Putting Myself Out There
One of the first things I learned on this 60-day challenge so far is that momentum is key. It has to be given the time constraint and the fact that I’m publicly committing to this project.
Once I'd landed on the core concept for The Book Whisperer – and, crucially, the name – I knew I needed to secure the digital ‘real estate’. So, before I'd even fully fleshed out the business plan, I rushed to grab thebookwhisperer.co.uk domain.
It was my first official expenditure for the business. I could have probably found a cheaper deal, but I opted to register the domain for three years. It felt like a tangible commitment, a way of saying to myself - this is real and you’re in it for the long haul.
With the domain secured, the next step was building a website as a base camp for Book Whisperer business activities. To be very clear: I've never built a website before and had no idea how long it would take or the level of skills I’d need to do it. After very limited research, and probably influenced by the sheer number of Squarespace ads I've heard on podcasts, I decided to give it a try.
Why Squarespace and what I paid for
My choice really came down to ease of use. I needed a platform that didn't require any coding knowledge, offered customisable templates, and was relatively straightforward to set up. Squarespace seemed to tick all those boxes.
I opted for their Business plan, which, as well as providing the website building tools, includes:
Security Features: SSL certificate included (that's the little padlock icon in the address bar that tells visitors the site is secure). This is essential for any website, especially one that might eventually handle transactions.
Unlimited Storage and Bandwidth: Important for a site that will (hopefully) grow over time.
Custom Domain Connection: Allowing me to use thebookwhisperer.co.uk.
Professional Email from Google: The business plan came with a dedicated email address (@thebookwhisperer.co.uk) powered by Google Workspace. This felt like an important step up from using a personal email address.
The (Slightly) Tricky Bit: Connecting the Domain
The only hiccup in the setup process was connecting my domain name to the website. Because I'd purchased the domain through GoDaddy, rather than directly through Squarespace, I had to manually adjust some Domain Name System (DNS) settings - basically, telling the internet where to find my website. It sounds technical (and it is a bit), but Squarespace provided clear instructions. It just took a little longer than I anticipated.
Lesson learned: If you're starting from scratch, it's probably easier to register your domain directly through your website builder (if they offer that option).
Squarespace: The verdict so far
Overall, I've been very impressed with Squarespace. The interface is intuitive and user-friendly. I was able to choose a template, customise it with my own content, and get a basic website up and running within a couple of days.
I'm comfortable with navigating software interfaces – I'm no coder, but I can find my way around a Windows PC and a spreadsheet – and that definitely helped. If you're completely new to technology, it might take a bit longer to get to grips with, but Squarespace offers excellent support through video tutorials and written guides. I also asked Gemini when I got stuck.
Stock Images: A necessity for now
For the website's visuals, I'm currently using Squarespace's built-in stock image library. It's convenient, but the selection is limited, and it's not ideal for creating a truly unique brand identity. If I had a bigger budget, I'd definitely invest in professional photography or a subscription to a premium stock photo service. Another option would be to create my own. But, in the spirit of my Minimum Viable Product (MVP) mantra, the stock images are good enough for now.
The Logo Dilemma: Using AI - with reservations
Branding is important, even at this early stage. Obviously I didn't have a logo, and hiring a professional designer wasn't an option on a £500 total budget. So, I turned to AI – specifically, Canva.
I am, of course, aware of the controversy surrounding AI's impact on creative industries, and it's something I take seriously. But, given my budget constraints, and the fact I'm still finding out whether there is a viable business in this idea, using Canva felt like the most practical solution.
I created a very simple text-based logo, incorporating a book icon and (for a personal touch) a stylised representation of my own glasses. It was a very quick process, it's really not perfect, and I may revisit it in the future, but it's a starting point. I'd be interested to know what visitors to the site think!
The Bottom Line
Within a couple of days of securing my domain name, I had a functioning website, a professional email address, and the start of a brand identity. I'm under no illusions – it's all very basic. But it's live, and that's a huge step forward.
What do you think of the website so far? Any feedback is welcome.
