website design & build.
Your website is often your first impression.
It’s so important to invest in a well designed website that functions well for the end user and is simple for you to use and manage long term.
So often I see web designers and developers only offering one website platform or option. This one-size-fits-all approach is frustrating, as it often results in websites that don’t look good or that don’t function well for the business owner.
I offer you a choice of website platforms, including WordPress, Squarespace, Shopify and WIX. I will educate you on the pros and cons of each option so that you are able to make your own decision and be confident that it's the right one for your business.
a brief introduction to the website platforms I work with.
I work with the 4 major website platforms: Shopify, Squarespace, WordPress, and WIX. Between these, everything is possible! Online stores, online bookings, simple one page scrolling sites, directory websites, online course websites, membership websites, the list goes on… I discuss your needs in our initial consultation, and outline all the options for how we can build your website. In the mean time, here’s a little about each platform:
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With over 6.3 million live websites, Shopify is the leading e-commerce platform. It provides all the ecommerce and point of sale features you need to start, run, and grow your business. In-built marketing and SEO features are a plus.
My recommendation if you are planning to sell products online and/or in store.
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With over 4.3 million live websites, Squarespace is a really easy to use drag and drop platform. It is flexible, and has a lot of in-built features. Owns Acuity, a booking software that integrates seamlessly.
My recommendation if you don’t want website maintenance and don’t mind having some fancier design requests completed using custom CSS.
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With over 36.5 million live websites, WordPress is by far the most popular website platform. It sometimes gets a bad wrap for being difficult to use, but it offers the most flexibility in both design and function.
My recommendation for those who are a little more tech-savvy, and for sites requiring advanced functionality.
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With over 8.6 million live websites, WIX is a very popular drag and drop platform. It offers more design flexibility than Squarespace, as you are not restricted to a template. Lots of in-built features, including online bookings and e-commerce.
My recommendation if you are wanting an all in one platform.
Website stats above are from 2024 from Built With.
website options.
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Service Business
Appointments & Classes
For simple, beautiful serviced based businesses I recommend Squarespace. A website with up to 5 pages starts at $2,800.
For those who want a little more control, I recommend WordPress. A website with up to 5 pages starts at $4,200.
If you need help selecting and setting up a booking platform (including services, auto emails, and payment info), we can do this too for an additional $750.
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Product Business
e-Commerce
The most chosen e-commerce platform I work with is Shopify. It’s purpose-built for selling online, and so easy to manage products and sales. A standard Shopify site (including home, about, contact, shop, up to 10 collections and uploading up to 10 products) starts at $3,200.
I can also add on an e-commerce function (including set up of up to 10 products, auto email templates and integration of payments if required) to a Squarespace or WIX site for $750.
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Education Business
Online Courses
I can help you set up a website specifically for selling courses online, or if you already have a website I can help you add an online course function or platform.
I can also help you with course structure, working out how to market your course, and/or graphic design for the course materials.
Pricing varies for this service. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss your options and pricing.
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Working Sessions
For those keen to DIY
Sometimes business owners are happy to DIY their website but they just aren’t quite sure where to start.
I offer one-off or ongoing working sessions via Teams where you can ask me questions (about tech, strategy, or design), show me what you’re working on, where you’re stuck, or I can show you how to edit and talk you through a basic design process so you can build your own website.
One-off sessions are $120/hr, a pack of 5 hours is $100/hr, 10+ hours is $90/hr.
why choose me?
My number one goal is to provide you with a website that is easy for your customers to understand and navigate, that’s straight forward for you to maintain and update yourself, and that reflects your business’ branding.
So many large website companies will push their preferred platform and only offer one templated solution. They often lock you in to their services and give you limited access, meaning you have to go back to them for simple updates (and pay them more $$$) – yuck!
There is not one website platform that will meet the needs of all businesses, which is why I work with a range of options, including Squarespace, Shopify, WordPress and WIX. I get to know you and your business, talk you through the pros and cons of different platforms, and then give you my recommendation.
My point of difference is strategic, long-term thinking. I won’t just offer you a solution that will serve your needs now, but I’ll ask questions about how your business might evolve, so we can aim to future-proof your website and tech set up.
I have a streamlined process, and keep you updated the whole way through. I also offer online working sessions via Teams as part of my website packages, allowing you to test drive the site, learn how to make changes and updates, and ask any questions you have.
I’d love to chat with you about how I could help you and your business.
