Most WordPress builds rely on pre-made themes with fifty plugins layered on top. Every plugin adds more HTTP requests, more CSS and more JavaScript that your visitors don't need.
Elementor, Divi and WPBakery generate ten times more code than necessary. They create wrapper divs, unused styles and bloated markup that tanks performance and confuses Google's crawlers. Template sites routinely score 30/100 on PageSpeed.
Plugin-heavy setups also create attack surfaces. Most WordPress sites lack SSL hardening, firewall protection or malware scanning. One vulnerable plugin puts your entire business at risk.
Elementor, Divi and WPBakery output 10× more markup than needed. Slow sites lose visitors before they see your content.
Generic themes don't account for proper semantic HTML or schema. Your site may look good, but Google doesn't understand it.
Most WordPress sites lack SSL hardening or malware scanning. One vulnerable plugin puts your business at risk.
A fully custom WordPress theme built from scratch to your brand specification. No pre-made templates, no bloated page builder code. Clean semantic HTML.
Every build is optimised for Core Web Vitals, PageSpeed and real-world load times. Minimal HTTP requests, compressed assets, proper caching.
Heading hierarchy, canonical tags, XML sitemaps, schema markup and crawlable URL structures baked in from day one.
Every layout designed for mobile screens first and scaled up to desktop. Fluid grids, flexible images and touch-friendly navigation.
SSL configuration, login attempt limiting, file permission hardening, malware scanning and plugin auditing. Locked down against common attacks.
A clean, intuitive WordPress admin your team can update without developer support. Adding pages, posts and images is straightforward.
We'll come back within one working day with a clear plan and an honest forecast.
Squarespace looks polished out of the box but limits your flexibility severely. WordPress offers vastly more control once it's properly built. If you'll ever need to customise beyond templates, WordPress wins.
Wix is drag-and-drop simple but terrible for SEO. WordPress, when built properly, is inherently superior for search visibility and content reach. If SEO matters, there's no comparison.
Shopify is built for ecommerce. WordPress is the better choice for content-led businesses, blogs, portfolios and service companies. If you mix content with a shop, WordPress + WooCommerce is the answer.
Pure custom code gives ultimate control but costs more and takes longer. WordPress offers the best balance of control, manageability, cost and speed to launch.
"UNKNWN transformed our ideas into a powerful brand and high performing website. They went beyond design, delivering SEO that keeps us ranking locally and generating leads every day. Strategic, creative and committed to results."
"We used Craig and the team in Wrexham for design, branding and website work and they were fantastic from start to finish. Professional, easy to deal with and quick turnaround."
"Rob and the guys at UNKNWN were really helpful and professional helping me make choices on my business logo and design. I'm really happy with how it's come out."
Page builders generate roughly 10× the markup of clean hand-coded HTML. That bloat tanks page speed, confuses Google's crawler and locks your site to a specific plugin. Custom code is faster, lighter, more accessible and gives Google a cleaner signal.
Yes. We build a clean WordPress admin with custom blocks for your most common page elements. You add pages, swap images, edit copy — exactly the same as you'd expect with a builder, just without the bloat.
12 months of fully managed hosting is included in every project cost. After that, we offer ongoing managed hosting from £30/month or you can move to your own provider.
4–6 weeks for a 5–8 page SME site, assuming content is provided or agreed in the brief. Larger builds take longer — we give a clear timeline at scoping.
No page builders. No template bloat. Just a fast, custom WordPress site that ranks, converts and your team can actually edit.
Tell us where you are and where you want to be — we'll come back within one working day.
One of us will reply within one working day. If it's urgent, ring +44 1978 803060.