Revamping Mount Richmond Estate: Why Squarespace Was the Perfect Platform
When Mount Richmond Estate reached out to me, they were in a difficult position. Their original website, built back in 2012, had been hacked, and they had lost access to it completely. As someone who specialises in rescuing websites and giving them a fresh start, I knew this was the perfect project to highlight how effective a rebuild on Squarespace could be.
Taking Control of a Compromised Website
One of the first challenges was regaining control of their domain, a process that can feel overwhelming for businesses who suddenly find themselves locked out. After successfully guiding them through this critical step, I turned my attention to what really mattered—the complete overhaul of their site. Not only did the website need to be secure and modernised, but it also had to reflect the evolution of their business, which now offers both holiday accommodation and long-term rentals.
Why Squarespace?
Having worked with various platforms, I’ve found that Squarespace consistently stands out as the best choice for most small businesses. For Mount Richmond Estate, it was the perfect solution for their website rebuild, offering:
Ease of Use: Squarespace’s intuitive interface makes it easy for clients to update and manage their content, no coding required.
Responsive Design: Every template is mobile-friendly, meaning the site looks great on all devices—essential for modern businesses.
Security and Reliability: Built-in SSL, regular updates, and no need for third-party plugins ensure a secure, worry-free platform.
SEO Tools: Squarespace comes with powerful SEO features, giving your site the best chance to rank well on search engines.
Ongoing Support: Whether clients choose to manage the site themselves or have me handle it, Squarespace makes collaboration easy.
Previously, their WordPress site had become so difficult to access and update that the client hadn't touched it in years. They felt locked out, and keeping it up to date was too much of a hassle. With Squarespace, they now feel empowered to make changes themselves whenever they like—or if they prefer, I can continue working with them on an ongoing basis to keep everything running smoothly.
Tackling Design Challenges
Designing a new website without high-resolution images can be tricky, but rather than seeing this as a setback, I used it as inspiration. The existing colours in their available photos were the perfect foundation for a fresh, cohesive look. The result? A clean, modern design that ties in beautifully with the brand identity and provides a welcoming, user-friendly experience for both holiday guests and long-term tenants.
The new website structure was carefully crafted to simplify navigation, ensuring that all their accommodation options were easy to find and explore. I also made sure the design was responsive, so it looks and functions perfectly across all devices—a must for any business in today’s mobile-driven world.
Rewriting the Content for Clarity and Engagement
A big part of this project was rewriting all the content. Mount Richmond Estate’s previous website was outdated, and their business had evolved over time. Some services were no longer available, while new offerings had been introduced. By focusing on their updated services, I created copy that was both professional and engaging, helping visitors easily understand the full scope of what they now offer. This fresh, clear messaging plays a key role in the site's success, guiding potential clients smoothly from enquiry to booking.
A Seamless Transition to Squarespace
By moving their site to Squarespace, we were able to solve their previous issues with security, functionality, and aesthetics, all in one go. The new website is not only a vast improvement in terms of design, but it’s also easy for the team at Mount Richmond Estate to manage on their own. They now have a platform that works just as hard as they do—secure, scalable, and perfectly suited to their dual accommodation services.
The Results Speak for Themselves
I couldn’t be more proud of how the Mount Richmond Estate project turned out. The site is now live, featuring a modern look, intuitive layout, and enhanced security. If you’re considering moving your site to Squarespace, I’d love to help. Whether your website needs a refresh or a complete rebuild, I specialise in turning outdated, compromised sites into secure, beautiful, and user-friendly spaces that work for your business.
