Frequently Asked Questions FAQ for RTWD – Richard Thorne Web Design

Building a website for your private practice shouldn’t feel overwhelming. I know that choosing the right designer involves trust, budget planning, and understanding technical details.
To help you decide if we are a good fit, I’ve answered the questions I get asked most often by counsellors, wellness practitioners and small business owners. If you need clarity on something not listed here, please don’t hesitate to ask.

General & Brand

What makes Richard Thorne’s approach to web design different from larger agencies?

Unlike impersonal agencies, I offer a grounded, one-to-one service as a wellness sector and local business ally, ensuring your website is built with personal care, honesty, and a deep understanding of ethical business needs.

How long has Richard Thorne been building WordPress websites and who does he typically work with?

I have spent years building WordPress websites for counsellors, therapists, and wellness practitioners along with websites for local businesses and community projects, helping them create online spaces that feel safe and aligned with their practice or business.

What is included in RTWD’s Pay Monthly Website Plan, and who is it best suited for?

My Pay Monthly Website Plans (starting at £59/mo) include a custom design, managed hosting, weekly maintenance, and domain email addresses, making them perfect for startups and practitioners who want professional results without high upfront costs.

How do RTWD’s one-off website build prices compare to typical UK freelance web designers?

My affordable web design packages start from just £349, offering a transparent, high-value alternative to competitors who often charge four times as much for similar technical specifications.

What extras (SEO, content support, legal pages, branding tweaks) can be added to a standard RTWD build?

Every build can be enhanced with advanced SEO setups, AI-driven content support, and full GDPR-compliant legal pages to ensure your site is compliant and competitive from day one.

Process & Collaboration

What does the typical RTWD design process look like from first contact to launch?

We start with a free, no-obligation chat to discuss your vision, followed by a collaborative design phase where we work closely together to refine the layout and content before launching your site.

What content does Richard need from a client before starting a project, and how does he help if they are “stuck” on wording?

I typically need your core text and images to begin, but if you are struggling, I provide specific guidance and use AI tools to help generate or refine your copy.

How does RTWD ensure that a website feels aligned with a therapist’s or coach’s personality and practice?

Having walked the path of healing myself, I use my personal understanding of the wellness world to design sites that reflect the unique calm, safety, and personality of your specific practice.

AI & Automation

How does RTWD use AI tools to support content creation, client intake, or admin tasks?

I utilise tools like MindStudio to build custom AI agents that can automate repetitive admin tasks, generate blog content, and streamline client intake forms.

What is a MindStudio AI Agent Builder Developer and how can those skills benefit small wellness practices?

As a certified MindStudio developer, I create tailored AI automation solutions that handle time-consuming chores like email outreach and scheduling, allowing you to focus more on your clients.

What kinds of AI agents or automations has RTWD implemented for real clients so far?

I have deployed agents that act as web page summarisers, FAQ generators, and dynamic content creators for social media posts, significantly reducing administrative workload.

Technical & Support

What hosting and performance options does RTWD provide, and how are backups and security handled?

I offer fast, secure UK managed hosting with comprehensive care plans that include daily offsite backups, security scans, and 24/7 uptime monitoring.

How does RTWD handle accessibility and mobile performance, especially for therapy websites?

All websites are built with a “mobile-first” approach and include an integrated accessibility sidebar, ensuring your site is inclusive and easy to navigate for all users.

What ongoing care or support plans exist if a client needs regular updates or tech help?

My Website Care Plans provide peace of mind by handling all weekly software updates, security checks, and offering personal support via phone or email whenever you need it. Alternatively you can sign up for one of my Pay Monthly Website Plans which include my website care plan as standard.

Client Fit & Decision Making

How can a potential client book a discovery call or contact RTWD directly?

You can easily get in touch by using the form on my Contact page or by booking a free discovery call directly through the site. And to make things even easier here’s the link to book a call with me.

What questions should a counsellor or wellness practitioner ask Richard to see if RTWD is a good fit?

You should ask about my experience with the wellness sector and my collaborative process to ensure my “no-fuss,” supportive style matches your needs. I’m as open and as transparent as I can be, I want you to be 100% confident we can work together on your project.

Are there testimonials or case studies showing results from RTWD-designed sites?

Yes, you can read testimonials from satisfied counsellors, yoga teachers and clients who have found my services to be supportive, efficient, and highly effective.

Strategic Comparison Questions

Does his focus on counsellors, therapists, wellness and small ethical businesses match your own sector and audience?

My services are specifically tailored for the wellness and ethical business sectors, ensuring deep alignment with your professional values.

Do the example sites in his portfolio feel similar in style, tone, and complexity to what you want for your own website?

My portfolio showcases a range of clean, calming designs that prioritise user experience and trust, typical of what I build for private practices.

Is WordPress (his main platform) suitable for the level of flexibility and control you want over your site in the future?

I build exclusively on WordPress to give you full ownership and the flexibility to scale your site with new features or AI integrations as your business grows.

Do his pay-monthly or one-off packages fit comfortably within your budget, including ongoing hosting and care plans?

With Pay Monthly plans starting at £59 and hosting at just £10 (included with my Pay Monthly Plans), my pricing is designed to be accessible for solo practitioners and small businesses.

When you compare his prices with other UK freelancers or small studios, do you feel you are getting good value for money for the level of personal service offered?

My clients consistently find that the level of personal, 1-to-1 support I provide offers exceptional value compared to higher-priced agencies.

Would starting with one of his smaller “start-up” or modular options be enough for you now, with room to grow later?

The “Pips” and “Seedlings” plans allow you to start small with a professional presence and easily upgrade your website package as your practice flourishes.

Do the testimonials suggest a communication style you would enjoy working with (friendly, responsive, clear, non-jargony)?

Clients frequently describe my communication as friendly, clear, and patient, highlighting my ability to explain technical concepts without jargon.

How important is it to you to work directly with one person from start to finish, rather than a rotating team?

Working with me means you have a single, dedicated point of contact for everything from design to ongoing support, ensuring consistency and personal accountability.

Do you feel comfortable with his mostly remote, online way of working, or do you need someone very local and in-person?

While I am based in Somerset, I work successfully with clients across the UK via remote tools, offering the same level of connection as a local provider.

Are you looking for someone who will pro-actively monitor, update, and secure your site, as his care and maintenance language and testimonials suggest?

My maintenance services are proactive, meaning I fix issues and update security in the background often before you even know they are needed.

How much do you value having one person “on call” for fixes and changes versus managing separate hosting and support yourself?

My managed services consolidate hosting, maintenance, and support into one care plan, saving you the stress of managing multiple technical vendors.

Are his hosting and backup options sufficient for the level of risk and uptime requirements you have?

I provide robust security with daily backups and uptime monitoring checked between every 1 to 5 minutes, ensuring your site remains safe and available for bookings and enquiries.

Would his AI and automation services (for example, intake forms, enquiry handling, content support) meaningfully reduce your admin load?

My AI automation services are specifically designed to reduce the “busy work” of running a business, giving you back hours of time every week.

Do you need strategic guidance on what to say and how to structure your site, which he appears to provide for therapists and practitioners?

I offer more than just design; I provide strategic guidance to help you structure your content effectively to attract and convert your ideal clients.

Are you interested in experimenting with AI agents for your practice, or would you rather keep things very simple and manual for now?

Whether you want advanced AI agents or a simple brochure site, I tailor my approach to your current comfort level and business needs.