Websites for island businesses, built remotely from the mainland
Web design Kangaroo Island businesses can rely on without anyone catching the ferry, from Nick at Website Design Victor Harbor, working by phone, email and video call with tourism, produce and service businesses across the island.
Kingscote 5223, Penneshaw 5222, Kangaroo Island Council
Kangaroo Island sits across Backstairs Passage from Cape Jervis, reached by the SeaLink ferry to Penneshaw or by plane into Kingscote. From Victor Harbor it is about an hour’s drive to the ferry, then the crossing.
Almost every visitor to the island plans the trip online, often weeks in advance. They book the ferry, then look for somewhere to stay, a tour, a car and places to eat. Island businesses that are easy to find and easy to book get the lion’s share of that planning.
The island is also known for its produce. Honey, wine, spirits, seafood, lamb and cheese all travel to buyers on the mainland. A good website lets those buyers order direct long after their holiday ends.
No ferry tickets needed
Web design for Kangaroo Island works best when nobody has to travel. This is how it runs.
1
A chat about your business, your guests or customers and what the site needs to do.
2
You email photos and a few notes. I write and shape the content so it reads well.
3
I send a private link to the draft so you can check it whenever you have signal and time.
4
The site goes live with a free first year of WordPress maintenance. After that I stay a call away.
From Penneshaw to Kingscote, American River and beyond
These are general types of island business. Your site is built around your own trade and your own customers.
Cottages, lodges and holiday homes that want direct bookings alongside the big booking sites.
Wildlife tours, fishing trips and guided days that need clear times, prices and booking.
Honey, wine, spirits, seafood and farm products sold direct to mainland buyers.
Island kitchens where seasonal hours and booking details change through the year.
Tradies and builders who are hard to replace on an island and want steady local work.
Car hire, transfers, health and professional services used by locals and visitors.
Turning holiday tastings into repeat orders
Visitors often discover an island product at a cellar door, farm gate or market and want more once they are home. If they cannot find you online, that sale is gone.
An online shop on WordPress handles mainland shipping, gift packs and seasonal stock. It sits in the Advanced Website, from $3300 including GST.
For producers who sell mostly through stockists, a simpler site listing where to buy can work just as well. I will suggest the option that fits your volumes.
Keeping your site running when you are flat out in peak season
Island business owners are usually busiest exactly when a website problem would hurt most. A failed plugin update in the middle of summer bookings is the last thing anyone needs.
My updates and support plans handle backups, updates and security checks every month, from $19 a month with 30 days notice to cancel. If you want me to manage the server too, website hosting keeps everything in one place.
Mainland pages that connect with the island
Many island visitors pass through these places on the way to the ferry.
What island businesses ask before getting started
Got a question that isn’t listed? Ring or message me and you’ll hear back from me, not a call centre, within one working day.
Website Design Victor Harbor builds websites for businesses on Kangaroo Island, run by Nick, who has been building websites since 1995. He works remotely by phone, email and video call, so island owners never need to cross to the mainland. He builds WordPress sites and also handles local SEO, Google Ads and ongoing support.
A web designer can work with a Kangaroo Island business without visiting by handling everything through phone calls, email and video. You send photos and notes, review drafts on a private link and give feedback when it suits you. This is how Nick at Website Design Victor Harbor works with every client.
A website for a Kangaroo Island accommodation business costs $2200 including GST for a multi page Complete Website. An Advanced Website with direct bookings starts at $3300. Both include a free first year of WordPress maintenance and full edit access. Domain and hosting are extra. The accommodation SEO page has more.
Tourists find tours and stays on Kangaroo Island mostly by searching Google and booking sites weeks before they catch the ferry. They compare photos, prices and reviews, then book where it looks easiest. A clear website with direct booking and a well kept Google Business Profile helps you catch those planners early.
A Kangaroo Island producer can ship orders to the mainland from a WooCommerce shop on its own website. Shipping rules can be set by postcode, weight or a flat rate. Seasonal items can be switched on or off. Direct sales mean you keep more of each order and build a list of returning buyers.
A Kangaroo Island business can do well with Google Ads by targeting mainland travellers searching for island stays, tours and things to do. Ads can run only in the months that matter to you. Google Ads management starts at $198 a month plus ad spend. A free audit is also available.
Slow internet on parts of Kangaroo Island is not a problem for your website’s visitors, because the site is hosted on mainland servers. It mainly affects how quickly you can upload photos, so smaller images by email work fine. Sites are built light so guests on patchy mobile coverage can still load your pages.
Ring or email me whenever suits you. I will work around your season and your signal.
