5 Things to Prepare Before Your Website Build Day
So you're thinking about a Website in a Day — a full website, designed, built and launched in 24 hours. Sounds brilliant, right? It is. But here's the bit people don't always expect: the speed of the build day depends entirely on what happens before it.
A one-day build isn't magic. It's preparation. The designer isn't writing your copy or hunting down your logo files on the day — they're building with what you've already handed over. The businesses who get the smoothest, fastest launches are the ones who show up on build day with everything ready to go.
So if you're applying for a Website in a Day slot (or considering one), here are the five things worth sorting out first.
1. Your website copy — finished, not "roughly there"
This is the one that catches people out most. "Roughly there" copy means decisions have to be made on the day, and decisions on the day mean delays. Before build day, you should have: Your homepage messaging (what you do, who it's for, why you) Service page content, page by page Your About page story Contact details and any booking/enquiry preferences If writing isn't your strong suit, get it drafted, edited and signed off well in advance — not the night before. A build day works because the words are already decided; the designer's job is to make them look brilliant, not to write them.
2. Your logo and brand assets, in the right format
A phone screenshot of your logo won't cut it. Before your build day, gather: Your logo in a high-resolution, ideally vector format (AI, EPS, SVG or a large PNG with a transparent background) Brand colours (hex codes if you have them — or the source files they came from) Any brand fonts or style guides you've used elsewhere If you don't have brand guidelines yet, that's fine — just flag it early so it can be worked out before the day, not during it.
3. Imagery that actually represents your business
Stock photography can work in a pinch, but the strongest service-business websites use real photos — of you, your team, your space, your work. Before build day, pull together: Professional headshots or team photos Photos of your premises, product or work in action Any existing brand photography from a past shoot If you're missing imagery, decide in advance whether you'll use licensed stock photos as a placeholder — don't leave that decision for the middle of the build.
4. Your domain preferences (and access sorted)
Know exactly what web address you want before your call with your designer — including a backup option or two, in case your first choice is taken. If you already own a domain, make sure you have the login details or registrar access ready to hand over, so it can be connected without a scramble on the day.
5. A Squarespace account, set up but not subscribed
For a Website in a Day build, you'll typically need a Squarespace account created in advance — but without a paid subscription attached, since that's usually included in the first month of your build. Get the account created early so login access isn't something being sorted at the last minute.
"But what if my content isn't ready yet?"
Totally fair question — and an honest answer: a one-day build is built for businesses who are ready to move, not for those still figuring out their offer or messaging. If your content, brand and imagery aren't nailed down yet, that's not a dealbreaker — it just means a bit of prep work first. It's far better to spend a week getting everything in order than to rush into a build day underprepared. If you want a second pair of eyes on whether you're ready, get in touch and we can talk through where you're at.
Why the prep work is worth it
When everything above is sorted in advance, build day genuinely runs the way it's meant to — a professional, fully designed website live by the end of the day, with none of the back-and-forth that drags typical web projects out over weeks or months. Have a look through recent projects to see what's possible when a build day comes together properly.
Ready to check if you're a fit?
If you've read this and thought "I could have all of that ready by next week" — you're exactly who this service is built for. Head over to the Website in a Day page to see full details and apply for your build slot, or get in touch if you've got questions before you do.
ePilot Web Design is a UK-based Squarespace designer specialising in fast, professional website launches for service businesses. Read more FAQs or see the full Website in a Day service.
