Website Guide
Not sure what you need? We'll help you understand your options, avoid costly mistakes, and choose the right solution for your business.
"Free" Websites Aren't Free
Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy - they all promise "free" or cheap websites. But here's what they don't tell you upfront.
The Math Doesn't Lie
A "cheap" £20/month website builder costs you £1,200 over 5 years - and you still don't own anything. Our custom websites start at £499 and are yours forever.
AI-Made Websites: What You Need to Know
"Build a website in 60 seconds with AI!" Sounds amazing, right? Here's the reality.
What Are AI Website Builders?
Tools like Wix ADI, Hostinger AI, Framer AI, 10Web, Durable and others promise to create a complete website just by answering a few questions. They use AI to generate designs, write content, and build pages automatically.
While the technology is impressive, there's a big difference between "a website" and "a website that actually works for your business".
The Risks of AI-Generated Websites
Generic, Template Look
AI uses the same patterns repeatedly. Your site will look like thousands of others. No unique brand identity.
Can't Fix What's Broken
When something goes wrong (and it will), you can't fix it yourself. You don't understand the code AI wrote.
AI Content = SEO Problems
Google is getting better at detecting AI content. Generic AI text won't rank well and may even hurt your SEO.
Security Concerns
AI-generated code often has vulnerabilities. These tools prioritise speed over security best practices.
Messy, Bloated Code
AI writes inefficient code. Your site loads slowly, hurting user experience and Google rankings.
Limited Customisation
Want something specific? AI can't do it. You're stuck with what it generates or basic tweaks.
No Real Support
When you need help, there's no developer who understands your site. Just generic chatbot support.
Still Costs Money
AI builders aren't free. You'll pay monthly fees AND still end up with a mediocre website.
AI Website vs Professional Website
When "Cheap" Becomes Expensive
This actually happened to one of our clients before they came to us:
They used Lovable (an AI website builder) and charged the client for a "custom" website.
The "developer" didn't know about security. Payment API credentials were visible to anyone who looked at the source code.
They used the payment API to generate massive fraudulent charges on the client's account.
Thousands in fraudulent charges. The "cheap" website ended up costing far more than a proper one ever would.
Before hiring anyone, ask:
- How do you handle API keys and sensitive data?
- What security measures do you implement?
- Can you show me the actual code you write?
- What happens if something goes wrong?
If they can't answer confidently, or they're just using AI tools without understanding the output - run.
The Bottom Line
AI website builders are fine for personal hobby projects where quality doesn't matter. But if you're running a real business and want customers to take you seriously, trust you with their money, and find you on Google - you need a proper website built by someone who knows what they're doing.
Would you trust a business that looks like it was made in 5 minutes? Neither would your customers.
When Builders Might Work
We're honest - sometimes a builder is fine. Here's when:
Testing an Idea
You're not sure if your business will work and just need something quick to test the waters.
Personal Blog/Hobby
It's not a business - just a personal project where professionalism doesn't matter.
Very Short Term
You only need a site for a few months - like a one-time event or temporary project.
But if you're serious about your business - if you want customers to trust you, find you on Google, and see you as professional - a custom website pays for itself.
What Do You Actually Need?
Answer these questions to find out.
What's your main goal?
Do you need users to log in or have accounts?
Will you take payments online?
How many pages do you need?
Still not sure? Just ask us! We'll give you honest advice - even if it means telling you a builder is fine for now.
Get Free AdviceWhat We Build
A quick overview of our services and who they're for.
Simple Website
Professional online presence for small businesses, tradespeople, and startups.
- 1-5 pages
- Mobile responsive
- Contact form
- SEO basics
- Fast loading
Complex Website
Feature-rich websites for growing businesses that need more functionality.
- 5-15+ pages
- Advanced animations
- Blog/news section
- Booking systems
- Simple payments
Web Application
Custom software with complex functionality - like a product, not just a website.
- User accounts
- Dashboards
- Database driven
- Payment processing
- Custom features
Python Automation
Custom scripts and bots to automate repetitive tasks and gather data.
- Web scrapers
- Data collection
- Task automation
- Report generation
- API integrations
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't waste money on these.
Paying for features you don't need
Agencies love to upsell. You probably don't need a £10,000 website when £1,500 does the job. We'll tell you honestly.
Choosing based on price alone
The cheapest option often costs more long-term. A £200 site that doesn't convert customers costs you thousands in lost business.
Not owning your website
If you can't take your site files and move elsewhere, you don't own it. Always get full ownership.
Ignoring mobile users
60%+ of visitors are on phones. A site that looks bad on mobile loses you customers daily.
Thinking a website is "set and forget"
Websites need occasional updates for security and content. Budget for maintenance or learn the basics.
Not having a clear goal
What should visitors DO on your site? Call you? Buy? Book? Without a clear goal, even a beautiful site fails.
SEO, Google Ranking & Ads
Many clients expect to be #1 on Google the day their website launches. Here's the reality.
The Hard Truth About SEO
A new website will NOT rank on page 1 immediately. Google needs time to find, crawl, and trust your site. This typically takes 3-6 months minimum for new domains, and even longer for competitive keywords.
Organic SEO (Free Traffic)
3-12 months to see resultsPros
- Free once you rank
- Long-term sustainable traffic
- Builds trust & credibility
- Compounds over time
Cons
- Takes months to see results
- Requires ongoing content
- No guarantees
- Competition can be fierce
Google Ads (Paid Traffic)
Instant resultsPros
- Instant visibility
- Target specific keywords
- Control your budget
- Measurable results
Cons
- Costs money per click
- Stops when you stop paying
- Can get expensive fast
- Some people skip ads
What We Do vs What You Need To Do
What We Do (Included)
- Fast-loading, optimised website
- Mobile-responsive design
- Proper HTML structure for SEO
- Meta titles & descriptions
- Google Search Console setup
- Sitemap submission
- Image optimisation
- SSL certificate (HTTPS)
What You Need To Do
- Create quality content regularly
- Get backlinks from other sites
- Keep information up to date
- Get Google reviews
- Set up Google Business Profile
- Share on social media
- Consider Google Ads for instant traffic
- Be patient - SEO takes time
Beware of "Guaranteed #1 Rankings"
Anyone promising guaranteed first page rankings is lying. Google's algorithm is secret and changes constantly. No one can guarantee rankings. Run from these "SEO experts".
Cheap "SEO Packages" Are Often Scams
£50/month SEO packages usually do nothing or use spammy tactics that can get your site penalised by Google. Real SEO work costs more and takes time.
Realistic SEO Timeline
Our Recommendation
For immediate results: Start with Google Ads to get traffic while your organic SEO builds up. Even £5-10/day can bring in customers while you wait for organic rankings.
For long-term success: Focus on creating helpful content, getting genuine reviews, and building your local presence. This compounds over time and becomes free traffic.
Ready to Get Started?
Now you know what you need. Let's build it together. Get a free, no-obligation quote - we'll be honest about what you actually need.