GetOnWeb
Almost every small business owner knows someone with a website horror story: the designer who vanished, the site that was never finished, the domain held to ransom. Knowing how to choose a web design company in the UK isn't about finding the cheapest or the flashiest. It's about finding one that will build what you need and still be there when you need a change. Here's how to do it.
Step 1: Know what you need before you ask for quotes
You'll get far more comparable quotes if you can describe what you want. Write down:
- What the website is for - enquiries, bookings, sales, information
- Roughly which pages you need
- Any must-have features (booking, shop, gallery)
- Your budget, upfront and monthly
- Whether you can write the content yourself
Not sure what to include? Our small business website checklist is a good starting point.
Step 2: Look at their work properly
Don't just scroll through a portfolio page. Open a few of the sites they've built - on your phone - and ask:
- Do they load quickly?
- Is it obvious what each business does and how to contact them?
- Do they look different from each other, or all the same template?
- Are they still live and up to date?
If you can, contact one or two of their clients. Most business owners are happy to tell you how it went.
Step 3: Ask the questions that matter
A good web design company will answer these clearly:
- What exactly is included in the price?
- Who writes the content?
- What will it cost each year after launch?
- How are changes handled, and what do they cost?
- Is the domain registered in my name?
- What happens if I want to leave?
We go into each of these in 7 questions to ask before you pay.
Red flags to watch for
Vague quotes
"Website - £1,200" tells you nothing. A proper quote lists what's included, what isn't, and the timeline.
Pressure to sign quickly
"This price is only valid today" is a sales tactic, not a business reason. A good company will give you time to compare.
Long contracts with exit fees
A 24-month contract isn't automatically bad, but combined with exit fees or a domain you don't own, it can trap you.
Promises of guaranteed Google rankings
Nobody can guarantee you a top spot on Google. Anyone who does is either misleading you or talking about paid ads.
No clear way to reach them
If it's hard to get answers before you've paid, it won't get easier afterwards.
Rule of thumb: judge a web design company by how clearly they explain things before you pay. Clear answers now usually mean good support later.
Step 4: Compare on total cost, not headline price
Add up what each option will cost over two or three years, including hosting, domain, maintenance and changes. A cheaper build can easily cost more over time - see the hidden costs of building a website.
Clear price, clear terms
£39.99/mo for design, content writing, hosting, your own domain and monthly updates. No setup fee, no contract.
See what's included →Step 5: Get it in writing
Before you start, make sure you have written confirmation of the price, what's included, the timeline, who owns the domain and content, and how to cancel. An email is fine - it just needs to be clear.
The bottom line
The right web design company for a small business is the one that understands what you need, explains its costs clearly, lets you own your domain and stays around after launch. Take your time, ask the awkward questions, and trust the company that answers them best - not the one with the slickest sales pitch.