Freelance Web Designer

A freelance web designer handles the full process of planning, designing, and building your website – from understanding your goals and audience through to a finished, live site. Unlike larger agencies, a freelancer typically manages every stage personally: visual design, front-end development, CMS setup, performance optimisation, and launch. Some, like me, also offer related services such as branding, copywriting, and ongoing maintenance.

Yes, I'm based in Islington, London, and happy to meet local clients in person. That said, the majority of my projects run entirely remotely, with clients across the UK and internationally. Everything from briefing to design reviews happens comfortably over email and video calls, so location is rarely a barrier.

Working with a freelancer means you deal directly with the person building your site – no project managers, no handovers, no Chinese whispers. You get faster communication, a more personal working relationship, and someone who's genuinely invested in your project. It's also typically more cost-effective than agency rates, without any compromise on quality.

Rates vary widely depending on experience and location. My rate for ad hoc and hourly work is £65/hour. For most projects I work to a fixed price agreed upfront, so you know exactly what you're paying before we start. Typical projects range from £1000 for a simple brochure site to £3500+ for a full marketing website. You can see full pricing on my services pages.

Most projects take between 4–8 weeks from initial brief to launch, depending on scope and how quickly content comes together. A straightforward landing page can be ready in 2–3 weeks; a larger marketing site with custom features may take 8–12 weeks. I'll give you a realistic timeline as part of your quote.

Most freelance web designers default to WordPress, which works well for many projects but can be bloated, slow, and a frequent target for security vulnerabilities. I build with Kirby CMS – a modern, file-based system that's faster, more secure, and far easier to maintain. It's also economically competitive: rather than ongoing subscription fees, Kirby requires a small one-off licence fee, keeping your long-term costs low. You still get a clean, intuitive admin panel to manage your content without touching any code.

Yes. Every site I build includes solid technical SEO foundations – clean semantic code, fast load times, mobile optimisation, and proper meta tags. For more comprehensive work – keyword research, content strategy, and on-page SEO – I also offer dedicated SEO and copywriting services.

Yes. After launch I offer maintenance packages covering updates, security monitoring, content changes, and technical support. If you'd rather manage things yourself, I'm also available on an ad hoc basis whenever you need help.

Mainly small and independent businesses, creative studios, architects, photographers, artists, and service-based professionals who want a website that genuinely reflects the quality of their work. If you're after something thoughtfully designed, fast, and easy to manage – rather than an off-the-shelf template – we're probably a good fit.

Mainly three things: a clear sense of your goals, your content (copy, images, and logos), and timely feedback during the design phase. If you need help with any of that – copywriting, branding, or illustration – I can include it in your project scope. The easiest way to kick things off is to get in touch.