Help Centre

Questions answered.

Everything you need to know about working with ZSM Digital — pricing, timelines, technology, and support.

General

Who we are and how we work

01 What makes ZSM Digital different?
We focus on fast performance, clean code, and websites that actually convert. You deal directly with a developer — not sales reps — and get honest timelines and pricing. No bloated page builders, no account managers in the middle.
02 Where are you based?
We're based in Stourbridge, West Midlands, and work with clients across the UK. Most projects are handled remotely with clear communication throughout — video calls, email, and WhatsApp as needed.
03 Do you work with businesses outside the West Midlands?
Yes. We serve clients nationwide. Location doesn't affect how we deliver — you'll get the same process, communication, and quality whether you're local or based elsewhere in the UK.

Pricing & Payment

Costs, quotes, and payment terms

01 How much does a website cost?
Starter business sites start from £399 (up to 5 pages). Professional sites with a CMS start from £899 (up to 10 pages). E-commerce stores start from £1,200, and custom web applications from £2,500. See our pricing page for full details.
02 Are there any hidden fees?
No. You receive a fixed quote for the build before work begins. We recommend hosting your site with ZSM Digital — the hosting price, billing cycle, and full terms are set out in your project contract, not hidden in the small print. Domain registration is confirmed in the same contract. Shopify e-commerce clients pay Shopify's platform subscription separately; we'll explain that upfront.
03 How much does hosting cost?
Hosting is priced based on your site's needs (traffic, storage, complexity). We don't publish a single flat rate because every project is different — instead, the hosting price and everything included are written clearly in your project contract before you sign. We recommend hosting with us so the same team that built your site manages the server.
04 Do you offer payment plans?
For projects over £1,000, we can split payment into milestones — typically a deposit upfront and the balance on delivery. Terms are agreed in writing before any work starts.
05 What affects the final price?
Main factors: number of pages, custom functionality (booking, portals, etc.), integrations (payments, CRM, email tools), and content volume. We explain what drives your quote so there are no surprises.

Process & Timeline

From first enquiry to launch

01 How long does it take to build a website?
Standard business sites take 7–14 days. Professional sites with a CMS typically take 10–14 days. E-commerce and custom applications are scoped individually — you'll get a clear timeline before we start.
02 What happens after I submit an enquiry?
We review your project details and reply within one business day with next steps — usually a short call or email to clarify scope, followed by a fixed quote. No pressure, no spam.
03 Do I need to provide all content upfront?
You'll need text and images for your pages, but we can work in phases. We'll tell you exactly what's needed and when. If you're missing copy, we can advise on structure and placeholders to keep the build moving.
04 Can I request changes during the build?
Reasonable revisions within the agreed scope are included. Larger changes (extra pages, new features) are discussed first and quoted separately so everyone stays aligned on scope and cost.

Technical

Platforms, SEO, and performance

01 Do you build WordPress sites?
No. We build custom websites using modern frameworks like Flask and clean hand-coded HTML/CSS. This gives you better performance, tighter security, and a site that doesn't depend on a bloated plugin ecosystem. For e-commerce, we use Shopify.
02 Will my website be mobile-friendly?
Yes. Every site is fully responsive on phones, tablets, and desktops. Mobile-first design is standard on all projects — most of your visitors will be on mobile, so we design for that first.
03 Do you include SEO?
Yes. All packages include on-page SEO foundations: meta titles and descriptions, semantic HTML, sitemap, and Google Search Console setup. Ongoing SEO campaigns and content marketing are separate services we can discuss.
04 Can I update the website myself?
Yes — on Professional tier and above. We build a custom CMS tailored to your site so you can edit text, images, and pages without touching code. We walk you through how to use it at handover.
05 Who hosts the website?
We recommend hosting with ZSM Digital — we build your site and host it on infrastructure we manage (SSL, backups, monitoring, and support). The hosting price, billing cycle, and full terms are set out in your project contract before you sign. You own your site and code; if you ever need to move elsewhere, we can help with a proper handover.

Support & After Launch

Maintenance, updates, and help

01 Do you provide ongoing maintenance?
Yes. Support plans start from £49/month with no lock-in. Includes security patches, backups, uptime monitoring, and direct developer access when something needs fixing. We recommend combining this with ZSM hosting so one team handles your site end to end — hosting fees are documented separately in your contract.
02 What post-launch support is included?
Starter includes 30 days, Professional includes 60 days. During that period we fix bugs, help with small tweaks, and answer questions. After that, you can move to a monthly support plan or contact us ad hoc.
03 What if I need something that doesn't fit your services?
Get in touch anyway. If your project isn't a clean fit, we'll scope it properly and give you an honest quote — or tell you if we're not the right fit. We'd rather be upfront than take on the wrong project.
04 Is there a client portal for project updates?
Yes. Active clients can use our Project Portal to track progress, view milestones, and message the team. You'll receive login details when your project starts.

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