Web design studio · South Africa

We build websites worth remembering.

High-end websites for businesses that want to look as good online as they do in the real world.

Web design · Development · Strategy

NewManaged hosting & care — from R499/month

(00) Based in South Africa

South African. Web-obsessed.

Design, development, support.

We design, build and support custom websites for businesses in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria and beyond — wherever you are.

(01) Selected work

Selectedwork.

A few concepts from our studio.

Every project here is a self-initiated portfolio concept, designed and built end to end to show the standard we work to.

Your business could look like this.

We don’t believe your website should look like everyone else’s.

View All Projects

(02) Services

What we do

  • 01

    Web design

    Custom interfaces designed around your brand, customers and goals.

    • Brand-led layouts
    • Typography & imagery
    • Conversion paths
  • 02

    Web development

    Fast, responsive websites built with modern technology and attention to detail.

    • Clean, fast code
    • Forms & integrations
    • SEO foundations
  • 03

    Mobile experience

    Every website is designed to look and feel exceptional on phones, tablets and desktops.

    • Mobile-first design
    • Thumb-friendly navigation
    • Tested on real sizes
  • 04

    Ongoing support

    Hosting, updates, improvements and technical support after launch.

    See Hosting & Care — from R499/month
    • Hosting & domains
    • Updates & edits
    • Continuous improvement

(03) Local knowledge

Built for South Africa.

A website that works in Sandton and in Stellenbosch, on fibre and on a phone with limited data, for customers who would rather send a WhatsApp than fill in a form. That’s how we design.

  1. 01

    WhatsApp-first

    Click-to-chat buttons and pre-filled messages, so customers can reach you on the app they already use every day.

  2. 02

    Light on data

    Optimised images and lean code so your pages load quickly on mobile networks and don’t burn through your customers’ data.

  3. 03

    Local payments

    Where your project needs them, we can connect South African gateways such as PayFast, Yoco and Ozow for online payments.

  4. 04

    POPIA-aware forms

    Enquiry forms with clear consent wording and a privacy page structure. (Compliance depends on how you handle data — we recommend a legal review of your policy.)

  5. 05

    Found locally

    Google Business Profile guidance, local search basics, maps and suburb or city pages, so nearby customers can find you.

  6. 06

    Rand pricing

    Quotes in ZAR with the scope spelled out. No dollar surprises and no vague “packages”.

  7. 07

    .co.za & local domains

    We help you choose, register and point a .co.za or .com domain, and set up professional email on it.

  8. 08

    Stays online

    Your website lives on professionally hosted servers, so it stays online even when the power at your office goes off.

(04) Website types

Websiteswe build.

Pick a starting point.

Not sure which fits? Tell us about your business and we’ll recommend one.

  • 01

    Business websites

    Ideal for established and growing service businesses

    A complete multi-page website: home, services, about, gallery or projects, and contact — designed to build trust and turn visitors into enquiries.

    • 5–10 pages
    • Contact forms
    • Google Maps
    • Local SEO
    Discuss this project
  • 02

    Landing pages

    Ideal for a single offer, launch or campaign

    One focused, fast page with a single job: get the visitor to call, book or message you. A great, affordable place to start.

    • Single page
    • WhatsApp button
    • Fast to launch
    Discuss this project
  • 03

    Online stores

    Ideal for businesses selling products online

    A store designed around your products, with a simple checkout and South African payment options and delivery details where needed.

    • Product pages
    • Secure checkout
    • PayFast / Yoco / Ozow
    Discuss this project
  • 04

    Booking & enquiry sites

    Ideal for barbers, salons, clinics, trades and studios

    Websites built around getting the appointment or the quote: clear services, pricing, opening hours and one-tap ways to get in touch.

    • Booking flow
    • Quote forms
    • WhatsApp
    Discuss this project
  • 05

    Portfolio & showcase

    Ideal for creatives, architects, builders and agencies

    Image-led websites where the work does the talking — with project pages, galleries and an enquiry path for new clients.

    • Project pages
    • Galleries
    • Fast images
    Discuss this project
  • 06

    Website redesigns

    Ideal for outdated, slow or hard-to-use websites

    We keep what already works, fix what doesn’t and rebuild the rest — a modern design, a proper mobile experience and better performance.

    • Content review
    • New design
    • Redirects & SEO care
    Discuss this project

(05) About the studio

Not just another website.

Form & Frame is a small design and development studio in South Africa. We work with businesses locally and remotely, and every website we make starts from a blank page — never a template.

10
portfolio concepts, designed and built end to end
10
different industries explored
R3,000
where projects start

Every project on this page is a self-initiated portfolio concept. We don’t show client logos, awards or results we haven’t earned.

  1. 01

    Custom design

    Every layout is drawn for your business. No templates, no recycled sections.

  2. 02

    Strong visual identity

    Typography, colour and imagery chosen so you’re recognisable at a glance.

  3. 03

    Mobile-first experiences

    Most of your customers are on phones, so we design for the phone first.

  4. 04

    Conversion-focused layouts

    Clear paths to call, book, WhatsApp or enquire — without pushing.

  5. 05

    Fast performance

    Lean code and optimised images so pages load quickly on any connection.

  6. 06

    Clear communication

    Plain language, honest timelines and no surprises along the way.

  7. 07

    Professional launch process

    Testing, polish and a proper handover before your website goes live.

Included in every project

No hidden extras for the essentials. Every website we build comes with:

  • Custom design for phone, tablet and desktop
  • Mobile-first, responsive build
  • Fast, optimised images and clean code
  • WhatsApp click-to-chat and contact forms
  • Google Maps, opening hours and contact details
  • On-page SEO foundations and schema markup
  • Sitemap, robots file and Search Console guidance
  • SSL security and secure forms
  • Analytics set up so you can measure results
  • Accessibility basics: contrast, labels, keyboard use
  • Social sharing images and favicon
  • Privacy page structure with POPIA-aware form wording
  • Testing on real devices before launch
  • Launch, handover and a walkthrough of your site

Extras such as online payments, bookings, copywriting, photography, and ongoing hosting and support are quoted separately.

(06) Process

How we work

  1. 01

    Discover

    We learn about your business, audience and goals.

    • Goals & audience
    • Content review
    • Competitor look

    You get

    • A clear brief and goals for the site
    • A page-by-page plan and content list

    We need from you

    • Your business story and services
    • Examples of websites you like
  2. 02

    Design

    We create the visual direction and user experience.

    • Visual direction
    • Page layouts
    • Mobile designs

    You get

    • A visual direction: type, colour and imagery
    • Page designs for phone and desktop
    • Rounds of feedback and refinement

    We need from you

    • Your logo and brand colours (if you have them)
    • Photos and your honest feedback
  3. 03

    Build

    We turn the approved design into a fast responsive website.

    • Development
    • Forms & integrations
    • Speed & SEO

    You get

    • A working website on a private preview link
    • Forms, WhatsApp and integrations connected
    • SEO, speed and accessibility set up

    We need from you

    • Final text and images
    • Access to your domain and Google Business Profile
  4. 04

    Launch

    We test, polish and get your new website online.

    • Testing on devices
    • Go-live & handover
    • Support after launch

    You get

    • Testing on real devices and browsers
    • Go-live, redirects and analytics
    • A walkthrough and support options

    We need from you

    • Your final sign-off

(07) Who we work with

Who we work with

Whatever your industry, your website should feel like your brand.

(08) By industry

What yourindustry needsonline.

Every trade is different.

Here is what customers expect — and how we design for it.

Barbers & salons

Customers choose a barber or salon on how it looks and how easy it is to book. Your website should feel like your shop.

Your customers want to

  • See prices and services at a glance
  • Check opening hours and your location
  • Browse your work and your team
  • Book or message in one tap

Your website should

  • Sit on a clear, mobile-first booking or WhatsApp path
  • Show a price list that is easy to scan
  • Use strong photography of your work
  • Show reviews and your location on a map
blacklinebarber.example
Blackline Barber website concept preview
See the concept: Blackline Barber

(09) Local SEO

Websites thatget found.

A beautiful website only helps if customers can find it. Every site we build has the technical foundations of search engine optimisation (SEO) in place from day one — especially for local, “near me” searches.

  • Page titles & descriptionsWritten for people and for Google.
  • Clean structureProper headings, readable URLs and semantic HTML.
  • Local SEOGoogle Business Profile guidance, maps, suburb and city relevance.
  • Structured dataSchema markup so search engines understand your business.
  • Speed & mobile usabilityFast pages and a design that works on every screen.
  • Sitemap & indexing setupSitemap, robots file and Search Console guidance.

Nobody can honestly promise a number-one ranking. What we can do is build the foundations properly, so your website has every chance of being found.

See our full SEO service — from R1,500/month

(10) Where we work

All ofSouth Africa.

We work with businesses across the country — and beyond — entirely remotely. Video calls, WhatsApp and shared previews mean your location never gets in the way of a great website.

Gauteng

  • Johannesburg
  • Sandton
  • Pretoria
  • Centurion
  • Midrand
  • Randburg
  • Roodepoort
  • Benoni

Western Cape

  • Cape Town
  • Stellenbosch
  • Paarl
  • Somerset West
  • George
  • Knysna

KwaZulu-Natal

  • Durban
  • Umhlanga
  • Ballito
  • Pietermaritzburg
  • Richards Bay

Eastern Cape

  • Gqeberha
  • East London
  • Makhanda

Free State & Northern Cape

  • Bloemfontein
  • Welkom
  • Kimberley

Limpopo, Mpumalanga & North West

  • Polokwane
  • Mbombela
  • Rustenburg
  • Potchefstroom

Looking for a web designer in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria or Gqeberha? Get in touch — we’ll set up a call at a time that suits you (SAST).

(11) Honest comparison

Customvs template.

Which is right for you?

Do-it-yourself builders are fine for some jobs. Here is when a custom website is worth it.

Comparison of a do-it-yourself template website and a custom website from Form & Frame
FeatureDIY template builderForm & Frame custom
DesignPick a template that many others also useDrawn around your brand, customers and goals
Mobile experienceResponsive, but genericDesigned mobile-first, checked on real screen sizes
SpeedOften weighed down by heavy scripts and themesLean code and optimised images
SEO foundationsBasic settings, limited controlStructured content, schema, sitemap and local SEO set up
FlexibilityLimited to what the platform allowsAny layout or feature your business needs
WhatsApp & local paymentsDepends on available pluginsBuilt in where your project needs them
SupportHelp articles and ticketsA real person who knows your website
Upfront costLowestHigher — from R3,000, depending on scope

When a template is enough: if you need something very simple, quickly, and you’re happy to do the work yourself, a builder can be a sensible choice. When you want your business to stand out, convert more enquiries and feel professional, custom is worth it.

(12) Investment

Every project is different.

We build around your business, your goals and the experience your customers need.

Websites from

R3,000

A starting point for a simple, focused website — not a fixed price for every project. Larger and more custom builds cost more, and we quote them clearly upfront.

Final pricing depends on

  • Number of pages
  • Functionality
  • Content
  • Integrations
  • Design requirements
Request a Quote

Need hosting too? Managed hosting & care from R499/month

(13) Hosting & care

Host with the team that built your website.

We don’t just host your website. We look after it. When we build your website and you host with us, reasonable ongoing updates and maintenance are included.

  • Change your opening hours?Included.
  • Replace a photo?Included.
  • Update your phone number?Included.
  • Make a small text change?Included.

Reasonable minor updates and maintenance only. New pages, features, e-commerce, integrations and major redesigns are quoted separately.

See Hosting & Care

Managed hosting from

R499/ month

  • Website hosting & cPanel
  • Business email on your domain
  • SSL certificate
  • Backups & security monitoring
  • Uptime monitoring
  • Minor updates & technical maintenance
  • Support

Business Care from R799/month adds more email accounts, priority support and more.

Website design and development are quoted separately.

(14) SEO

We build the website. Then we help people find it.

A beautiful website is only useful if the right people can find it. Our SEO service builds stronger search visibility through technical, on-page and local SEO — monitored and improved over time.

  • “barber near me”Local SEO
  • Slow, hard-to-find pages?Technical SEO
  • Right pages, right searches?On-page SEO
  • Guaranteed #1 on Google?No guarantees

Search visibility depends on many factors. We focus on measurable, ongoing improvement — not guarantees.

See our SEO service

SEO from

R1,500/ month

  • Technical SEO monitoring
  • On-page optimisation
  • Keyword research
  • Search Console monitoring
  • Monthly report
  • Basic local SEO

Growth & Advanced tiers from R2,500–R4,500/month add local SEO, content and competitor research.

Pricing depends on scope. These are starting points, not fixed prices.

(15) Guides

Good toknow.

Plain-English advice.

Three short guides for South African business owners thinking about a new website.

There is no single price, because “a website” can mean anything from a one-page landing page to a large online store. In South Africa, the cost usually comes down to five things: the number of pages, the functionality you need, how much content has to be written or photographed, the integrations (payments, bookings, CRM), and how custom the design is.

At Form & Frame, websites start from R3,000. Simple, focused projects sit near the start; larger, more custom or more technical builds cost more. We always quote in rand, with the scope written down, so you know exactly what you are getting.

What you are really paying for

  • Design that fits your brand and your customers
  • Development: a fast, secure, mobile-friendly website
  • Testing on real devices and screen sizes
  • SEO foundations, forms, WhatsApp and analytics set up
  • Launch, handover and a person to call afterwards

Costs beyond the build

Most websites also have modest ongoing costs: your domain name (for example a .co.za), hosting and, if you want it, professional email. Optional support covers updates and improvements. We itemise these in your quote so there are no surprises.

Why the cheapest option can cost more

Very cheap websites often reuse a crowded template, load slowly, aren’t properly checked on phones and are hard to change later. If the website doesn’t bring in enquiries, it isn’t cheap — it’s just inexpensive. Ask what you are getting, not only what you are paying.

Read the full guide →

Whether you choose us or someone else, these questions will help you find a designer who will do right by your business.

  • Look at real work. Open their portfolio on your phone, not just on a laptop. Does it look good, load quickly and feel considered?
  • Check they design mobile-first. Most of your customers will visit on a phone.
  • Ask who owns what. You should own your domain, and the ownership of the design and code you paid for should be agreed in writing.
  • Get a clear quote in rand. With the scope, timeline and what is not included spelled out.
  • Ask about SEO and speed. A good designer builds the foundations in, rather than treating them as an afterthought.
  • Understand the communication. Who will you speak to, how often, and on what channel (WhatsApp, email, calls)?
  • Find out what happens after launch. Who fixes things, updates content and looks after hosting?
  • Be wary of guarantees. Nobody can promise number one on Google or a specific number of sales.

Prefer to talk it through? Send us a message — we’re happy to answer honestly, even if we aren’t the right fit.

Read the full guide →

Before any website goes live, make sure these basics are covered.

  • Looks and works properly on phones, tablets and desktops
  • Your business name, address, phone number and hours are correct and consistent everywhere
  • WhatsApp button and phone number work with one tap
  • Contact and quote forms are tested and land in the right inbox
  • Privacy policy in place and forms have clear consent wording (POPIA)
  • Page titles, descriptions and headings are set for every page
  • Google Business Profile claimed, complete and linked to your website
  • Sitemap submitted to Google Search Console
  • SSL (the padlock) is active and everything loads over https
  • Images are compressed and pages load quickly on mobile data
  • Analytics installed so you can see what is working
  • Social sharing image and favicon are set
  • Old website addresses redirect to the new ones (if you are redesigning)
  • A friend or customer has tested it on a different phone

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Have your privacy policy reviewed if you handle personal information.

Read the full guide →

Browse all guides →

(16) Questions

Goodquestions.

Can’t see yours? Ask us directly.

Websites start from R3,000. The final price depends on the number of pages, functionality, content, integrations and design requirements. Tell us about your business and we’ll send a clear quote.

A typical small-business website takes a few weeks once we have your content. Larger or more custom projects take longer. You’ll get a realistic timeline in your quote.

Yes — small and growing businesses are exactly who we build for. A focused, well-designed website is often the best first investment.

Absolutely. We’ll review what you have, keep what works and rebuild the rest — new design, better mobile experience and faster performance.

Yes. We offer managed hosting from R499 a month, including cPanel, business email, SSL, backups, security and uptime monitoring and support. When we’ve built your website and it is hosted with us, reasonable minor updates and maintenance are included at no extra charge. See Hosting & Care.

Yes. We can add click-to-chat WhatsApp buttons and pre-filled messages so customers reach you in one tap.

Every website we build is designed mobile-first and checked across phone, tablet and desktop sizes before launch.

Yes. Depending on the project we can set things up so you can edit content yourself, or you can send changes to us and we’ll handle them. If we built your website and it is hosted with us, reasonable minor updates — text, images, contact details, opening hours — are included.

Yes. We work with businesses across South Africa and beyond, entirely remotely — using calls, WhatsApp and shared previews. Whether you are in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Gqeberha or a smaller town, the process is the same.

A .co.za signals a South African business and is a great choice for local customers. A .com works too, and many businesses register both. We can help you choose, register and connect your domain, and set up email on it.

We build with POPIA in mind: forms with clear consent wording, a privacy page structure and careful handling of enquiries. Compliance ultimately depends on how your business collects and uses personal information, so we recommend having your privacy policy reviewed by a legal professional. Read our full POPIA guide.

Yes. Your website is hosted on professional servers, not in your office, so it stays online when your power is off. We also keep pages light, so visitors on mobile data can still load them quickly.

Yes. Where a project needs it, we can integrate South African payment gateways such as PayFast, Yoco and Ozow, and set up a simple, secure checkout. Online payments are quoted as part of the project scope.

We build the technical foundations of SEO into every website — titles, structure, speed, schema, sitemap and local search basics — and guide you through Google Business Profile. No one can honestly guarantee rankings, but a well-built website has the best chance of being found.

You should. Your domain is registered in your name, and ownership of the design and code you have paid for is agreed clearly in writing before we start, so you are never locked in.

Just a conversation to begin with. After that we will ask for your logo and brand colours (if you have them), a list of your services, photos and contact details, and examples of websites you like. If you don’t have content yet, we can help you plan it.

We walk you through your website and stay available for questions. If you host with us, our managed hosting covers hosting, backups, security monitoring, technical maintenance and reasonable minor updates, so your website keeps working as hard as your business does. See how Hosting & Care works.

Ready to build something better?

Tell us about your business and we’ll show you what your website could become.

(17) Contact

Start aproject.

The fastest way to reach us is WhatsApp. Prefer email or a form? Those are here too.

Working with businesses across South Africa and remotely. Replies within one working day.

What do you need?

We'll email your enquiry to our team, and you can also continue on WhatsApp below.