1. It doesn’t work properly on a phone

Most people will find you on their phone, often while they’re out and about. If they have to pinch and zoom to read your text, or your buttons are too small to tap, they’ll head straight back to Google and pick someone else. Every page should be easy to read and use on a small screen.

2. It’s slow to load

People are impatient online. If your home page takes more than a few seconds to appear, many visitors won’t wait. Large, unoptimised images and outdated code are the usual culprits, and both can be fixed.

3. It no longer reflects what you do

Businesses evolve. You may have added new services, dropped old ones, moved premises or changed your prices. If your website still describes the business you were rather than the one you are now, it’s confusing customers and underselling you.

4. The design looks dated

Fair or not, people judge a business by its website. Cluttered layouts, tiny fonts and old-fashioned graphics suggest a business that isn’t keeping up. A cleaner, more modern design builds trust before anyone has read a word.

5. You can’t update it yourself

If changing a phone number or adding a photo means emailing your developer and waiting, chances are your website rarely gets updated. Moving to a content management system like WordPress puts you in control of the everyday changes. You can read more about this on our content management page.

6. It isn’t bringing in enquiries

A website should do more than sit there. If people aren’t contacting you through it, look at how easy you make it for them. Is your phone number visible on every page? Is there a simple contact form? Is it clear what you want visitors to do next?

7. It doesn’t match the rest of your branding

If your website uses different colours, fonts or even a different logo from your business cards, signage and social media, it weakens your brand. Everything should look like it belongs to the same business.

A refresh doesn’t always mean starting again

Sometimes a website needs a complete rebuild, but often a refresh is enough: updated content, better images, a tidier layout and a few technical fixes. The important thing is that your website is working as hard for your business as you are.

If you’re not sure whether your website needs a facelift or a fresh start, get in touch and we’ll take an honest look at it with you.

Know what you want the website to do

Start with the purpose. Do you want more phone calls? Online enquiries? Bookings? Or do you simply need a professional place to send people so they can learn about your services? Your answer shapes everything else, from the pages you need to where the buttons go.

Think about who your customers are

Write down who you’re trying to reach and what they want to know before they contact you. Questions you get asked on the phone all the time are a great starting point, because those answers belong on your website.

Plan your pages

Most small business websites need fewer pages than people expect. A typical site might include:

• a home page that explains clearly what you do and who for;
• a page for each main service;
• an about page that introduces you and your team;
• examples of your work or testimonials;
• a contact page with your details, a form and a map if you have premises.

Start on the words early

Content is the part that holds up most website projects. You know your business better than anyone, so even rough notes about each service are incredibly helpful. Keep it simple and write the way you’d explain things to a customer face to face.

Gather your photos and branding

Collect your logo files (ideally the original high-resolution versions), your brand colours and any photos of your work, team or premises. Real photos almost always beat stock images, so it’s worth booking a photographer if you don’t have good ones.

Find your logins

This one catches a lot of people out. Before you start, track down the login details for your domain name, your current hosting and any email accounts tied to them. Knowing who has access to what saves a lot of time later on.

Look at websites you like

Note down a few websites you like and, just as usefully, a few you don’t. It doesn’t matter if they’re in a completely different industry. It helps us understand your taste and what you want your customers to feel.

We’ll guide you through the rest

You don’t need to have everything perfectly worked out before you call us. Our website service takes you through the whole process, from concept and design layouts to the finished site. These notes just help us get there faster. When you’re ready, get in touch.

Things you can easily do yourself

• Edit text on your pages. Updating prices, opening hours, service descriptions or your phone number is quick and straightforward.
• Add and replace images. Upload new photos of your work, swap out old team photos and add images to your pages.
• Write blog posts and news. Sharing updates, tips and recent projects keeps your website fresh and gives customers a reason to come back.
• Add new pages from an existing layout. If you’ve added a new service, you can often copy an existing service page and change the content.

A few tips for doing it well

• Resize photos before you upload them. Images straight off a phone or camera are often far bigger than a website needs and will slow your pages down.
• Use headings to break up longer text so it’s easy to scan.
• Preview your changes before publishing, and check how they look on your phone.
• Keep your writing friendly and clear, and avoid jargon your customers wouldn’t use.

Jobs best left to us

• Plugin and theme updates. These keep your site secure, but occasionally an update clashes with something else. We back up first and check everything still works afterwards.
• Design and layout changes. Changing the structure of a page or the look of the whole site is easy to get wrong and hard to undo.
• Adding new features. Online bookings, shops and newsletter sign-ups involve choosing the right tools and setting them up properly.
• Anything involving your domain, hosting or email. A small mistake here can take your website or email offline.

Keep it backed up and up to date

Whoever looks after the technical side, make sure your website is backed up regularly and that WordPress, your theme and your plugins are kept current. An outdated website is the most common way small business sites get hacked.

Need a hand getting started?

When we build a WordPress site, we show you how to manage your own content so you can make changes as and when you please. You can read more about the benefits on our content management page, or contact us if you’d like some help with your website.

It’s simple

The most effective logos are usually the simplest. A clean shape and clear lettering are easier to recognise and remember than a detailed illustration. If your logo needs a close look to make sense, it’s probably trying to do too much.

It works at any size

Your logo needs to look just as good as a tiny icon on a phone screen as it does on a large sign. Fine lines, small text and intricate details tend to disappear when shrunk down. A good designer will test your logo at lots of different sizes before it’s finalised.

It works in one colour

There will be times when your logo has to appear in a single colour, such as on an embroidered shirt, a rubber stamp or a newspaper ad. If it only works in full colour, it will let you down. We always check that a logo holds up in black and in white.

It suits your business

A logo for a children’s centre should feel different from one for a law firm or a builder. The fonts, colours and overall style should reflect your personality and appeal to your customers. It doesn’t need to show exactly what you do; it needs to feel right for who you are.

It stands apart from competitors

Look at the logos of other businesses in your area and industry. If they all use the same colours or the same kind of symbol, doing something different helps you stand out. Being original also avoids any chance of confusion, or legal trouble, down the track.

It will last

Design trends come and go. A logo built around this year’s fashionable look can feel dated surprisingly quickly. Aim for something that will still look good in ten years rather than something that looks trendy today.

Get the right files

When your logo is finished, make sure you receive it in all the formats you’ll need, including high-resolution and vector versions for printing and signage, plus web-friendly versions. It saves a lot of hassle every time a printer or sign writer asks for your logo.

Thinking about a new logo or a refresh?

Whether you’re a new start-up or an established business whose branding needs updating, we can help. Take a look at the companies we’ve worked with on our graphic design page, then get in touch.

What is a brand style guide?

A brand style guide is a short document that sets out how your branding should be used. Big companies have guides running to hundreds of pages, but a small business only needs a few. Its job is to make sure that whoever is producing something for your business, whether that’s you, a staff member, a printer or a sign writer, gets it right.

Why it matters

Consistency builds recognition and trust. When customers see the same logo, colours and style everywhere, your business looks established and professional. When things look different each time, it creates a sense, even subconsciously, that something isn’t quite right.

What to include

Your logo

Show the main version of your logo, plus any alternatives such as a stacked version or a single-colour version. Include the minimum size it should be used at and how much clear space should be left around it. It’s also helpful to show a few examples of what not to do, such as stretching it, changing its colours or placing it on a busy background.

Your colours

List your brand colours with their exact values for print (CMYK and Pantone) and for screen (RGB and HEX codes). This is what stops your blue turning into five slightly different blues.

Your fonts

Name the fonts used for headings and for body text, along with alternatives to use where those fonts aren’t available, such as in everyday Word documents and emails.

Imagery

A few notes on the style of photos and graphics that suit your brand help keep your social media and marketing looking cohesive.

Tone of voice

Optional, but useful: a few lines describing how your business sounds. Friendly and relaxed? Professional and reassuring? This helps anyone writing on your behalf.

Put it to work

Once you have a style guide, share it with anyone who produces material for your business. Pair it with ready-made templates for things you create regularly, like letterheads, quotes, presentations and social media posts, and keeping your brand consistent becomes almost effortless.

We can help

We design logos, corporate ID and the templates that go with them, from business cards and email signatures to Word and PowerPoint templates. See some of our work on the graphic design and bits and bobs pages, or contact us to talk about your brand.

Think about how you want customers to feel

Colours carry associations. These aren’t strict rules, but they’re a useful starting point:

• Blue often suggests trust, reliability and calm, which is why it’s so common in finance, health and professional services.
• Green is linked with nature, growth and wellbeing.
• Red is bold and energetic, and grabs attention.
• Orange and yellow feel warm, friendly and optimistic.
• Black, charcoal and deep tones can feel sophisticated and premium.

Start by listing three or four words that describe your business and its personality, then look for colours that match them.

Look at your competitors

If every plumber in your area uses blue, a different colour could help you stand out. Just make sure it still feels appropriate for your industry. Standing out is good; looking out of place isn’t.

Keep the palette small

Most strong brands use one or two main colours, plus a couple of supporting colours and neutrals like white, grey or black. Too many colours make it harder to look consistent and harder for customers to remember you.

Check that it’s readable

Your colours need to work with text. Light grey text on a white background, or red text on green, is hard to read and shuts out people with low vision or colour blindness. Good contrast between text and background is essential, particularly on your website.

Make sure it works in print and on screen

Colours look different on a screen than they do on paper. Bright on-screen colours can print dull, and some colours are expensive to reproduce. A designer will choose colours that hold up across your website, printed material, signage and even embroidered uniforms, and will give you the exact colour codes for each.

Live with it for a while

Before you commit, see your colours in context: on a mock-up of your website, a business card and a sign. Colours that look great as a little swatch can feel very different across a whole page.

Need help choosing?

Colour is a key part of the corporate ID and branding work we do for small businesses. Take a look at our graphic design work, or get in touch to chat about your brand.

Keep it clear and uncluttered

A business card is small, so resist the urge to fit everything on it. Your name, job title, business name, phone number, email address and website are usually enough. Add your address only if customers visit you. White space makes a card look more professional, not less.

Make your details easy to read

Tiny text and fancy fonts might look elegant on screen, but they can be hard to read on a printed card, especially for older eyes. Keep the important details at a comfortable size, with good contrast against the background.

Match your brand

Your card should look like it belongs with your website, signage and email signature. Use your logo, brand colours and fonts consistently, so it reinforces your brand rather than introducing a new look.

Use both sides

The back of the card is valuable space. You could use it for a bold version of your logo, a short line about what you do, a list of services or even a QR code that links to your website or booking page.

Choose good stock

The feel of a card says a lot. A thin, flimsy card can undo a great design, while a heavier stock or a nice finish, such as matt or soft-touch, creates a quality impression. You don’t have to go overboard, but it’s worth spending a little more on the paper.

Think about special finishes

Finishes like spot UV, foiling, rounded corners or embossing can make a card memorable. Used sparingly, they add a touch of personality. Just make sure they suit your brand and don’t make your details harder to read.

Proof it carefully

It sounds obvious, but always check every detail before printing: spelling, phone numbers, email addresses and website. A typo on a box of 500 cards is an expensive mistake.

Let us design yours

We design business cards as part of our corporate ID work, often together with matching letterheads and email signatures. See examples on our graphic design page, or contact us to get started.

Say clearly what you do and where

Google needs to understand what your business offers and where you offer it, and so do your customers. Your home page and service pages should state this plainly, in the words your customers would use. “Kitchen renovations on the Northern Beaches” is much clearer than a vague slogan.

Give each service its own page

If you offer several services, give each one a dedicated page with a proper description. A single page listing everything you do makes it hard for Google to match you to specific searches.

Write a good title and description for each page

Each page has a title and a short description that often appear in Google’s search results. They should be unique to each page, describe what’s on it and give people a reason to click. Your website’s SEO settings let you edit these.

Use headings properly

Headings break up your content and help both readers and search engines understand how your page is structured. Use one main heading per page, with subheadings for each section.

Make it fast and mobile friendly

Google favours websites that load quickly and work well on phones, because that’s what searchers want. Optimise your images, keep your website software updated and test your site on your own phone regularly.

Describe your images

Add short, accurate descriptions (called alt text) to your images. It helps people using screen readers and gives Google more context about your pages.

Keep your contact details consistent

Your business name, address and phone number should be the same on your website, your Google Business Profile and any directories you’re listed in. Inconsistent details can confuse search engines and customers alike.

Keep it fresh

A website that’s never updated sends the wrong signal. Adding new content, like project examples, answers to common questions or blog posts, gives customers more reasons to visit and Google more reasons to show your site.

Build it in from the start

All the websites we build are optimised for search engines from the outset, with sensible page structure, editable titles and descriptions, and fast-loading images. Find out more about our websites, or get in touch if you’d like us to look at yours.

Claim your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is the listing that appears in Google Maps and in the local results. It’s free, and if you haven’t claimed and verified yours, start there. Then fill it in completely:

• choose the most accurate main category for your business;
• add your services, opening hours and the suburbs you serve;
• write a clear description of what you do;
• upload real photos of your work, team and premises.

Keep it active

A profile that’s regularly updated tends to perform better than one that’s set up and forgotten. Add new photos, post updates and offers, and answer any questions people ask. Keep your holiday hours up to date too, as nothing frustrates customers more than turning up to a closed door.

Ask for reviews

Reviews matter for local rankings, and they matter even more for whether people choose you. Most happy customers are glad to leave one; they just need to be asked. Send a direct link by text or email after you’ve finished a job, and reply to every review, good or bad, politely and promptly.

Mention your local area on your website

Make sure your website clearly says where you’re based and which areas you serve. If you work across the Northern Beaches, say so, and mention the suburbs you cover. A contact page with your address and an embedded map also helps.

Keep your details consistent everywhere

Check that your business name, address and phone number are exactly the same on your website, your Google profile, Facebook and any directories such as Yelp, True Local or industry associations. Small differences can confuse Google about which details are correct.

Get involved locally

Sponsoring a local sports club, joining the chamber of commerce or being featured in local news can all earn mentions and links from other local websites. These help show Google that you’re an established part of the community.

Make your website easy to act on

Local searchers are often ready to act. Put your phone number at the top of every page, make it tappable on mobile and keep your contact form short. The easier you make it, the more of those searches turn into customers.

Local businesses helping local businesses

We’re a small design company on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and we’ve been helping local businesses get online since 2003. If you’d like a website that works harder for your business, get in touch.

People buy from people

Especially for small businesses, customers want to know who they’ll be dealing with. A friendly photo of you and your team builds a connection that no stock image can match. It also makes you recognisable when you turn up for a quote or meet someone in person.

Real photos build trust

Most of us can spot a stock photo instantly: the too-perfect office, the team of models laughing at a laptop. They can make a business feel generic, or worse, like it has something to hide. Photos of your actual work, premises and people show that you’re real and proud of what you do.

They show your work

If you make or fix things, your photos are your portfolio. Before-and-after shots, finished projects and work in progress tell customers far more about your quality than any description could.

They help you stand out

Popular stock images appear on thousands of websites, sometimes including your competitors’. Your own photos are unique to you, and that helps your business stand apart.

Tips for getting good photos

• Consider a professional photographer. Even a short session can give you a library of team, workplace and project photos to use for years.
• Use natural light. If you’re taking photos yourself, shoot near a window or outdoors in soft light, and avoid harsh midday sun.
• Keep it tidy. Clear away clutter in the background before you take the photo.
• Shoot horizontally. Landscape photos generally suit websites better than portrait ones.
• Take lots. Photograph each project from several angles so you have choices later.
• Get permission. Always ask customers and staff before featuring them or their homes.

When stock images make sense

Stock images still have their uses: for background textures, abstract concepts, or blog posts where you don’t have a suitable photo of your own. Choose ones that feel natural and fit your brand, and use them alongside your real photos rather than instead of them.

Make the most of your images

Whatever photos you use, they should be properly sized and optimised so they look sharp without slowing your website down. We take care of that when we design your website, and we can create custom graphics to match your branding. Get in touch to find out more.