Pick the right website package for your small business (without the faff)
A no-nonsense guide to choosing the right website package for your small business — shops, cafés and trades in Sheffield. Learn what features matter, typical costs and how to avoid paying for extras you don't need.
Pick the right website package (without the faff)
Quick note before we start
If you run a shop, café or local trades business and you're looking for a website package that actually works, this is for you. This guide cuts the jargon and explains, in plain English, what a website package should include — hosting, responsive design, easy editing (CMS), email, online payments, bookings and ongoing support — so you can compare options properly.
I'm writing as a local Sheffield web developer at Just Get Online. We build small business websites and help owners stop paying for features they don't need. Read on to learn how to pick a website package that fits your budget and business goals without the usual sales spin.
First question: what do you actually need?
Start with the basics. Before you pick any package, answer these simple questions about your small business website:
- What's the main job of the site? (show info, generate calls, sell products online, take bookings?)
- How many pages or products will you have? Ten pages is different to 200 products and affects cost and setup.
- Do you want to edit the site yourself later (CMS access), or would you prefer managed updates?
- Will you need business email addresses, online payments, appointment bookings, or integrations with accounting or POS systems?
If your answer is “I just need something cheap and quick,” that's fine — but be clear cheap and quick usually means limited functionality and harder upgrades later.
Quick note before we start
If you’ve ever sat through a pitch where someone wields the word ~~synergy~~ like a magic wand, you’re in the right place. This is plain English, straight-talking advice about picking a website package that actually does what you need. No buzzwords, no smoke and mirrors.
I’m talking to you as if you were a mate who runs a shop, a cafe or a local trades business. If you’re in Sheffield, you might already know Just Get Online — we build small business websites and help people stop paying for things they don’t need.
First question: what do you actually need?
Start with the basics. Before you pick any package, answer these simple questions:
- What’s the main job of the site? (show info, get calls, sell stuff online, take bookings?)
- How many pages or products will you have? Ten pages is different to 200 products.
- Do you want to edit the site yourself later, or do you want someone else to handle updates?
- Will you need email addresses, online payments, bookings, or integrations with systems you already use?
If your answer is ‘I just need something cheap and quick’ that’s fine — just be clear that cheap and quick usually means limited features.
What to look for in a website package
Here’s a checklist to compare packages without getting bamboozled:
- Core pages and features listed: homepage, about, services, contact, FAQ, product pages.
- Responsive design: works well on phones. If it’s not mobile-friendly, bin it.
- Content management: are you getting a CMS so you can change text and photos yourself?
- Hosting and domain: does the price include hosting and domain renewal? For how long?
- Security: SSL certificate included? Backups? Software updates?
- Email: do you get business email addresses or will you need to set them up separately?
- SEO basics: sensible URLs, page titles, meta descriptions, and Google Analytics set up.
- Support and training: how many hours of tweaks are included? Is there an SLA for fixes?
- Costs over time: monthly hosting, plugin licences, maintenance fees — what’s ongoing?
If a package description says things like ~~end-to-end solution~~ or ~~game-changing platform~~, ignore the fluff and check the practical bits above.
The four common types of package (and who they suit)
1) Starter brochure website
- 3–6 pages, a contact form, simple design.
- Good for tradespeople and small shops who just need a presence.
- Pros: cheap, quick. Cons: limited flexibility.
2) Standard small business website
- 6–15 pages, CMS access, basic SEO, hosting included.
- Good for cafes, local services, consultancies.
- Pros: more control, sensible features. Cons: will still need occasional updates or extra features.
3) Ecommerce website
- Product pages, payment gateway, shipping settings, stock management.
- Good for shops selling online. An ecommerce website with a few products is different to one with hundreds.
- Make sure the package states whether it handles VAT, refunds, and shipping integrations.
4) Bespoke/custom website
- Tailored design, special integrations (like booking systems, CRMs), ongoing support.
- Good if you’ve got specific requirements that off-the-shelf packages can’t handle.
If you’re not sure whether you need an ecommerce website or a brochure site with a couple of product pages, ask how easy it is to upgrade later.
Practical tips on pricing and surprises
- Expect a range: cheap starter sites can be a few hundred quid; sensible small business websites often sit in the low thousands. Full ecommerce or bespoke work can rise from a few thousand depending on complexity.
- Don’t just look at the upfront cost. Ask about monthly hosting, plugin licences, and maintenance fees.
- Ask for a list of what’s included and what’s extra. If they say ‘lots of functionality’ — get specifics.
- Timelines: how long to build, how long to make changes, and how quickly they’ll fix things if the site goes down.
Questions to ask a web developer (or to check on a sales sheet)
- Can I update text and images myself? If so, how hard is it?
- Who owns the domain and the website files? (You should.)
- Is hosting fast and backed up daily?
- Is there an SSL certificate included?
- How many edits are included after launch and how much do extra changes cost?
- Do you set up Google Analytics and submit the sitemap to Google?
If you’re selling online: things that matter for ecommerce
- Number of products and options (sizes, colours) — this affects cost.
- Payment providers supported (Stripe, PayPal, Shopify Payments, etc).
- Shipping: do you need carrier integrations and shipping rules?
- Stock and tax (VAT) handling.
If a package promises an ‘online shop’ but doesn’t clarify product limits or payment options, ask for clarity.
Final bit of common sense
Cheap isn’t always bad. Fancy words aren’t always good. The right package helps you do your job — get customers, take bookings, sell products — without you paying extra for things you won’t use.
If you’re local to Sheffield and want someone who speaks plain English, Just Get Online will happily talk you through options without the jargon. We build small business websites and try to keep things sensible and affordable.
Want a hand working it out?
If you want a quick, no-nonsense chat about what package suits your business — whether it’s a simple brochure site or a proper ecommerce website — drop us a message and we’ll talk through the practical bits over a cuppa (or a call). No pressure, no fluff.
Take our 60-second website quiz or contact us to discuss your website.