Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in a startup website?

A planning session and page plan, custom visual design approved by you before any code is written, a hand-coded build that works on every device, contact forms and the features a new business needs, the technical foundations search engines look for, testing on a private server and launch. Startup websites start from £2,400.

See the full service on our startup web design page.

Do you work with established businesses as well as startups?

Yes. Many of our projects are redesigns for established small businesses whose existing website looks dated, is slow on mobile or has stopped generating enquiries. The process is the same, with extra care taken to protect your existing search rankings.

Read about our website redesign service.

Can you build web applications, booking systems and member areas?

Yes. As well as brochure-style websites we build booking and appointment systems, member areas with subscription payments, directories, client portals and admin dashboards, all on the same modern foundation as our startup websites.

Learn more about booking websites and membership websites.

Do you redesign existing websites and protect our search rankings?

Yes. When we redesign a website we keep the page addresses that are working for you or set up permanent redirects from the old ones, carry across the content that ranks, and submit the new sitemap to Google at launch so your rankings are protected.

Our website redesign page explains how this works.

How long does a website take?

Most startup websites take three to six weeks from brief to launch, provided your content is ready. Sites with an admin dashboard, bookings or member areas take longer. We give you a realistic completion date once the visuals are approved.

Our guide to the website design process and timescales explains each stage.

What do you need from us?

A short description of your business, goals and the pages you think you need, any logo and brand assets you already have, the words and images for each page, access to your domain name, and prompt feedback at the design and testing stages. Late content is the most common cause of delays.

Our website design brief template makes the first part easy.

Can we see designs before you build?

Yes, always. We plan the structure of the site and create visual mockups for your approval. Nothing goes into development until you have signed off the designs.

Can you write our content?

Most clients supply their own words and images, and we advise on what each page needs. If you would like help with copywriting or sourcing imagery we can quote for that alongside the website.

Do you meet clients in person?

We are based in Walthamstow, London, and are happy to meet in person if you are nearby. Most projects, including many for London clients, run entirely over calls, email and shared documents, so being elsewhere in the UK is no obstacle.

If you are in the capital, see our London startup website design page.

Who owns the website?

You do. Once the final payment is made, the website, its design and its code are yours.

Can we move the website elsewhere?

Yes. There is no lock-in. If you ever want to move to another host or developer we hand over the complete code and help with the transfer.

Do you provide hosting and what does it cost?

Yes. Managed cloud hosting starts from £20 a month. We look after the server, keep the site fast and secure, and can make quick updates to your website whenever you need them.

Details are on our prices page.

What happens if something breaks?

Hand-coded websites have no plugins or themes to go out of date, so they rarely break. If you are on our managed hosting we fix any issue as part of the service. If you host the site yourself we can quote for fixes and updates as they arise.

Can we update the site ourselves?

Yes, if you choose the website plus admin dashboard package, which gives you a secure admin area for updating content. For simpler sites we make updates for you quickly through our managed hosting.