Web Development
A well-built website helps small business, non-profits and creatives establish and maintain their online presence.
A hand-crafted site built to meet your specific goals using modern CSS and JavaScript frameworks should score well on Google's PageSpeed Insights.
What You Can Expect
Support After Launch
Ask a developer how issues will be handled after launch, what support is included, and how long it lasts. Agree on who is responsible for fixes and how work outside that scope will be priced.
Quality Code
Look for well-supported tools and code that follows industry best practices. A well-built website should work across devices and remain maintainable while meeting the expectations set by Google's Core Web Vitals.
Core Web Vitals measure loading (LCP: within 2.5 seconds), interactivity (INP: 200 milliseconds or less) and stability (CLS: 0.1 or less). INP replaced FID in March 2024; Core Web Vitals, Explained covers interpreting them.
Clear Communication
Expect clear, concise communication throughout the project. Ask for timely replies and plain-language explanations of technical choices and costs.
Exceptional Performance
Speed is a feature. Every site is built lean, with optimized images in next-generation formats and only the code it actually needs. Fast sites rank better, convert better and cost less to run.
Search-Friendly Foundations
Clean markup, sensible URL structure, fast load times and proper metadata give search engines everything they need. A good developer should build the technical foundation so your content has the best possible chance to be found.
Accessible by Default
A well-built site should be fully responsive and built to meet WCAG accessibility guidelines, so every visitor can use your site regardless of device or ability. Accessibility is not an add-on; it is part of doing the job right.
The DOJ fact sheet describes the 2024 Title II web rule: WCAG 2.1 Level AA for public agencies, including content from local web designers. Its April 20, 2026 extension sets April 26, 2027 or April 26, 2028 compliance dates; the plain-language article explains which date applies.
Hosting & Maintenance
Ask who will host and maintain your site, and make sure you can move it to the host of your choice. Either way, you own your files and content. When a project is done, any ongoing hosting and maintenance costs should be clearly explained.
Future Proof
Building on mature, well-documented, secure foundations helps a site avoid technical debt and the breaking changes that plague heavily plugin-dependent platforms. You can read more about choosing tools in Why Craft CMS Suits Many Small Sites.
Before You Commission a Site
Ask for a firm, written estimate before work begins, and make sure it says who will own the files and content. Guide overview →