Custom Websites for UK Small Businesses
Stop paying every month for a website you don't own.
Wix costs £300–£600 a year — for a slow site on their platform, not yours. A hand-coded custom site starts from £400. One payment. You own everything. Zero monthly fees.
"Web design agencies charge you thousands to build a Wix website using a template. I took that personally."
The honest cost comparison.
Wix or Squarespace
Hand-coded with James
After 3 years, Wix costs ~£972. A custom site costs £800 total.
And you're still paying in year 4, 5, 6 with Wix.
What makes a custom build different.
Not a template. Not an agency. Something better.
Hand-coded, not templated
Written specifically for your business from scratch. Not Wix, not WordPress themes. No one else on the internet is using your design.
97–100/100 Google PageSpeed
Google ranks faster sites higher. Every build scores in this range on mobile — which matters because 60%+ of web traffic is on phones. Wix sites typically score 50–70.
You own it outright
I hand over the source files at launch. Host it anywhere, modify it any time, hire any developer to work on it. No lock-in, ever.
Delivered in days, not months
Recent builds: investment portfolio in 1 day, restaurant site with CMS in 3 days, luxury brand site in 4 days. You get a real timeline upfront.
Recent projects.
Real builds, real results.
01 / Vendora
Luxury vending, reframed as a venue partnership.
A premium brand needed a site that doesn't sell machines. It sells a hospitality upgrade. Built around editorial scale, restrained motion, and a frictionless partner enquiry.
- ◆Bespoke product catalogue with real venue configurations
- ◆Custom animation tells the guest experience story
- ◆Partner enquiry form direct to inbox
02 / Barnes Estates International
A credibility site for a founder-led investment portfolio.
Not a listings site. A private-office style showcase of Ben's track record and philosophy, plus a live invitation into ELLE Beachclub — a project he's personally co-invested in.
- ◆Portfolio as proof — past deals positioned as evidence, not inventory
- ◆Serif / sans pairing for editorial, brochure-grade weight
- ◆ELLE Beachclub spotlight with a private enquiry route for co-investors
Real stories from real people.
Every client so far has left a 5-star review. Here's what two of them had to say.
I kept putting off a new website — I thought it would take forever. James had something ready within a couple of days. We were genuinely surprised.
Technical mastery paired with a designer's eye. James is the rare developer who actually understands branding.
Simple, transparent pricing.
No hidden fees, no platform lock-in. Three tiers built for different ambitions, all at a fraction of agency rates.
Tier 1
The Essential
Portfolios & Personal Brands
Standard rate £800 · 48hr turnaround
- Up to 5 custom-built pages
- Mobile-first responsive design
- Contact & enquiry forms
- Base SEO setup
Tier 2
The Interactive
Small Business & Restaurants
Standard rate £1,200 · 3–5 day turnaround
- Everything in The Essential
- Integrated CMS: update your own content
- RSVP & event registration forms
- Dynamic menus & service lists
Tier 3
The Full Identity
Startups & Premium Brands
Standard rate £1,600 · 7–10 day turnaround
- Everything in The Interactive
- Brand kit & logo design
- Advanced animations & booking
- Digital assets for print & social
Support We The Free with $10/mo and save £400 on any tier.
Common questions.
What exactly do I get for £400?
The Essential tier includes up to 5 custom-built pages, mobile-first design, a contact or enquiry form, and base SEO setup. Delivered in 48 hours. It's designed for portfolios, freelancers, and businesses that need a fast, professional web presence without the bloat.
Is there really no monthly cost?
For most small businesses, yes. Sites are deployed on Netlify's free tier — that's £0 per month until you hit significant traffic (tens of thousands of visits per month). I'll tell you honestly if your project needs paid hosting.
What if I already have a Wix site — can you rebuild it?
Yes. Most of my clients have an existing Wix or Squarespace site they want to replace. I replicate and improve your content, build clean custom pages, and migrate you across. Your old site stays live until the new one is ready.
How long does it actually take?
The Essential tier is 48 hours. The Interactive tier is 3–5 days. The Full Identity is 7–10 days. These are delivery timelines, not project start dates — I book slots one project at a time. Recent builds: investment portfolio in 1 day, restaurant site with CMS in 3 days, luxury brand site in 4 days.
Let's Build Something Great.
No tech-speak, just solutions. Tell me what you need and I'll get back to you within 24 hours.
I'm one developer who genuinely loves building websites. No team, no agency markup, no upselling. If a project is outside what I do, I'll say so upfront.
I only take on 3 new clients per month. Apply now to secure your spot.