When Julia and Niklas Jessen set up Schneid Studio in 2012, they were driven by a clear vision of timeless, sustainable design. But they lacked a straightforward way of presenting their products in digital form. “We’d been using a programmer,” recalls Julia, “but everything took too long, mainly because every change we wanted to make had to go through him.” The solution came along by pure coincidence; Julia happened on an attractive website by a US graphic designer, which led her to Squarespace. Today, over a decade later, Schneid Studio is a well-established company with ten employees. Its website serves as far more than a digital business card; it is the studio’s store window, brand identity, and online store all rolled into one. A transformation with Squarespace as its technical backbone.
Flexibility – the key to success
Website templates had long been disparaged as a compromise for the programming-illiterate, low on personalization and design options. Schneid Studio struck out in a new direction. Niklas recalls, “I was really skeptical about whether Squarespace would be flexible enough.” That skepticism has long passed. From its launch, the site worked like a dream—even on smartphones, which was far from being a given back in 2013. What had started as an experiment rapidly evolved into the studio’s digital bedrock. Squarespace offered two major advantages: Its user-friendly operation enabled Julia Jessen to manage and develop the site independently. “It was intuitively structured, so it was relatively easy to understand,” she says. In addition, Schneid Studio was able to use CSS customization to incorporate bespoke elements. Squarespace constantly adapted to their needs. “There’s so much you can do with CSS. And the main site operates with absolute stability. That’s vital.”
As Schneid Studio’s success grew, so did its website. The configurator for modular lamp systems presented a special challenge, “but we were able to solve it by working together,” says Julia. A clear demonstration of how Squarespace can be upgraded and expanded as required. The website, regularly updated by Julia, represents the culmination of many hours of work.
Maximum brand image
As news of the website spread, Schneid Studio was suddenly acknowledged as a major brand. “In fact, trade show visitors were amazed that we weren’t some vast enterprise,” laughs architect Niklas Jessen. That impression would open numerous doors for the company; the professional style of its website attracted new clients and built up trust-based relationships. The website thus became a brand ambassador for Schneid Studio, and indeed proved to be its salvation during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many retailers battled with plummeting sales, Niklas and Julia Jessen actually experienced a sales boom. “People weren’t able to spend so much money on going out, so they invested more in their home interiors,” explains Niklas. The flexible structure of Schneid Studio’s website enabled the designer duo to manage their soaring demand smoothly.
Truly simple
Over the years, Squarespace has become a growth tool for the Lübeck couple. Their website is so attractive because it hits the perfect balance between technical simplicity and creative freedom. The main issue for a company is not simply being online; it’s all about how to be online. Schneid Studio’s welcoming website, well-designed and meticulously laid out, is an excellent fit for a company that is wholeheartedly committed to “promoting mindful consumer behavior.” “We let ourselves be guided by our senses and find a harmonious balance between ethics and aesthetics, to design sophisticated smart products with timeless appeal,” says Niklas Jessen.
Squarespace was the right choice; Julia Jessen has no intention of switching to a different provider. “It would be such a pity. Our website is the result of so many years of work. It simply wouldn’t feel right to close it down.” The success of Schneid Studio shows that digital growth doesn’t require millions in investment or large teams of developers. All it takes is a good idea, a bold entrepreneurial mindset, and the right tools to attract a loyal and enthusiastic customer base.
