Belfast secures the network it helped build
- CSIT at Queen’s, 2008
- A GCHQ centre of excellence
- Kelvin born here, 1824
- A cyber security cluster
How Belfast grew
The short version, in order. Pick a year.
Kelvin is born
William Thomson, later Lord Kelvin, was born in Belfast. His instruments made the first transatlantic telegraph readable.
CSIT, and a city that secures the network
In 2008 Queen’s University Belfast was chosen to host the Centre for Secure Information Technologies, the United Kingdom’s Innovation and Knowledge Centre for cyber security, and one of only a handful of such centres nationally. It is recognised by GCHQ as an academic centre of excellence.
The effect on the city has been substantial: a cyber security cluster of start-ups, spin-outs and inward investment credited with creating thousands of jobs, in a place better known for shipbuilding and linen.
There is a neat coincidence too. William Thomson, later Lord Kelvin, whose instruments made the first transatlantic telegraph readable, was born in Belfast in 1824. The city helped make long-distance data work, and is now helping to keep it safe.
What that means if you trade in Belfast
Belfast is a small city where reputation travels fast in both directions, and where a great deal of business is still done because somebody vouched for you.
A website here rarely wins the customer on its own. It confirms or destroys an introduction, usually within a few seconds, which makes clarity worth far more than cleverness.
What Belfast businesses ask us for
Confirm the recommendation
Assume the visitor was sent by somebody. Make it instantly obvious that you are real, local and still trading.
Be clear on where you cover
Greater Belfast, Lisburn, North Down. Travel expectations differ and customers ask early.
Prices and process
A small market punishes surprises. Publishing the fee protects the reputation that got you the call.
How well do you know Belfast?
Five quick questions. Get all five right and you win a 10% off discount code for your website. Every answer is somewhere on this page, so have a read if you get stuck.
Belfast quiz · 1 of 5
What does CSIT at Queen’s University Belfast work on?
Common questions
The simplest one-page site starts at £15 a month, with the website build included and nothing to pay up front. Every plan and its price is published on the pricing page before you speak to anyone.
Sign-up takes about 3 minutes and the build questionnaire about 5. Most sites are then designed and built within 21 hours, and live within days of the brief being answered.
No setup fee and no hidden extras. Your monthly plan covers the website build and hosting. Done-for-you plans have a 12-month minimum term, then you can cancel any time from your dashboard.
Yes — you can upgrade at any time as your business grows, with no need to start over.