About HIA Web Design

Building websites since 1999

I’m Virginia, the founder of HIA Web Design. I built my first websites in the late 1990s, in the days of dial-up and Microsoft FrontPage, and I’ve been designing them ever since. I started trading as HIA Web Design in 2010, just as social media was taking off and before anyone was talking about mobile-friendly design.

Today I run HIA from Sale, in South Manchester, and look after more than 200 websites for businesses across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and the rest of the UK, with clients as far away as America and Australia. Some of the businesses I worked with in my first year of trading are still with me now.

Who I work with

Sole traders, start-ups and established companies ready to grow online: tradespeople, interior designers, therapists, clinics, retailers and professional services, among many others.

Whoever I’m working with, the approach is the same: friendly, reliable and jargon-free, with a website that does a real job for your business.

What I offer

Website design – from starter websites to fully custom builds, all on WordPress
Online shops and membership sites – built on WordPress and WooCommerce
Care plans – hosting, updates, backups, security, email and changes, in one monthly price from £40
SEO and growth services – helping customers find you on Google and turning more visitors into enquiries

When a project needs it, I bring in trusted graphic designers and developers, so you always get the right expertise.

Why clients choose HIA

Clients often tell me they value how clearly I explain things, how quickly I reply and how much I care about their business doing well. With 81 five-star Google reviews, and clients who have stayed with me for more than a decade, I’d rather let them say it than make claims of my own.

I love learning about different industries. Whether you’re a plumber, a photographer, a skincare brand or a candle maker, I find every business fascinating. This job is an education in itself, and I thrive on it.

The Process

Enquire – fill in a short form or book a free 20-minute call.
Proposal and booking – I send a clear proposal with costs, timeline and what’s included. A 50% deposit secures your place.
Content and planning – I guide you through gathering your text, photos and branding, and I can write the copy for you if you’d like.
Design and build – I build your site with regular check-ins and two rounds of revisions.
Launch and care – once your care plan is active, your site goes live, and from then on I keep it updated, backed up and secure.

Working together

Friendly, professional and jargon-free – clear advice in plain English.
No hidden surprises – every project has a clear process and clear pricing.
Quick replies – reply times are set out in your care plan, from the same working day on Care Priority.
Pride in your website – a site you’re genuinely happy to share.
Care that lasts – I’m still here long after launch day. Some clients have been with me since 2010.

A note on boundaries

Working hours – Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Revisions – website builds include two rounds of revisions. Extra changes are £50 an hour for care plan clients and £60 an hour otherwise.
Payments – a 50% deposit to book and the balance before launch. Care plans are paid monthly or annually by card or bank transfer, automatically.
Ongoing work – quick questions are always welcome. Anything more involved is quoted before work starts.
Weekends and emergencies – I don’t offer weekend or 24/7 support unless it’s agreed in advance (or the internet is literally on fire 🔥).

Final word

Working with me isn’t just about launching a website. It’s about building something that feels like part of your business, and then looking after it properly. You’ll never be just another client, and you’ll always know who to call.

If that sounds like the kind of help you’re looking for…