Frequently Asked Questions
Straightforward Answers to the Questions We Get Asked Most
Got a question about how we work, what’s included, or what a project costs? You’ll find most of the answers below.
If not, get in touch; I’m always happy to help.
FAQs
Common Questions and Answers for You
Here, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most common enquiries we get at SO Web Designs. We aim to provide a clear overview of our services, including web development, SEO, and design. If you’re curious about our approach, pricing, or anything else, we hope this is helpful!
Getting Started
What services do you offer?
We offer WordPress website design, website redesigns, e-commerce and WooCommerce development, search engine optimisation, local SEO and Google Business Profile management, website management, hosting support, and graphic and logo design. Whether you need a full new build, improvements to an existing site, or ongoing support, we cover it all.
Who are your typical customers?
Mostly small to medium-sized businesses, trades, professional services, restaurants, health and beauty, retailers, and local service providers. No project is too small. Many of our clients come to us after being let down by a previous developer, or because they’ve outgrown a template site and need something more professional.
What's the process of working with you from start to finish?
It’s straightforward. We start with a consultation to discuss your goals and requirements. Then we create a bespoke design for your approval, build the site on WordPress, test it across devices, and launch. After launch, we provide training on how to manage it yourself and offer ongoing support through our management packages.
Do you work with businesses outside Hampshire?
Yes. We’re based in Aldershot, and most of our clients are across Hampshire, Surrey, and Berkshire, but we work with businesses anywhere in the UK. Everything is managed over the phone, email, and video calls. We also have specialist services like fishery website design where we work with venues nationally.
Pricing & Payment
How much does a website cost?
Our WordPress websites start from £695 for a professional five-page site. Custom builds start at £1,295, and e-commerce stores on WooCommerce start at £2,995. Every project is quoted individually; you’ll get a clear, itemised quote before any work begins. See our prices page for the full breakdown.
Why are you more affordable than larger agencies?
I work directly with every client, no account managers, no outsourced developers, no layers of agency markup. You’re paying for the person who actually designs and builds your site, not a chain of people between you and the work. Low overheads and efficient processes mean I can offer a competitive price without cutting corners on quality.
Do you offer fixed-price packages or tailored quotes?
What are your payment terms?
We split the cost into two instalments: 50% at the start and the remaining 50% upon completion. For larger projects, we can discuss flexible arrangements to suit your cash flow.
How much do you charge for changes after the site is finished?
Post-launch changes outside of a management package are charged at £100 per hour.
We’ll always confirm the cost before doing any work, so there are no surprises.
Design & Build
How long does a website take to build?
Most projects take between two and four weeks from brief to launch. More complex builds with e-commerce, booking systems, or custom functionality may take four to eight weeks. The main factor that affects timelines is how quickly content (text and images) is provided. We’ll agree a realistic timeline upfront.
Will my website be mobile-friendly?
Every website we build is designed mobile-first and tested across real devices before launch. Over half of all web traffic is mobile, and Google uses mobile performance as a ranking factor, so this isn’t optional.
Can I update the website myself?
Yes. Every site is built on WordPress with Elementor, so you can edit text, swap images, add pages, and post blog updates without any technical knowledge. We provide a training walkthrough at handover.
Do you provide content writing?
We can work either way. If you provide your own text and images, we’ll format and optimise them. If you need copywriting, we can create SEO-friendly content as part of the project, just let us know during the consultation.
Will my website be fast-loading?
Yes. We use image compression, caching, clean code, and optimised hosting to ensure strong page speeds and Core Web Vitals scores. A fast website keeps visitors on the page and helps with Google rankings.
Do you offer website redesigns or just new builds?
Both. If your current site is outdated or underperforming, our redesign service can modernise it while preserving your existing domain and SEO equity. If you’re starting from scratch, we’ll build a custom site tailored to your business.
Can you build e-commerce websites?
Yes. We build online shops using WooCommerce, with product setup, payment gateway integration (Stripe, PayPal, Klarna), shipping configuration, and SEO-optimised product pages all included.
Do you place a credit link on my website?
Yes, as standard, we include a small SO Web Designs credit link in the footer of each site. This helps us keep our prices competitive. If you’d prefer to remove it, we can do so for a one-off fee of £150.
SEO & Marketing
Is SEO included with my website?
Basic on-page SEO is included in every build: optimised titles, meta descriptions, heading structure, clean URLs, image alt text, page speed, and mobile performance. For ongoing SEO, keyword research, content strategy, link building, and monthly reporting, we offer separate SEO packages starting at £199/month.
Do you help with Google Business Profile?
Yes. We can set up or optimise your Google Business Profile to help you appear in local map results. This is included in our local SEO packages and is particularly valuable for trades, restaurants, salons, and any business that relies on local customers.
Can you set up Google Analytics and tracking?
Yes. We install Google Analytics and Search Console as part of every build so you can monitor traffic, visitor behaviour, and site performance from day one. We can also set up tracking for ad campaigns if needed.
Ongoing Support
Do you offer ongoing website maintenance?
Yes. Our website management packages cover WordPress updates, plugin maintenance, daily backups, security monitoring, uptime checks, and a monthly content change allowance. Everything runs on a rolling monthly basis with no long-term contract.
What happens if something breaks on my website?
If you’re on a management plan, we’ll fix it, usually the same day. If you’re not on a plan, we can help on an ad-hoc basis at our standard hourly rate. Either way, we’re a phone call away.
Do you offer website hosting?
We don’t host sites ourselves, but we recommend and set up hosting through SiteGround, a provider we’ve used for years and trust for speed, security, and support. We handle the full technical setup so everything runs smoothly from day one. More about our hosting recommendations.
How many websites have you built?
Let's start your project today!
Let’s take the next step together!
Whether you’re looking to enhance your online presence or need expert advice, we’re here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out and discover how we can support your business goals.
Call us on 01276 501465