In short: I’m a freelance web designer based in Enfield, building WordPress websites and Shopify shops for small businesses across North London and the rest of the UK. You deal with me directly from first chat to launch. Local clients can meet in person if that helps, but everything can be done online just as well.
If you run a business in North London and you’re looking for someone to build or rebuild your website, you’ve probably found a mix of large agencies, template site builders and freelancers. This page explains who I am, how I work, and whether a local freelancer is the right fit for you. Sometimes it isn’t, and I’ll say so.
Who I am and where I’m based
I’m Oktay, and I trade as Nomad Robin. I’m a sole trader based in Enfield, and I design and build websites for small businesses: trades, local services, shops and independent firms.
Being in Enfield puts me within easy reach of businesses in Southgate, Palmers Green, Winchmore Hill and Edmonton, and a little further into Barnet, Haringey and Waltham Forest. I’m also close to the Hertfordshire border around Cheshunt. I work with businesses elsewhere in the UK too, entirely online.
You can read more about my background on my about page.
What I build
I focus on two platforms, because doing a couple of things well beats doing everything badly:
- WordPress websites for most service businesses: trades, consultants, clinics, local services. WordPress lets you edit your own pages without calling a developer every time.
- Shopify online shops for businesses selling products. Shopify handles payments, stock and orders reliably.
Every site I build is custom-designed rather than a lightly edited template. I don’t use heavy page builders, so sites stay lean and fast. Each one is mobile-friendly and comes with the SEO basics built in: proper page titles and descriptions, structured data and a sitemap.
I’ve built websites for a number of window and door businesses, among others; you can see examples in my portfolio.
Why working with a local web designer can help
You don’t need a web designer down the road. But for some businesses, being local genuinely makes things easier.
You can meet in person
Some people prefer to sit down and talk through their business face to face, especially if they’re not confident with technology. For clients nearby, I’m happy to meet. It’s often easier to explain what you want when you can point at things together.
I know the local market
If you’re a tradesperson covering Enfield and Barnet, I already have a feel for the areas you serve, how people there search, and what your local competition looks like online. That helps when writing your service pages and setting up your local SEO, so your site and Google Business Profile reflect the places you actually work.
It’s easier to trust someone you can find
Hiring a freelancer means trusting one person. Knowing they’re a real, local business with a real presence can make that decision easier.
When local doesn’t matter (and I work remotely too)
Being local is a nice extra, not a requirement. Projects can run entirely over video calls, email and shared documents, and work just as well.
If you’re elsewhere in the UK, nothing about the process changes. I’ll talk to you on a video call, share mockups online, and you’ll review everything from your own desk. The one-hour training session at the end works perfectly well by screen share.
Equally, a local freelancer isn’t the right choice for everyone. If you need a large team for a complex web application, or a full-service marketing agency running ads, social media and PR together, an agency may suit you better. My post on freelance web designer vs agency goes through the trade-offs honestly.
What working with me looks like
I follow the same clear process with every client. You can read the full detail on how I work, but here’s the outline:
- Free initial chat. You tell me about your business, what you need the site to do and any examples you like. No obligation.
- Quote. I send a clear quote for the work discussed.
- Mockup design. I design how your site will look before building it, so you can see it first.
- Up to four mockups. You see up to four versions of your design, and we settle on the one that’s right before anything is built.
- Build. I build the site properly, mobile-friendly and with SEO basics in place.
- Launch. Your site goes live.
- One-hour training session. I show you how to edit your own pages, so you’re not dependent on me for small changes.
How payment works
Website packages are paid in three stages: a small first payment when you order, the main payment when you approve the mockup, and the final payment before the site goes live. Everything is paid securely online by card through Stripe. I’m not VAT registered, so the price you see is what you pay. My website packages start from £400, and you can see what’s included on my pricing page.
After launch
You can look after the site yourself, or take my optional monthly hosting and care plan, which covers hosting, security updates, backups and support. It starts when the site goes live and you can cancel with notice. More detail is on my hosting page.
Freelancer, agency or DIY: a quick comparison
| Local freelancer | Agency | DIY site builder | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who you deal with | The same person throughout | Usually an account manager | Yourself |
| Meeting in person | Often possible locally | Depends on the agency | Not applicable |
| Design | Custom to your business | Custom, usually with a bigger team | Template-based |
| Cost | Typically mid-range | Typically higher | Lowest upfront, plus your time |
| Best for | Small businesses wanting a personal service | Large or complex projects | Very tight budgets with time to learn |
None of these is wrong. A DIY builder can be fine for a simple start; my post on whether you can build your own WordPress website covers that. A freelancer suits businesses that want a properly built site and a direct relationship with the person making it.
Existing sites and improvements
Not everyone needs a brand-new website. I can also look after or improve a site someone else built, whether that’s speeding it up, fixing problems, tidying up content or adding new pages. It depends on how the site was put together, so I’d ask you to get in touch first and I’ll take a look.
Frequently asked questions
Do you only work with businesses in North London?
No. I’m based in Enfield and work with plenty of local businesses, but I also build sites for businesses across the UK. Remote projects follow exactly the same process, just over video calls and email.
Can I meet you in person?
For clients within reasonable distance of Enfield, yes, if that’s helpful. Many people are happy to do everything online, but if you’d rather talk face to face, just say so.
How much does a freelance web designer cost in London?
Prices vary widely depending on the size of the site and what it needs to do, from a few hundred pounds to several thousand across the market. My own website packages start from £400, and my pricing page explains what’s included.
Will I be able to update the website myself?
Yes. Every site comes with a one-hour training session so you can edit text, swap images and add pages yourself. If you’d rather not, my care plan includes support.
Do you build online shops?
Yes, I build online shops on Shopify. It’s reliable, handles payments and orders well, and is straightforward for you to manage day to day.
What if I already have a website?
I can often improve or look after an existing site, depending on how it was built. Get in touch with the address of your current site and I’ll let you know honestly what’s possible.
Let’s have a chat
If you’re a North London business, or anywhere in the UK, and you’d like a website that’s built properly and explained clearly, I’d be glad to hear from you. Get in touch for a free, no-pressure chat, or browse my services first.
