What's a Website Design Day? VIP Day Rates & Process Explained
If you have a website to-do list that has been haunting you for months, you are not alone. Most service providers I talk to have a long list of “I’ll fix that later” tasks on their site that never quite make it off the back burner.
A design day (often called a VIP Day) is one simple way to clear that list in a single day with the help of a professional web designer. Instead of a traditional design process dragging a project out for weeks, you get focused support, fast progress, and a website that finally matches your business.
This post is part of my Confident Client Series, where I walk you from wondering whether you should hire a web designer to knowing your exact next step.
I’m Meg, a Squarespace web designer and your Confidence Catalyst for this journey. I help successful women service providers and creative professionals close the gap between their expertise and their online presence so they can show up confidently online.
In this guide, I am breaking down what a website design day is, how it works, what it typically costs, what can be done in a day, and who it is really best for. I will also share a few clear signs that a VIP day is not the right fit, so you can choose with confidence.
If you prefer to watch or listen, you can follow the series on my YouTube channel.
So, what exactly is a design day?
What You'll Learn in This Article
What Is a Website Design Day?
A website design day is a VIP web design experience and premium service where a professional web designer dedicates an entire day or a half-day exclusively to your website and your project to-do list.
I like to explain it this way: think of it like hiring a personal assistant for your site. You bring a list of things you have been meaning to do, do not know how to do, or frankly do not have time to do. During a focused session, I work through that list for you.
There are a few common formats offering flexibility:
Full Day VIP Day: Usually about 6 to 8 hours of focused work.
Half Day: Around 3 to 4 hours for smaller or more targeted projects focused on user experience (UX).
Multiple Days: Different designers let you book more than one day if your list is extensive and needs more time.
Some designers offer full website builds in a single day, often based on a template that they customize during an intensive session (though this works best for simpler needs rather than custom websites).
That is a valid approach, but it is not how I use design days in my own business. I treat this format as the perfect option for everything else that is not a full custom build or redesign. I focus on updates, fixes, specific projects, and getting you unstuck on your existing site.
If you want to see how I package that up, you can explore my Signature Design Day services, which are built around this exact idea.
How a Website Design Day Works
The process for a website design day follows a simple, structured workflow. This structure helps you get clear results without dragging out decisions for weeks.
Here is what it usually looks like from start to finish:
Book your day
You choose a date on my calendar and reserve it. That date is set aside for you.Strategy and planning
In the preparation stage before your day, we often have a strategy call to go over your goals, to-do list, and prioritize what matters most. This is where we decide what will give you the biggest impact in the time we have.Provide content and assets
You send over anything I need ahead of time. That might include copy, images, brand assets, logins, or any other materials required to complete your list.Your design day
On the day itself, I, or your web designer, work exclusively with you on your project. No other client calls, no bouncing between tasks. I stay focused on your list.Wrap up and handoff
By the end of the day, we have worked through as much of your prioritized list as we can, meeting communication expectations for clarity and results. You are not waiting months for a launch date. You walk away with real, visible deliverables.
Behind the scenes, there is more to it than just the workday. There are systems for pre-work to prepare, and usually a bit of support after, which I will talk about in the cost/pricing section. But from your point of view, the experience is straightforward. You pick a day, we plan, I execute, and your site finally catches up to your business.
What Can We Get Done During a Design Day?
What we can accomplish on a website design day depends on your list and on the designer you hire. They may package this a little differently than I.
Some build out an entire site in a single intensive day, often with a template as the base. My approach is more focused on targeted projects with a clear scope of work on an existing site that already works.
Here are the types of tasks I commonly tackle during a design day.
Website updates and refreshes
Your website may be functional, but feel a bit outdated or off-brand. In a design day, I can:
Update your fonts, colors, and images
Refresh outdated copy that no longer matches your offers
Modernize the look and feel without doing a full redesign
This is a great fit if your site is “fine” but not something you are proud to share with clients.
For more ideas on improving your current site without a full rebuild, you might like my post on 10 quick site upgrades without redesign.
Adding new functionality
Sometimes your site structure is fine, but you are missing pieces you now need. During a website design day, I can help you:
Set up a blog
Build a portfolio section
Create a course page
Add a membership area
As your business grows, your site has to grow with it to better serve your clients. These kinds of additions fit neatly into a VIP day format.
Connecting systems and fixing tech issues
Tech headaches are a big reason people book a design day. Common tasks include:
Connecting third-party systems like your email service provider or scheduling software
Fixing broken links
Addressing mobile responsiveness issues
Troubleshooting that one section that has been driving you crazy for months
While some fixes, like complex coding or plug-in issues, might require a web developer, most of these are within a designer's capacity and can quietly improve your user experience if addressed promptly.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) foundations
A design day also works well for basic SEO (Search Engine Optimization) setup or clean up. I often help with:
Updating and optimizing meta titles and page descriptions
Checking image settings and file names
Submitting your sitemap to Google Search Console
Submitting your sitemap to Bing
These are not full, ongoing SEO campaigns or digital marketing strategies, but they give your site a more solid foundation so search engines can understand and crawl it.
Custom elements and styling
If you are ready to move a step beyond the default look of your template, a design day is a good space for:
Adding custom CSS code to create unique elements, such as on Squarespace
Installing or configuring plugins that add special features
These touches can help your site stand out and feel more “you,” without rebuilding everything from scratch.
Branding updates
Your visual brand might have evolved since you first launched your site. During a design day, I can support you with things like:
Refining or creating a new color palette
Updating your logo on your site
Choosing new font pairings that fit your current brand
The key idea is that we are not starting from zero. We are improving, updating, and adding to what already exists so that your site matches where your business is right now. These tasks, often associated with graphic design, integrate seamlessly into your web presence.
Who Is a Website Design or VIP Day Perfect For?
Website design days work best for a certain type of project and a certain type of client, especially service providers and creative professionals running a small business. If you see yourself in this list, there is a good chance it's a strong fit.
You are likely a great match if:
Your site works, but needs updates
Your site is functional, but maybe it is a little dated or slightly off-brand. You have been meaning to refresh it, but it keeps sliding down the priority list.You have a clear to-do list
You know what needs to be done. For example: “Update my services page,” “Add a blog,” “Fix my contact form,” or “Improve the mobile layout on my home page.”You are drowning in procrastination
Your list keeps growing, and the procrastination fairy is camped out on your shoulder. You know you are not going to sit down and learn it all yourself, at least not soon.You need a quick turnaround
Maybe you are launching something in the next month, or you have a speaking engagement coming up, or you just need your site to reflect where you are now. You do not have time for a multi-week custom project.You want expert help without a massive commitment
You are not ready, or do not have the budget, for a multi-thousand-dollar full custom build. You are, however, willing to invest several hundred to a few thousand dollars for a web designer day with top talent, a skilled web designer who solves real problems quickly and correctly.You value your time
You could probably figure some of this out with hours of Googling and YouTube tutorials, but you also know it will be frustrating and slow. You would rather have a web designer handle it in a day.
If you want to see how it played out in real life, this portfolio case study for Yoga with Joëlle shows how we did a full refresh in one focused day. You can read the Yoga with Joëlle site refresh case study for a behind-the-scenes look.
When a Website Design Day Is Not a Good Fit
A website design day is not the best choice in every situation. In fact, part of my job is to help people avoid booking a VIP day when another service would serve them better.
Here are a few cases where this approach is probably not right:
Your project has an unlimited scope of work
If your list would reasonably take 20 or more hours to complete, a single day is not going to cover it. You might need multiple days, or you might be better off with a larger custom project, avoiding the long-term commitments typical in the IT industry.You need more flexibility to make decisions
This process moves quickly. I will need your feedback in real time, or close to it, so I can keep making progress. If you like to sit with every design choice for several days, or weeks, this model will feel stressful instead of helpful. It's not for you.
The strength of a design day is in its structure. That structure encourages efficiency, keeps us focused, and helps you finally get things off your list, while ensuring you retain full ownership of your prioritized list. For some people, that is perfect. For others, a slower, more spacious process is a better fit.
If you find that you are leaning toward a more in depth build or total overhaul, you might be better served through my custom Squarespace website services instead.
Website Design Day Pricing, Costs, and What Is Included
Pricing and costs for a website design day will vary by web designer, by what is included, and by the type of project you bring. I can share a typical range and then give my own rates for context.
Here is a general idea of what you might see:
Half Day (3 to 4 hours): $500 to $1,000 or more
Full Day (6-8 hours): $1,000 to $3,000 or more
For my own Signature Design Day:
A full day is $1,500.
A half day is $750.
(My rates listed are as of the publish date of this post. See my Signature Design Day page for current rates.)
This payment is charging by the project, not an ongoing monthly maintenance fee (unless specified).
It is important not to think of it as simple hourly work. Yes, the bulk of the execution happens on that one day, but there is more wrapped into the experience.
This premium service typically includes:
A prep questionnaire so I can understand your goals, brand, and priorities
A strategy call, unlike typical sales calls, to clarify your list and set a realistic plan for the day
The focused day itself
Any training videos or resources you need so you can manage updates after the day
Some period of support after your day, often via email, in case small questions come up
All of that gets baked into the price through an efficient workflow. You are not just paying for time at a computer. You are paying for planning, expertise, focus, and the peace of mind that someone is holding your website to-do list for you.
If you ever want to compare it with other support options like Power Hours and Quick Wins sessions or longer custom projects, you can explore my full suite of web design and SEO services to see how they differ.
The Real Value of a Website Design Day
The dollar amount is only part of the picture. The real value shows up in how you feel and how you use your time afterward.
Here is what my clients tend to gain from this format:
Time back
Tasks they have avoided for months are suddenly done, usually in a single day. They can get back to serving their clients instead of trying to figure out font settings or mobile tweaks.Expert execution
Things that would take you hours of trial and error usually take a professional web designer far less time. As a web designer, we know the platform inside and out, so we can move quickly, ensuring a great user experience (UX) and making smart choices as we go.Confidence
When your site finally reflects your current offerings, it bolsters your online presence. You feel more comfortable being visible and more excited to share your work.Momentum
There is something energizing about checking a big, nagging to-do list off in one shot. It often creates momentum in other parts of your work, too.Peace of mind
No more “Ugh, I really should fix my site” guilt hanging over your head. You know it is taken care of, which frees up a lot of mental space.
For busy service providers and small business owners, that combination of time savings, confidence, and calm is often worth far more than the cost of the day itself.
How To Tell If a Website Design Day Is Right for You
If you are on the fence about hiring a web designer, here are a few quick questions to ask yourself:
Do I have an existing site that needs specific updates or additions, not a brand new build from scratch?
Do I have a clear list of what needs to be done?
Can I provide the content, images, and assets needed before the day?
Do I need a quick turnaround, within days or weeks, not months?
Am I comfortable with efficient, focused collaboration and giving timely feedback?
If you are nodding along to most of those, a design day may be a great fit.
The nice thing is that you are not locked into a single path forever. Many people start with a design day to handle urgent project needs, then come back later for services like a full redesign when they are ready. A VIP day can be your “quick fix” that buys you breathing room and clarity.
If you are curious about what your own day might look like, you can review everything included and see if it matches your needs on my Signature Design Day services page.
Wrapping Up
A website design day is a focused, time-bound way to finally get real help with the tasks that have been weighing on you. It is ideal if you already have a functional site, you know what needs to change, and you want those updates handled quickly by designers during a web designer day.
You have learned what it is, how it works, what the deliverables are, who it best serves, when it is not a fit, and how pricing usually breaks down. If your own to-do list has been sitting there for way too long, this might be the nudge you needed to take action.
If you are not sure whether a design day or a custom package is right for you, you can always start with a no pressure discovery call. I will walk you through your options and give you honest guidance about what makes the most sense for your situation.
In the meantime, I would love to hear from you. What has been sitting on your website to-do list for far too long? Share it, even just for your own clarity, and let that be your first step toward getting it done.
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