A Web Design & SEO Agency in Manchester
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SEO that grow businesses.
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AI Overviews SEO: how to show up in Google’s AI answers
There's no separate trick to AI Overviews SEO. Google says a page only has to be indexed and eligible to show in search with a snippet, and that there are no extra requirements beyond that. In our view, that makes the job good SEO: answer the question clearly near the top of the page, on…
The web design process: what happens and how long it takes
The web design process for most websites follows the same steps: a first call and brief, planning the pages, the words and images, design, build, review and launch, then looking after the site afterwards. As a rough guide, most websites take four to eight weeks from the first call to launch, with online shops and…
Shopify vs WooCommerce: how to choose for your online shop
Shopify vs WooCommerce mostly comes down to how much of the shop you want to own and look after. Shopify is the quicker start if you want a shop running soon with little to maintain. WooCommerce suits shops that want their own site, freedom over their pages and no platform fee on top of their…
Ecommerce SEO tips: product and category pages that rank
The best ecommerce SEO tips come back to one idea: give each search its own page. Brand and category pages are for broad searches like "frying pans" or a brand name, and product pages are for model names. Keep the products at the top, write your own product titles and descriptions, and make sure Google…
FAQs
Are you a web design agency or an SEO agency?
Both. We’re a web design and SEO agency in Manchester, and clients come to us for a new website, for SEO, or for both. We design and build WordPress websites with the SEO foundations set up before launch, then our monthly SEO helps more of the right people find them. Have a look at our web design packages or our SEO services to see what each one covers.
How much does website design cost in Manchester?
It depends on what your website needs to do. A five-page site for a local service business and an online shop with hundreds of products are very different jobs. We’ll ask about your business, your customers and the pages you need, then put a price on it. There’s more detail on our web design packages page.
How long does a website take?
Most projects take four to eight weeks from our first call to launch. Bigger sites and online shops sit at the longer end, and a smaller site can be quicker. The biggest thing that speeds a project up is quick feedback on each stage.
Do you only work with businesses in Manchester?
No. We’re based in Manchester, at Campfield on Lower Byrom Street, and we work with businesses UK-wide and globally. If you’d like to meet in person to talk about your project, get in touch first and we’ll book a time that suits you.
Is web design still worth it?
If it’s done properly, yes. Even when people find you on social media, Google Maps or through a recommendation, your website is usually where they decide whether to get in touch. A site that’s quick, clear and easy to use turns more of those visits into enquiries, and it gives Google something to rank as well.
What’s included when you design a website?
Every website we design includes the design itself, the copywriting, stock imagery wherever you don’t have your own photos, and the SEO foundations Google needs. It’s built in WordPress, works on every device and you own it outright. If you’d like us to look after it afterwards, our hosting plan covers updates and daily backups.
Why choose a web design agency over a freelancer?
A good freelancer can be a great fit for a small job. With a web design agency, you get the design, copywriting, build and SEO from one team, so nobody’s waiting on someone else to finish their part. And at Social Bay, you deal with the people doing the work from start to finish.