Small Business Web Design · Cork
Web design small business owners actually get their money back on.
Most Cork small business owners have been sold either a €99 template disaster or a €10,000 agency epic. The middle ground — a proper, hand-built website in three weeks for a few hundred euros — has been missing.
That is what this is. WordPress or Squarespace, mobile-first, SEO-optimised, built directly with you. From €600 total project price. See why website design matters for the full case.
Realistic timeline
Three weeks, start to finish.
Small business web design should not take six months. It should take three weeks of focused work. Here is exactly what happens in each.
Small business build timeline
Week 1
Strategy and copy
One call. What do you sell, who to, and why they should ring you. First-draft copy for every page.
ROI InvestingWeek 2
Design and build
Chosen platform, chosen theme, adapted for your business. Built in front of you, edits welcome.
ROI InvestingWeek 3
Revisions and launch
Two revision rounds, mobile check, speed check, launch. Live Friday.
ROI Ready to launchMonth 2+
Live and earning
Site converting. First enquiries arriving. Post-launch support active.
ROI Returns startingThe Fit Test
Who small business web design is right for.
Right for you if
- You are a small Cork business — under 10 people, likely just you or a small team
- You have never had a website, or you have one that has aged badly and is quietly costing you enquiries
- You want something simple, honest, and fast to build. Not an agency epic
- You are willing to spend three weeks talking through what you actually do — not just approve a template
- You want it done once, done properly, and left alone for a few years
Not for you if
- You need e-commerce with dozens of SKUs. That is e-commerce web design
- You want a "no meetings, no calls, template-only" service. Fiverr or Squarespace direct will suit better
- You need a complex booking system, membership area, or client portal. Custom features push scope out
- You do not want to write, say, or record a single thing about your business. I cannot invent your voice
- You are a multi-person service business with a more complex sales process. See web design for service businesses instead
What's included
What you get in a small business build.
Strategy call up front
What you sell, who you sell to, why they should choose you. Written down, agreed by you, referred back to all through the build.
Copy I actually write for you
Homepage, about, services, contact. Written by me in your voice, from that first call. You edit and approve, nothing goes live without your sign-off.
Design that looks intentional
Not a template with your logo bunged on top. Colour, type, and layout matched to what you actually do.
Mobile-first everything
Built for phones first, desktop second. Where 70% of Cork small business traffic is.
On-page SEO
Meta, schema, alt text, sitemap, Search Console, GA4. The technical foundation for search rankings, done once, done right.
30 days post-launch support
Text tweaks, small fixes, adjustments in the first month. Nothing goes perfectly on day one.
Platform choice
WordPress or Squarespace. Both good, different reasons.
WordPress (with a modern theme)
More flexible, more customisation, better long-term SEO scaling. Slightly steeper learning curve if you want to edit yourself. Cork hosting on Blacknight or Cloudways, roughly €12-25/month.
Squarespace
Simpler to edit yourself, hosting and SSL included. €18/month directly to Squarespace. Better fit if you never want to think about hosting or plugins.
I recommend the right one for your situation. Not what is fastest for me to build on.
Pricing
What it costs.
Standard build
From €600
Total project price
Three-week build. Home + about + services + contact. Additional pages €200 each.
Hosting (paid to platform)
From €12
Per month
Paid directly to WordPress host or Squarespace, never marked up. Includes SSL and backups.
The true cost
What most agencies charge for the same thing.
Cork agencies typically quote €3,500-€8,000 for a small business website. Sometimes justified by junior staff and account managers. Usually not.
DIY builders (Wix, Squarespace direct) cost €18-30/month but assume you have hours to figure out design, copy, and SEO. Most small business owners do not. See my website templates guide for an honest comparison of the DIY options.
The €99 marketplace freelancer gets you a template installed with your logo. No strategy, no SEO, no copy. You will replace it inside 12 months.
My €600 build exists because I do not carry office rent, salaries, or account managers. Same quality of thinking as a €5,000 agency job. Less overhead means less markup on you.
FAQ
Things people ask.
I already have a website. Do I need a new one?
Sometimes yes, sometimes fix what is there. First call is free, and I will tell you honestly which one it is. Recycling a decent site is cheaper than throwing it away.
Will I be able to edit it myself?
Yes. I record a short walkthrough at launch showing you where and how to change text, images, prices. Both WordPress and Squarespace are designed for non-developer editing.
What if I need it faster than three weeks?
Two-week rush is possible if you can commit to same-day feedback and copy content. Add €200 to the project price. Otherwise, three weeks is the honest timeline.
Do you take on ongoing maintenance?
Not usually. Once launched, small business sites need very little upkeep. If you want ongoing SEO or content work, that is a separate SEO retainer.
What about domain names and email?
Included in the setup — I get you a domain (or migrate an existing one), set up email forwarding, and connect to Google Workspace if you want it. Domain and email costs paid directly by you, not marked up.
Related reading
Dig deeper.
Service · Web Design
Web Design (main service)
All platforms, all business types — the full web design service.
Service · Service Businesses
Service Business Web Design
Clinics, consultants, trades — where the offer needs more explaining.
Blog · Web Design
How much does a website cost in Ireland?
Real pricing tiers, honestly compared. Where the €600 build sits.
Two ways to start.
Option 1. Book a 20-min call.
We talk. I learn about your business. You learn about how I work. No pitch deck, no pressure. If it is not a fit, I will tell you and point you at someone who is.
Book a callOption 2. Get the free audit.
Tell me your website and your industry. I spend an hour on it and come back with a report telling you exactly where you are leaking enquiries online. No call required. No follow-up unless you want one.
Get the free report