Frequently Asked Questions
Honest answers to the questions I get asked most — about cost, process, and working together.
Still deciding if a website's right for you?
Do I really need a website if I'm already on social media?
1
Social media is great, but it only reaches people who already follow you. A website helps you turn up in Google searches too — like "florist in Wimborne" or "wedding cakes Dorset" — so people who've never heard of you yet can still find you.
Is it worth the cost for a small business?
2
It depends on your situation, and I'm always happy to talk it through honestly. For a lot of my clients, even a simple site pays for itself through the extra enquiries it brings in, especially for bigger bookings like weddings or events where people want to see your work first.
What if I can't afford a big website right now?
3
You don't need to start big. Most of my clients begin with a simple site — a few pages, an enquiry form, some photos — and build it out later once they see what it brings in. There are also lower-cost platform options if budget's tight.
I run my business fine on word of mouth — why change that?
4
Word of mouth is brilliant, and a website doesn't replace it — it just adds another way for new people to find you, especially outside your existing circle. I ran my own business on word of mouth alone for years before finally building this site, and it's brought in more enquiries since.
How long does it take to get one up and running?
5
Simple sites can take as little as 10 hours of my time, depending on how much content you've got ready. I'll always give you a realistic estimate before we start.
Getting Started
How do I know if I need a full website or something simpler?
1
It depends on what you need it to do. If you mainly need people to find you, see your work and get in touch, a simple one-page site is often enough. If you need multiple sections, a blog, or room to grow, a fuller multi-page site makes more sense. Happy to talk through what fits your business.
What information do I need to provide before we start?
2
Just what you have — your logo (if you have one), any photos of your work, and a rough idea of what pages you want. If you're missing any of this, don't worry, I can help you pull it together as part of the process.
Is there anything else that helps before we start?
3
It's always handy if you've seen other websites you like the look of, or competitor sites you want to be inspired by (or avoid!) — even just a couple of links gives me a good sense of your taste. It also helps to have a rough idea of what you want the website to actually achieve for you, whether that's more enquiries, showcasing your work, or just looking more professional. Don't worry if you're not sure yet though — we can figure that out together in our initial chat.
Do you offer a free consultation?
4
Yes (30 minutes free) — get in touch and I'll arrange a chat, either by phone, email, or in person if you're local to Dorset.
Pricing & Process
How much does a website cost?
1
I charge £30/hour with no hidden costs. Most simple sites take around 10 hours, though it depends on how much content you already have ready. Hosting and domain costs are separate and paid directly to the platform (Squarespace, for example, is roughly £140/year).
Is pricing hourly or fixed?
2
Hourly, so you only pay for the time your project actually takes — no inflated fixed quotes.
3
What's included in the £30/hr — design only, or copywriting too?
It covers design and build. I can also write your copy for you if needed, which is included in the same hourly rate.
Are hosting and domain costs extra?
4
Yes, these are billed separately by the platform itself (not by me), and I'll always be upfront about what that'll cost before we start.
How long does a typical project take?
5
Simple sites can take as little as 10 hours of my time. Timing also depends on how quickly you can send over content and photos.
Yes, for projects quoted at £500 or under, I ask for a £50 deposit; for projects quoted up to £1000, it's £100. This covers an initial chat (by phone, email, text, or in person if you're local), where I'll get a feel for your business and what you need. From there, I research your current online presence and put together a short report with my recommendations, which I'll send over once the deposit's been received.
6
Do you require a deposit?
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, if a payment plan would help, I offer monthly instalments: up to 3 months for smaller projects, or 6 months for larger ones. Just let me know when we're discussing your project and we can work out what suits your budget.
7
Platforms & Technical
Why do you recommend Squarespace?
1
It's easy for clients to update themselves afterwards, and it's great for showcasing photography and graphics — ideal for most small businesses.
Can you work with WordPress or other platforms?
2
Yes, I also work with WordPress, Wix, HubSpot and IONOS, so if you already have a preference or an existing site, I can work with that too.
Do I need to buy my own domain, or can you help with that?
3
I can help you register one as part of the build — it's usually included in your platform's annual cost.
Will I be able to update the site myself afterwards?
4
Yes, that's one of the main reasons I recommend Squarespace — it's designed to be simple for you to edit yourself once it's live.
Working Together
Do you work with people outside Dorset?
1
Yes - while I'm based in Wimborne and love working with local businesses, I take on clients further afield too. Since most of my work can be done remotely (over Zoom, FaceTime, email, text or phone), location isn't really a barrier.
Can we meet in person, or is it all remote?
2
I'm based in Wimborne and happy to meet in person if you're local, but we don't have to meet at all if that's easier — I can work just as well over Zoom, FaceTime, email, text or phone calls, whatever suits you best.
What if I need changes after the site's live?
3
Small tweaks and updates are no problem — just get in touch and I'll let you know if it's a quick job or something that'll take a bit longer. Anything beyond minor changes is billed at the same £30/hour rate, so you're never paying more than the time it actually takes.
What happens if I'm slow getting content or photos to you?
4
That's absolutely fine, life gets busy! Just bear in mind that if a project goes quiet for a while, I may need to prioritise other clients' deadlines in the meantime and slot yours back in once you're ready to pick it up again — which could mean the original timeline shifts. If there's no contact for more than 60 days, the project may be paused, and picking it back up later might need a fresh quote (any work already done up to that point still stands as billable).
What if I'm not happy with something during the project?
5
Please come to me directly first — I'd always rather sort things out together than have a misunderstanding escalate. If something's not working for you, get in touch by phone, email or text and I'll do my best to put it right. I only ask that any concerns are raised with me before being posted publicly (reviews, social media, etc.), so I have a fair chance to respond and resolve things.
Trust & Experience
How long have you been doing this?
1
I've been doing this kind of work since 2012 — design, websites and marketing, originally as part of my job, and for charities and clubs. Since 2024 I've taken on more clients and grown things further, and now I run Shore Design Dorset full-time as my main business, so you're getting someone with well over a decade of hands-on experience, not someone new to it.
Can I see examples of your work?
2
Yes - take a look at the Work Page for recent projects.
Do you offer ongoing support after launch?
3
Yes - I offer 14 days of free minor fixes after your site goes live, covering things like broken links, typos, or small styling tweaks. If anything from your original quote is still outstanding, we'll agree together what needs finishing and I'll sort it. Beyond the free period, or for anything bigger — new pages, redesigned sections, added functionality — I also offer paid ongoing maintenance if you'd like regular support, which we can talk through whenever suits you.
GET IN TOUCHWhether it's a full website build, branding, print design or ongoing social content, tell me what you're working on and I'll come back with how I can help.
Have a project in mind?
STUDIO Shore Design Dorset, est. 2012
BASED IN Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1WS
PHONE 07793 744068
EMAIL shoredesigndorset@gmail.com
INSTAGRAM @shoredesign_dorsetFACEBOOK @shoredesindorset