Small business website FAQ

We begin with a short conversation about your customers, current process and the result you want. We then scope the work and quote for it.

Usually your goals, services, service area, brand assets, existing logins and a person who can approve content. We will confirm the exact list for your project.

It depends on the amount of content, integrations, approvals and testing. Ask for a written plan with milestones before work starts.

No. You should understand the choices and own the important accounts, but you do not need to write code or manage a server.

Scope, design, content, booking rules, integrations, testing and ongoing support affect the quote. We quote after a short call; we do not publish an unconfirmed price list.

Deposit and payment stages should be stated in the written proposal. Confirm them before accepting; we do not assume a standard deposit here.

There may be hosting, domain, email, messaging, payment or support costs in addition to a one-off build. Ask which are third-party charges and which are agency fees.

Ask for the contract exit terms, an export of content and data, and a clear account handover plan before you sign. Your actual rights depend on the agreement.

The domain registrant should be your business or a person you authorise. Check the registrar account and renewal access rather than relying on a verbal promise.

Your contract should specify ownership of original work, licences for third-party assets and what files you receive at handover.

You should control access to your customer records and know which providers process them. Agree export, deletion and responsibilities in writing.

A portable domain, documented access and exportable content make a move easier. Ask about any platform, licence or notice-period limits before work starts.

A live business site should use HTTPS with a valid certificate. Confirm who renews and monitors the certificate.

Ask what is backed up, how often, where copies are held and how a restore is tested. A backup plan should include any booking or customer data, not just page files.

For software-based sites, agree who applies security and plugin updates. Static pages have fewer moving parts but hosting and integrations still need attention.

Ask for the support route, response expectations, monitoring and what happens outside agreed hours. Do not assume round-the-clock cover unless it is in the contract.

Yes, if your availability and booking rules can be represented clearly. Start with the steps a customer already takes and decide which need human approval.

A deposit may reduce wasted slots, but it adds payment and refund administration. Make the amount, timing and cancellation terms clear before payment.

You can offer both if your process supports it. Card payments need a payment provider; cash bookings need a way to mark payment and manage no-shows.

Stripe is a third-party payment provider. Ask who owns the Stripe account, what fees apply and how refunds and disputes will be handled.

Publish a clear cancellation and refund policy, confirm it before booking, send reminders and give staff a consistent way to apply it. Check that the terms fit consumer law.

It means making your website and business details clear to nearby customers and search engines. It includes useful service pages, accurate contact details and a maintained Google Business Profile.

If your business is eligible, claim and verify the profile you control. Keep your category, hours, services and contact details accurate.

Ask real customers for an honest review after the service, using your Google review link. Do not offer rewards or screen out unhappy customers.

Search changes can take weeks or months to be reflected. Outcomes depend on competition, location, site quality and other factors; rankings are not guaranteed.

Ads can be useful when you know which enquiries are valuable and can respond promptly. Set a budget, track enquiries and compare the cost with actual work won.

Yes. Use a domain you control and set up mailboxes for the roles that need them. Confirm who manages renewals and access.

They can help where appointments are easy to forget. Keep the message short, relevant and timed so it helps rather than interrupts.

You can, if customers expect it and your team can respond consistently. Separate service messages from marketing and check consent and platform rules.

Number portability depends on your current provider and the new service. Check eligibility and a cutover plan before cancelling an existing line.

Usually yes: explain what you collect, why, how long you keep it and who receives it. Put the notice where people submit their details.

That depends on the cookies and similar technologies in use. Non-essential cookies normally need consent; audit the actual site before deciding.

A UK limited company website should show its registered number, registered office, place of registration and full company name. Check current GOV.UK guidance.

No. This is general information, not legal advice. Check current ICO and GOV.UK guidance and seek professional advice for your circumstances.