How long does a small business website take?

A full multi-page website usually takes 3 to 5 weeks, from the first email to launch. The timeline is agreed in the written scope before any work begins.

Do I need to have my text and photos ready?

It helps, but it isn’t required. We agree in the scope what you will supply and what still needs writing or sourcing, so nothing holds up the build.

Can I edit the website myself after launch?

Yes. A full website comes with a CMS for easy edits, plus a handover so you know how to use it.

Can you build an online shop?

Yes. Shops are usually built on WordPress and WooCommerce, with product pages, options and checkout shaped around what you sell.

Do we need to have a call?

No. Everything happens by email, at a pace that suits you, with no phone or video calls.

Small business websites you can update yourself

Who it’s for

A full website is for a business that has outgrown a single page: you offer several services, people want to see your work before they get in touch, and you want to show up when customers search for what you do.

It suits trades, studios, consultants, shops and local services, and anyone whose current site looks dated, loads slowly or is hard to update.

If you only need to promote one thing, a landing page is quicker and costs less. Selling products? See online shops. Already on WordPress? See custom WordPress themes. If people need to log in, book or pay, you may need a web app.

What you get

Every page your site needs, designed for your business rather than taken from a template. Typically that means a home page, a page for each service, examples of your work, an about page and a contact page, but the list is shaped around you.

A custom design you see and shape before any code is written
Responsive pages that work on phones, tablets and desktops
A CMS so you can change text, photos and pages yourself
SEO and analytics setup, so search engines can find each page and you can see who visits
A contact form that sends enquiries straight to your inbox
Support after launch, and a handover you can actually use

How it works

We start with a free email conversation about your business, your customers and what the site needs to do. You then get a written scope with the pages, features, timeline and price, so you know exactly what you are paying for.

Next comes the design. You see it, comment on it and sign it off before the build starts. Once it’s built and tested on real devices, you check a proof of the finished site, and nothing goes live until you’re happy with it.

Built to be found

A good-looking site doesn’t help if nobody finds it. Every page gets its own title and description, written around what your customers search for, and the site is set up with a sitemap and the structured data search engines use to understand a business.

Pages are kept fast and accessible, because both affect how people experience the site and how search engines rank it. Analytics is set up so you can see how people find you and which pages lead to enquiries.

Timeline

A full website usually takes 3 to 5 weeks. The exact timeline is agreed in the written scope, and the biggest factor is content: when the text and photos are ready early, the build moves quickly. If anything still needs writing or sourcing, the scope says who does it and when.

Why work with an independent developer

You deal with the person doing the work, not an account manager. Questions get a direct answer, changes don’t pass through layers of people, and the same person who designed your site knows exactly how it was built.

Questions

How long does a small business website take?: A full multi-page website usually takes 3 to 5 weeks, from the first email to launch. The timeline is agreed in the written scope before any work begins.
Do I need to have my text and photos ready?: It helps, but it isn’t required. We agree in the scope what you will supply and what still needs writing or sourcing, so nothing holds up the build.
Can I edit the website myself after launch?: Yes. A full website comes with a CMS for easy edits, plus a handover so you know how to use it.
Can you build an online shop?: Yes. Shops are usually built on WordPress and WooCommerce, with product pages, options and checkout shaped around what you sell.
Do we need to have a call?: No. Everything happens by email, at a pace that suits you, with no phone or video calls.

Secret Technologies — Connected Home: A connected-home services website for Secret Technologies, with an illustrated homepage, six service cards and a focused quote form, built on WordPress.
Engraved Wood & Glass Shop: A French-language shop for personalised wood and glass pieces, with engraving options and a way to request something bespoke.