no real direction.

And speaking of foundations, you work specifically in Squarespace. Why do you think it’s a good website foundation for a service-based business owner’s website?

I love Squarespace because it’s so easy to make small updates, and it can grow as my clients’ businesses grow. If they want to add a blog, membership area, or course, they can do it easily without additional cost.

The platform is intuitive enough that I can record custom video tutorials for clients, and they’re able to manage their site on their own. Most service-based businesses have similar website goals—they want people to book a call. Squarespace does a great job of letting me put pieces into place to get leads to do just that.

Squarespace has also prioritized ADA compliance, and it’s one of the best platforms behind Shopify for accessibility. 

When might someone consider a different platform?

Other platforms have their uses, and the platform you choose depends on your website goals, your business model, and your tolerance for learning. If you want a platform that you can manage yourself, then builders like Squarespace are great.

That’s why you’ve gotta have an expert in your corner—so they can point you to the right platform!

Now, shifting to the fun stuff! I used to be a spin instructor. My brain thinks in soundtracks. So, if your business had a karaoke song, what would it be?

Feelin’ Good by Nina Simone!

OOOH! Tell me about it!

It’s such an anthem for me and a reminder to keep facing each day with an open mind. It’s so easy to get bogged down by the *waves hand* everything of it all, this song keeps bringing me back to a lighter outlook.

Where can people connect with you and learn from you?

They can check out my work on my website, sign up for my weekly newsletter here, and sometimes I hang out on LinkedIn!

Thanks, Stacey!

And thank you for following along! I can’t wait to bring you more interviews with experts in 2026!

Thanks for reading,

1  Consider this your Brand Burnout exclusive look into my 2026!