Web development for UK businesses
We build websites on Bones, the web platform we make, and the custom systems behind them: CRMs, client portals and integrations with the tools you already use. Each one is built around how your business actually works.
Two kinds of build
Websites. Smaller sites are hand-coded static websites, from £1,200. Larger sites are built on Bones, the web platform we make, from an agreed structure: your content is kept as structured data, and the pages, structured data and sitemaps are generated from it.
Web applications. Custom systems for the work behind the website: CRMs, client portals and integrations with the tools you already use, built around how your team actually works.
What we build
One team for the website and the systems behind it, so they are planned together rather than bolted on.
Custom websites
Hand-coded static sites, or sites built on Bones, with no theme, page builder or plugin stack underneath. About Bones Implementation.
CRMs
Leads, proposals, tasks and invoicing in one system, set up around your sales process rather than a generic one.
Client portals
Logins where your clients can see their orders, portfolio or documents, linked to the same data your team uses.
Integrations
Connections to the systems you already use. Past projects connect to QuickBooks, Stripe, Google Ads conversion tracking and the Proof 8 API.
Languages, frameworks, databases and APIs
The tools behind the websites, CRMs and portals in our case studies. We choose them for systems that are easy to maintain and extend.
Languages and frameworks
PHP
The language our platforms are written in. Recent client CRMs and websites run on PHP 8.2.
Bones and our CRM core
Our own PHP frameworks: Bones for websites, and a CRM core that the CRMs and client portals are built on.
Laravel
Bones 9 is being rebuilt as an application on Laravel, and we work on clients’ existing Laravel code. About AI-assisted engineering.
JavaScript
Interactive interfaces in the browser, with jQuery on many of our sites, and Node on client projects that use it.
HTML, CSS and Bootstrap
Hand-written markup and styles, with Bootstrap for layouts and dashboard screens.
Data
MySQL
The database behind every CRM, portal and dynamic website in our case studies.
Role-based access
Separate views for admins, sales, finance, contractors and clients, so each person sees only what their role needs.
Structured data and JSON
Content stored as data, published as JSON-LD and as JSON files that search engines and AI tools can read. This site’s own endpoints are listed at /aidi/index.json.
APIs and integrations
QuickBooks
Invoices and payments synced to accounting on a schedule, so finance data is entered once.
Stripe
Online payments, with webhooks confirming a payment the moment it is made.
Google Ads conversion tracking
Leads and sales from the CRM reported back to Google Ads, so ad spend can be measured against real results.
Proof 8
Portfolio data pulled in from the Proof 8 API and shown in a client login.
Hosting and tracking
Managed Linux hosting
Sites hosted and looked after by us, with SSL and automated daily backups.
Analytics
GA4 with event and conversion tracking, set up as part of the build.
Version control
Our platform code, including this site, is kept in Git, and this site is deployed from it.
AI-assisted development
We use AI coding assistants to write and review code faster. A developer checks every change, and it is tested before release.
Examples
CRMs and client portals we have built
Custom CRM for a Door Manufacturer
A fully bespoke CRM for a premium security-door manufacturer, integrating proposals, invoicing, QuickBooks, Stripe payments and Google Ads conversion tracking. Read case studyCRM and Data Platform for a Financial Network
A bespoke CRM and data platform for a financial broker network, automating lead journeys and providing real-time performance reporting. Read case studyInvestment Platform and CRM for Whisky Casks
A bespoke CRM and investor portal for a whisky investment firm, combining whisky stock management, client logins and Proof 8 API integration for accurate, real-time portfolio tracking. Read case studyCRM and Client Portal for Wine Investment
A bespoke CRM and client portal for a wine investment firm, centralising leads, proposals, orders and investor access in a single platform. Read case studyCRM with Proposals and Invoicing for Trades
A bespoke CRM for a construction and fenestration group, centralising leads, proposals, tasks, invoicing and Google Ads tracking into a streamlined sales platform. Read case studyHow a project runs
The same approach for a website or a web application: agree what it must do, then build it.
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1
Plan
We agree what the system needs to do and how it fits together. For a website, this is Structural Strategy.
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2
Scope and price
We turn the plan into fixed deliverables, a price and a timeline. Nothing is charged until you agree the estimate.
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3
Build
We build the website on Bones, or the application around your process, with any integrations in the agreed scope.
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4
QA and launch
We test and deploy, then check the live system.
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5
Handover and support
You get the documentation. Optional retained support is available from £149 a month.
Is it right for you?
A good fit if
- your leads, quotes and invoices live in spreadsheets and inboxes
- off-the-shelf tools don’t fit how your team works
- you want your clients to log in and see their own information
- your website and back-office systems don’t talk to each other
Probably not, if
- an off-the-shelf CRM already does what you need; it will usually cost less
- you want to start building before agreeing what the system must do
- you need Bones 9 now; it is being rebuilt on Laravel and is not yet generally available
Just need a website?
If you need a new website rather than a web application, see web design for how we plan and design sites, with examples, or Bones Implementation for the build itself.
Already have code that needs work? See AI-assisted software engineering.
Every site on Bones comes with structured data generated from its content. How that works. See all prices on the pricing page.
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Common questions
Short answers to what clients ask us most. Anything else, just ask.
Ask a question
Do you build custom CRMs and client portals?
Yes. We have built CRMs and client portals for door and window companies and for investment firms, covering leads, proposals, invoicing, orders and client logins. See the case studies on this page.
How much does web development cost?
Static websites start from £1,200 + VAT. Websites built on Bones start from £12,500 + VAT. Both are fixed prices agreed before work starts. Web applications such as CRMs and client portals are quoted after we have scoped what they need to do.
Can you connect our website or CRM to other systems?
Yes, where the other system offers a way to connect. Past projects have connected to QuickBooks, Stripe, Google Ads conversion tracking and the Proof 8 API. Each integration is scoped and priced as part of the estimate.
Do you use WordPress?
No. New websites are either hand-coded static sites or built on Bones, the web platform by DBETA, not on a WordPress theme or plugin stack.
What is the difference between web design and web development?
Web design is how the site is organised and looks. Web development is building it and the systems behind it. We do both, starting from an agreed structure.
Who owns what you build?
Your content and data belong to you, and we document everything we build. Bones itself remains DBETA’s proprietary platform; the terms for using it are set out in your agreement.
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