What Makes Nebula… Nebula. Websites Designed Around You

Web design has never been more accessible. AI tools and visual page builders now promise sites anyone can launch without touching a line of code. And many agencies advertise “bespoke” websites, only to piece them together from generic templates, off‑the‑shelf plugins and designs already used dozens of times.

The result often looks polished on the surface, but the more you look, the more seems out of place, and underneath? Bloated code, limited flexibility and a site that never really feels like yours.

Imagine walking into a tailor’s shop. Instead of measuring you, they hand you a jacket designed to fit everyone. Sure, it sort of works – but it doesn’t feel quite right, and it never really will.

Your website should fit your business the way a tailored suit fits your frame: shaped around what makes you unique, comfortable to use every day, and built to move when you do.

That’s what we do, but for your online presence. We build and support websites, like many other web agencies, but what really makes us different is what happens behind the scenes.

Invisible, intentional, essential: The art of subtle detail

It’s easy to underestimate how many small details shape a visitor’s experience.

Take something as ordinary as a mobile menu for your website. Many websites simply drop in a generic, off-the-shelf solution. After all, it’s “just” a menu.

But what if your site has an unusual content structure, or nested categories that need to feel intuitive on a small screen? What if the default animation distracts users or slows the page?

Part of what we do is to focus in on the finer details. We don’t treat it as “just” a menu. We design and code the right solution, so it feels natural for your visitors and works seamlessly across devices. It’s the difference between a made-to-measure suit and something you’re constantly trying to adjust all day to make it sit right.

Beyond templates: building around you, not around everyone

Many agencies and freelancers lean on paid or free templates from places like ThemeForest, ready-made themes designed to serve hundreds of potential businesses: hotels, plumbers, personal trainers, you name it. All for $62, bargain! Unfortunately, these templates often come crammed with dozens of layouts, scripts and design options you’ll probably never use and can’t remove.

At first glance, it seems harmless. But all that extra baggage slows your site down, makes it harder to maintain, and often leaves you boxed in when your business needs something a bit different.

We’ve taken a slightly different route. We’ve developed our own internal template solution: a lean, adaptable starting point built for flexibility, not restriction.

We know not every client wants animation. Not every site needs to list events or show an Instagram feed. So, we build conditionally: your website only loads and runs what it truly needs – nothing more, nothing less. It sounds so simple we’re honestly surprised this approach isn’t the standard for websites…

By utilising Gutenberg and React, we can build seamlessly into the editor, whilst ensuring the code generated is exactly what it should be. No unnecessary plugins, just solutions built around what makes WordPress, WordPress.

A great example is from one of our recent projects where there was a need to control the latest news structure. The default latest news block unfortunately didn’t contain enough flexibility or data. Our solution was to develop a new block for the website to give the client full, safe control.

The client can now drop this block anywhere on the site with a couple of clicks, and it just works – both in the editor and on the live site. It looks right, matches the design and feels like it was always part of the system.

This is how we see “content management”: giving you real control, without needing to call us every time you want to tweak a page.

Cutting code, not corners

In the background, WordPress website’s we typically develop are lean. Fewer plugins mean fewer updates to worry about, less chance of things breaking, and better performance for your visitors.

We’ve seen sites weighed down by dozens of plugins, 43 in one case, many of them doing overlapping or trivial jobs. It creates a fragile stack, where one outdated plugin can bring down the whole site. There is absolutely no need for a plugin to handle HTTPS requests or control the favicon (WordPress has this built in even…).

Instead, we code what’s needed and nothing more. The result is faster, more secure and easier to maintain.

AI tools to help you, not replace you

You’ve probably seen hype around AI-generated content. At Nebula, we take a more grounded view: AI should support the people who know the brand best… You.

Take Astrolytics, our add-on that turns raw Google Analytics and Search Console data into an easy-to-read dashboard. No more clicking through endless reports to understand what’s working. We understand your role and know there may be occasions you’re asked “How well did that marketing campaign do” – our solution gives you the answer.

Or Nebula Compose, which helps refine your human-written content, suggesting improvements rather than replacing your voice. It’s about giving you an expert editor on demand.

These tools save time and reveal insights, so your team can focus on bigger decisions. It’s about working smarter and not replacing the human.

One partner for your whole digital journey

Our services are designed to work together within your organisation seamlessly.

Consult, Design. Develop. Host. Support. All in one place.

That means fewer gaps between creative ideas and technical reality. When your marketing team dreams up a new campaign, we’re already thinking about performance, compliance and how to make it easy for them to launch.

And when questions come up – whether it’s about adding a feature, tightening security or helping staff work effectively – you know exactly who to call.

Focused on your success

We didn’t start as a big agency chasing awards. We began small and grew through referrals and long-term partnerships. That taught us to value every client, whether it’s a one-person startup or a global name.

Your success genuinely becomes ours. Because when your site performs, your marketing works, and your marketing team is happy, you’re more likely to recommend us. It’s in our best interest and ultimately, it makes us feel great that we’ve provided a service someone is happy with.

The house built for your family

If there’s one image to take away, it’s this:

Many agencies sell you a finished house you decorate. Nebula designs the foundations and structure around how your business actually lives and grows, and then decorates.

It might take a little longer and cost a bit more upfront, but the result fits better, lasts longer and is easier to adapt as your needs change.

That’s what makes Nebula, Nebula.

We’re more than just a web agency

In the very same building, you’ll find our managed IT support and cyber security team: the people who keep your data protected, your systems running smoothly, and your questions answered.

This means that whether you need a bespoke website, help understanding your Google Analytics, or clarity on a cyber security concern, you’re speaking to one team under one roof – not juggling emails between three different suppliers.

What’s next?

Now that you know a little about how we approach building websites, the next step is making sure your chosen agency is the right fit for you. Because it’s not just about the launch day, it’s about how your website grows and supports your business over time.

To help you make the best decision, here are some key questions to ask your web agency before you sign on the dotted line. 👇

Questions to Ask Your Web Agency Before You Sign

(And why the answers matter more than you might think)

Choosing a digital partner isn’t something to do lightly. A website, much like an office or a storefront, is something your business will live with every day: it affects your team’s efficiency, your brand’s credibility and even your bottom line.

Too often, businesses find themselves locked into sites that are slow, hard to update or riddled with hidden costs – usually because they didn’t know the right questions to ask up front.

Here’s a list of practical, revealing questions you should ask any web agency (including us) before signing on the dotted line and why each one matters.