Guides
Honest answers to the questions worth asking.
No jargon, no sales pitch — just clear, practical guides to help you make good decisions about your website, whether or not you ever work with us.
Pricing
What websites, stores and upkeep really cost — where the money goes, and how to budget without overpaying.
- How much does a website cost? An honest breakdownFrom a few hundred pounds to tens of thousands — what you're actually paying for, and how to avoid overpaying.
- How much does an ecommerce website cost?Build cost is only half the story. Here's what an online store really costs to launch and run.
- What does website maintenance cost (and is it worth it)?Websites aren't "finished" at launch. Here's what upkeep costs — and when it's worth paying for.
- How much does SEO cost? A straight answerFrom a one-off audit to a monthly retainer — what SEO actually costs, and what you should get for it.
- Are cheap websites worth it? The true cost of going cheapA cheap website can be a bargain — or a false economy. Here's how to tell which you're getting.
Getting started
The basics for a new site — whether you need one, choosing a domain and hosting, and getting set up right.
- Does my business actually need a website in 2026?Social media, marketplaces, Google listings — do you still need your own website? Honestly, usually.
- How to choose a domain name for your businessYour domain is your address on the web — and hard to change later. Here's how to choose well.
- Website hosting explained: what it is and what to chooseHosting is where your website lives. The wrong choice makes everything slow — here's how to pick.
Choosing a partner
Agency, freelancer or studio — how to pick the right people, own your site, and avoid the wrong ones.
- How to choose a web developer: agency, freelancer or studio?Agency, freelancer or studio — each has a real trade-off. Here's how to pick, and what to ask.
- 10 questions to ask before hiring a web developerThe right questions tell you more than any portfolio. Here are the ten that matter.
- Do you actually own your website? Domains, code and lock-inMore businesses than you'd think don't control their own website. Here's how to check you do.
- What to expect from a website project: the process, start to finishNever commissioned a website before? Here's what actually happens, stage by stage.
- Offshore vs UK web developers: the real trade-offsOffshore quotes can be a fraction of the price. Here's the honest trade-off behind the number.
Strategy
Redesign or refresh, briefing a project well, and turning a website into actual enquiries.
- Does your website need a redesign or just a refresh?A full rebuild isn't always the answer. How to tell what your site actually needs.
- How to write a website brief (that gets you a good quote)A good brief gets you better quotes and a better site. Here's how to write one, even a short one.
- Why your website isn't getting enquiries (and how to fix it)Getting visitors but no enquiries? The leak is usually one of a few fixable things.
- What makes a good website? The fundamentals that matterLooks are the smallest part of it. Here's what actually makes a website work.
- Website launch checklist: what to check before you go liveGoing live is where avoidable mistakes happen. Here's the checklist to get it right.
Platforms
WordPress, Umbraco, Shopify, headless or custom — how to choose the right foundation for your site.
- WordPress, Umbraco or Shopify? Choosing the right CMSThe platform decides what your site can do and how it ages. Here's how to choose the one that fits you.
- What is a headless CMS? (and do you actually need one)It's the buzzword every agency drops. Here's what "headless" really means — and when it's overkill.
- WordPress vs a custom-built website: which is right for you?The web's most popular platform, or something built from scratch? Here's the honest trade-off.
- Umbraco vs WordPress: which CMS is right for you?The world's most popular CMS, or the clean .NET alternative? Here's how they really compare.
- Wix & Squarespace vs a custom website: which is right?DIY builder or a built-for-you site? An honest look at what you gain — and give up — with each.
Ecommerce
Choosing a platform, converting more visitors, and getting your products found on Google.
- Shopify vs WooCommerce vs custom: choosing an ecommerce platformThe platform you sell on shapes your costs and your ceiling. Here's how to choose.
- How to increase your online store's conversion rateMore sales don't always mean more traffic. Often it's converting more of the visitors you have.
- Ecommerce SEO: how to get your products found on GoogleGreat products nobody can find don't sell. Here's how to get your store visible on Google.
- What makes a good product page? The elements that sellThe product page is where the sale is won or lost. Here's what a good one does.
- Payment options for your online store, explainedThe payment methods you offer quietly decide how many shoppers actually check out.
Performance
Why speed decides rankings and enquiries, and how to make a slow site genuinely fast.
- Why website speed affects enquiries (and how to fix it)A slow site quietly costs you customers and rankings. Here's how much — and what to do about it.
- Core Web Vitals explained (for non-technical owners)Three metrics Google uses to judge your site. Here's what they mean, without the engineering.
- How to speed up a slow WordPress websiteWordPress isn't slow by nature — it's usually made slow. Here's how to get the speed back.
- What is a CDN, and does your website need one?Three letters that can make your site faster worldwide. Here's what a CDN is, minus the jargon.
- How to optimise images for a faster websiteImages are the number-one cause of slow sites — and the easiest big win. Here's how to fix them.
SEO
How search really works, in plain English — improving your ranking, local SEO and the technical foundations.
- How to improve your Google ranking: an honest guideNo tricks, no guarantees — just how ranking actually works and what genuinely moves it.
- Local SEO for small businesses: how to get found nearbyWhen customers search "near me", is your business there? Here's how to make sure.
- What is technical SEO? The foundations, explainedThe invisible groundwork that lets your content rank at all. Here's technical SEO, demystified.
- Why isn't my website showing up on Google?Searched for your own site and found nothing? Here are the usual reasons — and the fixes.
- SEO vs Google Ads: which is right for your business?Earn your way up Google, or pay your way to the top? Here's when each makes sense.
- Keyword research basics: find what your customers searchSEO starts with the words your customers use — not the ones you'd use. Here's how to find them.
Design & UX
What actually makes a website work — clear, usable, mobile-first and accessible design that wins customers.
- What makes good web design (beyond looking nice)?Good design isn't decoration — it's how a site guides, reassures and converts. Here's the difference.
- Why mobile-first design matters for your businessMost of your visitors are on a phone — and so is Google. Here's why that changes everything.
- Web accessibility explained (and why it matters legally)An accessible site reaches more customers and keeps you on the right side of the law. Here's how.
Security
Keeping your site safe — common risks, SSL and HTTPS, and how to lock down a WordPress site.
- Is your website secure? Common risks and how to fix themSmall business sites get hacked all the time — usually through avoidable gaps. Here's how to close them.
- Do you need an SSL certificate? HTTPS explainedThat padlock in the browser bar isn't optional any more. Here's why every site needs it.
- How to keep your WordPress website secureWordPress powers much of the web, which makes it a favourite target. Here's how to lock it down.
Rather just ask us?
Got a question these don't answer?
Tell us what you're weighing up and we'll give you an honest, no-pressure view — even if the answer is that you don't need us yet.