The Barbershop Project · Independent shops
I’m Rowan. I design and build one-of-one websites for independent barbershops with no design or development fee. You keep your domain, see the complete site before anything changes, and decide if it earns a place online.
The Cuttin’ Up example is an independent, uncommissioned design concept—not the shop’s official site or an endorsement.
A tailored example
I built a detailed concept for Cuttin’ Up on College around the character of the shop, Mary Anne’s story, its Rockridge location, and the actions a customer actually needs: call, directions, services, and booking.
For clarity: this is an independent concept prototype made from publicly available shop information. It is not a commissioned client project, testimonial, or endorsement from Mary Anne or Cuttin’ Up on College.
Open the concept gateway →
Cuttin’ Up on CollegeTailored concept prototype · Oakland
01 · The offer
The creative and technical build is free. I’m doing this to build a body of excellent small-business work and to make something genuinely useful for shops that deserve better than a generic page.
Nothing paid is added without discussing the exact price first. If you do not launch, you owe nothing. Before work begins, I put hosting, maintenance, file handoff, and exit options in writing.
02 · Wix & Squarespace
Wix and Squarespace bundle a page editor, hosting, templates, support, and optional business tools into a recurring subscription. That convenience can be useful. The tradeoff is that the site, editor, and hosting are tightly connected, so leaving usually means rebuilding the site somewhere else.
One recurring platform account controls most of the setup.
The domain stays in your account and points to the approved website.
Moving does not magically erase every recurring cost. It can give you a site designed around the shop, a clearer view of what each service costs, and less dependence on one visual editor.
03 · The process
Tell me you are open to seeing an idea. A short call is helpful, but you do not have to prepare a formal brief.
I collect the basics: services, hours, location, booking method, photos you have permission to use, and what makes the place yours.
I send a private preview you can open on a phone or computer. We change anything that feels wrong before launch.
You enter the exact website DNS records from my instructions, or we do it together on a screen share. Where supported, DNS-only access is another option. I never need your registrar password or domain ownership, existing email records stay untouched, and the old site remains available until you approve the switch.
We confirm any hosting, maintenance, or third-party costs in plain language. Nothing goes live until you approve it.
04 · The website
Make the next action obvious without making the whole site feel like an ad.
Put hours, directions, parking, and neighborhood context where people need them.
Explain cuts, styling, color, kids’ services, pricing, and specialties clearly.
Show the history, personality, craft, and people behind the chairs.
Interested?
Send me your shop name and the words “show me an idea.” I’ll take it from there. You can see what I mean first by opening the tailored Cuttin’ Up prototype.