Knowledge Centre
Straight answers to the questions Australian business owners actually ask about websites, SEO, hosting and Google Ads. No jargon, no sign up, no sales pitch.
We have been building websites for Australian businesses since 2004, and in that time we have answered the same questions thousands of times. What does a website actually cost. Whether SEO is worth the money. Why one host is $8 a month and another is $80. Whether you need Google Ads at all.
This is where those answers live. Every guide here is written from real project experience with real Australian pricing, not recycled overseas advice. Read what you need, ignore the rest, and get in touch if you want a hand.
Websites and web design
Choosing a platform, working out how long a build takes, deciding between a custom design and a template, and knowing when your current site has had its day. Browse the website guides.
SEO and local search
How search rankings actually work, how long results take, whether SEO beats paid ads for your situation, and how to get found by people searching in your suburb. Browse the SEO guides.
WordPress, hosting and domains
Picking a domain name, understanding what you are paying a host for, keeping a WordPress site fast and secure, and what maintenance really involves. Browse the hosting guides.
Google Ads and digital marketing
How the ad auction works, where your budget goes, the difference between Google and Facebook advertising, and how to turn clicks into enquiries. Browse the marketing guides.
Costs and pricing
Real price ranges for websites, SEO, hosting, maintenance and advertising in Australia, with an explanation of what sits behind each number. Browse the pricing guides.
Start here if you are just researching. Most people land on one of these three: How much does a website cost in Australia, SEO or Google Ads, where should you start, and Wix vs Squarespace vs WordPress.
About the Knowledge Centre
Who writes these guides?
They are written and reviewed by Scott Nailon and the Sites By Design team in Sydney. We build and maintain websites for more than 350 Australian businesses, so the advice comes from projects we have actually delivered rather than theory.
Do I need to give you my email to read them?
No. Everything here is open. There is no gate, no download form and no drip sequence waiting on the other side.
Is the pricing information accurate for Australia?
Yes. Every dollar figure in these guides is in Australian dollars and reflects what Australian businesses are quoted, including GST considerations where relevant. Prices move, so we review the cost guides regularly.
Will you try to sell me something?
Only if you ask. The guides are written to be useful even if you never contact us, and several of them will tell you when hiring an agency is the wrong move for your situation.
Still not sure what you need?
Tell us what you are trying to achieve and we will point you in the right direction, even if that means telling you to hold off. No obligation, no lock-in contracts, and you will speak to someone in Sydney.