A new website is a big spend for a small business. A good one brings in work for years. A bad one looks lovely in the meeting and then sits there doing nothing. I’ve rebuilt plenty of the second kind. These are the questions I’d ask any web designer before handing over a deposit, me included.
Will the website be built with SEO in mind?
It should be, and you should ask exactly how. A pretty site that Google can’t make sense of won’t bring in enquiries. Ask how they handle page titles, headings, speed, mobile and a separate page for each service. If they look blank or say “we can add SEO later”, keep looking. Adding it later always costs more.
What happens to my Google rankings if I’m replacing a site?
This one catches out loads of people. If old pages disappear without redirects, you can lose rankings you’ve built over years, sometimes overnight. Ask how they’ll map old pages to new ones and set up redirects. I’ve written a full website redesign SEO checklist for exactly this.
Who owns the website and the domain?
You should. The domain name should be registered to you, and you should be able to take the site files with you if you ever leave. Some designers build on systems only they can access, or rent you the site monthly. That’s fine if you know about it upfront. It’s a nasty surprise if you don’t.
Can I update it myself?
Changing a price or adding a photo shouldn’t need a developer and an invoice. Ask what it’s built on. WordPress is popular for a reason. Plenty of people can work on it, so you’re never stuck with one person.
How fast will it load on a phone?
Most local searches happen on phones, often on mobile data. A slow site loses people before they’ve seen anything. Ask to see a site they’ve built and load it on your own phone, off Wi-Fi. More on this in why a slow mobile site costs you customers.
How will it turn visitors into enquiries?
A website’s job is to make the phone ring. Ask where the phone number will sit, how the contact form works, whether there’s a WhatsApp button and how quickly someone can get in touch from any page. If the answer is “there’s a contact page”, that’s not enough. I go into this in how to turn website visitors into enquiries.
What’s included after launch?
Websites need looking after. Updates, backups, security and the odd fix. Ask whether that’s included, extra, or left to you. A site that never gets updated is a site waiting to break.
Can I see examples and talk to clients?
Look at sites they’ve built for businesses like yours. Then ask the question most people forget. Do those sites actually bring those businesses work?
What will it cost in total?
Get the full picture. Build, hosting, domain, maintenance, and any paid plugins or themes. A cheap build with expensive extras can end up costing more than a sensible all-in price.
Who will actually build and look after it?
Ask who you’ll be dealing with once the deposit is paid. With some agencies, the person who sells you the site is never seen again, and the build goes to a junior or gets sent overseas. That’s not always a problem, but you should know. When something needs changing in six months, you want to know who to ring and how quickly they’ll answer.
With me, you deal with me. I build sites with my small in-house team here in Liverpool, I write the words with you, and I look after the site afterwards if you want me to. Hosting is on Hostinger’s dedicated UK servers with hourly backups, and clients get a live reporting portal so they can see how the site is performing. More on how I work on my about page and my website hosting page.
Thinking about a new website?
Fill in the form and I’ll look at your current site first. I’ll tell you honestly whether it needs replacing or whether fixing it would do the job for less.
Ongoing SEO and website care is £125 a week, about £18 a day, on a 30 day rolling basis.
Free website check
Checked by me, not a tool.
Rather message? WhatsApp 07463 631121 or call 0151 402 0925.
Questions people ask me
Do you build websites?
Yes, with SEO built in from day one. See website development.
Will a new website improve my rankings?
It can, if it’s faster and better structured. Done carelessly, it can make them worse.
Should I use WordPress?
For most local businesses, yes. It’s flexible and plenty of people can work on it.
How long does a new website take?
It depends on size, but a typical local business site is a few weeks, not months.
Do I need to write the content?
Not with me. I’ll write it and ask you for the details only you know.
Can you fix my current site instead of rebuilding?
Often, yes. I’ll tell you straight which makes more sense. See SEO fixes.
Will I lose my email if I change website?
Not if it’s handled. Email and website can be kept separate.
Do you look after websites after launch?
Yes. See website management.
Is hosting included?
Hosting is an optional extra, from £15 a month, or from £20 for larger ecommerce sites.
Keep reading
If you’re replacing a site, the website redesign SEO checklist will protect your rankings. Why your website must work on a phone explains what most of your visitors will see, and how to choose the right SEO company covers the other half of the job.
Hi, I’m PeteNeed a site that brings in work?
I build and look after websites for local businesses, with SEO built in from the start. Send me your current site and tell me what you’re after.
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