Suffolk Web Design and Marketing will be closing for the holiday period. We will not be responding to emails or other requests (except in emergencies) during this time. Please find details below:

Last day before Christmas shutdown – Wednesday 21st December 2022

Re-opening – Wednesday 4th January 2023

Best wishes once again to all of you. Here’s to a happy and prosperous New Year!

John Reimann.

But sometimes, even after you take care of all the above, your website speed is still slow. That’s why we’ll cover some extra awesome methods that you can use to fix your slow WordPress site and push those Google Page Speeds, GTMetrix or any website speed test into the green!

Are you ready to make your site faster? Here goes…

Why should you speed up WordPress?

It’s important to speed up your WordPress website for a few reasons. First, faster sites have better user engagement. Studies have shown that if a site takes more than a few seconds to load, users are likely to click away. This means that speeding up your site could help you improve your conversion rate. Additionally, fast sites tend to rank higher in search results. Google has stated that site speed is a factor in its algorithm, so if you want to attract organic traffic, you need to make sure your site is as fast as possible. Finally, fast sites provide a better experience for mobile users. More and more people are using their phones to browse the web, and if your site is slow, they’re likely to get frustrated and move on to another site. So if you’re looking to improve your WordPress site, speeding it up should be one of your top priorities.

How Fast Should a Website Load?

How fast should a site load? The answer is, as fast as possible! Every second that a page takes to load is an opportunity for potential customers to click away. In fact, the probability of bounce increases 32% as page load time goes from 1 second to 3 seconds. So, ideally, you’ll want your website to load within 2-3 seconds. This two-to-three-second mark is the turning point where bounce rates skyrocket – in fact, 40% of consumers will wait no more than three seconds before abandoning a site. 

To put that into context, pages that load within two seconds have an average bounce rate of 9%, while pages that load in five seconds see their bounce rates skyrocket to 38%. So if you’re looking to keep potential customers on your site, you need to make sure your pages are loading quickly!

What Affects Page Loading Speed?

When you click on a link, your browser starts loading the page. But what exactly happens during that time? And what factors can affect how long it takes for a page to load?

There are a number of factors that can impact page loading speed. The size of the page is one factor – if a page is too large, it will take longer to load. The number of images on a page can also impact loading time, as each image needs to be separately downloaded. The type of content on the page – whether it’s text, video, or audio – can also affect loading speed. If a page contains a lot of high-quality images and videos, it will take longer to load than a page with mostly text. Finally, the speed of your internet connection can also affect how quickly a page loads. If you’re on a slow connection, it will take longer for the page to load than if you’re on a fast connection.

How to test your WordPress Site Speed?

It’s important to test your website speed on a regular basis, to make sure that your visitors are able to load your pages quickly and smoothly. There are a few different tools that you can use to test website speed, including Pingdom, GTmetrix, Google Page Speed Insights, and the Google Chrome Lighthouse Extension. Each of these tools will give you different insights into how your website is performing, so it’s a good idea to use more than one. Note – There are WordPress plugins that let you test the speed of your site from within the WordPress admin area. In general, we’d recommend that you avoid tools like this as they affect site performance.

Pingdom is a great tool for testing the overall website performance. Simply enter your URL and Pingdom will give you a detailed report of how long it took to load each element on the page.

GTmetrix is similar to Pingdom, but also provides additional information such as page size and the number of requests made. This can be helpful in identifying areas where you can improve your website speed.

Google Page Speed Insights is another useful tool for testing website speed. Simply enter your URL and Google will generate a report with recommendations on how to improve your page speed. One thing to keep in mind with this tool is that it uses data from the Chrome User Experience Report, which may not be representative of all users. Having said that, one reason to speed up your website is to improve your Google Rankings. Page Speed Insights is extremely popular as it’s widely considered that if Google’s own tools consider a page to be fast, then they score better in search results.

Finally, Google Chrome Lighthouse is a great option for testing specific aspects of your web pages, such as performance, accessibility, and SEO. Simply open Chrome DevTools and select the Lighthouse tab or install the chrome extension. From there, you can select which category you want to test and run the audit. Lighthouse will generate a report with specific recommendations on how to improve that aspect of your page. Google Page Speed insight now often shows the same information as Chrome Lighthouse.

Good Quality Managed WordPress Hosting

Your choice of hosting can have a major impact on the WordPress performance, security, and speed of your website. That’s why it’s important to use a good quality hosting provider.

You could opt for a dedicated server, which would give you the best performance but also comes with a much higher price tag. For most small to medium-sized websites, though, a good quality managed WordPress host will be both cost-effective and suitable. When choosing a WordPress host, you should never use a cheap shared hosting provider or any company that’s owned by EIG (see this article for a complete list). Good quality managed WordPress hosts offer fast servers, expert support, and good security features. These are essential for running a successful WordPress website.

Implement WordPress caching to speed up your site

If you’re looking for ways to speed up your WordPress site, caching is a great place to start. When implemented properly, a good WordPress caching plugin (or server-side caching) can make a big difference in both the performance of your site and the user experience. And there are several different types of caching that can be used to improve different aspects of your site. For example, page caching can help to speed up the loading of pages by storing frequently accessed files in memory. Object caching can help to speed up database queries by storing commonly accessed data in memory. And reverse proxy caching can help to reduce the load on your server by storing frequently accessed pages in a cache. Implementing caching can be a bit complex, but the rewards are definitely worth it.

Image Optimisation Is Vital

Images are an essential part of any website. They can help to communicate a message, improve the look of a page, and make content more engaging. However, if they are not properly optimised, images can also slow down your website and contribute to poor page performance. Fortunately, there are a number of simple steps that you can take to ensure that your images are optimised for the web. One key step is to ensure that your images are the correct size. This means using the correct dimensions and ensuring that the file size is not too large. Another important step is to make use of lazy loading, which helps to improve page load times by deferring the loading of images until they are needed. Finally, you should also consider using WebP format for your images, as this can help to further reduce file sizes. If you’re not sure what WordPress plugin to use there are a few to choose from. Shortpixel is definitely worth considering.

Limiting Post Revisions

WordPress automatically saves a revision every time you update a post. This means that if you make a mistake, you can easily go back and restore an earlier version of the post. However, these revisions can quickly add up, and they can have a negative impact on your website’s performance.

Every revision is stored as a separate row in the database, and each row takes up space. As the number of revisions grows, the database gets larger and slower. In addition, revisions can bloat the size of your backups, making them more difficult to manage. For these reasons, it’s best to limit the number of post revisions that are stored on your website.

You can set the maximum number of revisions in the WordPress settings. By default, your WordPress site will keep an infinite number of revisions, but you can change this to any number you like. If you’re not sure how many revisions to keep, a good rule of thumb is to limit it to 3 or 5 per post. This will give you plenty of flexibility without impacting your website’s performance. You could use a standalone plugin for this but if you’ve installed another optimisation tool like Perfmatters then you’ll have this option available anyway. You can also do it manually by adding code to your wpconfig.php file but that’s beyond the scope of this guide.

How Your WordPress Theme affects site speed

The WordPress theme you choose for your website can have a big impact on its performance. Multi-purpose themes are often packed with features and can be quite heavy, which can slow down your site. In contrast, a lightweight theme only includes the features that you need. As a result, your site will load faster and use fewer resources. When choosing a WordPress theme, it is important to consider the impact on site speed. Paying attention to these details can make a big difference in how quickly your pages load. By choosing a fast, lightweight theme, you can ensure that your site runs smoothly and provides a positive experience for your visitors.

Speed Optimisation Plugins

There are a lot of plugins that claim to speed up a WordPress site. But which ones actually work? And more importantly, which ones are worth using? Rather than telling you what doesn’t work, we’ll get straight to the point.

Perfmatters is our favourite speed optimisation plugin and we now use it on every website build! 

It’s a lightweight speed optimisation plugin with great support and allows granular control that other plugins lack. It allows you to disable unnecessary WordPress features that can slow down your site. For example, you can disable unneeded post revisions, comments, emojis, and more. Perfmatters also lets you minify HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files to reduce file size and improve load times. 

Another great feature of Perfmatters that you don’t see in many other plugins is the ability to disable scripts on a page or page/post type basis. For example, did you know that If you have WooCommerce installed, it loads scripts on every page – Even the ones that don’t use it? This is where Perfmatters comes into its own!

If that sounds like a sales pitch then so be it, but it really is a worthwhile investment.

What is a CDN and do you need one?

A CDN, or Content Delivery Network, is a group of servers located around the world that work together to deliver content more efficiently. When a user requests a piece of content from a CDN-enabled website, the CDN will determine which server is best able to provide that content and will direct the user to that server. This system can greatly improve the speed and reliability of content delivery, especially for users who are located far from the website’s primary server.

There are some situations when you may not need to use a CDN, such as if all of your users are located in the same region as your primary server. However, for most websites with a global audience, a CDN can be a valuable asset. If you’re considering using a CDN for your website, be sure to research different providers and compare their features to find the best fit for your needs.

Optimize Your WordPress Database

When we talk about optimising your WordPress database, what we mean is cleaning it up and getting rid of any unnecessary data. This can help to improve your site’s performance and keep it running smoothly. Some things you may want to delete from your database include:

-Transient options: These are options that are only used for a short period of time and are typically only needed for a few hours or days. If you don’t delete them, they can build up over time and start to slow down your site.

-Spam comments: If you’re not using a spam filter, your database can quickly fill up with spam comments. These take up space and can slow down your site, so it’s best to get rid of them as soon as possible.

-Revisions: If you frequently save revisions of your posts or pages, these can also start to add up over time and take up valuable space in your database. It’s a good idea to periodically go through and delete older revisions that you don’t need anymore.

So how often should you optimize your WordPress database? It’s generally recommended that you do it at least once a month, but if you have a large site or one that gets a lot of traffic, you may want to do it more often.

Feel like you’ve tried everything and still can’t get good Page speed scores?

Here are some extra-juicy tips to speed up your WordPress site and drop that page load time

HINT: Most of the improvements below can be achieved with Perfmatters

Defer and Delay Javascript

JavaScript is a programming language that allows you to create interactive web pages. When you defer loading JavaScript, you are telling the browser to wait until the page has finished loading before it loads the JavaScript. This means that your page will load faster because the browser can focus on loading the HTML and CSS first. Delaying the loading of JavaScript can be useful if you have large files that are not essential for the initial page load. By delaying the load, you can ensure that the user doesn’t have to wait too long for the page to be fully loaded. However, you should only delay loading JavaScript if it is not essential for the user to be able to interact with the page immediately. Otherwise, you risk causing confusion or frustration. When used correctly, deferring and delaying JavaScript can help to improve the performance of your web pages.

Remove Unused CSS

CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, is a code used to style the HTML on a webpage. Every extra bit of CSS that your page has to load is an extra burden on the browser. Unused CSS can make your pages slower to load by increasing the amount of time the browser has to spend parsing the CSS file. By removing unused CSS you can reduce the overall size of your CSS files, which will also help to improve page loading times.

Host Fonts Locally

In order to ensure optimal page loading times, it is important to carefully consider when to host fonts locally. In general, fonts should be hosted locally whenever possible. This ensures that the font files will be cached on the user’s computer, which can dramatically improve page loading times. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If a font is used infrequently, it may be better to host it externally in order to avoid using up valuable storage space. In addition, if a font is used on multiple websites, it may be more efficient to host it externally so that users only need to download it once. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to host a font locally depends on a variety of factors and should be made on a case-by-case basis.

Disable The Google Maps API

For website owners looking to improve their page speed, disabling the Google Maps API is a great place to start. The Google Maps API is an external JavaScript library that allows developers to embed Google Maps on their websites. However, loading this large library can significantly slow down page loading times. Disabling the Google Maps API will prevent the library from being loaded, resulting in faster page load times. While this may mean that your website will no longer be able to display maps, there are other ways to display this information that won’t impact your page speed. For example, you could use static images or open-source alternatives to the Google Maps API. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your website loads quickly and provides a positive experience for your users.

Alternative to Google Recaptcha

Google Recaptcha is a common form of CAPTCHA used to verify that a user is not a robot. However, it can also slow down your website’s page speed. WP Armour is a lightweight alternative that can help improve your website’s speed without sacrificing security. WP Armour uses encryption to protect your forms and blocks malicious requests before they reach your server. As a result, your website will load faster and be more secure. In addition, WP Armour is easy to install and does not require any coding knowledge. Simply download the plugin and activate it on your WordPress site. WP Armour is an essential tool for any website owner who wants to improve their page speed and security.

Preload Vital Files

Preloading files means that the browser will download certain assets before they are actually needed. This can be helpful in a number of ways. First, if the user ends up needing that asset, it will already be downloaded and ready to go, which can save precious time. Second, preloading files can give the browser a head start on loading other assets that might depend on the preloaded file. For example, if your CSS file depends on a custom font, preloading the font will give the browser a chance to start downloading it while the CSS file is being parsed.

Of course, preloading files comes with a few caveats. First, you need to make sure that you are only preloading files that are actually needed by the current page. Otherwise, you’ll just be wasting bandwidth. Second, you need to carefully consider the order in which you preload files. Ideally, you want to start with the most essential files and then move on to less essential ones. By taking these factors into account, you can use preloading strategically to give your website or web application a boost in speed.

In this article, we’ve provided several tips for improving WordPress website speed. We’re extremely confident that if you follow through with the advice given in this guide that you’ll be able to speed up almost any WordPress page. However, we’re well aware that many of these tips are somewhat technical and can take time and patience to perfect, especially if you lack the confidence or experience to implement them. That’s why we’ve developed a fixed-price WordPress Speed Optimisation service.

Further down you’ll see a detailed explanation and breakdown of these costs but to start, here’s a basic guide showing what you can expect to pay for website maintenance services.

Average Website Maintenance costs

Basic Website Maintenance Service

A basic website maintenance service includes all general required maintenance with different tasks ranging from daily to weekly. Below is a late 2022 to early 2023 summary of maintenance costs for a small business to keep its WordPress website cared for in the UK.

Domain, Hosting, Maintenance SERVICE, Software, security, backups, and legal policies:

£1040 – £3250 per Year

£86 – 270 per month

Extended Website Maintenance Services

Extended services can vary wildly and include a wide array of needs. Below you’ll see the average costs for good quality services for typical small businesses in the UK.

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)

£6000 – £36000 per year

£500 – £3000 Per month

The price will depend on the work required to meet your goals.

Content/Copywriting

£250 – £6500 per month

£5500 – £35000 per year

Pricing varies considerably depending on the quantity you require and the quality of the writer(s).

Now let’s look at these costs in more detail so you can gauge your expected costs more accurately.

Domain Registration and Renewal Costs

Domain Registration

Domain registration is the process of reserving a name for a website. Once a domain is registered, no one else can use that same domain name.

Domain names are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, which means that anyone can register a domain as long as it has not already been taken. The cost of domain registration varies depending on the extension you choose.

For example, a .co.uk domain typically costs around £10 per year, while a .com domain can cost up to £30 per year. The cost of domain registration also depends on the length of time you wish to register the domain for.

Generally speaking, the longer you register a domain for, the cheaper it will be. You can usually register a domain for 1-5 years in advance.

Some web hosting providers include free domain registration with their hosting packages but (for reasons that are a little complicated for this article) we advise that you ALWAYS use a different company for your domain name and website hosting.

Domain Renewal

Domain renewal is the process of renewing your claim to your domain name for an additional period of time. Your domain can be renewed each year, or, in the UK, domain names can often be renewed for up to 10 years at a time. The costs for renewal are usually the same as the initial cost of domain registration.

What about Premium Domains?

A premium domain is a Domain Name that has a higher value than other Domain Names because of its desirability or marketplace demand. Premium domains are typically more short, memorable, easy to spell, and more popular than other domain Names.

Many businesses are willing to pay a high price for a premium domain because it can help them get more visitors to their website and increase their brand awareness. For example, a business that sells insurance might want to buy the domain “insurance.com” so that people who search for “insurance” will be more likely to find their website.

The cost of a premium domain can vary widely, depending on factors such as the length of the domain, the popularity of the keywords, and the overall market demand.

Premium domains can cost anywhere from £100 upwards with almost no limit. For example, the domain sex.com was sold for $13 million in 2010. Generally speaking, the longer a domain has been registered, the more valuable it is. This is due to the fact that it takes time to build up a reputation and establish a strong web presence.

For this reason, it is often best to purchase premium domains that have been registered for several years.

Website Hosting Costs

What is website hosting and how does it work?

Before a website can go live on the internet, it needs to be stored on a server. This is where a website hosting provider comes in. Website hosting providers offer space on their servers for customers to store their websites. The domain name is linked to those files.

When someone types in a web address (the domain name), they are directed to the server that contains the website files. Website hosting is a critical service for anyone who wants to have a presence on the internet. Without it, websites would not be able to function.

What type of hosting do I need?

With prices ranging from £5 – £200+ per month, you might be wondering what the difference is and what type of hosting you need.

When it comes to hosting, there are three main types: shared, dedicated, and VPS (virtual private server). Shared hosting is the most affordable option, but it also comes with some drawbacks. Because your site will be sharing the server’s resources with other sites on the same server, it can be slow and unreliable.

Dedicated hosting is more expensive, but it gives you your own server and resources, so your site will be faster and more reliable.

VPS hosting is somewhere in between, offering more resources than shared hosting but not as many as dedicated hosting.

So what type of hosting do you need? It depends on your budget and your website’s requirements. In many cases, assuming your website isn’t huge and you don’t have a high volume of traffic (less than 25k visitors per month) then shared hosting is likely to be sufficient BUT ONLY if you select a good one.

Many providers offer web hosting for £5 – £10 per month or even less but you have to ask yourself how they make any money on this! We would never advise using a very cheap web host as you will (at some point) regret that decision.

Generally, it’s wise to avoid any web hosts that are part of the EIG group (a large corporate entity that buys up smaller hosting companies, cuts costs and strips them back until they all offer the same poor service, just under different names).

Here is a list of EIG-owned web hosts.

• Bluehost
• Hostgator
• AccountSupport
• Arvixe LLC
• A Small Orange
• ApolloHosting
• AppMachine
• BigRock
• BizLand
• BlueBoxInternet
• BlueDomino
• Bluehost
• BuyDomains
• CirtexHosting
• Constant Contact
• Directi
• Domain.com
• DomainHost
• Dot5Hosting
• Dotster
• easyCGI
• Ecomdash
• eHost
• EmailBrain
• EntryHost
• Escalate Internet
• FastDomain
• FatCow
• FreeYellow
• Garin IT Solutions Co.
• Garin Technologies
• Glob@t
• Homestead
• HostCentric
• HostClear
• HostGator
• HostNine
• HostMonster
• HostV VPS
• HostGallo
• HyperMart
• IMOutdoors
• Intuit Websites
• iPage
• IPOWER/iPowerWeb
• IX Web Hosting
• JustHost
• LogicBoxes
• MojoMarketplace
• MyDomain
• MyResellerHome
• MySocialSuite
• NetFirms
• Networks Web Hosting
• Nexx
• PowWeb
• PublicDomainRegistry
• PureHost
• ReadyHosting.com
• ResellerClub
• Saba-Pro
• SEO Gears
• SEO Hosting
• SEO Web Hosting
• Site5
• Southeast Web
• SpeedHost
• Spertly
• Spry
• StartLogic
• SuperGreen Hosting
• Typepad
• Unified Layer
• USANetHosting
• vDeck
• Verio
• VirtualAvenue
• VPSLink
• Webzai Ltd.
• Webstrike Solutions
• Xeran
• YourWebHosting

Good shared hosting can be found for £35 – £50 per month or £400 – £600 per year. If your website is built on WordPress (WordPress powers around 40% of all websites on the internet and we use it to build all of our client’s websites) then we highly recommend using “Managed WordPress hosting”. Here are 3 good web hosts that offer shared hosting for WordPress:

• WPX
• Kinsta
• WPEngine

If you have a very large website or high volume of traffic OR you are likely to see significant traffic spikes (for example during an advertising campaign or seasonal sale) then you may require VPS or dedicated hosting. If this is the case, it’s best to talk to your web developer to see what they recommend for your specific needs.

What is managed WordPress hosting?

WordPress is an extremely popular site-building and content-management system. In fact, it is by far the most popular in the world. It powers over 40% of the internet!

Although it is possible to host a WordPress site on a shared hosting plan, many users opt for managed WordPress hosting. With this type of hosting, your WordPress site is hosted on a server that is specifically configured for WordPress.

This can provide a number of benefits, including improved performance, security, and support. In addition, many managed WordPress hosts offer additional features, such as WordPress-specific caching. As a result, managed WordPress hosting can be a great option for those who want to get the most out of their WordPress site.

How much does website hosting cost in the UK?

Shared Managed Website Hosting

For a good-quality managed WordPress hosting service you should expect to pay around £35 – £50 per month.

VPS Website Hosting

In the UK, VPS website hosting typically costs between £20 and £60 per month. However, the exact price will depend on the features and resources you need, as well as the number of users you have. VPS hosting can offer better hardware at a lower cost. The downside is often that you have to manage and configure this manually. Unlike Managed WordPress hosting, this isn’t always done for you.

Dedicated Website Hosting

Dedicated website hosting in the UK can cost anywhere from £50 to £200+ per month, depending on the features and level of support you need. If you have a high-traffic website or one with complex security requirements, you’ll need to invest in a more expensive managed hosting solution. Dedicated server hosting is the most expensive option, but it offers the best performance and security.

If you’re not sure which type of hosting is right for you, talk to a web development professional who can assess your needs and recommend a suitable solution.

Basic Website Maintenance Costs

What does basic website maintenance cost?

Basic website maintenance usually refers to the regular tasks needed to keep a website up and running. This can include everything from ensuring that all the links are working to keeping the software and plugins up to date.

For most small businesses, it’s advisable to outsource website maintenance to a professional who can take care of all the technical details. By doing this you’ll know it’s in good hands but also, you’ll usually benefit from having support on hand when you need it.

If you don’t keep up with basic website maintenance you run the risk of numerous problems including anything from a slow site to visual issues, and even being hacked. By taking care of your website, you can ensure that it will continue to run smoothly and serve your customers for years to come.

How often do websites need maintenance?

WordPress websites need regular maintenance to stay secure and function properly. Depending on the size and complexity of your site, you may need to perform maintenance tasks as often as daily or as seldom as monthly. However, most WordPress sites can get by with weekly maintenance. As a rule of thumb we suggest the following maintenance schedule:

DAILY – Website Backups

This is perhaps the most important maintenance task, as it ensures that you can restore your site if something goes wrong.

WEEKLY – Update WordPress and plugins

Keeping WordPress and your plugins up to date is crucial for security and stability. Each new version of WordPress includes security enhancements and bug fixes that can keep your site safe from attack and prevent problems from cropping up.

Monthly – Speed Optimisation

Website speed is important for a number of reasons. It affects how long it takes for your pages to load, which can impact user experience, conversion rates, and even search engine ranking. As a result, it’s important to regularly check your website speed and look for ways to improve it. In general, you should aim to check your website speed at least once a month, and more frequently if you’re making changes to your site that could impact its performance.

MONTHLY – Onsite SEO Optimisation

Any good SEO campaign should start with a solid foundation of on-page optimisation. This means ensuring that each page on your website is properly configured to be as search engine friendly as possible. While there is no magic number for how often you should check your on-page optimization, a good rule of thumb is to perform a check at least once per month.

This will help you to catch any potential issues early and ensure that your site remains in good standing with the search engines. In addition, it’s a good idea to run a check anytime you make changes to your website, such as adding new content or altering your site’s design.

By keeping an eye on your on-page optimization, you can help to ensure that your website continues to perform well in the search engines.

What should be included in a website maintenance package?

There are a few key things that should always be included in a WordPress package. First and foremost, your WordPress site should be backed up on a regular basis. This way, if anything goes wrong, you can always restore your site to a previous version.

Additionally, your WordPress site should be kept up to date with the latest version of the software. New versions of WordPress and plugins are released regularly and often include security updates and new features. By keeping your site up to date, you can help to protect it from hackers and ensure that it is always running smoothly.

The above is the bare minimum that any WordPress maintenance package should contain. But that’s not necessarily what you should settle for. For example, our minimum website care plan includes all the following…

• Website Security
•  All Software Updates
•  Daily Offsite Backups
•  On-going Software Costs*
•  Legal Policies (Iubenda)
•  Simple SSL Certificate
•  CDN
•  Monthly Performance Report
•  Priority Support
•  Speed Optimisation
•  On-Page SEO Optimisation
•  Discounted Hourly Rate
•  Website Recovery Service

*pre-agreed software only.

How much does WordPress Website Maintenance cost in the UK?

WordPress website maintenance cost in the UK varies depending on the size and complexity of your website, as well as the level of support you need. But, for a small website with standard requirements, you can find some good website maintenance packages from around £50 per month. For a larger website with more complex features or to have marketing assistance bundled in, you can expect to pay between £200 and £1000 per month.

Software Licensing (WordPress plugins and extensions) Costs

What are plugins and extensions?

WordPress plugins and extensions are tools that help you extend the functionality of your WordPress site. There are plugins for everything from social media integration to security to e-commerce. Extensions, on the other hand, are add-ons that improve the usability of WordPress. They can do things like add new features to the editor or help you manage your website more effectively.

While some plugins and extensions are available for free, others must be purchased and have the license renewed on an annual basis. This may sound like a bad thing but it’s often preferred as a profitable plugin is far more likely to be well-maintained and error-free.

What paid plugins does my website need?

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to deciding which plugins you require for your website as it will depend on the purpose and functionality you require. However, there are a number of plugins that we recommend and include use with most of the websites that we build.

Elementor Pro: Cost = £45 – £180 per year

A WordPress site-building tool. If building a new website, this is usually the preferred option unless that client has very specific needs.

SEOPress Pro: Cost = £45 per year

SEOPress is a powerful WordPress plugin that helps to optimise a site for search engine visibility. It includes built-in support for Google Analytics, so you can track your SEO progress over time. It also offers a wide range of customisation options, so the plugin can be tailored to suit your unique needs.

Perfmatters: £20 per year

The Perfmatters plugin is a WordPress performance plugin that helps you speed up your website. It was created by web performance experts to make your site faster and more responsive. The Perfmatters plugin has a number of features that help improve website speed, including asset management, caching, and minification.

It also allows granular control of which page each script should run on. In short, it works alongside caching software to speed up your website and provide a better experience for visitors and search engines. These benefits can lead to improved rankings and therefore more traffic.

Cost For Legal Policies

What legal policies does my website need?

Any website that collects personal data from users needs to have a privacy policy in place. This policy should outline what type of data is being collected, how it will be used, and what measures are in place to protect user privacy.

In addition, sites that allow users to create accounts or make online purchases need to have terms and conditions in place. These terms should spell out the rights and responsibilities of both the website owner and the user. Finally, websites that display ads or whose visitors are subject to GDPR (anyone inside the EU) should have a separate set of policies governing the use of cookies and other tracking technologies. By having these policies in place, you can help to ensure that your website operates legally and responsibly.

Can I use free legal policy templates?

Many people are unsure whether they should use free legal policy templates or hire a lawyer to draft their documents. There are pros and cons to both approaches. One advantage of using a template is that it can save you time and money.

However, it is important to make sure that the template you choose is from a reputable source and that it is appropriate for your needs. Otherwise, you could end up with a document that does not protect your interests or that contains errors. Another consideration is that you will need to invest time in learning how to use the template and customizing it for your specific situation. If you decide to hire a lawyer, you can be confident that your documents will be well-crafted and tailored to your needs. But, this option can be more expensive.

Here at WDM we favour a solution that falls somewhere between the 2 above options.

All of our website care plans include legal policies from Iubenda. The reason for this is that it can help save time and money by automating the process of creating and maintaining your policies. They are not hand-crafted by a lawyer but are far more specific than a free template and provide some guarantees should your policies actually come into play. Iubenda can help you protect your brand by ensuring that your policies are always up-to-date and compliant with the latest laws and regulations.

How much do website policies cost?

When using a service such as Iubenda a basic cookie and privacy policy will cost around £25 per year. If your website requires a Terms and Conditions policy then you can expect that price to rise to around £120 per year. Additional fees may be applicable if you require advanced services or have a high volume of traffic to your site.

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) Costs

The cost of SEO can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size and scope of your project, the competition for keywords, and the audience location(s) of the audience you’re targeting. SEO encompasses many (often hundreds of) tasks. You’ll need a service that covers both on-site and off-site improvements unless you plan on buying them separately.

Onsite SEO refers to content, internal linking, and technical improvements. Offsite SEO is all about getting high-quality backlinks from relevant sources and high-authority, trustworthy websites.

For a good quality SEO package, you should expect to pay between £500 and £2000 per month. You should also be aware that it’s a long-term play and whilst it can be extremely rewarding, it’s likely to take 3-6 months before you begin to see results.

Content and Copywriting Costs

Good copywriting and regular content on your website is essential. If you want your website to rank well on search engines, make sure your content is high quality and provides value to the reader. When selecting a writer, you’ll of course want one that can craft copy in a way that fits in with your brand, but you’ll also need a content creator who has added SEO to their skill set.

If you’re wondering if it’s worth spending the time and effort on adding regular content to your site (i.e.. blogging) then you may be interested in knowing that companies that blog get 97% more links to their websites. Those additional links provide the trust and authority that Google and other search engines love. This in turn provides you with extra traffic and therefore more leads and/or sales.

How much does a copywriter cost per month?

As with many of the services we’ve discussed in this article, writing is no exception in that prices will vary considerably. Factors include the experience and reputation of the writer, the length of the content you require, how much research is required to write your content, and how regularly you require it.

But let’s try to quantify with a couple of examples. Ideally, we recommend adding at least 1 piece of content to your website per week (at least your website reaches a level you’re happy with). That’s 4-5 articles per month (4.3 to be precise). This may be a little too much for a small business with a tight budget, so let’s go to the bare minimum. In our opinion, that’s 1 article of around 1500 words (and optimised for your target keywords) every 2 weeks. By using a professional but not-too-expensive writer, you will expect to pay around £125 per article. So that’s £250 per month.

At the other end of the scale, if your business has the budget to really get your site moving and is aiming for fast, solid growth then you may require at least 5 well-written articles per week. This will cost upwards of £5500 per month depending on the factors already mentioned above.

There’s no right or wrong answer here. It’s about what makes sense for your business. In general, if asked, we tend to advise that you start with a £500 per month budget for regular content. This allows for roughly 1 article per week and is enough to gradually show search engines that you always have valuable content and there’s always a new reason to visit.

NOTE: It really is important to note that whilst content should be written first and foremost for the website visitor, it should also be written as part of an overall SEO strategy. This is why content creation and SEO really go hand-in-hand when investing in your website.

Conclusion

Now you’ve seen what goes into website maintenance from a technical and a promotional perspective (excluding social media and Paid advertising but that’s a topic for another day). If you want to beat the competition and ensure your website provides a return on investment then it needs to be carefully and continually crafted and cultivated.

So, after all that, how much do you think those monthly costs add up to? Well, taking an average sweep across the board here’s the average website maintenance cost including SEO and regular content for a website owned by a small business.

Low-end cost = £840 per month

High-end cost = £9770 per month

That’s obviously quite a big difference and that’s because a small business can mean anything from 1-person startups making a few hundred pounds per month to multiple employees and a multi-million-pound turnover.

If you’re still none-the-wiser about how much you should be investing to secure the future success of your website then perhaps this will help. Most of our clients are businesses with less than £1 million pound turnover but more than £50k (or at least plan to be if starting up).

If you fall in this bracket and are ready to invest in your website then we’d suggest starting with a budget of around £1500 per month. This will ensure that your website is well-maintained with regular content and a steady supply of good-quality backlinks.

Is it really time for a website redesign?

As any business owner knows, a website is a vital part of your online presence. It’s often the first impression potential customers will have of your company, so it’s important to make sure it’s representing your brand in the best possible light. As your business grows and changes, it’s important to keep your website current. A website redesign can be a great way to refresh your brand and give your customers a better experience. But it’s not always necessary – sometimes a few small tweaks can make a big impact. Before you decide to invest in a redesign, ask yourself these 5 questions:

1. Are you happy with your current website performance?
2. Does it do a good job of representing your brand?
3. Is it as professional as you’d like it to be?
4. Is your current website as good or better than your competitors?
5. Do you feel your current website converts well?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, then it might be time for a website redesign. But if your website is generally doing its job well, you might want to start with some smaller updates and monitor the effectiveness of those changes.

If you’ve made up your mind and know that it’s time to be out with the old and in with the new, then read on to make sure that your next website project is a success (you can also download our comprehensive free guide here: [free guide pop-up]

How to plan properly for your website redesign

Redesigning your website can be a daunting task, especially if your site is mission-critical. But, with proper planning, it can be a smooth and successful process. Here are a few key things to keep in mind when planning your website redesign…

Redesigning your website can be a daunting task, especially if your site is mission-critical. But, with proper planning, it can be a smooth and successful process. Here are a few key things to keep in mind when planning your website redesign:

1 – Set clear goals and objectives.

What do you hope to achieve with the redesign? More sales? More leads? A fresher, more modern look? Be specific and realistic in your goals, and make sure your web designer is on the same page.

2 – Keep the good bits from your existing website

Take time to consider what you like and don’t like, and what’s working and isn’t working on your current site. Make sure that this is clearly communicated with your developer.

3 – Do your research

Take some time to look at other websites in your industry and see what you like and don’t like. Talk to your customers and find out what they think of your current website. This will help you and your designer ensure that your new website really hits the mark.

4 – Make a plan.

Once you know what you want to achieve with the redesign and have some ideas of what you’d like it to look like, it’s time to start putting together a plan. This is where the importance of selecting the right web designer or development team really pays off.

That plan MUST include search engine optimization!

To ensure that all your current pages are moved or recreated correctly (and you don’t screw up your website SEO) you’ll need a well-constructed and comprehensive sitemap that covers your entire website and includes an internal linking strategy (internal links can be used to share important pages with your visitors but also to let search engines know about your most valuable pages). You’ll also need wireframes for the new website so that you can see how everything will fit into place. This foundation will give you a roadmap for the entire project, prevent scope creep (project delays due to unexpected additional work) and help ensure that everyone remains on the same page.

5 – Prepare for launch.

Once your designer or developer has done their job and your new website has been designed and built, it’s important to put some thought into how you’ll launch it. Will you do a soft launch with just a few changes, or go all out with a complete rebranding and advertising campaign? How will you promote the new website? Having a solid plan for launch will help ensure that your website redesign is not only successful but also maximise exposure and make the most of your amazing new asset.

What questions should you be asking your website developer/designer?

There are a few key questions you should ask your chosen website developer or designer before they get started. redesigning a website can be a big undertaking and it’s not a job that’s well-suited to all design companies. There are additional steps to take and factors to consider when replacing an existing website (as opposed to starting from scratch), so it’s important to make sure that you’re working with the right team to get the job done. Here are some key questions to ask your website developer or designer before beginning a website redesign:

– What experience do you have with website redesigns?

– What does your website redesign process look like?

– Who will be responsible for managing the redesign project?

– What platforms and technologies will you be using?

– Will it still use the same content management system?

– How long do you anticipate the project taking?

– What is the total redesign cost for your project?

– Have you worked on similar website redesign projects in the past? If so, can you give me some examples?

– How will you ensure that the website is responsive and looks great on mobile devices?

– What kind of testing and QA will be done before launch?

– How will you handle website hosting and domain management?

Asking these questions upfront will help to ensure that you’re on the same page as your development team and that everyone is clear about the scope and objectives of your website redesign project. With clear communication and a shared vision, your website redesign is far more likely to succeed.

What the website redesign process looks like

As we’ve discussed, When you redesign a website, it’s an opportunity to take a step back and evaluate your website as a whole. The goal is to identify areas that are not performing well on your own website and to come up with a plan to improve the website’s overall performance. Web design companies will have their own methods for handling redesigns and we can’t possibly cover them all. So, it’s probably best to share how we feel the redesign process should be managed.

Interactive Onboarding = Good User Experience (UX)

For us, the first step in the redesign plan is a discovery session (the same as with brand-new sites). This is an opportunity for you to share your website goals with us and for us to learn more about your business and your target customers. We will also take a look at your Google Analytics data (or your chosen analytics provider) to get an understanding of your website visitors, user behaviour (how they are currently interacting with your site) and your website’s performance in general. We’ll discuss any critical landing pages with you, Based on this information, we’ll create a website redesign plan.

This plan will begin with a comprehensive sitemap that outlines the structure of your new website. Once the sitemap is approved, we will move on to creating prototypes for your new website design. Once the design is finalized, we will launch your new website and begin tracking its performance.

Launching your new website

When launching your website redesign, one of the most important things to consider is how you’ll promote the new site. After all, this is the perfect opportunity to consider a marketing strategy and increase exposure. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to spread the word about your redesigned website.

One option is to leverage your existing social media accounts. If you have a strong presence on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, make sure to let your followers know about the upcoming changes. You can also use paid social media advertising to reach a wider audience. Another option is to reach out to influencers in your industry and ask them to mention the new website on their own channels.

Of course, promotion doesn’t have to be limited to online channels. If you have a brick-and-mortar business, make sure to let your customers know that you have a new website. You can do this by including information in print materials such as flyers and brochures, or by prominently displaying signage in your store or office. And don’t forget about good old-fashioned word of mouth! Encourage your employees and customers to tell their friends and family about the website redesign or relaunch.

With a little bit of planning, you can ensure that your redesigned website gets the attention it deserves. By utilizing a mix of online and offline promotion strategies, you can reach a wide audience and increase traffic to your site.

Maintaining your website post-redesign

Once your website has been redesigned, it’s important to take some steps to ensure that everything continues to run smoothly. First, take some time to familiarize yourself with the new design and layout. This will help you to spot any potential problems or areas that need improvement. Additionally, be sure to test all of the site’s features and functionality to ensure that they are working correctly (or have your design and development team do this for you). 

If you didn’t have one before, now is the time to have a plan in place for technical maintenance. Either invest in a website care plan or make a list of regular maintenance tasks and assign those responsibilities to a specific person/team. If your website software isn’t regularly maintained and updated then you risk impacting how your site will perform and even potential security breaches.

Finally, keep an eye on your website’s traffic and performance stats to identify any areas where further optimization is needed. By taking these steps, you can help to ensure that your website continues to run smoothly and efficiently post-redesign.

As you can see, website redesigns can be tricky, but if you follow these tips then you’ll have the best chance of a successful website re-launch. First, make sure that you take the time to plan and prepare properly before starting the redesign process. This includes gathering all of the necessary information up-front and creating a detailed sitemap. Second, ensure that your website design is user-friendly and easy to navigate. And finally, use a mix of online and offline promotion strategies to reach as many people as possible. By following these guidelines, you’ll set yourself up for website redesign success!

The importance of a good homepage

A homepage is often the first thing that a potential customer will see when they visit a website, so it is crucial to make sure that it is designed in an engaging and effective way. In this respect, it has many similarities (and sometimes serves as) a landing page. A true landing page will have some key differences but that’s a story for another time.

All good web designers will tell you that the homepage should be designed with the target audience and user journey in mind, and should be easy to navigate in order to encourage visitors to explore the rest of the site. Conversion is also an important consideration – the homepage should entice users to take action, whether that means making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter or filling out a contact form. By taking the time to create a well-designed homepage, businesses can ensure that their website makes a positive first impression and delivers results.

What should be on a website homepage?

A website homepage is like the virtual front door to your business. It should be inviting and give visitors a clear idea of what they can expect to find inside. Here are some essential design elements that every homepage should have: 

A clear headline that tells visitors what your website is all about. Think of it as the equivalent of a storefront sign.

A tagline or slogan that concisely sums up your brand identity.

An engaging hero image that visually communicates your value proposition. Avoid using stock photos; instead, use high-quality images that reflect your unique brand.

A brief overview of what your website offers, along with a call to action (CTA) that encourages visitors to take the next step. Your CTA could be something as simple as “Learn More” or “Sign Up Now” but this does need to be backed up with a compelling value proposition.

Clear navigation that allows visitors to easily find their way around your site. Use drop-down menus, breadcrumbs, and other navigational elements to help people move seamlessly from one page to another.

Social proof in the form of customer testimonials, reviews, and logos from well-known brands you’ve worked with. This helps to build trust and credibility with potential customers.

Contact information so that visitors can get in touch with you if they have any questions or need more information. Include your phone number, email address, and social media links on every page of your site, not just the homepage.

A well-designed homepage sets the tone for the rest of your website and can make a lasting impression on visitors. By including these essential homepage elements, you can create a strong foundation for your online presence.

Creating A Positive and friendly user experience

Creating a positive and friendly user experience on your homepage can be achieved by following some simple design principles. It helps if you have a professional web designer on board with this, but even if you don’t, bear the following in mind to ensure that your homepage is engaging, positive, and creates and enjoyable user experience.

The first thing to consider is the overall layout of the page. The content should be easy to read and understand, and the navigation should be intuitive and straightforward. Well-designed web page navigation will guide your visitor on a journey and never leave them guessing where to go next.

It’s also important to choose color schemes and images that create a sense of warmth and welcome. What that means will vary wildly depending on your brand style and how you want your visitors to feel.

Finally (and arguably the most important), what do you want your visitors to do when they arrive at your website? In other words what is your CTA (call to action)?

The Importance Of 3-click navigation

The average attention span of internet users is shorter than that of a goldfish. That’s right, you heard correctly. A recent study showed that the average person only spends 8 seconds reading an article before moving on. This means that it is essential for websites to have a clear and concise navigation system so that users can find what they’re looking for quickly and easily. Otherwise, they’re likely to click away and never come back.

We’ve mentioned navigation a couple of times but just how do you know if your navigation is any good?

One navigation system that has been proven to be effective is known as “3-click navigation.” This simply means that a user should be able to find what they’re looking for within 3 clicks of the mouse. Any more than that and they’re likely to get frustrated and give up. While this may sound like a tall order, it is actually surprisingly easy to achieve if you take the time to plan your site’s navigation carefully.

So, if you want to keep your website users happy (and keep them coming back), make sure your site has a clear and easy-to-use navigation system. Your visitors will thank you for it!

Tips for creating an effective call to action

An effective call to action (CTA) is essential for any marketing campaign and this includes your website. A CTA is a message that encourages your audience to take a specific action, such as visiting your website, signing up for a free trial, or making a purchase. When crafting your CTA, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make it clear and concise. Your audience should know exactly what you want them to do. Second, use strong language that compels your audience to take action. Words like “now,” “instant,” and “free” can be effective in driving conversions. Additionally, you may be able to boost conversions if your CTA has a personal approach.

For example, instead of a button that says “Download our free guide” you want to say “Yes – Send me my free guide“. This suggests that what you’re offering is specifically for your visitor.

Finally, (and perhaps most importantly) your CTA must have a compelling value proposition. If your website visitors don’t have a real reason to click, then they’re unlikely to do so. If you’re struggling with this, consider a few key benefits that your product(s) or service offers.

Of course, what you say and how “salesy” you are will depend completely on your product/service and what you want your visitors to do but regardless of what you write, the principles remain the same.

What about CTA Colour?

Colour can be used to make your CTAs pop and help them stand out from the rest of your content. 

One way to make sure your CTAs stand out is to use colours that contrast with the rest of your website’s colours. For example, if your website has a lot of white space, you can use a bright CTA button to really make it stand out. 

You could take this a step further and use colour psychology to influence the way people respond to your CTAs. For example, studies have shown that people tend to associate the colour blue with trustworthiness, so using a blue CTA button may help increase conversions.

CTA Positioning

Finally, make sure your CTA is visible and easy to find. Don’t bury it at the bottom of your page or hide it behind a form. In most cases, your core CTA should be ‘above the fold’ (the top of the page that users see straight away before scrolling) and repeated throughout your entire homepage at key sections. Also, whilst it’s important to have core goals and direct visitors on clear user journey that doesn’t mean that you can’t employ secondary calls to action where appropriate. For example, here at WDM on our own website homepage we have our primary and secondary calls to action. Our primary call to action is their to navigate visitors towards our ‘project application’ page), but we also have a secondary call to action which is designed to compel visitors to visit our most important web pages like marketing services or web design.

Examples of great homepage design examples

As we’ve discussed, A great homepage is essential for any website that wants to build a following and convert visitors into clients/customers/subscribers or followers. Not only does it need to be visually appealing, but it also needs to be easy to navigate and packed with the information that users are looking for. Writing about how this is achieved is one thing, but visual aids are important so let’s look at some of the best homepage design examples.

Whilst there are a huge number of amazing homepage designs out there, one quick way to find some of the best design inspiration is to follow the money! Taking inspiration and knowledge from companies that have spent millions on ensuring they have an amazing website is usually a safe way of knowing that your source is credible.

Apple Homepage

The Apple.com website homepage is iconic and arguably, one of the most brilliant homepages on the internet. When you visit the site, you are greeted with a simple, clean design that is easy to navigate. But what makes it so special? Let’s take a closer look at some of the elements that make the apple.com homepage such a great design.

One of the first things you notice about the Apple homepage is how simple it is. There are no flashy banner ads or complex graphics; instead, there is a focus on clean lines and white space. This simplicity makes it easy for visitors to find what they are looking for on the site.

Another design element that makes the Apple homepage such a great design is its consistency. When you visit different pages on the site, you will notice that the overall design aesthetic remains the same. This consistency makes it easy to navigate from one page to another without feeling disoriented or lost.

Simply put, It’s clean and uncluttered, with plenty of white space, dark space and a focus on high-quality visuals. There are also clear call-to-actions, (that are repeated and therefore familiar across their range of products) inviting users to learn more about (or purchase) the latest Apple products.

AirBNB Homepage

Our next awesome homepage design example is completely different but perfect for its target audience. We’re looking at Airbnb.com. AirBNB have such a huge amount of products (property rentals) on offer that they need a way to share it without confusing or annoying their visitors. They have a well designed page with very clear navigation bar with icons that support the filters they represent. They also show the core information of each listing without the user having to click. This includes photo, location, price, dates and star rating.

Amazon Homepage

Finally, when exploring homepage examples we couldn’t really ignore Amazon.com. Amazon is one of the world’s largest online retailers, so it’s no surprise that its homepage is jam-packed with information. Despite this, it’s still a great example. It’s easy to navigate, with clear links to the different sections of the site. And, of course, there are plenty of product recommendations, making it easy for users to find what they’re looking for.

Need some help with designing the perfect homepage for your own website (or perhaps an entire website) for your business? Click below to tell us about your project.

First things to look for in all professional web designers

When you start researching local web designers you’ll probably find there are far more web designers near you than you realised and it can be difficult to know where to start. It’s a good idea to set some basic criteria to help you weed out any non-contenders.

Keep reading for a sneaky trick that you can use to check the quality of their work (even if you know nothing about websites)!

Here are 3 important criteria to set when picking a shortlist of potential website designers:

Does the designer have experience with projects like yours?

All good web designers should have a portfolio to showcase their work. Many will only select a handful of projects to display on their site, but there should be enough to help you get an idea of their style and what kind of work they’re capable of.

Additionally, you should be looking at more than just the visual side of things. It’s great to see a portfolio of beautiful websites but it’s even better if you know that those sites are built to achieve the goals of the client. Does their portfolio offer case studies to show that they knew what the client needed and met those needs accordingly?

Do they use the latest web design technologies?

The best web designers should be up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies. This ensures that your website will be built using best practices and will be able to take advantage of new features as they become available.

Remember that sneaky trick we mentioned?

If you want to check the quality of the work aside from the actual design, one very important factor is speed. Website speed is important for a number of reasons (check this link for more info). It’s also something that’s not easy to achieve and difficult to fake. If your designer’s own website scores well on page-speed tests then that’s a good indicator that they’re using the latest technologies, best practices, and know how to build a high-quality site ( not just one that looks good). Of course, this isn’t the only important factor but it is a really good indicator of quality.

If this sounds complicated then don’t worry. You can check this yourself in 1 minute or less. Here’s how…

All you need to do is copy their website address from your browser’s address bar…

And paste it into Google’s free Page speed testing tool.

If the scores are showing green (90+) for mobile and desktop that’s a great sign that the website developers have worked hard to ensure the site is well-built and loads efficiently.

You could also check the speeds of sites in their portfolio but remember, the client (website owner) could have made changes or failed to maintain it correctly so this may be a little unfair.

Are they communicative and responsive?

There’s nothing that can derail a project quicker and sour working relationships more than poor communication.

Great communication is especially important when working with someone on something as important as your website. After all, it could directly impact the success of your entire project.

• How does your chosen design company like to communicate?
• Is it just email (if so, what’s their response time)?
• Do they prefer you to pick up the phone?
• Do you have to meet in person?
• Can you have Zoom calls to discuss your project visually?
• Last of all – Do they have a way for you to approve work or request changes easily (without having to spend ages explaining)? It can be tough to describe what your talking about when you have no visual reference. See if your chosen local designer uses tools like Markup (or similar) to enable this.

This really is important! Make sure you understand the designer’s communication preferences and are comfortable with them before moving forward.

Do they have good reviews?

Ask around or check online to see what others have said about working with the designer. Look for red flags like missed deadlines or unresponsive customer service. By setting these criteria, you’ll be better equipped to pick a local website designer that’s the right fit for your project.

And of course, read reviews from past clients. to make sure they have excellent customer service and a track record of delivering high-quality websites.

What About Price?

Pricing in the website industry varies wildly. We’ve written numerous articles that cover this such as this one here: Web design cost UK. In short, this is not about getting the cheapest website you can. It should be about investing in something that brings a return on investment. However, we all have a budget to work with. If you’re looking to invest £3-£5k and your local designer is offering to build your site for £250 then you’re probably not aligned on expected outcomes. Similarly, if you have £500 to invest and their pricing starts at £2000 then you may need to look for a more affordable web designer.

What questions should THEY ASK YOU in your first meeting?

When meeting with a potential website designer, you should be prepared to answer a few key questions. First, the designer will need to know your budget. This can be awkward but it’s best, to be honest and open about how much you’re looking to invest. This will help them determine what kind of site they can create for you and what features may need to be scaled back or eliminated entirely.

Next, they’ll want to know what type of site you’re looking for. Are you interested in a simple landing page, or do you need a complex e-commerce site? They may ask you “why?” a number of times to drill down to precisely what your web design project will entail.

Once they have a general idea of your needs, they’ll want to know more about your target audience. Who are you trying to reach with your website? What kind of tone and style would appeal to them? Do you need assistance setting up some customer avatars?

Will you be providing the images and copy for your website? Do you need to hire a copywriter? Do they need to source suitable stock images for you?

They should also give you the opportunity to discuss your goals and objectives for the website. Take some time with this. It’s critical to be clear about your goal. You won’t be able to measure and improve without it. It’s all right to want “sales” to go up, but if you want “conversions” to rise by 20% within six months, you have a S.M.A.RT goal (Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound). This will help to ensure that the final design meets your needs and is specifically designed to fulfil your specific goals.

By asking these questions, the designer will be able to get a better sense of what you’re looking for and whether they’re the right fit for your project. Believe it or not, A good designer won’t always want your business. Get ready for a blatant bit of self-promotion here:

At Suffolk Web Design And Marketing we only work with clients that we’re confident we can really help. That’s why we’ve never had a bad review and work with most of our clients on a long-term basis.

By asking these questions, you can gain a better understanding of what you want from your new website and make sure that it is designed to meet your specific needs.

You’ve received your website proposal – Now what?

After you’ve received your web design proposal, it’s important to take some time to review it carefully. Your proposal should provide a detailed overview of the designer’s plan for your website, including the features they intend to include, their proposed timeline, and their costs.

Your proposal should begin with a summary of the project, followed by a detailed explanation of the proposed solution. It should also outline the project timeline and milestones, as well as the fees for the designer’s services.

Finally, it should include all relevant terms and conditions which set out the obligations from both sides. This may sound a little scary but they are designed to protect you as a client and your chosen website developer. Make sure that you understand all of the terms and conditions before accepting. If you have any questions, just ask your web designer for clarification.

Once you’re happy with the proposal, you can sign it and return it to your web designer (with any upfront payment if required). This will give them the green light to begin work on your project. If you’ve chosen well and everything goes according to plan, you’ll have a beautiful new website in the time stated and one that helps you achieve your goals and objectives!

How to work with your web designer

Set clear expectations from the beginning. 

If you’re not technically minded that’s ok. But, be careful to make sure that there isn’t a misunderstanding because of this.

An example of this might be…

You say that you’re looking for a very simple website. In your web designer’s mind that means something quite specific. But if that “simple” design actually requires 3-4 hours (or even 3-4 days) of custom development then you’re both setting yourself up to fail.

Be clear and specific about the functionality you have in mind, and also be open to feedback from your designer so you know if it’s possible within the scope of your project. Your designer may have a simpler, cheaper, and better solution.

Timing and Budget

Web designers are often very busy people, working on multiple projects at any one time. As such, it is important to be respectful of their time and to communicate in an organised and efficient manner. If you need to contact a web designer, try to do so during scheduled meetings or calls, as unplanned communication can slow down the design process. Similarly, if you are due to provide any files, images or content, stick to the agreed deadlines where possible. If you cannot meet a deadline, give as much notice as possible so that the web designer can make alternative arrangements. By respecting the time of web designers, you can help to ensure that your project runs smoothly and efficiently.

Help Your Website Designer Avoid Scope Creep

Make sure you’ve covered all your requirements (where possible) during your initial meeting(s). This will help to ensure that the proposal you receive is accurate and that the final cost reflects the work that’s agreed upon. Of course, it’s quite common for there to be some changes once the project gets underway – new ideas can come up, or the design brief may need to adjust slightly. However, if these changes are significant, it’s important to remember that they can affect both the timeline and the cost of the project. This is known as scope creep, and it can easily ruin a great website. The best way to avoid this problem is to be firm with your goals and timeline, and agree on any additional work that needs to be done as part of a “Phase 2” project. This will help to keep the project on track and prevent any unexpected costs from creeping in.

Final thoughts

Local web designers can be a great asset when it comes to creating a new website. By finding a web design company with local designers, you will not only be helping to support your local economy but you’ll also be getting a website that meets all your needs and, in many cases, a great long-term contact will be an asset to your business.

As with any important project, be clear and specific about your requirements, and make sure you understand the designer’s proposal before signing anything. Respect the designer’s time and be efficient in your communication. Finally, avoid scope creep by agreeing that any unforeseen work is planned in after launch.

Last of all. Know that things change over time. Your local web designer will know your site inside out. As your business evolves, use them to ensure that your website evolves with it and remains a vital tool for your business. Aside from website design services they may also offer digital marketing, website care and maintenance, or Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) services. Even if they don’t, they probably have very good contacts who do!

In this guide, we’ll look at what SHOULD go into designing and developing a website, which pitfalls to avoid, and of course how much it’s likely to cost.

What factors go into website design costs in the UK?

How much does a website cost in the UK? web design prices vary depending on a number of factors, including web designer experience, the size and scope of the project, custom development requirements, and more. For example, eCommerce web design will generally cost more than a brochure website.

Website Discovery Session

The first step in web design is the discovery phase, where the web designer gets to know the client and their business. A good web designer will never skip this section. Without it, they would be designing blind and have no understanding of your goals and vision. They should ask you lots of questions about what you’re trying to achieve and why. They’ll want to know about your target audience and perhaps create customer avatars if you don’t have them already.

Visual Sitemap

Once they have all the information they need from your website discovery session, they will likely want to create a visual sitemap. This is a simple but vital document that will guide the rest of the web design process. It clearly shows the website and page structure, along with content expectations for each page. Here’s an example of a visual sitemap.

Website Prototyping

The next step is prototyping, where the web designer creates a visual mockup of the website. This helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page before moving forward with the design. A website prototype is a tool that will help you see how the website will work. But, importantly, this is not the time to focus on the design. That comes later. The prototype allows you to interact with (the future website) and see how it functions without the distraction of design elements clouding judgement. The prototype should include all the key features and pages that will be on the final website.

The cost of prototyping will depend on the complexity of the website. A simple website may only require a few hours of work, while more complex websites may take several days or even weeks to complete. Once the prototype is approved, the web designer can move on to designing the actual website.

Website Design

Once the prototype is approved, the actual website design can begin. Depending on the complexity of the project, this can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Finally, once everything is approved by the client, the website can be delivered and launched.

All these factors play into how much a website will cost in the UK. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but in 2022 web designers typically charge between £2000 and £6,000 for small business websites that are built from scratch.

Larger businesses or those with more complex requirements may need to budget for custom development work, which can increase web design costs by £5,000 or more. Ultimately, it all depends on the specific needs of your project.

How to budget for your website

In order to budget for your website, you need to consider both your requirements and the return on investment. Will a basic website suffice or do you need a bespoke website with an online store? How much money are you willing to spend on your website? How much do you want to make from your website? These are important questions to answer before you start spending any money. Once you know how much you’re willing to spend, you need to consider what you want your website to achieve. Are you looking to generate leads? Sell products? Build brand awareness? Once you know your goals, you can start to allocate your budget accordingly. For example, if you’re looking to generate leads, you’ll need to invest in SEO services and digital marketing. If you’re looking for sales, then you’ll need to focus on designing a user-friendly eCommerce platform. And if brand awareness is your goal, then social media marketing will be key. By considering the return on investment, you can ensure that you budget for your website effectively and achieve your desired results.

Factors that affect website design cost

The scope, size and complexity of the site are some obvious factors that have an impact on website design costs. Also, you’ll find that costs differ depending on if you choose to hire a freelance web designer or a web design agency. A web design company is likely to cost more than freelance web designers as they will often have staff to pay and higher overheads (but with this should come an expectation of high-quality work and trusted web designers with extensive knowledge). But there are additional factors that you may not have considered. Read more about this here: How much do websites cost in the UK?

Software – Plugins

Software powers all websites. Here at WDM we use the WordPress CMS (Content Management System) for all of our website development which is free. But, WordPress websites use plugins to add whatever functionality is required for each site. Some of these are free but many require either a one-off or monthly/annual payment. Although this may seem frustrating it’s actually not a bad thing. If a software developer charges ongoing fees for a licence, then they generally keep it properly updated and provide support. Free plugins (especially smaller unknown ones) are often abandoned as they generate no revenue for the developer.

Content

You should take some time to consider whether you want to provide your own content or pay a professional to create it for you. It’s great to have a stunning website with fantastic images, but if the content doesn’t engage your visitors, your website will fail. If it’s within your budget and copywriting isn’t within your skillset then it’s worth getting your website copy professionally written.

Ongoing Care and Website Maintenance

This one is often forgotten. Just like your phone, your website runs on software which is constantly updated. Because of this, in addition to upfront costs, there will be ongoing fees that you may not have considered. If you don’t look after your website and keep it up to date with proper care and maintenance it could end up costing you in the long run. Poorly maintained sites run the risk of speed reduction, bugs and errors, poor user experience, and (worst of all) website security issues. This could lead to your website being easily hacked or, in a worst-case scenario, compromise user data and leave your customers vulnerable!

There’s also web hosting to consider. You may find a hosting service that charges £5 per month but have you stopped to consider why it’s so cheap? A Good quality web hosting provider could help you save money in the long run. Fast and reliable service is extremely important. Expect to pay around £400-500 per year for good quality hosting for most small business websites.

TIP: Find a web design agency that offers good hosting as part of an overall “pay monthly” care plan. They can usually offer better deals than you’d get direct as they buy web server space in bulk. You’ll also benefit by having all the technicalities managed for you so you can focus on your business, instead of having to run your own site.

Marketing

Remember the old saying “Build it and they will come”? Well, you can forget it!

If you’re serious about using your website to grow your business then you need to invest in marketing. Paid advertising such as Google or Facebook Ads is an obvious solution to quick traffic.

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is another option. Many people think that SEO is about optimising your website then waiting for results. If only it were that easy. A good SEO strategy relies on regularly updated website content (such as a blog) and a strategy to show Google and other search engines that your website deserves to be above your competitors. This is a huge topic and you can find numerous SEO articles here.

Website Design Tips For Small Businesses

For small businesses, having a well-designed website is critical to success. Not only does it give potential customers a way to learn about your products and services, but it also allows you to build credibility and expertise. To help you get started, here are four essential tips for small business website design:

1. Keep it simple

When it comes to website design, less is often more. Avoid clutter and confusing navigational elements, and focus on creating a clean and straightforward user experience.

2. Use high-quality visuals

First impressions matter, so make sure your website includes high-quality images and videos. These days, there are plenty of free stock photo websites that offer professional-grade visuals.

3. Make it mobile-friendly

With more people than ever using smartphones and tablets to browse the web, it’s important to design your website with mobile devices in mind. This means ensuring that your content is easy to read and navigate on smaller screens.

4. Work with a professional

Designing a high-quality website takes time, effort and experience — things that most small businesses don’t have a lot of. If you want to ensure that your website actually works as a tool to grow your business (as oppose to just an online business card/brochure), then working with a professional web designer or developer will greatly improve your chances of success. The only time you shouldn’t hire a professional is if you’re on an extremely tight budget. In this case, save your budget for marketing and use a self-build options (i.e a website builder like SquareSpace or Wix) until you can afford to upgrade.

How to get started with your website today!

If you’re still reading this then you’re probably considering commissioning a website, congratulations! A website is an excellent way to increase your visibility online, reach a wider audience, and achieve your business goals. But where do you start? First of all it’s important to know what you’re getting into and to be prepared. This will help ensure your project runs smoothly and become the success you’re hoping for.

Define your goals

What do you want your website to achieve? Without a clear goal, it will be difficult to measure success. Be specific and realistic in your targets, and make sure they are achievable within a reasonable timeframe.

Consider your budget

A website is an investment, and like any investment, it requires a certain amount of resources to produce results. Make sure you have a realistic budget for your project, as this will ensure that you can hire the right team and give them the time and resources they need to create a successful website.

Devote Time

Your developer may be doing the work but it requires input from you (or a dedicated team member) too. Somebody needs to be available to respond to requests for information, feedback, or any agreed deliverables in a timely manner. This is the number one reason that projects get delayed.

Make it happen

If you’re ready to get started and would like to tell us about your project then we’d love to hear from you. Just click here to get started.

The process of building a website can vary significantly in terms of time and complexity. For a basic website built using a pre-designed template, it may only take a few days to put together the content and design. However, for an eCommerce website or more complex and custom websites, the development process can take weeks or even months. A significant factor in the time required to build a website also depends on the tools and methods used. For example, if you use a site builder, the process will be much quicker than if you hard-code the site from scratch. In general, though, most people can expect to spend at least a few days building a templated website, or 4-6 weeks for a bespoke website build.

2. Does it matter which website builder is used?

There are a lot of website builders out there, and it can be difficult to choose the right one. However, it’s important to remember that not all website builders are created equal and many are intended for different audiences. Some website builders are better suited for certain types of websites than others. For example, if you’re looking to build a simple website yourself and have little to no budget, a platform like Squarespace might be a good option. However, if you’re looking to build a more complex website or one that’s professionally designed to engage and convert its visitors then, you’ll need to use either a content management system like WordPress or, if it’s for larger businesses with special requirements (and a budget to match) then you might require a hand-coded website. Most businesses we speak to fit within that middle category so that’s where we’ll focus our efforts for this article. While there are a lot of website builders to choose from, it’s important to select the right one for your needs. WordPress is the most popular CMS (content management system) and powers over 30% of the internet!

But did you know there is a choice of website builders even within WordPress? These are known as page builders. Some popular page builders that work on the WordPress platform include Elementor, Beaver Builder and Divi. In recent years WordPress has begun to adapt and mimic the functionality that these page builders provide with a built-in editor known as Gutenburg with the ‘Blocks’ system. It’s currently lagging behind in features but (being native) does have some advantages. Here at WDM we tend to favour the Elementor page builder as it allows us to create pixel-perfect designs with complete flexibility while also ensuring that website loading speeds are seriously fast.

3. How much time should be allocated for planning, designing and developing a custom website

Whether it’s a brand new site or a website redesign, the building process of a simple website includes five main stages: the Discovery phase, planning, design, development, and testing. Depending on the size and complexity of the site, each stage can take anywhere from a few hours to several weeks. For a small basic website with only a handful of pages, the entire process can be completed in as little as two weeks. However, for an eCommerce website or a larger site with dozens or even hundreds of pages, it could take six to eight weeks (sometimes even longer) to complete. In general, the more time that is allocated for planning and designing, the smoother the development process will be. By taking the time to carefully map out the structure and design of the site upfront, potential problems can be identified and addressed before they cause delays later on. As a result, allotting two to four weeks for planning and design is typically sufficient for most custom-built websites.

If there are any problems with the website during the build, this can add extra time to the project’s scope so it’s important that your website/project manager takes steps with you to avoid ‘scope creep’.

4. How much time should be allocated for content creation

Although the design of your website is important, the content is what will really engage your audience and encourage them to come back for more. For that reason, it’s important to allocate enough time for content creation when building a website. Depending on the size and scope of your website, you may need to create all the content yourself or commission someone to do it for you. Either way, it’s worth taking the time to plan out your content in advance. Consider all the pages that will need to be created. This includes not only the main landing page but also any subpages that will be needed. In addition, consideration should be given to search engine optimisation (SEO). This is the process of making sure that the website appears as high as possible in search engine results. While SEO can be time-consuming, it is essential for getting websites seen by potential customers. As a result, content creation should be given a significant amount of time when planning for a new website. By investing in quality content, you can ensure that your website will be a success.

5. What are some common issues that can delay the website development process

Any website development project is subject to a number of potential delays. One common issue is scope creep, which occurs when the original scope of the project is expanded without a corresponding increase in budget or timeline. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as new requirements being added mid-project, or existing features taking longer to implement than originally anticipated. The simplest way to avoid scope creep is to ensure that the project is well-defined from the outset and additional requirements are saved for a “phase 2” and dealt with once the site is launched and running as expected.

Other common issues include web development problems such as delays with arranging web hosting, sorting domain servers, and general delays in communication. Even small delays here can lead to missed deadlines and getting a website up and running. However, with a bit of planning and forethought, these issues can be avoided and a website can be developed without any major delays. In fact, you can download a free guide here that will ensure you’re project is on time and a complete success.

6. What are some tips for ensuring that your website is high quality

As with any business planning, the web development process should start with an evaluation of the goals and objectives for the site. This is often named the ‘discovery phase‘. Once these have been identified, it is important that your web developer (or web development team) have a clear understanding of the target audience. In fact, we suggest setting up client avatars/personas to ensure that you target the right visitors in the right way. Once you know who you are building the website for, the next stage in web development is building a sitemap. This will help content structure and organisation throughout the site. It also helps a great deal as you’ll know what content needs to be produced for each page. 

All web development should include some basic on-page Search Engine Optimization so that when the site does go live, it has a chance to rank well in search engines. 

A high-quality website should also factor in Page speed as this is important for both users and search engines. Finally, it’s important to run thorough tests on the site to ensure that all links are working, there are no broken pages, and it looks great on all modern devices.

7. How can you make sure your website meets all of your needs

Before you even start thinking about website builders or custom website designs, it’s important to take a step back and assess your needs. The design is only one aspect of your website and believe it or not, whether you like it personally or not is not what’s important. What really matters is that it will appeal to your ideal visitors.

Make sure you’re clear about your goals and objectives for your website. Who is your target audience? What kind of information do you want to include? What tone should the design and content use in order to best engage with your visitors?

Don’t underestimate the discovery phase, make sure that you also consider all possibilities including the functionality of your website. What kind of features do you need? Will this likely change in the future? How will people be able to interact with your website? By taking the time to address these factors early on, you can avoid costly mistakes down the road and ensure that your new website meets all of your needs.

8. What are some things to keep in mind when choosing a web designer

There are a few key things to keep in mind when choosing a web designer. How long does it take to build a website? How much will it cost? What is their process? Are they WordPress experts? How often will you need to communicate? These are all important factors to consider. 

Website development is a complex process that involves many different steps. Many developers start by asking you what styles you like then move straight on to designing the website layout, adding content, etc. A good web developer will start by taking the time to ask questions and fully understand what you’re trying to achieve. They will have a clear understanding of this process and be able to take a website from start to finish. However, not all web developers have a defined process. Some may work on an ad hoc basis, picking and choosing which tasks to complete as they go along. This can often lead to delays and errors, as well as a final product that does not meet the client’s expectations. When choosing a web developer, it is therefore important to ask about their process and make sure that it aligns with your needs. If you are looking for a WordPress website, for example, you will want to make sure that the developer has experience in using this platform. By taking the time to ask questions upfront, you can ensure that your website development project runs smoothly from start to finish. Check out our guide to working with your web developer.

Communication is extremely important. You’ll want to choose a web developer who offers regular check-ins and is available when you need them. That could mean weekly phone calls or video chats. If they only offer email or online messaging, this could be a red-flag. However, this does depend on your preference and needs. 

Last of all (and this may sound obvious) reviews matter! Take a look at some of their reviews. Are they generally positive? If there are any negative reviews do they seem justified? Is there a common complaint? Most businesses pick up a negative review from time to time but if the overall perception isn’t good, you should probably look elsewhere.

Building a website can take time and it’s important to make sure you’re working with a developer who understands your needs and has a defined process. By asking the right questions and considering all of your options, you can ensure that your website is everything you hoped for.