Hand-coded by default
No page builders, no template bloat — every line of HTML, CSS and JS earns its place. (Prefer WordPress? We build that properly too.)
Services · Web design
A better approach to web development.
At A9 Web Design we specialise in hand-coded websites that outperform page-builder competitors 99% of the time. Prefer WordPress? We build that properly too — just ask.
Most small business websites are built on the same handful of templates and page builders, then quietly left to rot. They load slowly on a phone, carry code for features nobody uses, and need a plugin update every other week to stay safe. That's the problem we set out to fix.
We hand-code each site from scratch, so the only thing your visitors download is the page they asked for. That's what keeps our builds near the top of Core Web Vitals and makes them cheap to run and safe to leave alone for years.
Every build ships with local SEO groundwork and fully managed hosting — domain, SSL, backups, business email and support all handled. If you're a plumber, sparks, builder or roofer, our websites for tradesmen page covers what changes for trade businesses. If you need to edit pages daily or run a shop, we build WordPress properly instead — we'll tell you honestly which suits you.
Not sure what a project involves, or what it should cost? Read how much a small business website costs in the UK before you speak to anyone — including us.
What's included
Everything your business needs online.
Google says 53% of mobile visits are abandoned if a site takes longer than 3 seconds to load. Our hand-built statics rarely take more than 1 second.
Performance first
Static, lightweight, image-optimised. Built to score 100/100 on Lighthouse and stay there.
Mobile-perfect
Designed mobile-first. Google ranks on mobile performance — so we ship pixel-perfect mobile builds.
SEO baked in
Semantic HTML, structured data, optimised meta and image tags, and a proper sitemap from day one.
Genuinely secure
No plugins to patch, no admin panel to attack. Static sites simply have a tiny attack surface.
Unlimited small edits
Copy tweaks, new photos, updated prices, an opening-hours notice — message us and we normally turn small changes around within a couple of working days. Bigger pieces of work (a new page, a redesign, a new integration) we scope separately, so you always know what's involved.
Our process
Four steps from idea to live.
- 01
Design
We work with you to define your goals, target audience, and content — then put together a clear design proposal.
- 02
Development
Once you sign off the design, we hand-code a fully operational, fully optimised website. You sign off again before it goes anywhere.
- 03
Going live
We launch your site, set up your professional email address, configure Google Business Profile and Analytics — anything you need.
- 04
Maintenance
Hosting, security, monitoring, content edits and updates — all included, all done for you, forever.
Custom vs WordPress
Same content. Different stack.
Real Lighthouse scores on a typical small-business build — bloated builders vs a hand-coded static site.
WordPress · Off-the-shelf
Plugin-heavy · Bloated
Performance42
Accessibility71
Best Practices64
SEO78
A9 — Hand coded
Static · Built for speed
Performance100
Accessibility100
Best Practices100
SEO100
Pricing
Professional websites with no upfront cost.
Hand-coded, fully managed, and made to make small-business budgets work harder.
Most popular
Monthly
from£80/ month
£0 upfront · 12 month minimum
- Design & development
- Fully managed hosting & domain
- Up to 5 pages
- Basic text logo if needed
- Business email mailbox, set up for you
- Google Analytics & Business Profile
- Fully optimised for SEO
- Unlimited small edits & direct support
- Fully managed
Lump sum
from£1,200
- Design & development
- £30/mo managed hosting & domain (required)
- Up to 5 pages
- Basic text logo if needed
- Business email mailbox, set up for you
- Google Analytics & Business Profile
- Fully optimised for SEO
- +£40/mo for full management (optional)
Bespoke pricing for complex sites, WordPress, WooCommerce, and large migrations — just ask.
Further reading
Guides that go deeper.
The thinking behind how we build — in plain English, with no sales pitch.
Design
What Makes a Good Website Design in 2026?
Good design is invisible — it gets out of the way of the visitor's task. Here are the non-negotiables that separate a website that converts from one that just looks nice.
Read article 7 minBuyer's guideWebsite Builder vs a Real Web Designer: What Wix and Squarespace Don't Tell Small Businesses
Wix and Squarespace are genuinely good for some small businesses. Here's when they aren't — and the total-cost-of-ownership comparison nobody in their marketing wants you to see.
Read article 9 minTechnicalStatic Websites vs WordPress, Wix and Other Dynamic Platforms
Static sites consistently beat WordPress and Wix on every metric Google cares about. Here's the technical breakdown.
Read article 8 minFAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long does a new website take?
Most 5-page brochure sites take 2-4 weeks from sign-off to launch, depending on how quickly we get content from you.
Do I own the website?
Yes. With the lump-sum option you own the code outright. With the monthly plan we host and maintain it as long as you're a customer.
Can you redesign my existing WordPress site?
Absolutely. We rebuild WordPress, Wix and Squarespace sites as fast, secure, hand-coded statics — usually with a 5-10× speed improvement. If you'd rather stay on WordPress, we rebuild on WordPress properly too.
Will my site rank on Google?
We can't guarantee rankings (no honest agency can), but we build sites that meet every technical SEO requirement Google publishes. Local search is where we see the fastest results.
What's included in the monthly plan?
Design and development, plus fully managed hosting — we look after your domain, DNS, SSL, business email mailbox, platform updates and backups, and we're your direct point of contact if anything ever goes wrong. Google Analytics and Business Profile are set up for you, and small content edits are included. From £80/mo, £0 upfront, 12-month minimum.
Do you build WordPress sites?
Yes. Hand-coded is our default because it's faster and easier to rank, but when WordPress is the right fit — self-editing, WooCommerce, or an existing WP site — we build it properly. See our WordPress service page for the full breakdown.