The basics explained
Plain-English explanations of the terms you meet when commissioning a website, so you know what you are paying for.
Domain
Your website address, e.g. yourcompany.com. Paid yearly and owned by you, and I always register it in your name.
Hosting
The server space your site runs on. It drives speed and availability. I run sites on my own monitored server.
SSL / HTTPS
The certificate that encrypts the connection. Without it browsers show a “not secure” warning and Google penalises you. Included.
Responsive design
The site adapting to phone, tablet and desktop. Over half of visits now come from a phone.
SEO
Search engine optimisation, so people find you on Google. Driven by structure, speed and content.
CMS / admin
The interface where you edit texts and images yourself, without a developer.
UX and UI
UX is usability, meaning how easily visitors find what they need. UI is the look. A good site needs both.
Conversion
The moment a visitor does what you want. Sends an enquiry, calls, buys. That is the real measure of success.
Analytics
Measuring traffic and behaviour on your site. It shows what works and what needs improving.
Source code
The site's engine. I write it to measure, so it isn't slowed down by template bloat and can be extended freely.
Frequently asked
How long does a website take?+
A simpler presentation is usually done in two to three weeks, a larger business site in roughly four to eight weeks. I confirm the date after the consultation.
Will I be able to manage it myself?+
Yes. Plans with content management include an admin interface and I will train you to change texts and images.
What if I already have a website?+
I can take it over, speed it up and improve it, or build a new one and migrate the content. I look at it first and tell you what makes sense.
Who owns the domain and data?+
You do, always. I register the domain in your name and hand over your data at any time.
What happens after launch?+
I keep watch. Backups, updates and uptime monitoring. I know about an outage before you do.
How does payment work?+
Typically a deposit at the start and the balance after launch. Larger projects can be split into stages.
Need a website or an app?
Tell me about your project. I usually reply within 24 hours, and I give you honest advice even if you do not end up hiring me.