What Does a Website Development Company Do?
A website development company plans, designs, builds, launches and maintains websites for businesses. Its services usually cover strategy, UX and UI design, front-end and back-end development, CMS or custom builds, ecommerce, SEO setup, security, hosting and ongoing support. In short, a full-service company looks after the whole life of your site.
This article explains each service, how the work is split, and what you should expect to pay for.
What does a website development company do day to day?
The work moves through clear stages. First, the team learns about your business, buyers and goals. Next, it plans the pages and how people move between them. Then designers create the look, and developers turn the design into working code. Finally, the team tests, launches and keeps the site healthy.
Each stage has its own people. For example, a strategist leads discovery, a designer handles layout, and a developer writes code. A project manager keeps everyone on time and in touch with you.
Which services does a website development company offer?
| Service | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Strategy and discovery | Goals, audience, competitors, sitemap and project plan |
| UX and UI design | Wireframes, page layouts, brand styling and mobile views |
| Front-end development | The code that runs in the browser: layout, menus, forms and motion |
| Back-end development | Servers, databases, logins, APIs and admin tools |
| CMS setup | WordPress or another system so your team can edit pages |
| Ecommerce | Product pages, cart, payments, shipping and stock |
| SEO setup | Clean URLs, titles, schema, speed and a sitemap |
| Security and hosting | HTTPS, backups, updates, firewalls and uptime checks |
| Maintenance | Fixes, updates, new pages and monthly reports |
Not every company offers all of these. So check which ones are in house and which are passed to partners.
What is the difference between design and development?
Design decides what people see and feel. Development makes it work. For instance, a designer picks where a booking form sits and how it looks. A developer then makes the form send data, check for errors and stay fast on a phone.
Most projects need both. That is why many firms deliver them as one workflow. Our article on web design vs web development goes deeper.
Do they build with WordPress or custom code?
Both are common. A CMS such as WordPress suits most business sites because your team can edit pages without a developer. However, custom code suits products with special logic, heavy traffic or unusual integrations.
A good company explains why it recommends one over the other for you. You can compare the options in our guides to WordPress and CMS development and custom web development.
What happens after the website goes live?
Launch is not the end. Software needs updates, plugins need patches, and content needs refreshing. In addition, search engines reward sites that stay fast and current.
Most companies therefore offer a support plan. It usually includes backups, security updates, uptime checks and a set number of hours for changes. Ask how fast they respond to urgent problems, and get that time in writing.
How much does a website development company cost?
The price depends on what you need. A brochure site with a few pages sits at the low end. Meanwhile, an online store or a custom portal sits much higher because it needs more design, code and testing.
The main cost drivers are:
- the number of page templates;
- custom features and integrations;
- ecommerce and payment setup;
- content writing and photography;
- ongoing support and hosting.
For a fuller breakdown, read our website development cost guide.
How do you choose the right company?
Start with a short brief and send it to three providers. Then compare their portfolios, process and itemised quotes. Also check that they plan for speed and accessibility from the start. The W3C publishes the WCAG accessibility guidelines that good teams follow.
Our pillar guide on how to choose the best website development company gives you a step-by-step method.
Common mistakes when hiring
- Choosing on price alone and finding out later that SEO or testing was not included.
- Not confirming who owns the code, domain and hosting accounts.
- Skipping a support plan, then paying emergency rates for fixes.
- Giving no clear brief, which leads to scope creep and delays.
Next steps
Now you know what a website development company does, list the services you need and the ones you can skip. Then talk to a team that can cover the full journey. See how we work on our website design agency page.
Frequently asked questions
What does a website development company do?
A website development company plans, designs, builds, launches and maintains websites. Full-service firms cover the whole life of the site.
What services does a website development company offer?
Typical services are strategy, UX and UI design, front-end and back-end development, CMS setup, ecommerce, SEO setup, security, hosting and maintenance.
How much does a website development company cost?
Cost depends on the number of page templates, custom features, ecommerce, content and support. A brochure site costs far less than a store or custom portal.
How do I choose a website development company?
Send the same brief to three companies, then compare their live work, process, itemised quotes and support terms.
What are common mistakes to avoid when hiring one?
Avoid choosing on price alone, leaving ownership of code and domain unclear, skipping support and starting without a written brief.
