Common questions
The things people actually ask.
Mostly before they get in touch, and usually not the questions this trade tends to answer. If yours is not here, ring and ask it.
Working with me
You’re one person. What happens if you’re ill, away, or hit by a bus?
Fair question, and one this trade tends to dodge. Everything of yours exists outside my head. Your domain is in your name. You get your own hosting login that reaches your site directly, and you hold the passwords, so you or anyone you hire can get straight in on your own. There’s a written handover for each site saying where everything is and how it fits together.
How quickly do you reply?
Within one working day, even if it’s only to say I’ve seen it and when I’ll get to it. If something is broken I start that day. Care plan clients get faster: same working day on Standard, same day including out of hours on Priority.
Do you actually meet people?
Mostly phone and email, and that is deliberate: you get an answer the same day rather than waiting for two diaries to line up. I am in Plaistow, so in person is possible when a job genuinely calls for it.
Are you VAT registered?
No. So the prices on this site are what you pay – there’s nothing to add. Most local businesses are not VAT registered either, which makes me about a fifth cheaper than a registered competitor quoting the same number.
Money
Why do you publish your prices when nobody else does?
Because knowing before you get in touch saves us both an awkward phone call. It means fewer enquiries, but the ones that come are from people who already know roughly what things cost. Every price is on the rates page.
Do I have to sign a contract?
No. Monthly things are monthly, and stop at the end of the month you say so. No minimum term, no notice period, no setup fee, and no auto-renewal you have to remember to cancel.
What if the job turns out bigger than quoted?
I tell you before I do the extra work, not after. You get a number and a choice. Every invoice is for something you already agreed to.
Your website
Do I own my website?
Completely. The domain is registered in your name, the files are yours, and if you want to move you take all of it. I’ll help you move rather than make it difficult.
I’ve already got a website. Can you just take it over?
Usually yes, and that’s most of my work. I’ll look at it first and tell you honestly whether it’s worth keeping or whether you’d be spending good money propping up something that needs replacing.
Can I update it myself?
Yes, for the things people want to change: text, photos, prices, opening hours. I set those up to be easy and show you how. Anything structural is usually faster to ask me, which is what the monthly hour is for.
Will I be on the first page of Google?
For your own business name, yes. For competitive searches like "web design London", not for a year or two, and anyone promising otherwise is guessing. What is winnable quickly is the map results: those are driven by your Google listing, how close you are and your reviews, not by how old your website is.