Web Design in Nigel

Morally yes, legally increasingly so — several markets now enforce accessibility standards (WCAG) for business websites, and lawsuits and fines are real in some countries. Practically: proper headings, alt text, keyboard navigation and color contrast cost little at build time and a lot to retrofit. Ask your designer to build to WCAG 2.1 AA.

One page: what the business does, the site's single main goal (calls, bookings, orders), the pages you need, 2-3 example sites you like and why, your content status (ready or needed), deadline, and budget range. Sharing your real budget gets you an honest proposal instead of a guessing game.

Usually not — most quotes assume you supply finished text and images. Professional copywriting and a photo shoot are typically separate line items that can add 20-50% to a project. Stock photos and designer-polished draft text are the common middle ground; agree this explicitly before signing.

Five that separate pros from dabblers: Can I see 3 live sites you built and still maintain? Who actually does the work — you or subcontractors? Will I own the domain, hosting and code? What's included in the price and what costs extra? What happens if I want changes after launch?

Freelancers typically charge R350-R900/hr, with 5-page small-business sites at R8,000-R30,000 and e-commerce from R20,000. Cape Town and Joburg agencies sit at the top; skilled independents in smaller cities undercut them significantly.

ECTA Section 43 requires your legal name and registration number, physical address, contact details, full price disclosure, terms of sale and refund policy — plus POPIA-compliant data handling. Ask your designer to include a compliant footer and legal pages in the build.