When I start a new project, one question comes up almost every time: what platform do you use? My answer is WordPress. I use it for nearly every client I work with, from trades and consultants to charities and small independents across Harrogate and North Yorkshire. Here’s why.
You can update it yourself
Once your site is live, you shouldn’t need to call me for every small change. Add a blog post. Change a price. Update your opening hours. WordPress gives you a simple dashboard to do all of that.
Jackie Burton came to me with no confidence around tech at all. By the time we finished, she could update her own pages and add new work to her portfolio. That’s what I aim for with every client. You should feel in control of your site, not stuck waiting on someone else for every small thing.
If you’d rather hand it all over, my website maintenance plans start at £45 a month. They cover updates, hosting, security and spam protection. Plenty of my clients choose this route. But the option to do it yourself is always there.
Every site is built from scratch
I use WordPress with the Divi builder and my own custom CSS. That means you don’t get dropped into a template that looks like ten other sites in town. I write the code to match your brand, your content and how your visitors actually use the site.
I also build with accessibility in mind from the start. That means clear structure, readable text, proper colour contrast and a site that works for everyone, not just people who browse the web the same way you do.
What you need to know about keeping it maintained
I’ll be straight with you. WordPress runs on a database, so it needs looking after. Plugins need updating. WordPress itself brings out new releases. Leave it alone for months and it can slow down or pick up security problems.
I deal with this by keeping the build lean from the start. I don’t add plugins you don’t need. Where I can, I write code instead of relying on a plugin to do something simple. And if you take a maintenance plan, I keep on top of it all so you don’t have to think about it.
What about the alternatives?
You might have heard of static site generators or headless setups. They can be fast and secure, and they suit some situations. For most small businesses in Harrogate, though, they’re not practical. They’re harder to manage without technical help, and they often cost more to maintain.
WordPress sits in a useful middle ground. You get a site you can update yourself, built by someone who knows how to keep it fast and secure. For a small business that wants a reliable web presence without a lot of fuss, it’s still the best option I know.
If you want to talk through what would work for your business, get in touch. No hard sell, just a conversation.
