Websites for local businesses · Western Sydney
Thinking about
a website?
Here are five questions to ask every web designer before you decide.
We're a small web design studio in Smithfield, building websites for small businesses across Western Sydney and Sydney Metro. We've prepared a handful of questions that help you pick the right web design studio for your business.
Before deciding
Here are five questions you should ask before deciding.
They're simple questions to help you understand what you'll actually be getting, and which web studio to choose. You can copy these questions with this button so you have all the questions handy for later.
1Do you design for the phone first?Read the answer
2Will people find me on Google and AI?Read the answer
3What kind of contact form will I get?Read the answer
4How will I gauge how the website's doing, or does that usually cost more?Read the answer
5After the websites launch, is it mostly just hosting and security?Read the answer
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Question 1 of 5
“Do you design the desktop version first, then adjust it for phones?”
We start every design on the phone first.
Somewhere between 60% and 73% of people now browse or search on a phone, depending on the study, so most of your customers will meet your business on a small screen.
We ensure that our best experience is designed and made for the mobile screen, and once we've got that perfect, we give it a proper redesign for laptops, desktops and tablets. That way it works beautifully across all devices.
Sources: Similarweb, Australian web traffic, 2026 BrightLocal, US local searches, 2026 Local Digital, 2026 Firewire, 2026
Included in every build
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Question 2 of 5
“What do you do to help my business get found in Google search, or does this cost extra?”
We structure your website for AI search and traditional Google search, at no extra cost.
This one is well worth asking to ensure you know if you are paying extra for this and whether it covers the latest in technology.
At Dactyl Websites we want our customers to stay ahead of the curve and this is all included in our pricing.
We set your site up so Google, voice assistants and AI tools (like ChatGPT and Gemini) can easily find the right details about your business, with a clear structure that helps those searches reach you. Some of the things we focus on:
- Clear headings, titles, short descriptions and well-structured metadata. They're small things that make a big difference.
- Answers and FAQ. These now have a dual purpose. One to answer customers' questions, and two, it helps AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and others, making it easier for AI engines to find, and share. That's what answer engine optimisation (AEO) is.
- A sitemap (and a robots.txt file). Think of these as a friendly map of your website for Google and AI crawlers.
On the Pro package we keep going after launch, fine-tuning every two months and checking your business details across around 14 online directories, so your name, hours and service areas match everywhere.
To be honest with you, nobody can promise a top spot, and anyone who does is worth a gentle raised eyebrow. What we can promise is that your website gives Google and the AI tools everything they need to understand your business. There's more in our Search & AI guide if you'd like the detail.
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Question 3 of 5
“Will there be a contact form, like a name, email and message box?”
Our unique Dactyl Smart Form will save you time and frustration, by providing your customers with a customised, multi-step form, to capture all the key details in one go.
We're all familiar with the frustrating back-and-forth phone tags and asking the same repetitive questions. Dactyl Smart Form will save you lots of time.
We sit with you to capture all the common questions, then customise the Smart Form to suit your business. That way your customers enjoy a smooth and user-friendly experience, and you get everything delivered to your inbox, with all the information that you need.
You can see this in action with our own Smart Form. We welcome you to use it, even if it's just to say a friendly 'Hi' to test it out!
Available on Pro
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Question 4 of 5
“After launch, will I get anything showing how the website's going?”
Every month you'll get your Business Pulse, and it covers a lot.
It's a good question. Some web design studios don't provide anything, some send a report, and it's always worth asking what's actually covered.
Your website is only half the picture. The other half includes your Google Business Profile, Apple Maps and other local directories. So with Business Pulse we look after your website and your wider online presence too.
Your website
- Enquiries, call taps and email taps, counted
- Where your visitors came from, and what led to each enquiry Pro
- The paths people take through your website Pro
- Health checks like page speed, SSL, spam protection and backups
- A check every six to twelve months that your prices and timetables are still right Pro
Beyond your website
- Your business details checked across around 14 directories, like Google Business Profile and Apple Maps Pro
- Directories worth adding Pro
- A heads-up on new Google reviews, with a reminder to respond
Whenever we spot something that could be even better, we'll let you know and suggest what to do about it.
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Question 5 of 5
“Once the website is built, is it mostly hosting and security, or is there anything else?”
There's a fair bit more each month. Depending on your chosen package, you'll already have access to our Business Pulse (or Pulse Lite), and then there's our Monthly Marketing Boost on Pro.
Hosting, security and keeping your website online come with every package, and for lots of websites that's where things finish up. On the Pro package, each month you'll also get:
- A Monthly Marketing Boost. A fresh piece of content made for you each month, like an article, a promotional graphic, a short animation or a strategic concept, to use anywhere, including your socials. You'll always see it and give it the thumbs up first.
- One included change. Around 30 minutes each month for whatever you need, whether that's new photos, new wording, a layout change or a whole new page.
- Gentle reminders. If we're waiting on something from you, like new photos, updated documents or a to-do, we keep track of it in your Business Pulse so nothing gets lost.
On the Essential package you'll still get one update a month for your text and photos.
Built for
the locals.
Websites for the cafés, florists, painters and studios that keep Western Sydney going, from Parramatta to Penrith.
Say hi to John.
When you get in touch, you'll be chatting with John.
He's based in Smithfield and will work closely with you from the start of the project through to the finish.
He's always happy to have a chat, whether it's about your business, a website, or a question you'd like to ask. It doesn't even have to be about websites.
And there's never any obligation.
Your website, your domain, and no lock-in.
Your website is yours, and so is your domain name. Your domain is registered in your name, so you own it and can manage it yourself. We can guide you through choosing and registering one, and we're always happy to help if you need a hand.
Our monthly packages are month to month with no long-term contracts. You can move between packages or leave whenever you choose, and your domain stays yours throughout.
The only things that stay with us are our own tools, like the Dactyl Smart Form, which come as part of your ongoing service.
So how much
will it cost?
Most professionally built small business websites in Australia cost anywhere between $3,000 and $10,000. We keep things simple with one price for every build. More on that in our website costs guide.
$2,500 for your complete custom website, with up to 8 pages.
$500 upfront to get started, and you only pay the remainder once your website goes live.
Then pick a monthly package.
| GrowthEssential | ResultsPro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $70 a month | $129 a month |
| Hosting, security and monitoring | Included | Included |
| Contact form | A standard contact form | The Dactyl Smart Form |
| Monthly Insights | Pulse Lite | Complete Business Pulse, including your online listings check |
| Website Changes | One update a month for text and photos only | One change a month (around 30 min), including design, layout and new pages |
| Search and AI | A check-up once a year | Fine-tuned every two months |
| Monthly Marketing Boost | Not included | Included |
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PresenceStarter
$30 a month
Online, fast and looked after.
- Hosting, SSL & security
- Monitored, always online
- Contact details listed
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GrowthEssential
$70 a month
Everything in Starter, plus
- Pulse LiteSite health, enquiries, Google reviews and top pages
- Search & AI annual review and check-up
- A contact form
- A text & photo update each month
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ResultsPro
$129 a month
Everything in Essential, plus
- Complete Business PulseWhere visitors come from, what led to each call, and suggestions to help more people find you
- Online listings checkYour details checked across around 14 directories
- Dactyl Smart FormCustomised to capture detailed enquiries, saving time and frustration
- Monthly Marketing BoostArticles, promotional graphics, animations and strategic concepts, for your website and socials
- Search & AI tuning every two months
- A 30-minute change each month, design & new pages included
Looking for something simpler? Our Starter package is $30 a month, and you'll find more info on the pricing page with a side by side comparison.
Packages are month to month, and all prices are in AUD and include GST.
Let's have
a chat.
The form below is the Dactyl Smart Form, the very same one that comes with our Pro package. Give it a go, ask us anything, or just say hello. There's absolutely no obligation.
Would you prefer to talk it through? Give John a call on 0411 968 611, or email team@dactylwebsites.com.au.