Frequently asked questions
Have questions? We've got answers! Explore our FAQs to find everything you need to know about our services. Still unsure? Submit our query form below.
The basics
Why do financial advisers need a modern website?
Financial advice is rooted in trust. Clients trust you with their life savings, so first impressions are everything. Even if you’re the most skilled adviser, an outdated website can limit your ability to convey that expertise at scale.
A fast, well-designed, modern website signals credibility, professionalism, and care. It sets the foundation for trust, helping clients feel confident in your guidance from the first impression.
What sets Simply Advice Websites apart?
We understand that advisers have a lot on their plate and struggle to convey their value to clients online. We developed a digital solution that helps you convert leads and elevate your existing client’s journey while being easy to manage after launch.
With firsthand experience and a targeted focus on the financial advice industry, we understand your unique needs. We create websites with smart functionality and thoughtful design, streamlining operations, improving client and internal processes.
Why do you use WordPress?
WordPress provides the perfect blend of flexibility, ease of use, extensive functionality, and scalability, making it ideal for advice practices. It empowers firms to manage their own updates and content if they choose, and supports seamless design, publishing, and maintenance.
With over 43% of top websites using WordPress, including Microsoft and eBay, it’s a trusted platform with global reach (W3Techs, 2024).
Compared to platforms like Squarespace, WordPress offers greater customisation, more advanced functionality, and access to thousands of plugins for everything from SEO to client portals. Unlike Squarespace, which can be limiting, WordPress is open-source and constantly evolving, providing a site that can grow with your business needs.
Simply Advice Websites builds on WordPress to deliver sites that are both robust and adaptable, so you’re never restricted by the platform.
I think I could find a cheaper alternative. Why should I choose Simply Advice Websites?
Working with an experienced, professional team offers long-term benefits that go beyond just getting your site live. Like insurance or super, getting it right the first time saves heartache down the road.
DIY or cheaper alternatives may seem appealing, but they often become time-consuming, stressful, prone to errors, fail to cover the maintenance of your site, have low functionality ceilings making upgrades hard, or lack the integrations you’ll come to wish you had later.
Ultimately, you’ll spend more time troubleshooting or reinventing wheels, and less time focusing on your clients. With Simply Advice Websites, proper setup and ongoing maintenance ensure your site evolves with technology, handles compliance changes, and stays secure.
As a financial advice professional, your website is the face of your business – entrusting it to professionals ensures it represents you with the quality and reliability your clients expect.
Support throughout the process
How much support do you provide during the website build?
We guide you through every step, ensuring clarity on what’s needed from you and what we’re handling. You’ll work with our experienced project manager, designers and advice industry experts to create a website tailored to your specific needs and timeline.
Do you set up Google Analytics?
Yes, we integrate Google Analytics at launch. Just provide the email linked to your account, and we’ll handle the rest.
What kind of support do you provide after the website launch?
Beyond maintaining the status quo (see below for more details), we provide logins for your team and 1:1 training after launch. You’ll also have access to ‘how to’ guides for easy updates, and if you need further help, we’re just an email away.
Security and compliance
What compliance benefits do Simply Advice Websites provide?
- Pre-launch checklist: We complete a detailed checklist to ensure compliance standards are met.
- Direct compliance team collaboration: We handle communications with your compliance team prior to launch, keeping you updated while saving you time from acting as the middle person.
- Built-in compliance: We use intelligently coded Important Information features to support compliance requirements.
- Ongoing monitoring: We monitor general compliance updates related to advice websites, such as disclosure and privacy opt-ins.
How secure is WordPress?
Your website’s public content is hosted on a global Content Delivery Network (CDN) for fast load speeds, while the WordPress installation and form submissions are securely hosted in Sydney, Australia.
For added security, we recommend enabling Two-Factor Authentication, integrating form submissions with your CRM, and periodically deleting stored submissions (we typically recommend doing this quarterly, depending on the type of information you’re collecting).
Do I need to pay for an SSL certificate to make my site secure?
No, we handle SSL certificates as part of our ongoing service.
Will my email addresses be affected if I use the same domain as my website?
No, your email hosting will remain unaffected during this process because your website and email hosting are typically managed separately, even if they share the same domain name. However, if you decide to change your domain name in the future, it’s important to coordinate with your IT team. Changing the domain name will require updating your email hosting settings, such as DNS records (e.g., MX records), to ensure your email continues to function correctly.
Technical questions
How do you work with my IT team manage?
We liaise with your IT team and provide a brief for the DNS change, which email authentication details. We host your website for you, including cPanel (managed on our end) and WordPress. Everything else, including domain registration and email hosting, is managed directly by your IT team.
Where is my website hosted, and how does the setup work?
All websites are hosted on secure, high-performance servers in Sydney, ensuring fast and reliable access for Australian clients. To further boost speed and security, we also use Cloudflare as a Content Delivery Network (CDN). You can learn more about technical website terms in our blog here.
Our platform runs on a WordPress multisite setup, which allows us to efficiently manage updates, security, and performance across all client sites. This provides a streamlined, low-maintenance experience. Where specific plugins or functionality are required, we’ll assess compatibility and discuss trade-offs with you before installation.
For most advice firms, this setup offers an option that is fast, secure, and easy to manage. If you have particular hosting needs, we’re happy to discuss the best approach.
What does a managed environment mean?
We operate a managed WordPress multisite so we can deliver tools and functionality tailored specifically to financial advice practices, offering efficiencies a general developer would not.
Every plugin is reviewed at each update to ensure your site remains compatible, secure, and reliable. New plugins go through our review process, which consistently leads to better outcomes. This approach helps us address security risks early, highlight when functionality already exists, and recommend stronger alternatives that we know will support your business long term.
What is the difference between a soft and hard launch?
A soft launch is a low-key release of a website to a limited audience, allowing for testing, feedback, and adjustments before a full public launch. It is ideal for getting a new site up or major improvement up and running for the visitors you’re getting right now, allow some time to refine the site with less pressure.
Comparatively, a hard launch is a full-scale, public release with significant marketing. It introduces the website to a wider audience immediately, aiming to generate maximum traffic and awareness from day one.
I don't have a registered domain yet. Can I still build a new site?
We can get started without one, but you’ll need a registered domain and DNS hosting for your website to go live. We can work with any provider, but we recommend Webcentral for a wholly Australian experience or GoDaddy as a budget-friendly option. Let us know if you choose GoDaddy, and we’ll assist you directly.
I have a registered domain. What are the next steps?
Great! If you don’t already have a website, you’ll need DNS hosting for your domain. Once your new site is ready, we’ll provide the DNS details for you or your IT team to set up. If you prefer, we can manage your DNS for you, though we generally recommend keeping this under your control.
What are my options if I no longer want to work with Simply Advice Websites?
We can turn off your site or transfer your pages and posts (but not layout or media) to another WordPress site via an XML export. If you’re considering leaving, give us a call – we’d love to discuss any issues you’re facing.
Can't find the answer to your question?
If you can't find the answer to your question above, please drop us a line and one of our team members will be in touch to help you out.