Designing With Intention: How Risha Chesterfield Builds Meaningful Sites and Community
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Started using Squarespace: 2015
Title: Owner & Creative Strategist, Sow Good Creative
Circle Platinum Partner and Community Leader Risha Chesterfield leads Sow Good Creative, a web design agency supporting members of the Christian creative community.
Her work is grounded in the belief that those who practice their faith and share their knowledge with the world can build stronger creative businesses. She channels her spirituality into consulting on all things design, and she helps clients grow with a tailored approach that brings clarity and purpose.
Read ahead to learn how Risha has unified faith and community in her web design business and how she’s helping clients tackle the ever-prominent shift in AI search.
What first got you interested in web design, and how did your journey begin?
Back in 2015, I began in web design and started using Squarespace when I was building a photography business on the side. I discovered how much I enjoyed the process of building a portfolio and creating my own world online. Once I found out I could do the same for others, that’s when the passion ignited. Helping clients bring their vision to life through a website felt like the perfect blend of creativity and strategy. It’s still one of my favorite parts of the work, and it’s helped to shape what I do through Sow Good Creative.
You started a community for Christian creatives, The Good Community. How has nurturing your own community influenced the way you do business, and vice versa?
Leading The Good Community has reshaped how I approach my work. I’m walking alongside a group of Christian creatives, encouraging them to see themselves as the person they’re truly meant to be, not just in their craft but in their calling. Being a creative can do a lot to the mind. I’ve experienced my own waves of confidence and doubt, highs and lows, and I know how isolating it can feel when you’re carrying the pressure to constantly perform or produce.
My hope for the community is that it becomes a space where creatives can take that pressure off. A place where they stop striving to be the best, and instead focus on doing their best with what they’ve been given. I want them to see how much support, opportunity, and encouragement is actually available to them, especially when they’re surrounded by people who understand the journey.
Nurturing this space has made me a better steward of my business. It has pushed me to be more open, more vulnerable, and more generous with what I’ve learned, because the truth is, none of us get this right all the time. I’m still a work in progress too. And as I continue to grow, I hope I can show others that it’s possible to build something meaningful, stay rooted in faith, and still choose joy in the process.
One of my favorite parts is that I also get to learn from them! Hearing about what they’re building and how they’re growing in their creativity and in their faith is very rewarding.
Growth can be important for communities. How have you set the Sow Good Creative site to make it—and by extension your community—a self-sustaining growth engine?
This year, I'm focused on making Sow Good a platform that isn't just informational, but a resource. That means building in ways for people to engage even if they’re not ready to book a full project. By adding things like a blog and a digital product shop, we’re creating a space for ongoing value.
The same is true for The Good Community. We want to be a space where Christian creatives and leaders can return regularly for encouragement, tools, and insights. And we want to cultivate deep engagement within the community. The goal is to create a steady rhythm of value. That kind of consistent presence is what will help not just our site, but the whole business to be a sustainable place of growth.
On top of new Squarespace site builds, you offer deep dives on and maintenance of existing sites. How do you determine whether a site needs a light lift versus a complete overhaul?
At Sow Good Creative, I take an outcome-based approach to design. I ask a lot of questions up front to help determine whether a site needs a light lift or a full overhaul. Budget is a factor, of course, but the bigger question is: what are we trying to achieve?
If the foundation of a client’s current site still supports their goals, then there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. I’ll ask questions like, “What do you need the site to do for you right now? What isn’t working? What do you want it to do in the future?” I let their answers guide the path forward.
What’s your favorite SEO “hack?”
One of my favorite SEO hacks is actually super simple: get crystal clear in your homepage SEO title. This isn’t a time to be clever, but a time to be obvious. If someone is searching for a “Nashville Web Designer,” and that exact phrase is in your title tag, you’ve already made yourself easier to find. It may feel too simple, but clarity wins when it comes to SEO.
As for tools, I rely heavily on what’s already built into Squarespace. There’s so much you can do without ever touching code. I help clients update their page titles and meta descriptions through the SEO settings, write descriptive alt text for their images, and structure their content using proper heading tags. It’s helped my clients tremendously.
Optimizing sites for AI search results is becoming more and more important. What does that mean for how you design websites today, both for clients and yourself?
I’m definitely in the process of learning more about how AI search is changing the landscape, but one thing is clear: strong, focused copy matters more than ever. When I look at a site now, I’m not just thinking about how it looks or how it reads to people. I’m also asking, “What would make AI select this site as a trustworthy source?”
That’s led me to prioritize more detailed blog posts and refined messaging. The clearer and more valuable your content is, the more likely it is to be surfaced in AI-generated results or recommendations. I’m making those updates on my own site and also encouraging clients to think about how their content can better answer the real questions their audience is asking.
At the same time, I understand that not everyone is ready to engage with AI tools or indexing. If a client prefers to opt out, I completely respect that and ensure their site settings reflect that choice. For me, it’s about staying informed, offering thoughtful guidance, and making intentional decisions for both my business and the people I serve.
How has the Circle community inspired you and your work?
I’ve leaned heavily into my connections! The Circle community has shaped so much of what I do. I’ve learned from members who have now become friends, received thoughtful advice from past Circle Day panels, and found real encouragement in knowing I’m not building alone. One of the most meaningful connections has been a monthly call I have with two other Circle members that are now friends. We talk business, Squarespace, and life. I love when I see it upcoming on my calendar.
How do you make the most of Circle membership and its benefits?
I really enjoy the Circle Forum. It's been a lifesaver more than once. There have been times when I’m working on a site late at night and hit a wall, and searching the forum has given me exactly what I needed. Having that kind of support at your fingertips is incredible. And, from a client perspective, the discounted pricing is a huge win. My clients love that benefit, and I always make a point to highlight it when I’m pitching new projects. It’s just one more way I can bring extra value to the people I serve!
Key takeaways
The following are key insights from Risha’s interview:
Community-building and engagement can mitigate feelings of doubt and isolation by unlocking repeatable paths to clarity and purpose
Improve site elements that hinder your client’s success, rather than focusing on what already works well
Clear, high-value page titles are key to netting impactful returns in traditional and AI search results
Craft meaningful site and SEO content, like meta descriptions and alt text, to improve the likelihood that your sites appear in AI overview results
Want more?
Check out Squarespace Circle, Squarespace’s program for professional designers and web design agencies. Along with exclusive content, discounts, and other perks, Circle brings professionals together from across the globe to exchange advice while connecting with new clients and collaborators.
