Web Design Melbourne: The Complete Small Business Guide for 2026
Melbourne small businesses need a professional website that loads fast, ranks on Google, and converts visitors into customers. This guide covers everything you need to know about getting a website built in Melbourne in 2026.
Last Updated: February 2026
Why Your Melbourne Business Needs a Professional Website
In 2026, 81% of Australian consumers research businesses online before making a purchase. If your website is slow, outdated, or non-existent, you are losing customers to competitors who invested in their online presence.
A professional Melbourne website should:
- Load in under 2 seconds on mobile
- Appear on Google for local searches like "[your service] Melbourne"
- Have clear calls-to-action (phone, form, booking)
- Look professional on all devices
- Include Google reviews and social proof
What to Look for in a Melbourne Web Designer
1. Portfolio of Real Work
Ask to see live websites they have built — not just mockups. Check the sites on your phone. Are they fast? Do they look professional?
2. Modern Technology
In 2026, the best websites use Next.js or similar modern frameworks. WordPress is still common but slower and less secure. Ask what technology they use and why.
3. SEO Knowledge
Your web designer should understand local SEO, schema markup, and Google Business Profile optimisation. A beautiful website that nobody finds on Google is worthless.
4. Clear Pricing
Avoid designers who cannot give you a ballpark price upfront. Professional agencies provide clear pricing tiers so you know what to expect.
5. Ongoing Support
Websites need maintenance — security updates, content changes, hosting. Check if support is included or extra.
Melbourne Web Design Pricing in 2026
| Website Type | Price Range (AUD) | Timeline |
|-------------|------------------|----------|
| Simple (1-3 pages) | $1,200 – $2,000 | 3-5 days |
| Business (5-10 pages) | $1,500 – $3,500 | 1-2 weeks |
| E-commerce | $3,000 – $8,000 | 2-4 weeks |
| AI + Automation | $2,500 – $5,000 | 1-3 weeks |
| Custom SaaS | $5,000 – $15,000+ | 4-8 weeks |
Local SEO: How to Rank on Google in Melbourne
Ranking on Google for Melbourne searches requires:
- **Google Business Profile** — Claim and fully optimise your listing with photos, hours, services, and categories
- **Local keywords** — Include "Melbourne" and your suburb in page titles and headings
- **Google reviews** — Businesses with 20+ reviews rank significantly higher in the map pack
- **Schema markup** — Structured data tells Google exactly what your business does and where it is located
- **Mobile speed** — 78% of local searches in Australia happen on mobile. Slow sites lose rankings.
- **Directory citations** — List your business on Yellow Pages, True Local, Hotfrog, and other Australian directories with consistent name, address, and phone number
Red Flags When Choosing a Web Designer
- No live portfolio (only PDFs or screenshots)
- Promises page 1 Google ranking "guaranteed"
- Uses only WordPress with cheap themes
- No mention of mobile optimisation or SEO
- Cannot explain their pricing clearly
- No ongoing support option
- Based overseas with no Australian presence
The CoreWebHub Approach
At CoreWebHub, we build websites for Melbourne small businesses with:
- **3-day delivery** for standard sites
- **Next.js technology** — faster, more secure than WordPress
- **SEO included** — schema markup, local keywords, Core Web Vitals optimisation
- **AI chatbot option** — 24/7 lead capture for service businesses
- **Honest pricing** — starting from $1,200 AUD
We have built websites for tradies, legal firms, IT companies, tourism operators, and SaaS startups across Melbourne.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I choose between a freelancer and an agency?
A: Freelancers are cheaper ($800-$2,000) but may lack ongoing support. Small agencies ($1,200-$5,000) offer professional quality with support included. Choose based on your budget and need for long-term partnership.
Q: Do I need a .com.au domain?
A: Yes. Australian customers trust .com.au domains more than .com. It also helps with local SEO. Domain costs $15-$50/year.
Q: How important are Google reviews for my website?
A: Very important. Businesses with 20+ Google reviews rank significantly higher in local search results. Ask happy customers to leave a review — it is the single biggest factor for local SEO in 2026.
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Ready to get started? Contact CoreWebHub for a free strategy call. Based in Melbourne, serving all of Australia. Call 0432 405 388.
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