What to Expect

About Me

I'm a qualified Wix Webmaster, I also have some teacher training and have been an amateur IT troubleshooter and trainer in every job I've ever had. I've run an online jewellery shop since 2009 and know the ins and outs of selling on the internet.

I think a website should be as usable as possible for the visitor and for the business running it.

These days it's fairly easy to build your own website using any of the clever site building apps available. However not everyone has the time or the inclination to figure out how to use the software, how to adhere to best practices and online protocol, or to learn of the many extra features available through plug-ins.

Many people find it hard to know where to start or how to convey their business authentically and effectively in a website. I help you work out how to do that.

Sarah McDougall

Using The Software

I use Wix to build websites for small businesses that they can manage by themselves. It's easy to teach and learn, it's intuitive to use, it's smartphone and tablet friendly, and they have a good support centre.

If you're familiar with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Powerpoint, you should have no problem learning how to update text and photographs.

If you're not used to working with these kinds of applications you may struggle with updating it yourself, in which case I could build a static site for you that doesn't need much attention, like a brochure on the internet. Or maybe you have a computer-savvy friend, and I could train them instead.

Using the Wix Content Management System

Your Costs

There are annual running costs for a website and charges that you may not have considered, so here are some examples below.

Wix 'Combo' - about £90 per year +

Wix will host your site built with their software for free, but I recommend this hosting package. It removes their advertisements and you can connect your site to your own domain name.

Online Shop - from £150 - £250+ per year

If you want an online shop the cost will depend on which platform is best for your business (e.g. Wix or Shopify). There are often additional costs, including a percentage of sales going through the site and payment processing costs.

Domain name - from about £10 per year ++

Apps - from about £30 per year ++ (each)

Apps/plug-ins add cool functions to your website. Some are free, some you have to pay for.

Email - about £65 per year

If you want a new email address connected to your domain e.g. me@mydomain.com.

And if you'd like me to build it for you...

Me - from £1,200 one off cost.

To build a simple site and train you to update the content. More for more complex projects.

Florence Basilica - by Patrick Mills

A scene from 'Mowgli' - by Hamlet Productions

Your Time

In truth, you will have to do a lot of the work. A website's main strength is its content which you'll need to provide. We can work on design together and though I can advise on it, all the text copy and the photographs, the logo, all the material that you want on your site must come from you and be owned by you.

Thereafter, keeping your website fresh and relevant, using social media and publicising your site will also be up to you. An out of date website really doesn't look good, so if you don't have much time to invest in it, consider having a more static website where you need to make only occasional changes.

My Time

Following an initial free meeting to assess whether I'm the right person to build your website, I charge on a project basis.

My quote will include: a second briefing meeting where we can confirm designs and structure and agree delivery dates for our respective tasks; building your website with discussion back and forth on email and further meetings if necessary; connecting your website to your domain name; setting up SEO and Google Analytics (so you can see visitor statistics); adding social media settings; site testing, and a face-to-face lesson on how to update the site yourself.

Should you need me after this I charge £60 an hour, and I'll keep adding to the resources page on this site with helpful tips.

Kensington Gardeners' Club

SEO and Appearing in Google

For your website to be found in Google and other search engines it usually needs to do more than just exist. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the art of trying to make your site rank higher in the Google results page than your competitors when people who don't know about you search for your services.

I can set up basic SEO for you, but to achieve good rankings you would need to put time and energy into keeping your content fresh and making your presence known in cyberspace, also using social media to promote your business and website. There's a good overview here.

SEO