Could I just build my own website with Wix or a website builder?
You could, and for some straightforward sites, that may be perfectly reasonable. The value I provide is deciding what to say, shaping the design around your customers, setting up the enquiry journey and local-search foundations, protecting your domain and email, and keeping the site useful after launch. You are paying for judgement and accountability, not for someone to type every line by hand.
What makes a custom website different from a template?
I build the site around your business rather than fitting your content into a pre-made template. That gives me more control over the design, performance, responsive behaviour and technical setup, while you work directly with the person building and supporting it.
What if I don't like the design?
You will see a private preview before anything goes live, and the second half of the payment is not due until you are happy with it. Nothing is published and nothing is charged in full until you have approved the design.
How does paying monthly work?
The managed website option has a £149 setup fee, then £69 a month for an initial 24-month term. It includes the Business website, hosting, security, backups and unlimited small changes, so there is nothing else to pay. After month 24, the website is yours and you can continue on the £35 Website Care plan, move it elsewhere or stop.
What does local search setup include?
I research how customers search for your services, give every page a clear search title and description, add the right technical information for Google, connect analytics and Search Console, and set up or improve your Google Business Profile where included. It creates a sound foundation, but no honest web designer can guarantee first place on Google.
How long will my website take?
An Essentials site normally takes around two weeks and a Business site around three to five weeks once I have your content and feedback. Larger projects are planned individually. You receive a clear schedule before work begins and a private preview before launch.
What do you need from me?
Your logo if you have one, useful photos, the services you want to promote, your service area and access to any existing domain or website. I guide you with a short checklist and shape the wording, so you do not need to arrive with a finished brief or perfect copy.
Will changing my website affect Google or my email?
A move needs care. I map important old pages to the new ones, preserve useful content, set up redirects and check the domain, forms and search settings before launch. Business email is treated separately so it keeps working. Rankings can never be guaranteed, but the migration is planned to avoid preventable losses.
Who owns the domain and the site?
You do. Your domain and third-party accounts are registered in your name, and you can request a full copy of the finished website. If you use the managed monthly option, ownership transfers after the initial 24-month term.
Do I have to keep a care plan?
No. With a one-off website build, Website Care is optional and rolls monthly with 30 days' notice. Most clients keep it because it covers hosting, monitoring, backups and unlimited small changes, but you are free to take the site elsewhere.
Do you only build websites?
No. Alongside custom websites, I build bespoke web apps and business systems, such as booking systems, member portals, admin tools and dashboards, for organisations that have outgrown a spreadsheet or a WhatsApp group. See web apps & business systems for examples, or tell me what you are doing manually and I will help work out whether a focused app would help.
