A web designer who cares
About web Design with love
16+ YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY
About diane
In 2008 I founded a web design and SEO company called Websites by Diane. I built custom websites from scratch and built websites for hundreds of clients from all sectors and all over the world. Some clients I had for 15 years!
However over the years I found that more and more small and start up businesses (which are the one’s I love helping the most) couldn’t afford my fees, even though they were low by industry standards.
So in 2023 I sold the web design business that I’d been running for 15 years (although you can still read all my 5 star Google reviews here). Now, as well as teaching people how to DIY their own WordPress websites at Easy DIY WP, I also offer incredibly affordable web design. With the help of AI I can still build quality sites that rank, but because technology is helping me build them faster, I can pass that saving on to my clients. Because small businesses need all the help they can get.
HAPPY CLIENTS = HAPPY DIANE
Client Testimonials
my core values
What I believe in
Integrity
There are so many sharks in the web design industry. It’s easy to cobble together a website without even knowing the basics of SEO or accessibility. Sadly I see lots of companies do that. My promise to you is that all the backend “stuff” that only search engines see is every bit as good as you what you see on your screen.
The Personal Touch
I care about your business. I love it when your website converts and drives customers to you. I absolutely love, love, love helping small and start up businesses grow and succeed.
I don’t outsource any of my work, so everything you send is personally handled (with love) by me.
Amazing value
Having run my own business for 15 years I understand the challenges that small and start up businesses face. By offering great quality, professional websites that are optimised for SEO and conversions, that’s one less thing for you to worry about. And your website won’t hurt your wallet.
Still want to know more?
My Web design & Development Journey
I’ve been working as a freelance web designer and trainer since 2008. I love what I do and the old adage about time flying when you’re having fun couldn’t be truer.
My own web design journey began when I needed a website myself. The quotes I got were astronomical. I’d worked within the IT industry and I was already very familiar with Dreamweaver. So, I decided that instead of paying somebody else to design my site, I’d improve my own skills and design the site myself. That was the beginning of my love affair with all things design, web and SEO related.
Having been on the other side of the fence and been quoted prices that were way out of my budget, I decided that I’d specalise in designing low cost, affordable websites. I mixed this with my love of customer service and found that I had a winning combination.
I still love web design as much as I did when I started and my knowledge has grown beyond anything I could have imagined back in 2008. Web design has changed beyond recognition since I started in 2008 and I love keeping up with the latest trends, be that mobile friendly web design, parallax scrolling or the latest Google algorithm updates.
In 2023 I sold that business as although my prices were low by industry standards, so many start ups still couldn’t afford my services. And in 2024 I founded Web Design with Love. A truly low cost web design solution.
Education
Some of the best web designers in the world are self taught and have no formal qualifications. Just in case you’re interested though, here it is.
I studied in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (a city that will always be very dear to my heart) and have a 2:1 BA (HONS) International Business Studies with Russian Language degree. I love languages and business, so this was the perfect course for me. It also allowed me to spend a year at University in the incredible city of St Petersburg, Russia.
Experience
I have been running my own web design company since 2008. I specialise in low cost web design and this means that I often work with start up businesses on a limited budget (we’ll keep it a secret that companies who paid thousands for their websites could often have had exactly the same website designed for a fraction of the price!). Many of my clients have been recommended by a local government agency which supports local start ups and I love seeing new businesses flourish and grow.
I have also been delivering web design courses, both public courses and on-site to businesses since 2010. Prior to that I was working for an IT company in the City, London.
Mountains
My parents are Scottish and every holiday we would travel up to Scotland. My dad would scare my mum half to death by driving us along narrow Highland roads and lanes. I loved it! As I got older my dad and I would climb the rugged mountains and this is where I got my passion for mountains.
I’m very fortunate to have worked as an Adventure Tour Leader after graduating and was actually paid to climb mountains. Another dream job.
This photo reminds of my time working in Tajikistan, where I spent the Summer hiking in the incredibly beautiful Pamir mountains. The glacial lakes were the most beautiful blue I have ever seen.
A really great website should produce a similar kind of reaction to viewing a mountain. It should make you stop for a moment and admire.
Puzzles
I absolutely love puzzles! Crosswords and Sudoku (ideally the Killer kind) are firm favourites but give me any kind of puzzle and I’ll be happy. I’ve played Scrabble for as long as I can remember and this is still a firm favourite.
For me, designing a website is similar to solving a puzzle. Everything has to slot together just so and writing code can be very much like solving a tricky puzzle. Getting it right is immensely satisfying.
The Sea
Like many people who have grown up by the sea, I feel that it is a part of me and if I’m living inland for any period of time I yearn to get back to the coast. My ideal location is one where mountains and sea meet.
I am fortunate enough to live only a minute’s walk away from the sea. If I’m ever struggling for design inspiration, all it takes is a 30 minute stroll along the Promenade or beach – ideally on a stormy day. My mind clears, I’m full of inspiration and raring to go again.
DIY
I really enjoy DIY and I am a dab hand with a power tool. I have renovated 2 properties, including building partitions and glass block walls, joinery, tiling and of course painting and decorating. I would love to build my own house one day. Our latest project was laying a plywood plank floor, which looks great (Google it, you’ll be surprised!)
A building project is not dissimilar to building a website. You need all the right tools and knowledge in order to get it right and you feel a great sense of achievement once it’s completed.
Family Time
In June 2013, at the ripe old age of 43, I gave birth to our gorgeous son. As all parents know, nothing can prepare you for for how much your life will change.
I feel incredibly blessed to have this ball of energy, fun, curiosity, laughter and challenges in my life and he turns every day into a new adventure. I’d forgotten what fun blackberry picking is!
Since having my son, running my own business has become even more important to me. I’m proud to show him as he grows up that it’s possible to earn a living from something that you love doing.
