So, you’re thinking about a new website?
Great — you’ve got options. Whether you’re starting from scratch or want to give your current site a much-needed refresh, we’re here to help you figure out what’s right for you.
Here are a few things we’ve learned working with clients over the years:
1. Know what you want (or at least what you don’t)
The best websites start with a clear idea of what they need to do. Before diving in, spend some time looking around — especially at websites in your industry or niche. Take notes on design and features you like (and don’t), how fast they load, how they look on your phone, and what’s actually useful.
Clients who do this homework tend to end up with better results — and often save time and money in the process.
2. Understand what a CMS is (and why you probably want one)
CMS stands for Content Management System — basically, the backend that lets you update your site without needing to touch any code.
If you’re curious, Google “Compare open source content management systems” and skim through the search results. For most people, an open-source CMS is the way to go — it’s flexible, scalable, and cost-effective. That brings us to the question… which one should you go with?
3. WordPress vs… everything else
We’re big fans of WordPress — and we’re not alone. It powers over 43% of the web and is far more popular than Joomla, Drupal or other platforms.
Why? It’s free, widely supported, easy to use, and packed with plugins that let you add functionality without reinventing the wheel. Best of all, there are loads of WordPress developers out there, so you’re never locked into a single provider.
(Though, of course, we hope you stick with us.)
4. Design, features & budget: finding your balance
Not every website needs to cost five figures. Let us know your budget early on — we can usually find a smart mix of solutions to suit it.
Free templates or custom ones? Existing logos or new branding? DIY content or copywriter? Professional photography or stock shots? There are plenty of ways to scale things up or down based on what matters most to you. We can help you understand your options.
We’ve built beautiful, functional websites for as little as $1,500 — and also created large, fully custom builds with original design and complex features. It’s all about what’s right for you.
5. Domains & hosting — quick tips
Pick a domain name that’s easy to remember, reflects your brand, and works for your audience. A .com.au can help with local SEO, while a .com might suit a global reach.
Pro tip: register your domain yourself, in your name. It’s quick, inexpensive (around $20–$40/year), and ensures no one else can claim it.
As for hosting: don’t just pick the cheapest plan you see. Choose something that matches your website’s size and traffic, and ideally, pick a host with servers in the same country as your audience (it can help with load speed and search rankings). Good hosting doesn’t have to break the bank — most of our clients pay somewhere between $10 and $50/month. We can advise on our favourite services and help set you up.
Tell us what you want your website to do
That’s really what it comes down to. Let us know what you want to achieve, and we’ll suggest the best design and development options to get you there — with as much (or as little) support as you need.