Seven steps from first call to launch

An Atom Digital custom project follows seven steps: an initial consultation, a discovery workshop that produces your delivery plan (covering features, people, timeline and budget), design and prototyping, a prioritised feature list called the product backlog, building in sprints, launch preparation, and go-live with launch support.

For Atom Digital's Starter Website, you pay the one-off £495 + VAT setup fee upfront, before work begins. Any add-ons (£100 + VAT each) are also paid upfront. Hosting and maintenance is then £59 + VAT a month, billed monthly in advance: each payment covers the month ahead, and the first is taken within 5 days of your website going live. Custom builds are paid in four stages: 25%, which acts as your deposit, when the discovery workshop is complete, 30% at the product backlog stage, 25% during the build (sprint) stage and the final 20% at launch preparation.

Atom Digital websites run on Atom Digital's platform: you use the website for as long as you pay for it, and the code, design and files stay with Atom Digital. With the Starter Website, this always applies, including if you leave. On a custom build, you can ask to own the code and take the website with you, but this must be agreed during the requirements phase and written into your agreement. Your domain name always stays yours.

During an Atom Digital custom project you review design work, a prioritised feature list (the product backlog) and early versions released in stages, with time built in for your feedback. An interactive prototype is available as an optional extra at additional cost.

It depends on your package. On Atom Digital's Starter Website, new features and edits are not included in the price; each is quoted per task with its own timeline, and work starts once you accept the quote. On a custom build, Atom Digital can adapt features along the way if the change fits within the agreed budget and timeline; anything beyond them is assessed for its effect on cost and schedule before work starts.

Atom Digital's Starter Website has a 12-month minimum term, because the setup fee is kept low. If you cancel during the first 12 months, an exit fee applies equal to the monthly fees for the rest of that year. After the first year, you can cancel with one month's notice, or move to a new fixed-term contract, which may come with a better price. The setup fee is not refundable once work has begun.

No. Atom Digital's Starter Website runs on Atom Digital's own platform and can't be transferred to another host or developer. If you leave, Atom Digital does not hand over the website, its design or its files, including a logo Atom Digital designed. Your domain name stays yours, so you can point it to a new website built elsewhere. If you need a website you can take with you, ask for a custom build and agree ownership during the requirements phase.

With Atom Digital's Starter Website, hosting and maintenance continue for as long as you pay the £59 + VAT monthly fee. Maintenance means keeping your website running and working properly; edits to your content and new features are not included and are priced depending on the task. To report a problem, use the contact form on Atom Digital's website and choose "Report a problem". Custom builds include 30 days of monitoring and maintenance after launch, covering bug fixes and patches; any handover and training are set out in your proposal.

Ongoing support is not included automatically after the 30-day launch-support period on an Atom Digital custom build. You can choose an optional ongoing support and updates plan, quoted separately. Agree what you need before launch support ends so it is clear who looks after maintenance and changes afterwards.

Yes. Atom Digital's Starter Website is already split into a one-off setup fee and a monthly fee. Custom builds are normally paid in four stages, and monthly payment plans are available by agreement. Ask about a payment plan on your free call so it can be included in your proposal.

Atom Digital's first 40-minute call is free; it is not a full technical audit. On a custom build, the discovery workshop is the first stage of the project, and the first 25% payment is due when it is complete. An interactive prototype is optional and costs extra.

For Atom Digital's Starter Website, you choose a theme, send your page text and logo, and buy your domain name. A custom build needs more: you take part in the discovery workshop, give feedback on designs and early versions, and approve decisions. The time involved depends on the project and is planned in your delivery plan.

On an Atom Digital custom build, you review designs and early versions as the project progresses, and launch preparation includes beta testing and fixes before go-live. The final payment is due at launch preparation. For the Starter Website, Atom Digital builds from the theme, text and logo you have agreed.

For Atom Digital's base Starter Website, the 10-day delivery starts once your theme, text and logo are agreed, and any wait for your information moves the delivery date back by the same time. On a custom build, a change to content, access or approvals can affect the schedule, and Atom Digital updates the delivery plan with you.