Frequently Asked Questions

For a standard professional brochure website, the process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from our initial meeting to launch. More complex projects, such as those requiring custom programming or e-commerce, may take 10 to 14 weeks.

Because I prioritize face-to-face communication to fully understand your business needs, I ensure the planning stage is thorough. The timeline generally follows these four phases:

• Discovery & Consultation (Weeks 1–2): We meet to map out your exact requirements. Investing time here prevents issues later in the project.
• Design & Prototyping (Weeks 3–4): I create the visual look and feel of the site for your approval.
• Development & Coding (Weeks 4–6): Once the design is signed off, I write the code and build the functional site.
• Content & Launch (Weeks 6–8): We populate the site with your text and images, test across devices, and go live.

Please note: The final timeline often depends on how quickly content and feedback are provided. I will provide a specific schedule after our initial consultation.

Yes, absolutely. Every website I build includes "Responsive Design" as a standard feature, meaning it will look great on any device.

Your website will automatically detect the screen size—whether it is a smartphone, a tablet (like an iPad), or a desktop computer—and adjust the layout to ensure it is easy to read and navigate. This is critical for two main reasons:

• Customer Experience: A significant portion of your visitors will likely be viewing your site on the go.
• Google Rankings: Search engines prioritize mobile-friendly websites, helping you get found more easily.

Yes, absolutely. I build every website with the intention of giving you full, easy control over your content, without needing to hire a developer for every minor change.

I create a custom, intuitive Admin Panel (also known as a Content Management System or CMS) that is designed specifically for your website’s functionality. This means you can:

• Update text, headlines, and contact details on any page.
• Swap out images, videos, and portfolio items.
• Add new blog posts or news items quickly and easily.

Crucially, comprehensive training is included as part of our service. I will sit down with you (face-to-face or via video) and show you exactly how to use your Admin Panel so you feel 100% confident managing your content from the moment we launch.

That is an excellent question, and my goal is to make sure that outcome is highly unlikely. My entire **face-to-face consultation** process is designed to prevent it.

By spending dedicated time upfront reviewing your brand, audience, and design inspirations, we create a detailed design brief that eliminates guesswork before the visual work begins.

However, your satisfaction is paramount. The design process is built around collaborative feedback:

• I will present the initial design concept for your review and detailed feedback.
• All proposals include a set number of **revision rounds** (typically two to three) to fine-tune the layout, colours, and typography until you are completely happy.

We do not proceed to the complex development stage until the design is formally signed off by you, guaranteeing that there are no costly surprises later on.

Yes, absolutely. I specialize in website redesigns, whether you require a simple visual refresh or a complete overhaul of an old, slow system.

A redesign project involves much more than just aesthetics; it is a strategic opportunity to improve performance, security, and conversion rates. My approach is structured and thorough:

• Technical Audit: I start by thoroughly auditing your existing website's code health, speed, and current SEO standing to see what needs fixing.
• Face-to-Face Strategy: We discuss what works and, more importantly, what isn't working on the current site, defining clear performance goals for the new design.
• Modern Rebuild: We then build a modern, high-performance site, often finding that starting on a clean code base is the most efficient way to ensure your new site is fast, secure, and fully mobile-friendly.

If you have an existing site that is failing to perform or looks dated, contact me to discuss a tailored redesign strategy.

While my core specialization is website design and programming, I understand that a strong brand identity is absolutely fundamental to a successful digital presence.

I handle logo and branding services in two ways, depending on your specific requirements:

• Design Integration: If you already have a logo and style guide, I meticulously integrate these assets into the website design, ensuring cohesive typography, colour palettes, and overall visual style.
• New Brand Identity: If you require a completely new logo, identity, and style guide, I can either handle the creation of initial design concepts myself or, for larger projects, connect you with trusted, specialist UK graphic designers who I partner with regularly.

During our initial face-to-face consultation, we will assess your current brand assets and determine the most cost-effective strategy to ensure your digital presence is professional and cohesive.

Yes, integrating third-party tools and services is a core part of my computer programming expertise. Your website should act as the central hub for all your business systems.

I specialize in using secure APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to connect your custom-built website directly with essential external services, including:

• CRM Systems: Seamlessly feeding contact form submissions and leads directly into your sales pipeline (e.g., HubSpot, Salesforce).
• Booking Systems: Connecting to external calendar and appointment schedulers (e.g., dedicated industry booking tools).
• Email Marketing: Ensuring new sign-ups instantly feed into platforms like Mailchimp or Campaign Monitor.
• Specialized Payment Tools: Integrating unique payment processing platforms required by your industry.

During our face-to-face consultation, we will identify all required integrations and ensure the connection is custom-built, secure, and fully functional.

Yes, certainly. I can build fully functional, secure e-commerce websites that allow you to sell your products or services online 24/7.

Whether you are selling physical goods, digital downloads, or services, I create online shops that are:

• Secure: Built with industry-standard SSL encryption to keep your customers' data safe.
• Easy to Manage: I build systems with an intuitive "back office" dashboard, allowing you to easily add new products, track stock levels, and process orders yourself.
• Payment Ready: While I invoice you via GoCardless, I will set up your shop to accept instant credit and debit card payments (via secure gateways like Stripe or PayPal) so your customers can pay you easily.

Best of all, my service includes comprehensive training. I will sit down with you (or meet via video) to show you exactly how to run your store, ensuring you feel 100% confident managing orders from day one.

Your online shop will be set up to accept the most popular and secure payment methods used by UK consumers. Unlike my design fees (paid via GoCardless), your shop will use dedicated payment gateways to handle customer card details.

I will integrate your store with industry-leading platforms like Stripe or PayPal. This allows your customers to pay using methods such as:

• Major Credit and Debit Cards: Including Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro.
• Digital Wallets: Seamless, fast checkout via Apple Pay and Google Pay.
• PayPal: Customers can use their existing PayPal account for convenience and added security.

We ensure that all payment transactions are handled securely by the chosen gateway (which includes mandatory SSL encryption) to give your customers confidence when buying from you.

Managing your shop's inventory and fulfilling customer orders is handled through the dedicated, secure **Admin Panel** (Content Management System) that I custom-build for your e-commerce website.

This intuitive system requires no technical knowledge and allows you to perform all core administrative tasks easily. You will be able to:

• Inventory Control: Add new products, update stock levels, adjust pricing, and manage your entire product catalogue efficiently.
• Order Fulfillment: View new orders in real-time, update their status (e.g., from 'Processing' to 'Dispatched'), and track shipping details.
• Customer Management: Quickly access customer details, view order history, and handle returns or refunds securely.

Crucially, comprehensive **face-to-face training** is included. I will personally guide you through the entire system, demonstrating the quickest and most efficient workflows for managing your stock and processing daily orders.

Yes, absolutely. As a computer programming specialist, one of the most powerful services I offer is integrating your website directly with your existing financial systems.

Automating the data flow between your website and accounting software (such as Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage) saves significant administrative time and reduces the risk of manual error. This advanced integration allows for:

• Automatic Invoicing: Generating and syncing invoices directly to your accounting platform when an order or service is purchased.
• Customer Data Sync: Automatically updating customer details and sales records in your financial ledgers.
• Real-time Reporting: Providing accurate and up-to-date sales and tax information.

Due to the sensitive nature of financial data, we map out these advanced integrations meticulously during our face-to-face consultation to ensure security, accuracy, and compliance.

While my core specialization is website design and programming, I understand that high-quality photography is essential for a professional website. Yes, I can assist with product photography.

I have picked up valuable techniques throughout my career to ensure products look their best online. My focus is on preparing images specifically for web optimization:

• Web-Ready Quality: Ensuring products are correctly lit and composed for fast loading and optimal viewing on mobile devices.
• Practical Sessions: I can guide you through preparing your products and help you capture images that are immediately ready for your e-commerce platform.
• Optimization & Editing: Cleaning up, cropping, and optimizing all final images for the fastest possible website speed.

For complex product shots requiring advanced studio setups or highly technical photography, I can always recommend specialist professional photographers I trust.

Security is the single most important factor when building an online shop. The checkout process is built to be extremely secure, meeting current industry and bank-grade standards.

We ensure security through multiple layers to protect your customers' data:

• SSL Encryption (HTTPS): All data transmitted is protected by industry-standard SSL/TLS encryption, making the connection secure and verified.
• Third-Party Gateways: Sensitive payment data (like card numbers) is never stored on your website. Payments are handled externally by trusted, PCI DSS-compliant providers like Stripe or PayPal, who specialize in financial security.
• Data Minimisation: We adhere to strict standards, ensuring that only the absolute minimum required customer data is stored on your server for order fulfilment.

Rest assured, the safety of your customers’ financial information is the highest priority throughout the entire development process.

Starting a new project is simple. You don't need to have a technical brief or a full design in mind—that is what I am here to help you with.

The process typically works like this:

• 1. Initial Chat: Contact me via phone or email for a brief, no-obligation discussion about what you are looking for.
• 2. The Face-to-Face Meeting: If we are a good fit, we will arrange a meeting (either at your premises or via video call) to dig deeper into your business goals. Being based in Somerset, I travel across the UK to ensure we have a real conversation, not just an email chain.
• 3. Proposal & Plan: I will go away and draft a clear project proposal, including a fixed price in GBP and a timeline.

Once you are happy with the proposal, we set up the paperwork and get to work!

You certainly don't need to have every single image and paragraph ready when we start, but providing content in a timely manner is the number one factor in how fast your website ultimately launches.

Here is how we integrate content into the project timeline:

• During Consultation: I will work with you face-to-face to determine your full content strategy—what pages you need and the key messages you want to convey. I will provide you with structure guides and templates.
• During Design: I need core assets like your logo and any existing branding guidelines to begin the visual work.
• During Development: The final, complete text and high-resolution images must be supplied to populate the site before we can enter the testing phase.

The quickest path to launch: Providing me with final content on schedule is essential to keeping the project moving. If needed, I can also guide you or recommend professional copywriters and photographers to ensure your website content looks and reads its absolute best.

To begin any project, the most important information needed is clarity on your goals. We don't expect a fully formalized brief, but preparing for our initial face-to-face consultation by thinking about the following categories will help us create the most accurate fixed-price proposal in GBP.

The information falls into three key areas:

• 1. Business Goals & Audience (The "Why"):
  • Primary Goal: What must the website achieve (e.g., generate sales, capture emails, phone enquiries)?
  • Target Audience: Who are your customers (age, location, needs)?
  • Competitors: Who are your main rivals and what do you like/dislike about their websites?
• 2. Branding & Design Assets (The "Look"):
  • Branding: Your logo, primary colours, and any existing marketing materials.
  • Inspiration: Links to 3 or 4 websites (any industry) that you love the look of, and crucially, links to sites you definitely dislike.
  • Photography: What high-quality images of your products, premises, or staff do you currently have available?
• 3. Logistics & Structure (The "How"):
  • Pages: A basic list of the main pages you think you will need (e.g., Home, About Us, Services, Contact).
  • Budget & Timeline: A rough idea of your budget and any required launch dates.
  • Domain/Hosting: Do you already own your website address and hosting? (If not, we handle this for you!)

Once we have this information, I can draft a complete project plan and proposal for you.

Yes, absolutely. I handle all the technical details regarding domain registration and hosting setup so you don't have to worry about the jargon or configurations.

I operate a simple approach that ensures you retain full control and ownership of your valuable online assets:

• Domain Registration: I will register your domain (e.g., yourname.co.uk) in your name. I handle the entire process, including pointing it correctly to the server.
• High-Quality Hosting: I work with trusted, high-performance UK hosting providers to ensure your website is fast, secure, and always online.
• Configuration: I manage the technical setup of the server, email configuration, and installation of the necessary security certificates (SSL).

My goal is to make the entire process stress-free. After the initial setup, hosting fees are often included in the optional monthly maintenance package (paid via GoCardless) to ensure continuous security and support.

Yes, absolutely. I am based in Somerset and I actively prefer to conduct our initial consultation face-to-face. This is a core part of my service, ensuring I genuinely understand your business before writing a single line of code.

My philosophy is that great websites start with a great conversation. The in-person meeting allows us to:

• Fully map out your business objectives and audience needs.
• Review your brand and competitor landscape together.
• Agree on a clear, fixed-price plan.

While I serve clients across the entire UK (and offer video consultations when needed), I always prioritize meeting clients across Somerset and the South West in person for this crucial discovery stage.

Because every business is unique, the cost of a website varies depending on what you need it to do. Asking "How much is a website?" is a bit like asking "How much is a house?"—a two-bedroom cottage costs less than a ten-bedroom mansion.

However, to give you a realistic idea of what to budget:

• Standard Brochure Website: For a professional site that showcases your services, photos, and contact details (ideal for most service-based businesses), prices typically range from £500 to £1,500.
• E-commerce or Custom Site: For websites that need to take payments, manage customer logins, or handle complex databases, projects typically start from £1,500+ and vary based on complexity.

My Promise: I don't believe in hidden fees. After our initial meeting, I will provide a fixed-price quote in GBP so you know exactly what the total will be before we start. This fee is typically split into stages (e.g., a deposit to start, and the balance upon completion), all handled securely via GoCardless.

All payments are handled securely via GoCardless in GBP (£). I do not accept cash, cheques, or direct credit card transfers over the phone.

I chose GoCardless because it is the safest and most efficient way for both of us to handle payments. Here is how it works:

• Secure & Simple: You simply set up a "Direct Debit Mandate" once via a secure online link. You don't need to manually transfer money or give me your card details over the phone.
• For One-Off Payments: For project deposits or final balances, I will send you an invoice first. Payment is then collected automatically on the due date—but only after you have been notified.
• For Ongoing Support: If you choose a monthly maintenance package, payment is collected automatically each month so your website stays online without you worrying about admin.
• You Are Protected: All payments are covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee, giving you a full immediate refund from your bank in the unlikely event of an error.

Yes, to secure your place in my schedule and cover initial setup costs, I typically require a deposit.

My standard payment structure is designed to be simple and fair:

• 50% Deposit: Due upfront before work begins.
• 50% Final Balance: Due only once the project is complete and you are happy with the finished website.

However, I understand that every business has different cash flow needs. For larger projects or specific requirements, I am happy to discuss milestone-based payment plans (e.g., breaking the payments down into stages as we complete different parts of the build). We can discuss the best option for you during our initial meeting.

Yes, there are essential, low-cost ongoing fees required to keep any professional website secure, online, and performing optimally. Think of it like owning a car—it requires fuel and MOT to stay on the road.

The core ongoing costs include:

• Domain Name Renewal: A small annual fee to keep your website address (e.g., yourname.co.uk) registered in your name.
• Website Hosting: The cost of the secure, high-performance server space that keeps your website accessible 24/7.
• Security and Software Updates: The frequent updating of your website's underlying software (CMS, themes, plugins) to prevent security vulnerabilities and ensure compatibility.

To ensure your site is always protected and updated without hassle, I offer a range of comprehensive Maintenance Packages designed to suit all business sizes and needs. These packages cover all necessary renewals, security updates, and provide continuous support, all paid for simply and securely via GoCardless.

Yes, absolutely. While standard smaller projects typically follow a 50% deposit and 50% upon completion structure, I am happy to offer flexible payment plans for larger or longer-term investments.

I understand that website investment should align with your business cash flow. We can structure your total fee based on clear milestones:

• Milestone-Based Payments: The total project fee is broken into 3 or 4 manageable payments, tied directly to key deliverables (e.g., Design Sign-off, Development Complete, Final Launch).
• Upfront Agreement: The full payment schedule is agreed upon and documented in the proposal before any work begins, ensuring complete transparency.

All payments, regardless of the plan, are managed simply and securely using GoCardless, giving you full control and visibility over the agreed-upon payment schedule.

My quoted price is a fixed fee in GBP (£) that covers every single stage required to take your project from an idea to a fully functioning website launch. There are absolutely no hidden charges.

The price presented in your proposal covers the entire build process, including:

• Strategy & Consultation: Detailed face-to-face planning, goal mapping, and defining the site structure.
• Design & Revisions: All custom visual design, prototyping, and necessary fine-tuning revisions.
• Development & Programming: All custom coding, integration, and building your dedicated Admin Panel.
• Testing & Launch: Comprehensive quality assurance, mobile testing, and the final site deployment.
• Training: A complete walkthrough of your Content Management System before launch.

What is generally NOT included: The fixed price covers the *creation* of the site. Separate, ongoing costs such as domain name renewal, website hosting, and any optional monthly maintenance or advanced SEO packages are billed separately.

Yes, absolutely. I build every website with "Technical SEO" (Search Engine Optimization) best practices in mind from the ground up.

While no agency can guarantee a #1 ranking overnight, I ensure your website gives Google exactly what it is looking for to give you the best possible start:

• Speed & Performance: Google prefers fast-loading websites. I write clean, efficient code to ensure your site loads quickly.
• Mobile Optimization: As mentioned above, your site will be fully responsive, which is a major ranking factor for Google.
• Structure & Tags: I ensure all your pages have the correct heading structures, title tags, and meta descriptions so search engines can easily understand what your business offers.

Please note: "Technical SEO" ensures your site is visible and healthy. However, ranking for highly competitive keywords often requires ongoing content writing and marketing strategies. I set the strong foundation you need to compete.

This is one of the most common—and honest—questions in digital marketing. The short answer is: SEO is a marathon, not a sprint.

You will start seeing initial results quickly, but significant traffic and high rankings take time. A realistic timeline looks like this:

• First 1-3 Months (Technical Wins): You will see immediate improvements in technical health (site speed, mobile performance) and your website will start to appear for less competitive, specific keywords. We measure this progress primarily in Google Search Console impressions and indexing speed.
• Months 4-6 (Building Momentum): If you consistently create high-quality content, you will start seeing noticeable increases in organic traffic and conversions. This is where your investment starts to pay off.
• Months 6-12+ (Sustained Growth): In this period, your website gains authority, allowing you to compete for highly competitive keywords and achieve top-page rankings.

The total time depends entirely on your industry's competition and the amount of effort and content you dedicate to the process. We will discuss your market competition during our consultation to set achievable expectations.

Yes, I do provide ongoing SEO services. I believe that true search engine success is a marathon, not a sprint, and there is no such thing as a quick fix.

My approach is rooted in hard work and constant changes to achieve sustained, long-term growth. After building your technically perfect website, the ongoing service focuses on building authority and driving traffic through:

• Content Strategy: Planning and optimization of new blog posts, service pages, and website copy to target valuable search terms.
• Performance Monitoring: Regular technical checks and minor adjustments to ensure your site continues to rank well as Google’s algorithm changes.
• Keyword Research: Continuously tracking your competitor landscape and identifying new opportunities for organic traffic growth.
• Comprehensive Reporting: Providing clear, easy-to-understand reports on traffic growth, keyword visibility, and future strategy.

We can discuss the appropriate monthly SEO budget required to compete effectively in your specific industry during our initial consultation.

Yes, absolutely. Setting up and optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP, formerly Google My Business) is crucial for local visibility and is a core part of my initial service strategy.

Since I am based in Somerset and understand the power of local marketing, I help ensure you can be found by customers in your area on Google Search and Maps. My service includes:

• Setup & Verification Guidance: I guide you through the process of claiming and verifying your business listing securely with Google.
• Listing Optimization: I ensure your profile is fully optimized with the correct service areas, business categories, opening hours, and initial descriptive content.
• Website Integration: Linking your new website correctly to your GBP for better local SEO performance and traffic.

This optimization is often included within the initial project scope, ensuring you launch with strong local search visibility from day one.

Yes, social media integration is standard and essential for every modern website I build. Ensuring your digital presence is connected is critical for cross-promotion and growth.

We integrate your social media profiles into your website in various ways, based on your specific needs, including:

• Branded Icons: Clean, professional icons linking directly to your key social profiles (e.g., LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook) in the header and footer.
• Social Sharing: Implementing easy-to-use buttons that allow visitors to instantly share your blog posts or services on their own networks.
• Embedded Feeds: Integrating secure, live streams from platforms like Instagram or Twitter directly onto your homepage or dedicated pages.

During our consultation, we will map out the best strategy to leverage your social channels to drive maximum qualified traffic back to your new site.

I believe the launch is just the beginning of our partnership. Unlike some agencies that disappear once the site is live, I am available to support you as your business grows.

Here is what you can expect immediately after your website goes live:

• Training: I will provide a walkthrough of your new system (in person or via video) so you feel confident making simple text or image updates yourself.
• Warranty Period: I provide a standard 30-day warranty to fix any technical bugs or glitches that might appear immediately after launch at no extra cost.
• Ongoing Maintenance: Websites need regular software updates and security patches. I offer optional monthly care packages—payable easily via GoCardless—to keep your site secure, backed up, and running smoothly.

You can always pick up the phone or arrange a meeting if you need new features or technical advice down the line.

Yes, absolutely. I offer a range of comprehensive, hassle-free maintenance packages designed to keep your website secure, fast, and up-to-date long after the initial build.

A website requires constant upkeep to remain protected against threats and software updates. My packages are tailored to cover all business sizes and typically include:

• Security Monitoring: Continuous monitoring and patching of all core software (CMS, themes, plugins) to defend against hackers.
• Regular Backups: Daily or weekly backups stored off-site, ensuring your website can be quickly restored in the event of any issue.
• Performance Optimization: Routine checks to ensure your website continues to load quickly and perform optimally.
• Technical Support: Access to me directly for minor changes and technical questions.

The cost of these packages varies depending on your needs (standard brochure site vs. complex e-commerce), but all are paid for simply and securely via monthly or annual GoCardless Direct Debit, giving you peace of mind.

While I build every website with the highest security standards, no online system is entirely immune to threats. The difference lies in preparedness and rapid response.

My service ensures two essential layers of protection against both technical breaks and security incidents:

• Prevention (Maintenance Packages): Clients on a maintenance plan benefit from continuous security monitoring, regular software updates, and active patching, which prevents the vast majority of threats and technical failures.
• Rapid Recovery (Backups): Should the worst happen, I maintain daily or weekly off-site backups (depending on your package) of your entire website. This ensures we can quickly restore a clean, recent version, minimizing downtime and data loss.

If you ever suspect an issue, the first step is always to contact me immediately. Having an active maintenance package ensures that rapid recovery and repair are included and prioritized.

My goal is always to provide responsive, high-quality support. I strive to respond to all support requests on the same business day.

I aim to be transparent: my dedicated approach means I am often focused on face-to-face consultations or deep in programming work for active projects. Therefore, my commitment to response times is tiered:

• Maintenance Clients (Critical Issues): Clients with an active maintenance plan receive the absolute highest priority response for emergencies (site down, security issues).
• General Requests: For non-emergency updates or queries, I will reply as soon as possible, ensuring communication is restored immediately upon my return from meetings or upon completion of a focused programming task.

Having an active maintenance package ensures that your support requests are always prioritized within my workload.

Yes, absolutely. Once the project is complete and the final payment is made, you retain full, unrestricted ownership of your live website and all its components.

My philosophy is that you should always own your digital assets. This includes:

• Content and Data: You own 100% of all the text, images, branding, and customer data collected by the website.
• Domain Name: Your website address (e.g., yourname.co.uk) is registered in your business name, ensuring you have total control over your online identity.
• Design and Structure: You own the final visual design, the overall site architecture, and the necessary licensing for the underlying code.

I ensure that you receive all necessary files and credentials so that you are never locked into my service and have complete freedom to manage or move your website at any point.

Yes, absolutely. Your website is fully portable. I build websites specifically to avoid vendor lock-in, meaning you are free to move your site to any hosting provider at any time.

As you own all the files and code once the project is complete, moving is straightforward. If you choose to switch hosts, I will provide you with:

• The complete set of website files (code, assets, theme files).
• A full, current copy of your website's database.
• All necessary credentials and configuration documentation.

While I recommend staying on my managed, high-performance UK hosting for guaranteed security and speed, you have full control and freedom over your hosting choices.

Yes, absolutely. Comprehensive training is not just offered—it is a mandatory inclusion in every website build. My goal is for you to feel 100% confident managing your site on launch day.

I provide personalized training sessions, either face-to-face (especially for clients in Somerset and the South West) or via high-quality video call, covering:

• Content Management: How to easily update text, swap images, and add new pages using your custom Admin Panel.
• E-commerce Management: For online shops, how to process orders, adjust inventory, and manage shipping details.
• Security Best Practice: Understanding basic security procedures and using the Admin Panel securely.

The training is tailored exactly to the features of your custom-built website, ensuring you only learn what is relevant to your business needs.