How to Choose the Best Web Designer

Web design costs in Swindon vary based on complexity. Simple brochure sites typically range from £500-£2,000. Small business websites (3-5 pages) cost between £1,500-£3,000. E-commerce sites start at £3,000 and can exceed £15,000 for advanced features. Factors affecting cost include custom design vs templates, number of pages, functionality requirements, content creation, and ongoing maintenance. Always request detailed quotes from multiple agencies and compare value, not just price.

Timeline depends on project complexity. Simple 1-5 page websites typically take 2-4 weeks from brief to launch. Small business sites with custom design require 4-8 weeks. E-commerce websites generally need 8-16 weeks for development, testing, and integration. Complex projects with custom functionality can extend to 3-6 months. Delays often occur due to late content delivery, feedback rounds, or scope changes. Clear communication and prompt feedback can significantly reduce timeline.

Local Swindon agencies offer several advantages: face-to-face meetings for better communication, understanding of the local market and customer base, same timezone availability, easier relationship building, and support for the local economy. However, remote designers might offer lower costs or specialized expertise. For most small-to-medium Swindon businesses, local agencies provide better value through personal service and market knowledge. Our directory features vetted local agencies within 70 miles of Swindon.

When reviewing portfolios, check for: diverse projects showing versatility; recent work (within 2 years) demonstrating current skills; responsive designs that work on all devices; fast-loading websites (test with PageSpeed Insights); good UI/UX with intuitive navigation; projects similar to your industry; visible SEO implementation; and modern design trends. Don't just look at aesthetics—test functionality, check mobile experience, and review the actual live websites, not just screenshots.

Yes, absolutely. Basic on-page SEO should be standard in 2025, including proper heading structure, meta tags, alt text for images, fast loading speeds, mobile optimisation, SSL certificate, and XML sitemap. Most agencies include basic SEO in their packages. However, ongoing SEO (content creation, link building, keyword research) is typically an additional £300-£1,500/month. Without SEO, your beautiful website won't be found on Google. Insist on at least basic SEO implementation from day one.

WordPress is a popular CMS (Content Management System) that powers 43% of all websites. Benefits include: lower cost (£1,000-£5,000), faster development (2-8 weeks), easy content updates, extensive plugin ecosystem, and community support. Custom development (£5,000-£50,000+) offers: complete flexibility, unique features, optimised performance, enhanced security, and no plugin dependencies. For most small businesses, WordPress provides excellent value. Custom development suits unique requirements or enterprise-scale applications.

Regular maintenance is essential for security and performance. Monthly tasks include: software updates (WordPress, plugins, themes), security scans for malware and vulnerabilities, backup verification, broken link checks, and performance monitoring. Quarterly tasks: content reviews, SEO updates, competitor analysis, and functionality testing. Annual tasks: complete security audits, redesign evaluation, hosting review, and analytics analysis. Professional maintenance costs £50-£200/month. Neglecting maintenance risks security breaches, slow performance, and poor search rankings.

Consider a redesign if: your site is over 3 years old and looks dated; it's not mobile-friendly (59% of traffic is mobile); loading time exceeds 3 seconds; bounce rate is above 70%; conversion rates are declining; competitors have better websites; you're getting negative user feedback; or technology is outdated (no HTTPS, poor accessibility). A modern redesign typically costs £2,000-£10,000 and can significantly improve lead generation and customer perception. Our directory agencies offer free audits.

Essential questions include: Can I see examples of similar projects? What's your design and development process? What's included in your quoted price? Who will own the website and code? What's the typical timeline and payment structure? Do you offer ongoing support and maintenance? How do you handle revisions and feedback? What happens if I'm not satisfied? What platforms and technologies do you use? Do you offer SEO and digital marketing services? Can you provide client references? These questions reveal professionalism, transparency, and compatibility.

Both have merits. Freelancers (£30-£60/hour) offer: lower costs, direct communication, flexible availability, and personal attention. Best for simple sites and tight budgets. Agencies (£80-£150/hour) provide: team expertise, established processes, backup resources, comprehensive services, and reliability. Best for complex sites and ongoing needs. Hybrid studios (2-5 people, £50-£100/hour) offer balanced pricing with multiple skillsets. Consider your budget, timeline, project complexity, and ongoing support needs when deciding.

Yes, with a CMS like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace. These platforms offer intuitive editors for updating text, images, blog posts, and basic layout changes without coding knowledge. Most agencies provide training sessions (1-2 hours) covering content updates, adding pages, managing media, and basic SEO. For complex changes (redesigns, new features, integrations), you'll still need developer assistance. Choose a platform based on your technical comfort level and update frequency. DIY updates save £50-£100/hour in maintenance costs.

Warning signs include: no portfolio or vague examples; unclear pricing or pay-later schemes; pressure to decide immediately; refusing to share client references; poor initial communication; template-only offerings (unless requested); no contract or unclear terms; guaranteed #1 Google rankings (impossible to guarantee); unwillingness to transfer ownership; no maintenance plan options; outdated personal website; and unrealistic timelines. Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is. Choose transparency and professionalism over lowest price.

Critically important. Mobile devices account for 59% of web traffic and Google uses mobile-first indexing for rankings. Mobile optimisation requirements include: responsive design adapting to all screen sizes; touch-friendly buttons (minimum 44x44px); fast loading on mobile networks (under 3 seconds); simplified navigation for small screens; readable text without zooming (minimum 16px); optimised images for mobile bandwidth; and accessible forms with appropriate input types. Non-mobile-friendly websites frustrate 73% of users and rank lower in search results. Mobile optimisation is no longer optional—it's essential for business success.