Question 1

Why choose Hugh Avery Web Design?

Accepted Answer

I'm a Web Designer & Developer based right here in New Plymouth, New Zealand. With years of experience creating beautiful, high-performing websites for ambitious brands, I'm passionate about turning your vision into a digital reality that drives real results.

Question 2

Are your sites SEO optimised?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Every website I build is optimized for search engines from the ground up. Performance is measured using Google PageSpeed Insights, and I guarantee a score of 95 or above—putting your site in the top tier of websites globally and outperforming 90% of sites on the web. Beyond technical performance, I conduct thorough keyword research, optimize on-page SEO elements (meta tags, headers, alt text), implement schema markup, and ensure your site follows best practices for crawlability and indexing. The result? Fast-loading, search-friendly websites that rank well and convert visitors into customers.

Question 3

Do you optimize for GEO (AI visibility)?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the future of online visibility. As AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google's AI Overviews become more prevalent, it's crucial that your business appears in AI-generated responses. I implement a comprehensive GEO strategy that includes structured data markup, creating authoritative and contextually rich content, optimizing for natural language queries, and ensuring your brand is cited and recommended by AI systems. This positions your business to be discovered not just through traditional search, but also when potential customers ask AI assistants for recommendations in your industry.

Question 4

What platform do you build websites on?

Accepted Answer

For very basic, cookie-cutter sites, I use Wix. However, most of the time I custom-code websites using modern web technologies (Next.js and React). Custom-coded sites perform significantly better and are more optimized than website builders. The key difference is flexibility: website builders lock you into their ecosystem and limitations, while custom code gives you complete control and scalability without the constraints and ongoing dependencies of proprietary platforms.

Question 5

What does a custom website design process look like?

Accepted Answer

My process starts with understanding your business goals and target audience. Then I create custom designs tailored to your brand, develop the site using modern technologies, and ensure everything is optimized for performance and conversions before launch.

Question 6

What is your web design process?

Accepted Answer

I follow a collaborative approach: Discovery & Strategy, Design & Prototyping, Development & Testing, Launch & Training, and ongoing Support & Optimization. Each project is tailored to your specific needs and timeline.

Question 7

How is a successful website measured?

Accepted Answer

Success is measured through multiple metrics: impressions and user engagement, PageSpeed Insights scores (performance, accessibility, SEO), conversion rates, search engine rankings, time on page, and ultimately how well the site achieves your business goals. I provide analytics setup and ongoing performance monitoring to track these metrics and continually optimize your site.

Question 8

How soon can we start?

Accepted Answer

I can start as soon as you're ready! The timeline depends on your project scope and my current availability. Once we discuss your needs and you're happy to proceed, I can typically begin within a few days. Simple sites can be completed quickly, while more complex projects require appropriate planning and development time.

Question 9

Are your websites affordable?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Pricing varies based on scope and complexity. If you have all your content ready - videos, photos, and a clear idea of what you want to showcase - it makes my job very easy. A site like this can be designed, developed, and hosted with basic SEO in a day. However, if you want to rank on the first page in your industry, it will require keyword research, competitive analysis, content strategy, and ongoing SEO work, which takes more time and investment. Let's discuss your specific needs and budget to find the right solution.

Question 10

Do you provide website hosting, domain setup, and ongoing maintenance for Taranaki businesses?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! I offer complete end-to-end service for Taranaki businesses. This includes securing and setting up your custom domain (yourbusiness.co.nz), configuring professional hosting on reliable infrastructure (typically Vercel for optimal performance), setting up SSL certificates for security, configuring DNS and email records, and handling all the technical setup so your site is fast, secure, and professional from day one. I also provide ongoing maintenance packages that include regular updates, security monitoring, performance optimization, content updates, SEO adjustments, and technical support whenever you need it. You don't need to worry about the technical complexities - I handle everything so you can focus on running your business.

Question 11

What is the difference between a custom website and using Wix or Squarespace in New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

The key differences come down to performance, flexibility, and long-term value. Website builders like Wix and Squarespace are convenient but come with significant limitations: slower loading speeds (which hurt SEO and user experience), restrictive templates that make you look like everyone else, ongoing monthly subscription fees, limited customization options, vendor lock-in (you can't take your site elsewhere), and performance scores typically in the 40-60 range on Google PageSpeed. In contrast, my custom-coded websites guarantee a 95+ PageSpeed score (faster than 90% of websites globally), are fully tailored to your brand with unlimited design flexibility, have no ongoing platform fees, are built with modern technologies that scale with your business, and give you complete ownership and control. For serious New Zealand businesses that want to stand out, rank well in search results, and provide the best user experience, a custom website is the professional choice that pays for itself through better performance and conversions.

Question 12

Can you redesign or update my existing website without starting from scratch?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Many of my clients come to me with outdated websites that need a refresh rather than a complete rebuild. I can redesign and modernize your existing site, improve its performance and SEO, update the design to current standards, add new features and functionality, optimize for mobile devices, and enhance conversion elements - all while keeping what works and preserving your existing content and brand equity. This approach is often more cost-effective than starting from scratch and can be completed faster since we're building on your existing foundation. Whether your site needs a visual refresh, better performance, improved SEO, or new functionality, I can assess your current website and provide a tailored solution that meets your needs and budget without unnecessary rebuilding.

Question 13

Do you set up contact forms and email notifications?

Accepted Answer

Yes! When I build a custom website from scratch, it includes a custom domain and professional email setup for that domain (e.g., contact@yourbusiness.com). I integrate fully functional contact forms with email notifications, so you'll receive inquiries directly to your business email. This gives you a complete, professional online presence with all the communication tools you need to connect with your customers.

Insights & Strategy

How to Get Your New Plymouth Business Recommended by AI: A GEO Playbook

Why I Stopped Buying .nz Domains From Big-Name Registrars