Web design and development in Manchester, England

WordPress is an option when your team needs control over editing. A custom Next.js build suits a business that wants fast pages, tight security and a design without template limits, and is happy for a developer to handle structural changes. Both choices need a clear plan for who will update the site after launch. Think about the work your team expects to do, from changing page copy to adding new sections.

A hosted builder such as Wix, Squarespace or Webflow suits a small site that an owner wants to run alone. You give up some control over code and speed, and moving away later can mean rebuilding the site. Before choosing, consider how much control you want over the site itself as well as its content, and how you expect it to change.

We recommend WordPress or a custom build after learning how your team works. Bring the people who will manage the site into that conversation: their editing needs are a useful guide to the platform decision.

For a UK limited company, we set up space on the website for its registered number, registered office address, place of registration and limited-company status. Have those details ready for the build so they can be included in the site content.

Agree an accessibility target in the brief. UK service providers must make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, so we use the agreed target to guide page design and review. WCAG provides A, AA and AAA levels, and the W3C encourages use of its latest version.

Where cookies are used solely for statistics or to adapt the site's appearance to user preferences, UK rules allow them without consent if users receive clear information and an easy way to object. We set up that information and objection route where relevant.

Gather what you have and note what still needs work; these materials help us plan the pages and handover.

• Your logo in SVG, AI or EPS format, plus brand colours and fonts, or a note that they still need creating.
• A ranked list of the services or products you want to feature.
• Sites you like and dislike, with a short reason for each choice.
• Account details for the domain, hosting, email, analytics and Search Console, or the name of whoever holds them.
• Real photos of your team, premises and finished work; book a photo shoot ahead if you need one.
• Case studies, permitted client logos, testimonials, certifications and memberships in one folder.

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  Leaving content until the end

  Use real headings and paragraphs in the designs, as their length can change how a finished layout works.

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  Choosing a platform too early

  First decide who will update the site and how often, then use those needs to guide the choice.

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  Letting someone else register your domain or hosting

  Hold the accounts in your business name and grant access to the people doing the work.

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  Reviewing only on a large screen

  Check every page on a phone before approving the design.