We design and build custom web applications, CRMs, marketing portals, and customer portals for companies who've outgrown spreadsheets or off-the-shelf software.
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Tailor-made,notoff-the-shelf
Off-the-shelf platforms are built for everyone, which usually means they're not quite right for anyone. Custom web development means you get exactly the features you need, none of the ones you don’t, and a system that grows with you.
Companies like National Parking Enforcement, where the Pay 4 Bay platform we built now handles over 8,000 transactions a month across more than 50 locations and has already paid for itself many times over.
Before you commit to anything, we'll have an informal chat about your setup and if we think we can help.
30 minutes. No sales pitch. A clear answer on whether custom is the right fit for you.
Custom CRM for charity to manage registration, onboarding, and management of volunteers.
Ourapproachtocustomwebdevelopment
1 — Discovery: We’ll start by learning about your business and processes, where things are breaking, and where you want to get to.
2 — User experience: Understanding your different users, how they’ll use the product, and the features they’ll need, is essential to designing something that your team will get on board with.
3 — Design: Before we build anything we’ll create specifications, wireframes, mock-ups and prototypes to help you visualise how everything will fit together and make any changes.
4 — Develop: This is where we turn everything that’s been agreed into a working product. Development is done 100% in-house and you’ll get regular updates as the project progresses.
5 — Test: Once the software is ready, we carry out full quality assurance and allow you to do the same.
6 — Launch: It’s time for your new software to go live. We provide training, documentation and support for the launch and beyond.
7 — Grow: Most projects don’t end at launch, one of the big advantages of custom software is being able to further add and adjust it to your needs as your business evolves.
Howmuchdoesitcost?
Because custom software is bespoke, every project has very different requirements.
Our usual range is £15,000 - £50,000, however for a better idea on what your project might cost we offer a no-obligation discovery call.
Every quote is fixed before we start, covering both development and ongoing maintenance, so your costs stay predictable as your business grows. No seat licences and no surprise bills.
Our business has specific requirements and "off the shelf" Case Management Systems create operational tension and processing delays, rather than delivering an intuitive and efficient customer database. The CRM Bigfork developed has been the backbone of how we track cases from start to finish ever since
Stuart Simpson, CEO, Inheritec
Ourtechstack
We're PHP-based, building most projects on Laravel or Symfony. We also build custom WordPress plugins and functionality when that's the better fit. For more complex projects we create front-ends with Vue or React, but we're practical about if and when this complexity will benefit you. We host through reputable providers, or on your own server if you prefer.
FAQs
How is custom dev different from an off-the-shelf platform or plugin?
Off-the-shelf software is built to suit as many businesses as possible, which means compromise. And usually increasing costs as you add seat licenses. A custom build is built entirely around your processes and your users, with flat ongoing maintenance costs.
Will we own the finished platform?
Yes, you get full use of everything we build for you, for as long as you like, with no extra fees to keep using it. Like almost all custom software, we build on open-source foundations such as Laravel, which nobody, including us, can own outright. That's completely normal, keeps your costs down, and doesn't affect how you use your finished platform day to day.
How long does a custom development project take?
It depends on scope. Smaller, focused tools can take a matter of weeks. Larger systems, like a full CRM or careers portal, typically take a few months from discovery to launch of the initial product.
I’ve built something with AI, can you work on it?
That’s great, if you’ve already created something it’s an excellent starting point and really helps speed up discovery.
However to create something sustainable, we would start with a full build from scratch, as we want to be sure you have something secure, robust, and fit for the future.
What happens after launch?
The project might be finished but it doesn’t have to end there. We charge a flat maintenance fee to host and look after your software including backups, or you are free to self-host. We also offer an optional support retainer if you’d like the extra reassurance of our team on standby to help.
Most of our clients keep developing their platform with us long after the first version goes live, adding features as their business changes. Some our projects have been running, and growing, for over five years.
Can you take over an existing system?
Yes. We've taken over projects built by other agencies or in-house teams, including ones that had outgrown their original database or platform, and rebuilt or extended them to keep pace with the business.
Do you offer hosting?
Yes, we use reliable and secure VPS hosting through Cloudways or Krystal. If data ownership matters to you, we can also configure and deploy to your own server instead.
Who controls my data?
Your data and backups are kept in a secure environment, and we'll agree the right level of security compliance with you during planning. Since the system is entirely your own, your data is never mixed in with anyone else’s.
What if our requirements change halfway through?
That's normal, and it's exactly why we don't force every project into a rigid off-the-shelf mould. We'll talk through any changes and their impact on cost and timeline before anything moves forward.
Who will manage our project?
Your dedicated project manager will be Colin Richardson throughout your project and beyond, backed by our in-house development team.
Are there any hidden costs?
No. You'll get a fixed quote covering development, ongoing maintenance, and an optional support retainer, before work starts.
Anything outside that scope is quoted separately and only carried out with your approval. There are no extra costs for seat licenses or growth, only if you need more power or disk space for your hosting, which we’ll tell you about in advance.
Can we speak to a reference client?
Yes, we can provide references. Contact us to discuss.
Do you build with Laravel?
Yes, Laravel is our preferred framework for new projects and what we would recommend in most cases.
Do you build custom WordPress sites and plugins?
If you need custom plugins, bespoke functionality, or a system built into your existing WordPress site that a standard plugin can't do, we can develop that for you. If you're after a brand new WordPress website instead, that's covered by our website design service.
Let’stalk
Complete our form to arrange a no obligation chat with our team and if custom could be the right fit for you.
What happens after I fill in the form?
One of our team will arrange a call to understand what you need and whether custom development is the right fit.
We'll follow up with initial thoughts and a ballpark cost. No obligation to proceed.
If you'd like to go further, we'll put together a detailed proposal with clear, fixed pricing.
“Now everything happens in one place, it's freed up so much of our time. We've been able to grow in a way that just wasn't possible before.”
Our business has specific requirements and "off the shelf" Case Management Systems create operational tension and processing delays, rather than delivering an intuitive and efficient customer database. The CRM Bigfork developed has been the backbone of how we track cases from start to finish ever sinceStuart Simpson, CEO, Inheritec
