Questions, answered plainly

I design and build affordable websites for sole traders and small businesses around Bath and Bristol. That includes hosting, practical IT help, and Local SEO foundations so customers can find you — not just a pretty site that sits unread.

Sole traders, SMEs, studios, shops, hospitality, trades and service businesses that need a clear online presence at a fair price. If you want a huge agency package, retainers with ten account managers, or a national brand rollout, I’m probably not the right fit.

Bath is home base, and a lot of my work is local. I also work with businesses in Bristol, Keynsham, nearby towns, and further across the South West when it’s a good match. Areas I regularly cover include Bathampton, Batheaston, Combe Down, Lansdown and surrounding villages.

Send a short message via the contact page — what you need, rough budget if you have one, and timeline. We’ll chat, I’ll ask a few practical questions, and you’ll get a clear next step and sense of cost before anything is committed.

No. Many clients know they need a better site (or a first site) but aren’t sure about pages, hosting or SEO. Part of the first conversation is sorting that out in plain English.

Yes. Rebuilds are common — outdated WordPress sites, DIY builders that became messy, or sites that don’t work on mobile. We’ll keep what’s useful (content, branding, domain) and replace what isn’t.

Yes. A first website is often the right moment to get structure, hosting and local search basics right from day one, instead of bolting them on later.

Three stages: 1) Chat — needs, budget and timeline. 2) Build — establish design and purpose, then build and launch. 3) Look after it — hosting, updates and IT help when you need them.

You deal with me. No outsourcing to anonymous freelancers overseas, no account manager relay. That keeps cost down and communication clear.

You’ll need to share what the business does, who it’s for, and content (or rough notes) for key pages. I handle design, build, technical setup and launch. You’re not expected to learn code or manage hosting panels.

We agree the purpose and direction early, then refine with focused feedback rounds. Unlimited endless redesign isn’t realistic on a fair budget — clear goals up front keep the project moving and the cost honest.

Usually: business name and what you offer, who your customers are, any existing domain or hosting, logo/brand colours if you have them, text or bullet points for main pages, and examples of sites you like (or dislike).

I can structure pages and tighten wording so the site is clear and searchable. For long-form brand storytelling you may prefer to write drafts yourself or bring a copywriter — I’m happy either way.

Yes, where useful — monthly improvements, content updates, or ongoing Local SEO. Many clients start with a solid site and local setup first, then decide on a retainer once things are live.

It depends on scope — number of pages, features (booking, menus, catalogues), and whether we’re rebuilding or starting fresh. You’ll get a clear sense of cost after an initial chat, before you commit. The aim is affordable for sole traders and SMEs, not agency day-rate pricing.

No big overhead, no multi-person teams on every ticket, and no 40-page proposals. You pay for a working website and sensible support, not layers of process.

Usually yes — a deposit to book the work, with the balance due around launch. Exact terms are confirmed when we agree the project.

Typically: design and build of agreed pages, mobile-friendly layout, contact/enquiry that works, hosting setup explained simply, Local SEO foundations, and launch support. Extra features (e.g. complex ordering, custom integrations) are scoped separately so the quote stays honest.

Hosting has an ongoing cost so the site stays online and maintained. Optional retainers cover regular updates or SEO work. I’ll explain what’s essential vs optional up front.

Sometimes, for the right project — ask when we talk. It’s not always possible, but I’m open to practical arrangements for small businesses.

Yes. Once paid for, the site is yours. You’re not locked into a proprietary builder you can’t leave. Domain ownership should sit in your name wherever possible — I’ll help you set that up correctly.

Yes. Sites are built mobile-first. Most local customers will find you on a phone first — the layout has to work there, not as an afterthought.

No — and that’s deliberate. There is no CMS to log into and meddle with. I build portfolios and websites that serve a specific function or service: clear, fast, and hard to break. The cost stays low, updates are cheap, and when something needs changing you ask me — I’ll update it properly and keep supporting the content you already have.

No. I don’t build WordPress sites. Every website is bespoke, written with modern technology and usability in mind — so speed, functionality and security stay strong without the bloat and upkeep that WordPress often brings.

Yes, where it’s proportionate. I’ve built menu/order baskets, table booking and similar for hospitality. Full card-payment ecommerce or heavy SaaS platforms are scoped carefully so you don’t pay for complexity you don’t need.

Sometimes, as part of a wider project — for example The Old Cellars included website, logo and promo video. Pure brand identity packages aren’t the core offer, but simple logo work can be included when it makes sense.

Speed is part of the build, not an expensive add-on. Fast pages help users and search engines. We avoid bloated page builders and unnecessary plugins that slow sites down.

I can work with your photos, stock where appropriate, or advise what to shoot. Professional photography is usually arranged separately unless we’ve agreed otherwise.

Your site should be usable for as many people as possible — clear layout, readable text, proper headings, and forms that work with a keyboard, not only a mouse. That’s built in as standard. If you need a formal accessibility report for legal or compliance reasons, that can be arranged as a separate piece of work.

Yes. I can set up hosting, explain it simply, and keep the site running. You run the business; I keep the technical side sensible.

Almost always yes. We’ll point it at the new site and make sure renewal and ownership stay clear. If you don’t have a domain yet, I can help you choose and register one.

Yes — setting up proper email on your domain (you@yourbusiness.co.uk) is a common part of getting organised online. I usually recommend Fastmail: reliable, privacy-focused, and a good fit for small businesses. Exact setup depends on what you already use and what you need.

That’s what the IT help is for. Contact me, describe what’s wrong, and I’ll sort practical fixes — downtime, forms not sending, domain hiccups, and similar.

Yes. Updates, content changes, security/hosting hygiene and small improvements can be ad hoc or on a light retainer. We’ll match the level of support to how active the site is.

No. Hosting with me is convenient, not a trap. If you later want to move host, the site can go with you — we’ll plan that properly so nothing breaks.

Yes. HTTPS is standard on sites I launch. Visitors should see a secure connection without you having to think about certificates day to day.

Local SEO foundations are part of a new site build: clear service and location wording, sensible titles and headings, fast mobile pages, consistent contact details, and guidance for Google Business Profile. I also build in some of the most fundamental technical requirements for Local SEO on every page of your website. Ongoing ranking campaigns are optional extras.

Design gets people to trust you once they arrive. SEO and local setup help them arrive in the first place — Google, Maps, and “near me” searches. I build for both.

Yes. Categories, photos, hours, posts and consistency with your website matter for the local pack. I include guidance as part of Local SEO work, and can help you get the profile set up properly.

No honest person can promise that. Succeeding online today starts with the basics: a clear, fast website, accurate business details, a well-kept Google Business Profile where it applies, real reviews, and content that answers what customers actually ask. A well-built portfolio or business website is the foundation — it builds trust and gives Google (and AI tools) something solid to understand — but it is not a magic ticket to first place on day one.

Search is also changing. Google now shows AI Overviews on some results, and people ask questions in ChatGPT and similar tools. Being useful there means the same things done well: clear facts, plain answers, and a site that is easy to trust — sometimes called answer engine optimisation, without the jargon getting in the way.

Rankings still depend on competition, reviews, links, content and time. What I can do is give you a solid technical and local foundation, and clear next steps — without fantasy guarantees. For a fuller plain-English guide, download Local SEO for Businesses.

Usually no. Thin pages for every village (same text with the place name swapped) often look spammy and don’t help. Better: strong Bath-focused pages, real proof of local work, and an honest “areas covered” list. Bigger nearby markets like Bristol can deserve their own page when the content is genuinely different.

It’s the work that helps people near you find your business when they search for what you offer — on Google and on Maps — with a website that matches. See the Local SEO in Bath page for what’s included.

Yes, especially for local search and trust. I can advise how to ask for reviews the right way; the reviews themselves have to come from real customers.

Often yes — audits, fixes, Google Business Profile help and content recommendations. Sometimes the honest advice is that the underlying site needs a rebuild before SEO spend is worth it.

A single landing page or a several-page website can be built in days. A straightforward small-business site is often a matter of weeks, not months — depending on how quickly content and feedback come back. Larger rebuilds or feature-heavy sites take longer. I’ll give a realistic timeline when we scope the work.

Waiting on text, photos, logins, or feedback. Technical build time is rarely the slowest part. Clear decisions and timely replies keep launch dates realistic.

Sometimes, if the diary allows and scope is tight. Rush work costs more because other work has to move. Ask early if you have a hard deadline (opening night, event, campaign).

We connect the domain, check forms and key pages on phone and desktop, confirm hosting/email basics, and make sure you know how to request changes. Then the site goes live for real customers.

We plan the cutover to keep downtime minimal — usually a short DNS switch. You’ll know when it’s happening.

Just ask. Small text and image updates are normal. Bigger new sections or features get a quick scope and price so there are no surprises.

You don’t need training to “use” a CMS — there isn’t one. I’ll show you the practical bits: how to request updates, where your domain and hosting renewals live, and how to get in touch when something needs changing. No dashboards to learn, no accidental edits.

Yes. Sites should grow with the business — new services, locations, offers or case studies can be added when you need them.

That’s fine. Get in touch when you’re ready. If hosting is with me, the site should still be running; we’ll pick up from wherever you left off.

Builders are fine for very simple needs. They often get expensive, slow, or messy as the business grows — and Local SEO / hosting details get overlooked. I build sites aimed at clarity, speed and local findability, with a human you can actually call when something’s wrong.

Agencies can be excellent for large organisations. For many sole traders and SMEs they’re oversized: long proposals, junior delivery, and fees that don’t match the size of the business. Here you get one experienced contact and a proportionate site.

Common story. We’ll start with a clear scope, ownership of your domain, and plain-English communication. You’re not locked into mystery hosting or files you can’t access.

Social is useful for reach; it isn’t a substitute for a home online you control. Algorithms change, accounts get limited, and customers still Google you. A simple, clear site plus local search basics usually outperforms “we’re only on Instagram” for trust and enquiries.

That’s normal. You shouldn’t need to be technical to have a decent website. I translate the tech into decisions you can make — and handle the rest.

Yes — same person. Painting and art work lives at olliesmith.uk. I’m also a kung fu teacher; that side of things is at themoraldragon.co.uk. Ollie Smith Web is the website, hosting, IT help and Local SEO side for businesses.

Bath, UK — working with businesses across Bath, Bristol and nearby towns.

I’d love the luxury of time to meet everyone in person — most projects run happily over email and a scheduled video call (after 6pm on weekdays, or at weekends). If an in-person meeting is genuinely needed, that would be with my lovely assistant, who will remain nameless until needed.

Use the contact form on this site, or email hello@olliesmithweb.co.uk. Say briefly what you need and I’ll reply with a clear next step.

A sentence on what the business does, who you want to reach, examples of sites you like, and whether you already have a domain. Budget range helps, even if rough.

Yes, when the project is a good fit. Charities and community groups are quoted the same way as any other client — clear scope, fair price, and an honest view on whether I’m the right person for what you need. Get in touch with what you’re trying to achieve.

I don’t write on top of someone else’s code. A half-finished project can still help a lot — it informs what you need and can make a rebuild faster — but the site itself will be built fresh by me. I’ll review what’s there and tell you honestly what that means for timeline and cost before you spend more.