In the news: a critical PHP security flaw affects many business websites. Is yours at risk?

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Insights & advice

Helpful advice, honest answers, and practical guidance for local business owners who want to understand websites properly, without all the jargon.

Chris, founder of Launch My Local Site

I started Launch My Local Site because too many good local businesses were either being overcharged, overwhelmed by DIY tools, or left with websites that looked fine but did very little for the business. This section is where I share straightforward advice based on the questions I see come up time and time again.

Chris · Founder, Launch My Local Site

Blue plush toy of the PHP elephant mascot sitting on an open laptop showing lines of code
Website Strategy

The PHP security flaw: what it means for your small business website

Two critical flaws in PHP, the language behind WordPress and much of the web, were fixed on 21 October 2026. What it means for a small business website, how to tell if yours is affected, what to do today, and how to make it secure for the long term.

Chris·21 October 2026
Two-storey rear extension in blockwork on a semi-detached house, with bricks and materials stacked in the garden
Website Strategy

Is Checkatrade worth it? Lead sites vs your own website

What Checkatrade, MyBuilder and TrustATrader cost tradespeople in 2026, what changed when Rated People joined Checkatrade, and how paying for leads compares with having your own website.

Chris·17 October 2026
Woman at her joinery workbench reviewing a new website design on a laptop
Getting Started

How long does it take to build a small business website?

From a few days to a few months, depending on who builds it and what slows it down. Realistic timelines for UK small business websites, what launch support should include, and how to get live faster.

Chris·1 October 2026
Joiner in an apron holding a mug of tea while comparing website options on a laptop in his workshop
Getting Started

How much does a small business website cost in the UK?

An honest 2026 price guide for UK small business websites: what DIY builders, freelancers, agencies, Yell and managed services really cost, in money and in time, and the costs people forget.

Chris·1 October 2026
Woman opening the door of a hair studio on a stone-built high street
Switching Providers

How much does a Yell website cost?

Yell does not publish its website prices. Here is what UK businesses commonly report paying, what is usually included, how to find out what you are paying now, and how it compares to the alternatives.

Chris·1 October 2026
Local business owner reviewing their website on a laptop in a workshop
Website Strategy

Website maintenance for small business: what it involves and what it should cost

Most small business websites are built once and then left alone. Here is what website maintenance actually involves, why it matters more than people expect, and what a fair price looks like.

Chris·1 September 2026
Small business owner reviewing their website on a laptop
Getting Started

What is a managed website service and is it right for your small business?

A managed website service builds your website for you and keeps it running. Here is what that actually means, what it costs, and how to decide if it is the right fit for your business.

Chris·25 August 2026
Joinery workshop with open barn doors, a craftsman working at a bench and a white van parked outside
Switching Providers

Why local businesses are moving their websites away from Yell

If your website is hosted through Yell and you are wondering whether it is holding your business back, here is what to consider and what the alternatives look like.

Chris·31 July 2026
Ceramicist in a pottery studio browsing their website on a laptop by a window
Comparisons

Local website builder vs managed website service: which is right for your business?

Should you build your local business website yourself with a website builder, or have it built and managed for you? Here is an honest comparison of both approaches.

Chris·28 July 2026
Independent florist shop front on a UK high street with window display and pavement planters
Getting Started

Do I need a website for my local business in 2026?

If you run a local business and you are wondering whether a website is still worth it, here is an honest look at what a website can and cannot do for you.

Chris·25 July 2026
Wix vs Squarespace website builder comparison for local businesses in 2026
Comparisons

Wix vs Squarespace in 2026: which is better for local businesses?

Wix and Squarespace look affordable, but are they right for local businesses? This guide compares pricing, ease of use, SEO and the real cost of building your own site.

Chris·22 May 2026
Illustration of a local business website structure showing service pages, reviews, FAQs and contact details branching from a Cotswold shop front
Website Strategy

What pages does a local business website actually need?

Find out which pages a local business website needs to improve local SEO, build trust and turn more visitors into real enquiries.

Chris·19 May 2026
Carpenter in a workshop reviewing their business website on a laptop with a cup of tea
Conversions

Why your website is losing you enquiries (and how to fix it!)

Many local business websites look fine on the surface but fail to generate enquiries because they are unclear, thin on trust, hard to use, slow, or not visible enough in local search. Here is what to check and where to start.

Chris·14 May 2026

Websites for your trade

What your website actually needs, written for how your trade wins customers.

Websites for your area

Local search, set up around the places you actually work.