What technology stack do you use for custom web development?

We build on three platforms, each chosen for a reason. Astro for content-driven sites that need to be fast: service businesses, catalogues and professional sites. Shopify for ecommerce with inventory, payments and shipping. Django with Python for backend systems, APIs and data processing. We don't use WordPress, WooCommerce, Wix or Squarespace. Not because they are inherently bad, but because they carry technical debt that costs you money over time. What we recommend is what fits the business.

Can you integrate my website with third-party APIs and services?

Yes, and it is a significant part of the work: Stripe for payments, Google APIs for search data, supplier CSV feeds for product syncing, CRM integrations, email marketing platforms and custom webhooks. If it has an API, we can connect it. We have built pipelines that sync supplier stock feeds to Shopify stores overnight, and systems that pull live data from several sources into a single dashboard. The point is what the integration has to do for the business, not connecting things for the sake of it.

How do you handle platform migrations without losing SEO rankings?

This is where it goes catastrophically wrong: a botched migration can destroy years of search rankings overnight. Our migration process includes a full URL audit, 301 redirect mapping for every page, meta data transfer, a structured data rebuild and post-launch monitoring. We have migrated sites from EKM, WooCommerce, Magento and bespoke platforms. Tony Cooper, our principal, wrote up the full process in his EKM to Shopify migration guide, based on a real client project. The principle is to preserve everything you have already built in search.

How long does a custom web development project take?

It depends on what needs building. A business website on Astro typically takes 14-21 days from when we have your content, and a Shopify store is similar. Custom integrations and more complex builds vary, and you get a realistic timeline before work starts. The strategy, the build, the SEO and the testing run as one piece of work, with no hand-offs between departments and no project manager relaying messages, which makes it faster, not slower.

Do you offer ongoing support after the website launches?

Yes. Every build includes 30 days of post-launch support. After that, retainers cover ongoing SEO, content updates, technical development and maintenance, and strategic guidance. Most clients stay because the relationship works: we know their business, their site and their goals, and nobody has to re-explain them to a new account manager every quarter. You are never locked in or dependent on us for basic operations, though. Shopify and Astro sites are both designed for owners to manage day-to-day content themselves.

I already have a website, but it's slow and outdated. Can you help?

That depends on what you are working with. If it is WordPress or WooCommerce and you are fighting constant updates, security patches and slow page loads, our recommendation is usually to migrate to Astro. It is faster, more secure and cheaper to maintain over the long term. If it is Shopify and just needs optimisation, we can improve what is there. Either way, we will tell you whether it is worth fixing or replacing, because recommending the right path matters more than selling patching work on a platform you will outgrow in twelve months.

Web Development Services UK Built right, built to last

A business that outgrows its page builder usually pays twice: once to build, and again to move. We build custom websites, API integrations and platform migrations on Astro, Shopify and Django, not WordPress, for UK businesses that need more than a template.

Book a call 07963 242210

What we develop

Not every project needs the same tools. Here is what we build, and which approach fits which situation.

Custom Astro websites

For businesses where speed and SEO matter most. Astro generates static HTML that loads in milliseconds, with no server rendering, no database queries and no bloat.

Sub-second page loads, perfect Core Web Vitals
No security vulnerabilities to patch
SEO structure built from day one

Astro website design from £2,490 →

API integrations

Connecting your website to the services that run your business. Payment processing, supplier feeds, CRM systems: if it has an API, we can wire it up. Built in Python and Django because they handle data reliably.

Stripe payments and subscriptions
Supplier CSV and stock feeds
Google, CRM, and email integrations

Discuss your integration needs →

Platform migrations

Moving from WordPress, WooCommerce, EKM, or Magento to a platform that actually serves your business. The part that gets overlooked is SEO: a botched migration can destroy years of search rankings overnight.

Full URL audit and 301 redirect mapping
Meta data and structured data transfer
Post-launch monitoring and verification

WordPress to Astro migration →

Why our development work is different

At many firms a project goes to whoever is free that week. Here is what you get instead.

One named lead, start to finish

The proposal names the lead on your project, and that lead stays on it through the architecture, the development, the SEO and the deployment. You see progress on a staging link, every change sits in version control, and the code is yours. There is no project manager relaying messages.

Chosen for the next five years

Platforms fall out of favour, and the business left running on one pays to move. So the technology is chosen for what the business will need in five years, not for what is trending this year.

Technology that fits the job

If a full custom build isn't what you need, we will say so. A build that fits the business is worth more to both of us than infrastructure you will never use.

Real projects, not case studies

Supplier feed automation

Automated pipelines that sync supplier CSV stock feeds to Shopify stores overnight: product data, pricing and stock levels, processed and routed without manual intervention. Python on Django, pulling from multiple suppliers, publishing to multiple storefronts.

WordPress to Astro migrations

Businesses moved from WordPress to Astro, leaving behind plugin bloat, security vulnerabilities and constant maintenance. Every migration includes a full SEO audit, 301 redirect mapping and post-launch monitoring.

WordPress to Astro guide

The technology stack

Three tools used well, not thirty used badly. Each one earns its place.

Astro

For speed and content

Static site generation that delivers sub-second page loads. No server rendering, no database queries, no bloat. Suited to business websites, catalogues and any site where speed drives search rankings.

Shopify

For ecommerce

The strongest ecommerce platform for most UK businesses. It handles payments, shipping, inventory and tax compliance. We don't fight the platform; we build on top of what it does well.

Django + Python

For backend and APIs

Data processing, API integrations, Stripe payment flows, automated workflows, and anything that needs reliable server-side logic. The engine behind the integrations that make your business run.

What we don't use: WordPress, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace or page builders. Not because they are inherently bad, but because they carry technical debt that costs you money over time. Businesses that outgrow them pay twice: once to build, and once to migrate.

How we work

No mystery and no jargon. Four steps from conversation to live site.

A conversation

We learn what the business needs and where the pain points are. That decides the technology, the scope and the price.

We build

Architecture, development, integrations, SEO and deployment. You see progress throughout, not a big reveal at the end.

You review

Walk through every page and test the functionality. Adjustments happen here, before launch, not after.

Launch and support

Go live with training and 30 days of support, then retainers for continued development and maintenance.

Web development pricing

Prices on the page. No hidden fees, and no surprise invoice at the end.

Custom development

Bespoke websites and integrations

From £2,490

one-off build

Custom design and architecture
API and third-party integrations
SEO setup and structured data
Mobile responsive design
Deployment and hosting setup
Training and 30 days support

Book a call

Shopify ecommerce

Full online stores with checkout

From £2,490

one-off build

or £330/month

spread the cost, same result

Custom theme, products, payments
Shipping and inventory management
SEO and structured data
Training and 30 days support

See the Shopify packages

Not sure which approach is right?

It depends on what the business actually needs. A content site, an ecommerce store and a custom integration project are very different pieces of work with different budgets. We will talk it through on a call, with no hard sell, and if the cheapest option fits, we will say so. Based in Telford, Shropshire, and working with businesses across the UK.

Web development services UK: frequently asked questions

The questions buyers put to us before the first call.

Related services

What usually runs alongside a development project

Website Design

Professional business websites built on Astro. Fast, accessible, and designed to convert visitors into enquiries.

Learn more →

Ecommerce Website Design

Shopify stores and product catalogues built to sell. Full ecommerce with payment processing, shipping, and inventory management.

Learn more →

See all services →

5 stars from 14 Google reviews

What clients say about the work, in their own words.

"Have used Tony and his team for years, great service fantastic value for money, highly recommend!"

Matthew Lauchlan

4 Jun 2021

"I originally reached out to Tony to help with SEO but unfortunately my website crashed to a point where I thought it was beyond repair. I was panicking and didn't know what to do when Tony asked if I would allow him to help me recover my website. After a very long few weeks I got a message from Tony telling me my website is back up and running."

Salma Sanji

Sals Forever Flowers

23 Aug 2025

"Tony has had the patience of a saint with all the changes and tweaks and endless calls about our website and business."

Dee Little

28 Jul 2021

"I had an amazing experience with We Build Store! They helped me bring my outdated website up to speed and I couldn't be happier with the results."

Ruth

Busy Bee Cleaning

14 Apr 2023

"I've had a great experience working with Tony. He was professional, efficient and understood what I needed. Communication was clear throughout and the result exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended!"

Jeremy Webster

Marbles PR

29 Mar 2025

"Tony and the Team at We Build Stores have been invaluable in upgrading and streamlining our online presence. We needed a complete overhaul and they delivered."

David Behan

5 Jun 2021

View all reviews on Google →

Tell us what the website has to do for the business

Call us, or set out what you need below. Every enquiry is read by Tony Cooper, our principal.

Before we speak, Tony reads your site against what you want to be found for, so the first call starts with what we found. We answer every enquiry within 24 hours on working days.

07963 242210