Web design · Melbourne
Web design in Melbourne for small businesses, makers and shops.
A clean, fast website that represents your work the way it deserves and gets found by the people looking for you. Built once, by one person, with no retainer and nothing locked away.
I'm Eric, and The Quiet Engine is a one-person web studio in Preston, in Melbourne's inner north. I design and build websites for makers, artists, studios, shops and small businesses across Melbourne, from solo creatives to established retailers.
A working website does five things: it looks like you and not a template, it loads in under two and a half seconds on a phone, it gives a visitor one clear next step, it tells your story quickly, and it can actually be found on Google. Most sites I am asked to fix get one or two of those right. I build for all five.
Every build is one-time and scope-based. When it ships, you own the lot: the code, the domain, the hosting account, the analytics. No subscription to me, no platform holding your content hostage, and a fixed quote in writing within 24 hours of a 20-minute call.
What I build
Website or portfolio site
One focused page or a small brochure site, shaped around your content and built to show the work, explain the business and get the enquiry.
Online store / ecommerce web design
Selling products? I build ecommerce on Shopify, set up properly for an Australian business. There is a dedicated Shopify page for that.
Website redesign
Already have a site that looks dated or loads slowly? A redesign keeps what works, fixes what does not, and brings your search rankings with it instead of starting from zero.
SEO built in from day one
Real page titles, proper structure, fast load, schema and a sitemap, so the site is findable the day it goes live instead of months later.
Email and Google setup
A professional address at your domain and a Google Business Profile, so you look established and show up on the local map.
You probably need this if
- Your current site looks dated, loads slowly, or was built on a free plan with someone else’s branding on it.
- You searched your own business on Google last week and could not find yourself.
- You are starting out and want a real website instead of a link-in-bio that everyone forgets.
- You have outgrown a DIY builder and want it done properly, once, by someone who picks up the phone.
- You want one person across the whole thing, not three freelancers to coordinate.
Recent work
A clean recipe and content site for a working chef, built to be browsed easily and grow over time.
A vitrine site for a Melbourne painter: the work front and centre, fast, and findable under their own name.
A custom gothic storefront theme for a Melbourne jeweller, built to feel like the brand and nothing else.
A B2B store for an Australian electric-vehicle brand, with a wholesale catalogue and dealer pricing.
A few real projects, shown with permission. I keep the list short on purpose.
What it costs
Starting prices, one-time, scope-based. Custom multi-page builds quoted on a call. Full pricing.
Common questions
How much does a website cost in Melbourne?
For a small business or maker, a website or portfolio site starts at $1,800 AUD, one-time. An online store starts at $2,500 AUD. The number moves with the content, functionality and how custom the design is. You get a fixed quote in writing before anything starts.
How long does it take to build a website?
A landing page goes live in about one to two weeks. A brochure site is usually two to three weeks. It starts with a short call to scope it honestly so there are no surprises.
Do you do affordable web design for small business in Melbourne?
I do honest web design for small business. I will not sell you a large custom build when a focused $1,800 website does the job, and I will tell you when a DIY builder is genuinely enough. Affordable means the right scope for where your business actually is, not the cheapest possible template.
Can you redesign my existing website?
Yes. A website redesign in Melbourne usually starts with a short look at what you have. I keep the pages that work, rebuild the rest, and set up redirects so you do not lose the Google rankings you already earned. Often a redesign costs less than a full rebuild.
Will I own my website?
Yes. The code, the domain, the hosting account and the Google accounts are all in your name. If you ever walk away, you take everything with you. No lock-in, no hostage data, no monthly fee to me.
Squarespace, WordPress or a custom build?
It depends on the work. Squarespace is great for a simple portfolio. Shopify wins when you sell real products. A custom build earns its cost when you have real traffic or an identity no template can honour. I pick the platform that fits you, not the one that suits me, and I explain why.
Want a site that actually gets found?
Tell me about your business and what the site needs to do. I will come back with a straight recommendation and a fixed quote in writing, in plain language.
Get in touch