Frequently asked questions
Pricing, timelines, and how working together works. Can't find what you need? Get in touch — I reply within one working day.
Working with me
Who is Saltways?
Saltways is a solo freelance web development practice based in Droitwich, Worcestershire, working with clients across the UK. Every project is handled start to finish by one person — no project managers, no juniors, no handoffs.
Where are you based, and do you work outside Worcestershire?
I'm based in Droitwich, Worcestershire, and work with clients across the UK. Most work happens remotely; on-site visits are possible in Worcestershire and the surrounding area.
How do projects work?
Scope is agreed before any work starts. You get a fixed quote and a clear timeline, and nothing is outsourced or handed off. After you get in touch, I'll come back within one working day.
How quickly will you reply to my enquiry?
Within one working day.
Pricing
How much does a website cost?
Information websites start from £600 and e-commerce stores from £2,000. Rebuilding or migrating an existing site starts from £1,500. Every quote is fixed and agreed before work begins, and all prices include VAT.
How much does a web application cost?
Custom web applications start from £3,000, depending on what the app needs to do. Because every build is different, I agree the scope and a fixed quote with you up front.
How much do Care Plans cost?
Care Plans are monthly retainers: Basic is £150, Standard £250, and Premium £400 per month. One-off tech help without a plan is £80/hour.
Do your prices include VAT?
Yes — all prices include VAT, and the full cost is confirmed before any work begins.
Timelines
How long does a website take to build?
Simple sites go live in days, not weeks. More complex sites go live in weeks, not months. The exact timeline is set as part of your fixed quote.
How long does a web application take?
Web applications are live in weeks, not months. A simpler tool can be ready in around a week; larger builds take longer, and the timeline is agreed when scope is set.
Services
What's the difference between a website and a web application?
A website presents information — pages about your business, services, or products. A web application is a custom tool that does something: a booking system, a customer portal, a dashboard, or an internal tool built around how your business works. I build both.
Do you build online shops?
Yes — e-commerce stores start from £2,000.
Is SEO included?
SEO is included as standard on websites, not charged as a separate add-on.
Can you check if my site is AI-ready?
Yes. There’s a free check on the AI Readiness page that scores your site on the SEO basics and AI readiness. For the full breakdown and a plan to fix it, get in touch.
Care and support
What's included in a Care Plan?
Every tier includes hosting, security and dependency updates, small tweaks (copy edits, image swaps, fixes, and minor adjustments), and ongoing tech support. The tiers differ by how quickly I respond: within one working day on Basic, four working hours on Standard, and one working hour on Premium. Premium also includes a periodic strategy review and priority on new feature work. Response times apply during UK working hours (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm).
Are new features included in a Care Plan?
Care Plans cover ongoing maintenance and small tweaks. New features, additional pages, and larger changes are quoted separately. Premium customers get priority on new feature work.
Can I get tech help without a monthly plan?
Yes — one-off tech help is £80/hour, remote where possible or on-site in Worcestershire if needed.
Do I have to take a Care Plan?
No. Care Plans are optional. Many clients take one after a build to keep things maintained, but it isn’t required.
Still have a question?
Get in touch and I'll come back within one working day.