When it comes to running a business in Somerset, your website is often the first thing potential clients see. Whether you’re a counsellor in Glastonbury, a wellness coach in Wells, or a small business owner anywhere across the county, your online presence is a crucial part of your brand. A professionally designed website doesn’t just look good—it builds instant trust, helps you reach more customers, and sets you apart in an increasingly crowded marketplace. At Richard Thorne Web Design, we know first impressions matter. Let’s explore why investing in professional website design is one of the best moves Somerset businesses can make.
The Role of Website Design in Establishing Credibility
It’s no secret that people make snap judgments. When someone lands on your website, you only have seconds to impress them. In fact, 75% of users judge a company’s credibility based on its website design. That means your site is not just a digital business card—it’s a foundation of trust.
For local businesses, especially those in the wellness sector, credibility is everything. Counsellors, therapists, and wellness professionals work in fields where trust and personal connection are vital. A clean, modern, and user-friendly website shows that you take your business seriously and care about your clients’ experience. This is especially important if you’re asking clients to book appointments or share personal information online.
Richard Thorne Web Design specialises in crafting WordPress websites that reflect your unique personality and professional standards. By using best practices in design and layout, RTWD helps Somerset businesses establish a solid digital reputation from the very start. Remember, your website isn’t just competing locally—people expect the same level of professionalism online as they do from national brands.
Enhancing User Experience to Retain Customers
Getting someone to visit your website is just the first step. Keeping them there—and encouraging them to take action—depends on their experience. If your site is clunky, confusing, or slow to load, you’re likely losing potential clients. 88% of online consumers are less likely to return to a site after a bad experience. That’s a huge number, and it’s a risk no small business can afford to ignore.
Good user experience (UX) is about making it as easy as possible for visitors to find the information they need. That means clear navigation, readable text, fast loading times, and straightforward contact or booking forms. For wellness professionals, this might mean integrating appointment scheduling or secure contact forms tailored to your workflow.
RTWD’s approach is all about practicality. We design sites that don’t just look beautiful—they work beautifully, too. Our ongoing website care packages ensure your site stays fast, secure, and up-to-date, so you can focus on your clients while we handle the tech. This commitment to usability keeps customers coming back and encourages word-of-mouth referrals.
Mobile Optimisation: Catering to On-the-Go Users
More people are browsing the internet on their phones than ever before. Whether your clients are checking your opening hours on their lunch break or booking a counselling session from their mobile, your website needs to perform flawlessly across all devices. 81.8% of businesses confirmed their website is optimised for mobile devices.
If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you risk alienating a huge chunk of your audience. Poor mobile experiences lead to frustrated users, missed enquiries, and lost revenue. For Somerset businesses, especially those relying on local searches and appointments, mobile optimisation is non-negotiable.
At Richard Thorne Web Design, every site we build is responsive by default. That means your content, images, and forms look great and function perfectly on mobiles, tablets, and desktops. We test your site on multiple devices to ensure a seamless experience for every visitor. Mobile optimisation isn’t just about fitting the screen—it’s about making sure your key calls-to-action (like “Book Now” or “Contact Us”) are front and centre where users need them most.
SEO Best Practices for Somerset Businesses
Having a stunning website is only half the battle. If people can’t find you online, you’re missing out on valuable business. This is where search engine optimisation (SEO) comes in. For small and medium businesses in Somerset, ranking well for local search terms is essential to getting found by the right customers.
Did you know that 78% of small business owners in the UK currently have a website for their business? This means you’re already competing with a lot of local businesses online. However, not all of them are taking full advantage of SEO. By optimising your website structure, using relevant keywords, and ensuring fast load times, you can gain a real edge.
RTWD takes a holistic approach to SEO. From the start, we build your site with clean code, logical navigation, and keyword-rich content that appeals to both users and search engines. For wellness professionals, we focus on the terms your potential clients are actually searching for—like “therapist in Glastonbury” or “counselling Somerset.”
It’s also worth noting that 83.5% of those said that their website plays a big part in their business. An effective SEO strategy turns your website into a powerful lead-generation tool, helping you grow sustainably over time.
Integrating AI-Generated Content for Efficiency
Creating fresh, engaging content can be a challenge—especially when you’re busy running your business. That’s why RTWD is embracing AI-generated content solutions as part of our evolving service. By using smart tools, we can help you generate blog posts, service descriptions, FAQs, and more, all tailored to your brand voice and audience.
This approach saves you hours of time and ensures your website stays up-to-date with valuable information for your visitors. AI-generated content supports your SEO efforts, keeps your clients informed, and allows you to focus on what you do best—helping your clients and growing your business. If you’re curious about how this works, just ask us at https://richardthornewebdesign.uk/ and we’ll walk you through the possibilities.
Conclusion
Your website is one of your most important business assets. A professionally designed, user-friendly, and search-optimised site builds credibility, keeps customers engaged, and helps you grow—especially in a competitive market like Somerset. Whether you need a brand new site, a redesign, or ongoing website care, Richard Thorne Web Design is here to help. Let’s make your online presence work as hard as you do—so you can focus on delivering the best for your clients.