Do you only work with Squarespace websites?

For website builds and redesigns, yes. Squarespace is the platform I specialise in and where I can guarantee the result — beautiful, easy to manage, and powerful enough for ecommerce, bookings and memberships. If you are currently on Wix, WordPress or GoDaddy, migration is included. For ongoing digital partnerships, I work with businesses on any platform.

Are you the editor of High Flying Design Magazine?

I am. High Flying Design is an online magazine for female founders — real stories, real thinking, and real women worth knowing about. Ranked #8 in FeedSpot's Top 50 Women's Magazines 2025 and 2026. If you found your way here through the magazine, welcome. The web design and digital partnership work sit alongside it. Same thinking, different application.

What did you do before web design?

More than people expect. Before going freelance I spent four years at ThoughtLDR, a specialist thought leadership agency, working my way from PR and communications executive to assistant director. I worked across enterprise accounts including Mercedes-Benz, Monotype and Jitterbit — running LinkedIn programmes, writing for C-suite founders, and building positioning strategies that help businesses become known for something. That background is why working with me feels different to hiring a web designer. I think about your whole digital presence, not just the page in front of me.

Do you offer consultancy without doing the build?

Yes. If you have your own designer or developer but want strategic input on structure, messaging, user experience or project direction, I can work as a consultant. This suits larger businesses, brands, councils and non-profits who have internal teams but want an experienced strategic eye on the work.

Do you work with businesses outside Essex?

Yes — I am based in Chelmsford, Essex but work with clients across the UK and internationally. Everything is managed online.

“Shannon is always one step ahead, brimming with ideas and has fantastic energy. If you’re fortunate enough to work with her, you’ll no doubt see your business grow.” — Cat Lenheim

Hi, I’m Shannon.

I’m the Founder & editor of High Flying Design, the UK magazine for women in business.

Alongside editing the magazine, I rebuild Squarespace websites for established businesses that are better than their current site suggests, from beauty and wellness to wedding venues and luxury stays.

The Hair Hut - Luxury Hair Salon Web Design (Copy) (Copy) (Copy) (Copy) (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

TRUSTED BY:

Your current website is underselling you, isn’t it?

Perhaps you built it yourself. Maybe you looked for the cheapest custom web design services you could find years ago. Either way:

• Your current website is outdated and no longer represents your brand
• Your website hasn’t been making your life any easier. In fact, from trying to maintain it to struggling to update it, you dread logging into its confusing backend (we’re especially looking at you, WordPress!)
• Your website is “there” but not really doing anything for you, other than gathering virtual cobwebs
• Deep down, you feel ashamed whenever you direct your audience to it
• The people finding you online are judging you on it, and choosing someone else

Here's what happens when you fix it

A journalist came calling

I rebuilt Barbara's website from Wix to Squarespace, then stayed on for monthly blog and SEO support. Within two years she'd pivoted to a luxury clientele. Her last destination bride found her through a Google search and flew her out to do the wedding. And the site made her credible enough online that a journalist quoted her recommendations in a Stylist Magazine feature.
"I have worked with Shannon for over 6 years, right from my initial web design to my brand new website and rebrand. Shannon understands my business and the way to market and position it to give me the strongest chance of success. I can't recommend her highly enough."
Barbara Ayisi, makeup & hair artist
The enquiries got consistent

Villiers Barn is an exclusive-use wedding venue, but its old website didn't look like one. I rebuilt it from WordPress to Squarespace and redesigned it to match the standard of the venue itself. The change showed up where it matters most, in the inbox. Enquiries have come in consistently ever since, which for a venue is the whole game.
"Absolutely loving the new website. Enquiries have been really consistent, which is so good to see. The best and smoothest experience changing something that may seem daunting. Couldn't recommend Shannon enough!"
Jonathan Day, Managing Director, Villiers Barn
Confident enough to expand

I rebuilt Over the Edge's website, then stayed on to handle monthly issue uploads and newsletters. The site went from sitting there to pulling its weight. More advertiser enquiries started coming through, the email list kept growing, and Graham now has the confidence to look at expanding beyond Essex.
"Shannon doesn't just design websites, she thinks commercially. I'd recommend her to any business looking for a website that actually moves them forward."
Graham, Editor, Over the Edge Magazine

Squarespace Website Design and Development

Your website is the foundation and online home of your small business, so that's where we start. Your website is the foundation and online home of your small business, so that's where we start. I spent my twenties in marketing, PR and comms, rising to Assistant Director at a tech PR agency, before going freelance as a Squarespace designer. That's the lens I bring: your website as a marketing asset, not just a nice-looking page.

Every website design project includes:

• Custom website design that’s as unique as your brand

• Layout that looks fab and works well on both desktop devices and phones

• SEO optimisation to give you the best chances of attracting your target audience organically on Google

• Integrations, like your social media, newsletter, and booking system, so the admin your site should be handling gets handled

• Domain set-up, connection, or transfer depending on your situation

• Additional week of post-launch support should you have any final questions

• Free site training. Custom videos walking you through your new website back-end so that you can always update and maintain it on your own

Investment

Clients typically invest between £2,500 & £5,000, depending on stages, scope and ambitions.

Most clients stay on afterwards. Blog writing, SEO, newsletters, site updates. Once I know your business, it's easier for both of us.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, of course not. Most projects that come to me are rebuilds, taking a website that's underselling you and turning it into one that finally makes you look as credible as you are. But I also build brand new sites from scratch, and when someone's site is already solid, I'll work with them just on the SEO and blogging to get it found.
Websites start from £2,000. A simpler site for a solo business tends to sit around £2,000 to £2,500, and a fuller rebuild for an established business, more pages, more strategy, is usually £3,000 and up.
Ongoing monthly website support starts from £350 a month, depending on how much you'd like me to look after: SEO, blogging, email marketing, general site updates.
Once I know a bit about your business and what you need, I'll give you a clear quote with no surprises.
If you're just starting out, a full rebuild might not be the right spend yet. A planning session is usually a better place to begin.
Usually four to six weeks from kickoff to launch, depending on how many pages you need and how quickly content comes back to me. I'll give you a proper timeline once I've seen your current site and understand the scope. If you're working towards a specific date, a launch, a season, an event, tell me early and I'll build the schedule around it.
Most people don't, and that's fine. You know your business better than anyone, you just haven't had to put it into words for a website before. I'll ask the right questions, write the copy, and talk you through the reasoning so you can push back where something doesn't sound like you. You don't need to turn up with a plan. You need to turn up willing to talk about your business for an hour.
As Jonathan at Villiers Barn put it: "The best and smoothest experience changing something that may seem daunting. Couldn't recommend enough."
Yes. Some founders don't need a new site, they need someone to think through their marketing with them. Single sessions are £120 for 90 minutes, online, with prep beforehand and a plan afterwards. People book them for content planning, working out how to actually use Instagram or LinkedIn, planning around a launch, or a second opinion on a decision they're stuck on.
Email me at hello@highflyingdesign.com and tell me what you're stuck on.
I'm based in Essex, UK, and work online with founders everywhere.

Shannon Kate Murray

Squarespace website designer helping established businesses look as brilliant online as they are in person from her home office in Essex, UK. She’s also the founder of High Flying Design, the UK online magazine for women building businesses.

Instagram / LinkedIn / hello@highflyingdesign.com