Custom Web Development for Small Businesses
Built from the ground up to be fast, secure, and ready for the future.
Based in the UK, serving businesses worldwide
What Does "Custom Coded" Mean?
When I say I "custom code" a website, I mean every single line of code is written specifically for your business. Nothing borrowed from generic templates or drag-and-drop page builders.
Think of it like having a suit tailored for you instead of buying one off the rack. A tailored suit fits better, feels better, and lasts longer. It's the same with your website - it's designed to fit your business perfectly.
Why Custom Website Development Matters
When every part of your site is purpose-built, you get:
Faster Load Times
Only the code you need, no extras. So pages load quickly and feel smooth for every visitor.
Better Search Visibility
Search engines love clean, well-structured code, making it easier for your site to be found.
Built-In Security
A lean, customised build means fewer moving parts that can be exploited.
Room to Grow
Your site can adapt and expand as your business changes, without limitations.
Consistency
Everything works seamlessly together, because it's all built with one unified vision.
Higher Conversion Rates
Faster, cleaner websites lead to better user experiences - and that means more enquiries and more sales.
The Problem with Page Builders and Templates
Page builders (like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress with drag-and-drop themes) are popular because they're quick and cheap to set up, but they come with trade-offs most small business owners don't realise:
- Slow load times - Builders load lots of unnecessary scripts and styles. Taking a toll on your websites speed.
- Bloated code - This slows your site down and makes your site harder for Google and search engines to read, hurting SEO.
- Generic look - Many template-based sites look almost identical, making it harder for your business to stand out.
- Plugin dependency - Relying on third-party plugins bloats your code even more and means more things can break, often at the worst times.
I've seen businesses switch from a page-builder site that took 3-4 seconds to load, to a custom-coded site that loaded in under a second. The result?
- Visitors stayed longer
- More enquires came in
- Google search rankings improved within weeks
The difference wasn't the design - it was the quality of the code
Why Faster Load Times Boost SEO & Conversions
When a site is custom coded, you can create a lean build with only the code you need and much greater control over everything under the hood. That means you can built a site that is easy for search engines to understand with blazing fast load times.
A slow site costs you customers. If your website takes longer than 3 seconds to load, over half of visitors may leave before it appears. A fast site directly impacts:
First Impressions
In those crucial first 3 seconds, visitors decide whether to stay or leave. Quick load times keep them engaged instead of clicking away.
Conversions
The longer a page takes to load, the more potential customers leave before it even appears.
SEO Rankings
Google uses page speed as a ranking factor, meaning a faster site can help you appear higher in search results.
Mobile Experience
On mobile, patience is even shorter. A fast site keeps you in front of customers while your competitor’s slow site gets closed.
Customer Trust
A fast, smooth website feels modern and professional, making visitors more confident about choosing your business.
At SemDev, I guarantee a green PageSpeed score on Google for every site I build - or you don't pay.
SEO Benefits of Custom Code
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is the process of making your website easy for search engines to find and understand, and it starts with the foundation of your site - its code.
Even before you think about keywords or blog posts, your site’s technical health (it's code) determines how easily search engines can find, read, and index your pages.
With a custom coded site, you get:
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Clean, Semantic HTML
This is like giving Google a clear instruction manual for your site. It makes it easier for search engines to know what your pages are about, so they can send the right visitors to you.
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Optimised Meta Data
Meta titles and descriptions are the little snippets you see in Google search results. When these are set up correctly from the start, you stand out more and attract more clicks.
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Proper Heading Hierarchy
Think of your headings like chapters in a book. A clear structure (H1, H2, H3) makes your content easier for both people and Google to read and understand.
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Fast Crawling & Indexing
Google bots constantly visit sites to check for new or updated content. A lean, well-structured site makes this process easier, so search engines find and display your business quicker than with bloated, template-built sites.
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Mobile-First Best Practices
Most people search on their phones. A custom-coded site is built mobile-first, meaning it loads fast and works smoothly on any device - something Google now prioritises in rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Web design is about how your website looks and feels - the layout, colours, fonts, and overall user experience.
Web development is the behind-the-scenes work that makes the website function. This includes writing clean code, ensuring fast load times, making it secure, and integrating features like forms, booking systems, or payment options.
In short: design makes your site attractive, development makes it work. A successful business website needs both.
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Template websites and DIY page builders may be cheap, but they often look generic, load slowly, and come with limitations. They also rely heavily on plugins, which can cause security risks and performance issues.
Custom web development gives you:
- A unique website built around your brand, not a cookie-cutter design.
- Faster performance with clean, lightweight code.
- More flexibility to add features as your business grows.
- Stronger SEO foundations, helping you rank higher on Google.
For businesses, a custom-built website is an investment that saves money in the long run by converting more visitors into paying customers.
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Most websites take between 4 to 6 weeks from start to launch. The timeline depends on the number of pages, features required, and how quickly content (like text and images) is provided.
Because I use an efficient process, you won’t be stuck waiting months. My goal is to build and launch a site that’s professional, fast, and tailored to your business - without dragging out the project.
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Yes - every website I build is designed mobile-first and optimised for search engines from the start. That means:
- Your site looks and works perfectly on phones, tablets, and desktops.
- Page speed is optimised for a green Google PageSpeed score.
- Clean code, headings, and metadata help Google understand and rank your site.
- Best practices in technical SEO are built into the foundation.
This ensures your small business website not only looks professional but is also set up to be found on Google.
Still Have Questions?
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