Website Creation & Development

My Standard web design package uses the Wix platform, which is a self-hosted solution, meaning that software upgrades and backups are done by Wix, reducing the maintenance overhead. However, their websites cannot be exported for use on another platform should you ever decide to move away. My Advanced package uses the popular WordPress software, which I host on my own servers, using my chosen leading UK based provider; one of the most secure, reliable and best performing platforms available. WordPress websites are transportable and can be re-installed on other servers, but they carry a higher burden of maintenance. The WordPress CMS, along with the various plugins in use, need regular software updates, mainly for security reasons.

All of the websites I build for clients utilise a Content Management System, which is an online web page editor with a login facility. This can be accessed at any time by my clients for making updates to their content or adding new pages as and when they need them. I can also do this on their behalf, usually within a few days of receiving their updated content.

Yes I do, either on an hourly pay-as-you-go basis or via my web management service, if you want me to take control of things so you can focus on your day to day business needs.

I would usually expect to complete a build for a small website within 4 weeks, but this will depend upon my availability at the time, but also receiving all the necessary page content and images from yourselves. Ecommerce websites, with numerous products, will usually take longer.

Yes, all of the websites I build utilise responsive design templates, which are able to adapt (respond) automatically to the type of browser in use. So whether a visitor turns up to your Home page via a narrow width mobile phone or a wide desktop monitor they will have a good user experience.

Page load time has become a very important factor for website SEO, primarily because of the large numbers of mobile browsers now in use where bandwidth can be an issue. This is why I focus on building websites that don't use unnecessary gimmicks or features and utilise high quality hosting servers. This ensures your web pages will load into the browser in a small time frame and your visitors aren't left waiting. I use various tools to help optimise the websites I build for load time performance.

In short, no I don't, but I do like to be involved in discussion with my clients about what website content should be included, how it will be best organised and therefore what pages are required for their website. Writing your website content is an important part of the overall project and it needs to be engaging and concise. If your budget allows then use a copywriter to produce your final copy. Always be sure to check your grammar, use a spell checker, and ask a few people around you to review it critically. Think also about which images you'd like to use on each page. Only when these steps have been taken is your copy ready to be published. If I'm publishing your content then I will make minor changes after you have submitted it, but significant changes should be avoided.

Yes, every website has to be hosted on a server that is permanently connected to the Internet. High quality web hosting is included for the first year within the package price of both my Standard and Advanced packages.

Yes, but it will need changes making to the settings. Ideally your domain should be transferred to my own platform, which allows me easy access to do this, and your renewals too. Otherwise, you or your current domain registrar will need to make these changes. Your domain name will continue to be registered in your name though.

If you access your email from various devices such as your computer, tablet or smartphone then you may want to use IMAP. If you access your email from a single device then POP3 will probably be more suitable. IMAP allows you to synchronise your email across multiple devices, your email stays on the server, so your emails, and folders, etc. will always have the same status. Your data will also be secure should you lose one or more of your devices. With POP3 your emails are downloaded to your device, so they can still be read when you're offline, but you cannot synchronise across devices. You can still access your POP3 email through a browser, via webmail, if you need occasional remote access. There are pros and cons to using both methods.

Best commercial practice is to use one or more email addresses based on the domain name that you're using for your website. If you can be a bit creative it may help your email address be more memorable, but established favourites such as info@yourdomain.co.uk and sales@yourdomain.co.uk are safe bets. Using email addresses associated with other domains such as Gmail or Hotmail will save you a bit of money, and may be more convenient, but they're seen as less professional by most people.