Small Business Website Design

FAQ

What platforms do you build on?

WordPress and Shopify. WordPress suits most small businesses – it’s flexible, widely supported, and gives you full control over your content once the site is handed over. Shopify is the better choice if you’re running an online shop and want a platform built specifically for selling. I’ll recommend the right one for your situation during our initial conversation; there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

How long is the project likely to take?

Between 4 to 6 weeks depending on the size and complexity of the build.

How much time do you need from me?

Once booked into my diary you will receive a link to a Trello board which takes you through, step by step, what I need from you: log in details, images, your website copy etc and I wouldnt expect this to take you more than 5 hours to get together. I also provide a guide to writing your website copy.

Will my existing Google rankings be protected if I am replacing my current site?

Yes, and this is something I take seriously. Replacing a website without proper planning can wipe out years of Google authority overnight. Before I touch anything, I map your existing pages, identify which ones are ranking or receiving traffic, and put redirects in place so Google follows the new structure without losing what you have already built up. This is included as standard, not an extra.

Do I need to write my own website copy?

You know your business better than anyone, so I will always ask you to provide the foundations. I give you a copy guide to make that as straightforward as possible, and most clients find it takes around four to five hours in total to pull everything together. If writing is not your strong point or you simply do not have the time, I can bring in a trusted copywriter as an add-on. We would agree that cost separately before anything starts.

What happens after the site goes live?

Launch day is not the end – it is the start. In the first few weeks your site will be indexed by Google, your analytics will begin building up data, and any early tweaks that come from real visitor behaviour can be addressed. Your monthly care and maintenance plan at £65 a month keeps everything running securely after that, with updates, backups, and monitoring taken care of so you never have to worry about your site going wrong. I also provide a full training walkthrough so you know how to make day-to-day updates yourself.

Can I update the site myself once it is built?

Yes. WordPress is designed to be managed by non-technical people and I will walk you through exactly how to make text changes, swap images, and add new content. You also get a bespoke training video to refer back to. If something comes up that feels beyond your comfort zone, your monthly plan includes 15 minutes of small updates each month, and additional support is always available.

Do you guarantee Google rankings?

No, and anyone who does is not being straight with you. Google’s algorithm is not something any designer or SEO consultant can control. What I can tell you is that every site I build is structured, researched, and optimised to give you the strongest possible foundation to rank well -and my client results speak to that. Rankings take time to build, typically three to six months before you see significant movement, but the work is done properly from day one so that time is not wasted.

Can I start with SEO and add a website later?

You can, but it’s worth thinking through first. SEO recommendations often point directly to changes that need to be made on your site – page structure, load speed, content layout — so if your current site can’t be updated easily, you may hit a ceiling quickly. That said, if you’re not ready to invest in a new site yet, an SEO audit is a useful starting point. It will tell you exactly what needs fixing, and you’ll have a clear brief ready when you are ready to build.

How is working with me different from hiring an average website designer?

Most website designers build you a good-looking site and hand it over. What happens after that – whether anyone can actually find it on Google – is not their problem. You end up paying a web designer, then separately paying an SEO consultant to fix what should have been built in from the start. That costs more and takes longer to see results.

Every website I build has keyword research, competitor analysis, on-page SEO, and AI search visibility built in from day one. You are not buying a website and SEO separately. You are buying one strategic process that does both at once. That is what the investment reflects, and it is why clients start seeing enquiries come through quickly after launch.

What other services do you offer?

Where helpful, I can bring in trusted collaborators or work with your existing partners on:

• Copywriting
• Photography and video
• Branding and visual identity
• Email marketing setup and automations
• Ongoing SEO and Local SEO
• Google & Meta Advertising

These are costed separately so you only pay for what you genuinely need.

Do you work with businesses outside Shropshire?

Yes. Most of my clients are based across the UK, and I work remotely with all of them. We’ll use video calls, shared documents, and a straightforward project management process to keep everything moving. Location has never been a barrier to a well-run project.