for your micro business.
Striking website design
You need a new website.
You don’t need a web design agency.
We make standout, affordable websites for small businesses, startups and owner-operators.
Choose from no-strings sites in Squarespace or Wix, site rebuilds, or completely bespoke website designs.
Mega website design for micro businesses
Small businesses need a strong online presence now more than ever. And it all starts with a smarter website.
Fact: 2018 research by the ONS shows that less than half (45%) of micro-businesses in the UK use a website. That’s compared to 84% of companies with 10 or more employees. Talk about opportunity.
The good news is that the gap between professional and amateur website builders is closing all the time. The dark arts of website design are coming out into the light – what was once a secret society of plaid shirts and unfathomable code is now more accessible than ever.
And the days of forking out £1,000s to a web design agency for the privilege are over. Or so they should be.
At the head of the race are DIY website builders like Wix and Squarespace. Both offer an exciting mix of high-end design and relative ease of use. Plus they come with an array of built-in business tools – like online selling/booking – that can really set your micro business out, while keeping costs to a minimum.
From stunning homepages right down to the choice of font, we’ll fast-track a standout website for your small business.
Why we're different – our small business focus
No time for website design? Just another thing on the to-do list?
We recognise that, as a small business owner, you might not have the time, confidence or headspace to DIY a best-in-class website. You’re too busy doing your thing. Keeping your customers happy. Talking to suppliers. Stock checks. Tax returns.
Days are short, hours are long. The dreaded ‘marketing’ keeps getting pushed to the bottom of your to-do list. We get it.
That’s why we’ve come up with a different approach to website development, one that’s specifically geared to small business.
First, choose your platform.
Option 1: Wix / Squarespace
For a simple low-cost website, we’ll design and build a stellar site for you in either Squarespace or Wix, depending on which platform suits your business best.
Thinking about Squarespace for your small business website? All Maker’s Name clients get a 20% discount on their Squarespace subscription, guaranteed. Get in touch to get started.
Option 2: Bespoke
For more complex sites, we custom-build websites in our all-in-one design platform. We can also call on a hotshot team of illustrators and graphic designers to make sure your site really pops.
We won’t just tweak a template design. You’ll get a standout website that’s as unique as your small business.
It’s more affordable than you’d think, too.
Option 3: WordPress rebuild
Already using WordPress for your website? We know how unwieldy things can get as your business grows. (Not to mention those costly agency bills.)
Let us streamline your WordPress setup, and get your site fixed up and looking sharp.
Not sure where to start? Never fear. We’ll work with you to determine the platform that’s the best fit for your business.
Then choose your package.
Option 1: Do It With Me
We’ll build or upgrade your website in your choice of platform, then arm you with all the tools you need to manage your site solo.
Advantages:
Save on costs – Once your site is built, you’ll pay the provider (e.g. Wix) direct for your monthly subscription. No contracts, no tie-ins. (We can advise on site hosting and domains, too.)
Take control – Own your business? Own your website as well. Thanks to our one-to-one workshops, you’ll learn how to manage the website yourself and avoid unnecessary agency charges.
Option 2: Do It For Me
Leave the heavy lifting to us. We’ll build/upgrade your site, then manage it for you for one monthly fee.
Advantages:
Peace of mind – Take the digital marketing off your to-do list so you can focus on your own day-to-day. We’ll take care of it.
Expert support – Get the right help with your website whenever you need, without having to commit to a long-term contract.
The blueprint for a brilliant small business website
An excellent website isn’t just a bolt-on to your business anymore. It’s as important as a physical shop window – if not more so considering its reach, whether that’s locally, nationally or globally.
We support small business owners by providing:
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Insightful website audits to highlight areas where you can improve, and practical action plans to make it happen
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New website designs, built from scratch in your chosen platform
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Website upgrades, rebuilds and expansions to improve design, functionality and user experience
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Content rewrites and refreshers to propel your website up the Google search rankings
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Custom-built elements like illustration and graphic design to grab your customers’ attention
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Empowering one-to-one workshops to help you manage your website more effectively
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Clear reports using Google Analytics, Console and Data Studio that prove your website is moving in the right direction.
Sound about right for your small business?
Why web design matters to small business success
Website design is equal parts exact science and creative art-form. That’s why we love it.
A great website blends well-oiled cogs with a deftness of touch that you almost wouldn’t notice if it wasn’t so elegant.
By contrast, a split second lost to a poor-performing site can be the difference between a customer choosing your business and taking their cash elsewhere.
Fact: It takes just 0.05 seconds for a user to decide whether they like your website (and therefore your business) or not. That’s some ruthless judgement.
Just starting out with a small business website? We’ll get you up and running in a matter of days. None of those cookie-cutter carbon-copy templates, either.
Existing site in need of an upgrade? We’ll cast an expert eye over what’s working and what’s not, and boost your offer to customers wherever they may be.
We sweat the small stuff. Whatever your choice of platform, our approach to website design boils down to 3 things:
Compelling content
Visitors find you online, like what they see, and take action (place an order, make a booking, get in touch, etc.)
Fact: According to research at Stanford University, 75% of consumers say they judge a business’s credibility by the quality of its website design. If your site isn’t up to scratch, you’re losing 3 out of every 4 new visitors.
Clean user experience
Visitors can move smoothly around your site and quickly find what they’re looking for, whether it’s on a mobile, tablet or desktop
Fact: In 2020, for the first time ever, more than half of all retail sales online will have come from a mobile device. If your website doesn’t look good on mobile, you’re missing out big time.
Clear communication
We’ll agree a simple day-rate with you in advance, keep you in the loop, and avoid any web design jargon along the way.
Ready to get started?
Smarter website design for small business
– real-world examples
It’s sad times when we hear about small business owners handing over their hard-earned to digital marketing agencies with no proof of a return on their investment.
Too much agency smoke, too many agency mirrors.
We work differently. Small business owners need (and deserve) transparency. That’s why our clients receive dedicated reports that show how their websites are performing against the targets that matter most to them.
Here are some real-life examples from client websites once they’ve been given the Maker’s Name treatment.
Since our Squarespace build for bridal retailer Alexandra Anne:
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Visitor numbers have grown by 46% year-on-year.
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The site currently averages over 1,800 visitors every month.
That’s a lot of traffic for one Derbyshire micro business.
After our WordPress rebuild of the Buxton Osteopathy website in 2020, compared to the previous month:
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Pageviews for the site increased by 166%.
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Bounce rate fell significantly, from 80% to 27%.
That’s some instant impact, and some happier visitors.
Jargon-buster:
Pageviews – the total number of a website’s pages viewed by visitors. The more pageviews, the more interest people are showing in the site’s content, and the easier it is to navigate.
Bounce rate – the proportion of people who left a website after only looking at one page. The lower the bounce rate, the more engaging the site and the more appealing its content.
Want results like these for your small business?