Web development
For businesses that need a website or web application built, updated or moved to a new platform, with scope and timeline agreed before work starts.
- WordPress, Laravel, custom PHP, headless and ecommerce builds
- Discovery call and site audit before any changes go live
- Monthly reporting on agreed project progress
Quick answer
Web development is the work of building and maintaining the code, structure and features that make a website or web application run in a browser. Pugmarks Media provides web development on WordPress, Laravel, custom PHP, headless and ecommerce platforms. Every project starts with a discovery call, a site audit and a written scope.
01Overview
What is web development?
Web development is the process of designing the code, structure and features that let a website or web application work in a browser, and keeping it working after launch. It covers what visitors see, such as pages and forms, and what they do not see, such as databases, servers and security settings.
Think of a local furniture retailer that wants to sell online. A developer sets up the product pages, the shopping cart, the payment connection and the admin area where staff add stock. Each of those parts is web development, and each can be built on a different platform.
Most projects split into two layers. Front-end work is what loads in the browser: layout, navigation, speed on mobile. Back-end work runs behind it: user accounts, order handling, content management and connections to other software such as a CRM or inventory system.
The platform you choose shapes cost, flexibility and upkeep. WordPress suits content-led sites that staff edit themselves. Laravel, a PHP framework, suits custom web applications with specific logic. Ecommerce platforms such as Shopify suit stores, while headless builds separate the content from the display layer for more control over performance.
Search visibility depends partly on these choices. Page speed, clean URLs and crawlable templates are set during development, which is why we plan structure before design starts. For a comparison of platforms from an SEO angle, see WordPress vs Shopify for SEO.
02Services
Our Web development services
Each one has its own page with the detail for that kind of practice or service.
03Process
How our web development works
5 steps. You always know what's next.
The same path for every engagement.
1About 1 week (estimate; depends on site size and access)
Hold discovery call and site audit
We review your goals, audience and current site or platform. You provide access to existing accounts and any brand files. You receive a short audit of what works, what is broken and what to keep.
23–5 days (estimate)
Agree scope and platform
We recommend a platform such as WordPress, Laravel, custom PHP, headless or an ecommerce system, and explain why. You confirm priorities. You receive a written scope, feature list and work plan before building starts.
31–3 weeks (estimate)
Design structure and templates
We map page types, navigation, data and integrations, then turn them into templates. You review layouts and supply copy, product data or images. You receive approved designs and a content plan.
43–12 weeks (estimate; depends on scope)
Build and test on staging
Developers build features on a private staging site, then test forms, payments, speed and mobile behavior. You give consolidated feedback. You receive a working preview and a list of resolved issues.
51–2 weeks, then monthly (estimate)
Launch, hand over and report
We move the site live only after your sign-off, check redirects and tracking, and document the setup. You receive admin access and training. We then share monthly progress reports on the agreed work.
04Compare
Web development: in-house team, agency or Pugmarks Media
Swipe to compare →
| Criteria | In-house | Typical agency | Pugmarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to start | Depends on hiring and onboarding | Depends on current workload and contract signing | Discovery call and site audit first, then agreed plan |
| Specialisation | Skills limited to the people hired | Often strong in a few platforms | WordPress, Laravel, custom PHP, headless and ecommerce |
| Reporting | Internal updates, format set by your company | Varies by agency and contract | Monthly reporting on agreed project progress |
| Cost model | Salaries, benefits, tools and management time | Project fee or retainer, set by scope | Quoted in writing after a discovery conversation |
| Risk | Key-person dependence if a developer leaves | Depends on the team assigned to your project | Scope and work plan agreed before changes go live |
| Flexibility | Easy to redirect, hard to scale up or down | Changes usually handled through scope updates | Changes handled against the written scope and plan |
05Cost
What does web development cost?
Web development cost depends mainly on scope: the number of pages, the features and integrations you need, how many locations or languages the site serves, and the platform it runs on. Ecommerce stores and custom applications usually need more work than brochure sites. We quote each project in writing after a discovery conversation, so you see the scope before you commit. To get a quote, contact our web development team with your goals and current site.
Package prices are published so you can compare before you call.
See all packages06Proof
Results for clients like you
Only results our clients have approved for publication. No made-up logos or numbers.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Still have a question?
Ask us directly. We reply with honest next steps, even if that means we're not the right fit.
Ask our teamHow long does it take to build a website?
Build time depends on scope, so a small brochure site takes far less time than an ecommerce store or custom application. Our process starts with a discovery call and site audit, then a written scope and work plan. Timelines are estimates, and they move with site size, feature count and how quickly you provide access and content.
Who owns the code after a web development project?
You own the code we write for you once the project is paid in full. At handover you receive the source code and repository access. Open-source libraries used in the build stay under their own licences, so those parts follow the terms set by their authors.
Which platform is right for my business: WordPress, Laravel or Shopify?
The right platform depends on what the site must do. WordPress suits content-led sites, Laravel suits custom web applications, and a dedicated ecommerce platform suits stores with large catalogs. We recommend one during scoping and explain why. For a comparison, read our guide to WordPress vs Shopify for SEO.
Do you build ecommerce websites?
Yes, we build ecommerce websites, including product pages, carts, payment connections and admin areas for managing stock. The platform depends on your catalog size, integrations and budget. You can read more on our ecommerce development India page or ask us for a written scope.
What affects the cost of web development?
Cost depends mainly on scope: the number of pages, features and integrations, how many languages or locations the site serves, and the chosen platform. Stores and custom applications usually need more work than brochure sites. We quote each project in writing after a discovery conversation, so please get in touch to discuss yours.
Is there a long-term contract for a website build?
No, one-off projects such as web design and development are priced per project, with no ongoing term. The scope, deliverables and timeline are agreed in writing before work starts. Ongoing support or SEO is separate, and monthly SEO retainers have their own minimum term.
Can I try your team on a small project first?
Yes, we offer a pilot: a short, fixed-scope project that shows how we work before you commit to more. Scope, deliverables and timeline are agreed in writing up front, and there is no obligation to continue afterward. Results of any project depend on scope and cooperation, and are not guaranteed.
Will my new website be good for SEO?
A new website can support SEO when it is built with clean structure, fast pages, crawlable content and correct redirects from old URLs. Development alone does not guarantee rankings. We plan these technical points during the audit and scope stage, and can pair the build with our SEO services.
07Keep reading
Related services and guides
Below are pages on our India web development services, ecommerce builds, custom PHP and headless development, and SEO for new sites.
Services
Proof
- Case studies
- Client reviews
- Pricing
Free resource
The SEO checklist
The checks we run first on every site, as a one-page list.
Get the checklistGet in touch
Get a written scope for your web project
Start with a discovery call and site audit. We agree a scope and work plan before any changes go live.
