Frequently Asked Questions

Our projects start around $1,500 for a clean, professional small business website. Pricing scales based on page count, custom features, and complexity. Every project gets the same quality code and mobile-first design. We also offer monthly payment plans so you can spread the cost over time.

Unlike template-based shops that charge similar prices for cookie-cutter results, every site I build is designed and coded from scratch. You are paying for a website that is built specifically for your business and optimized to generate leads.

A custom website is built specifically for your business, your audience, and your goals. Templates reuse the same design for thousands of sites, which means your business looks like everyone else. Custom code loads faster, ranks better in search, and converts more visitors into customers.

Think of it like the difference between a tailored suit and one off the rack. The tailored version fits better, lasts longer, and makes a stronger impression. My clients see real returns from their investment through increased calls, quote requests, and foot traffic.

Yes. I offer flexible monthly payment plans on every project. You can pay upfront for simplicity, or spread payments over several months to keep cash flow comfortable. Either way, you get the same quality build and the same level of attention.

We believe a great website should be accessible to every small business, not just the ones with big budgets. Contact me and I will put together a plan that works for you.

Every project includes custom design, mobile-first development, on-page SEO setup, Google Analytics and Search Console configuration, structured data markup, and a content management system you can actually use. We also include initial hosting setup and a training walkthrough so you are confident managing your site.

There are no hidden fees. We scope the project upfront so you know exactly what you are getting before I start.

The main ongoing cost is hosting, which typically runs $10 to $30 per month depending on your needs. I offer managed hosting packages that include SSL certificates, daily backups, security monitoring, and software updates so you never have to worry about the technical side.

Unlike WordPress sites that need constant plugin updates and security patches, our ProcessWire builds require minimal maintenance. Your ongoing costs stay predictable and low.

Timelines depend on the package and how quickly content is ready:

• Signal: 2 to 3 weeks
• Broadcast: 4 to 6 weeks
• Amplify: 4 to 6 weeks

These timelines assume content (text, photos, logos) is provided on time. I keep you updated throughout the process, and most clients are pleasantly surprised by how smooth it goes.

I need your logo, brand colors (if you have them), photos of your business or team, and a rough idea of what pages you want. Do not worry if you do not have everything polished. I will guide you through it and help fill in the gaps.

The most important thing you can provide is clarity about what your business does and who your ideal customer is. I handle the rest, including writing and design direction if needed.

I start with a discovery call to understand your business, your customers, and your goals. From there we establish a design direction, including colors, typography, and layout style. You will see the homepage first, then I build out the remaining pages section by section with your feedback at every step.

This is not a process where you wait weeks and hope for the best. You are involved throughout, and nothing goes live without your approval.

Absolutely. Every project gets a private staging site where you can see real progress as I build. You can click through pages, test forms, and check how everything looks on your phone. We share the staging link early and update it frequently so you always know where things stand.

That is what the iterative process is for. I do not disappear for weeks and come back with a finished product. You see designs in progress and give feedback at every stage. If something is not working, we adjust before moving forward.

That said, I have never had a client who was unhappy with the final result. Our process is designed to get alignment early so there are no surprises.

ProcessWire is a modern content management system built for developers who care about speed, security, and flexibility. Unlike WordPress, which relies on dozens of plugins for basic functionality, ProcessWire does more with less code and has virtually zero security vulnerabilities from third-party plugins.

WordPress powers a lot of websites, but 96% of its security vulnerabilities come from plugins and themes. ProcessWire takes a fundamentally different approach. Your admin panel is clean, fast, and intuitive, and your site loads significantly faster because there is no plugin bloat dragging it down.

Every site I build is mobile-first, meaning I design for phones first and scale up to tablets and desktops. Over 60% of web traffic comes from mobile devices, so this is not optional. Your site will look and function perfectly on every screen size.

I test across real devices during development, not just browser simulators. Touch targets, font sizes, navigation, and forms are all optimized for the way people actually use their phones.

My sites consistently score 90 or higher on Google PageSpeed Insights. I achieve this through hand-written code with zero framework bloat, optimized images, proper caching, and minimal JavaScript. Fast load times directly impact your search rankings and conversion rates.

For context, the average small business website takes over 4 seconds to load. Mine load in under 2. Every second of load time you save reduces bounce rates and increases the chance someone picks up the phone to call you.

No. Every website I build is coded from scratch. I do not use pre-made templates, WordPress themes, or drag-and-drop page builders like Elementor or Divi. These tools add unnecessary code bloat that slows your site down and limits what I can do with design.

Custom code means your site is unique, loads faster, and can be built to do exactly what your business needs without workarounds or compromises.

I handle everything. Your site is hosted on a managed server with SSL encryption, daily backups, and proactive security monitoring. I take care of updates, uptime, and performance so you can focus on running your business.

Because I use ProcessWire instead of WordPress, there are no plugins to update and no theme vulnerabilities to patch. Your attack surface is dramatically smaller, which means fewer security headaches for anyone.

WordPress powers a lot of websites, but that comes with real downsides for small businesses. Plugin vulnerabilities cause the majority of WordPress hacks. Sites slow down as you add plugins for features that should be built in. And keeping everything updated is an ongoing chore that most business owners do not have time for.

I build on ProcessWire instead. It is a modern, open-source CMS that gives you a clean admin panel, fast load times, and rock-solid security without the plugin treadmill. Your site has exactly the code it needs and nothing extra weighing it down.

The result: faster sites, fewer security headaches, and an admin panel that is actually enjoyable to use.

Yes. Every site I build includes on-page SEO fundamentals: proper heading structure, meta descriptions, image optimization, XML sitemaps, and structured data markup. We also submit your site to Google Search Console and configure indexing so Google knows your site exists from day one.

SEO is not an add-on. It is built into every page I create. That said, ranking on the first page takes time and ongoing effort, especially in competitive markets.

Local SEO is baked into everything I build. I implement LocalBusiness structured data so Google understands your business name, address, phone number, hours, and service area. I set up and optimize your Google Business Profile, ensure NAP consistency across directories, and create location-specific content that targets the communities you serve.

For our SE Michigan clients, this means showing up when someone in Brighton, Howell, or Ann Arbor searches for your type of business.

Structured data is code that tells Google exactly what your business does, where you are located, what services you offer, and more. It helps you appear in rich search results like star ratings, business hours, FAQ dropdowns, and knowledge panels.

You absolutely need it. Without structured data, Google has to guess what your site is about. With it, you are giving Google a clear, organized summary that improves how your business appears in search results. Every site I build includes it.

Yes, both are included with every project. Google Analytics (GA4) tracks visitor behavior, traffic sources, and conversions. Search Console shows how your site performs in Google search, which keywords bring people in, and any technical issues Google finds.

I configure everything properly from the start so you have clean, accurate data from day one. I can also set up custom dashboards so you can see how your site is performing at a glance.

Absolutely, and that is the whole point. A website that loads fast, looks professional, and makes it easy to contact you will generate more calls and quote requests than one that does not. I design every page with conversion in mind, including prominent phone numbers, clear calls to action, and trust signals like reviews and credentials.

A pretty website that does not drive business is just an expense. I build websites that pay for themselves.

Google typically indexes a new site within days, but ranking well for competitive keywords takes 3 to 6 months of consistent effort. Local search results tend to improve faster, especially when paired with an active Google Business Profile and positive reviews.

I set your site up for success from launch with proper technical SEO, but organic rankings are earned over time. The good news is that a well-built site gives you a significant head start over competitors using slow, bloated templates.

Yes. Your Google Business Profile is one of the most important local SEO tools available, and I make sure it is fully optimized. I help with claiming or creating your profile, filling in business details, selecting the right categories, and connecting it to your website.

A complete, active Google Business Profile significantly increases your chances of appearing in the local map pack, which is where most people look first when searching for local services.

Extremely important. Google uses review quantity, quality, and recency as ranking signals for local search. Businesses with more positive reviews rank higher in the map pack and earn more trust from potential customers. 86% of consumers read reviews before choosing a local business.

While I do not manage your review strategy directly, I can set up review links, schema markup for star ratings, and guidance on how to encourage happy customers to leave reviews.

Yes. ProcessWire has one of the most intuitive admin panels of any CMS. You can update text, swap images, add new pages, and manage your content without any technical knowledge. We provide a walkthrough after launch so you feel confident making changes on your own.

Unlike WordPress where you need to navigate a maze of plugins and settings, ProcessWire gives you a clean, organized admin that shows only what you need. It is built for business owners, not developers.

I offer ongoing support and maintenance packages that include content updates, design tweaks, security monitoring, backups, and performance optimization. Whether you need a quick text change or want to add a new section to your site, I am here to help.

Most requests are completed within 24 hours on business days. I am a local Michigan business, not an overseas support desk, so you are always working directly with the person who built your site.

If you are on a maintenance plan, we monitor your site proactively and fix issues before you even notice them. If something does come up, contact me and I will resolve it as quickly as possible, typically within hours for critical issues.

Because my sites use clean custom code instead of plugin stacks, breakdowns are extremely rare. There are no plugin conflicts, no theme update failures, and no mysterious errors caused by third-party code.

At minimum, review your content quarterly to make sure business hours, services, and contact information are accurate. For SEO, publishing fresh content like blog posts or case studies on a regular basis signals to Google that your site is active and relevant.

On the technical side, our managed hosting includes automatic security updates and backups. You do not need to worry about software patches or server maintenance.

Yes, 100%. You own your domain, your content, your design, and your code. If you ever decide to move on, everything is yours. I do not hold your website hostage with proprietary systems or contracts that lock you in.

This is a major advantage over website builders like Wix and Squarespace, where your site lives on their platform and cannot be moved. With me, you have complete ownership and control.

No problem at all. Since your site is built with clean, standard code on ProcessWire (an open-source CMS), any competent developer can pick it up and continue working on it. There is no proprietary lock-in, no encrypted themes, and no dependency on a single person or platform.

I want you to stay because I do great work, not because you are trapped. That said, my clients tend to stick around.

Wix and Squarespace are fine for personal blogs, but they have real limitations for businesses. You do not own your site (it lives on their servers), your SEO options are restricted, page speed suffers from their bloated code, and your design looks like thousands of other sites using the same templates.

A custom website loads faster, ranks better, converts more visitors, and gives you complete ownership. For a business that depends on its web presence to generate revenue, the difference is measurable.

Three things. First, every site is hand-coded from scratch. No templates, no page builders, no shortcuts. Second, I use ProcessWire instead of WordPress, which means faster sites, better security, and a cleaner admin experience. Third, I am a local Livingston County business. You work directly with the person building your site, not a project manager relaying messages to an overseas team.

My sites look and perform like builds from agencies charging $10,000 or more. I keep my overhead low and my process efficient so I can deliver that quality at a price that makes sense for small businesses.

Yes, and unfortunately this is one of the most common reasons businesses come to me. WordPress sites get hacked primarily through vulnerable plugins and outdated themes. 96% of WordPress security vulnerabilities come from third-party code, not WordPress itself.

I can rebuild your site on ProcessWire, which has a fundamentally smaller attack surface. No plugin dependencies, no theme marketplace vulnerabilities, and no constant update treadmill. My clients sleep better knowing their site is not one outdated plugin away from a breach.

DIY website builders sacrifice SEO performance for ease of use. Wix sites typically have bloated code, slow load times, limited structured data options, and poor mobile optimization. Google notices all of this. A site that takes 5 seconds to load on mobile will struggle to rank regardless of how good the content is.

A custom-built site with proper technical SEO, fast load times, and structured data gives you a real chance to compete in search results. Most of my clients see measurable traffic improvements within the first few months after switching from a DIY builder.

A Facebook page is a great supplement to a website, but it is not a substitute. You do not own your Facebook page. Meta controls the algorithm, the reach, and the rules. If they change their policies or shut down your page, your entire online presence disappears overnight.

A website is the only online asset you truly own. It works 24/7, ranks in Google search results, and gives potential customers the information they need to choose you over a competitor. Facebook should drive traffic to your website, not replace it.

Yes, if it is built correctly. A fast, professional website with clear calls to action, local SEO, and structured data consistently outperforms a slow or dated one. Visitors make snap judgments. If your site looks outdated or loads slowly, they leave and call your competitor instead.

I have seen clients go from zero online leads to consistent monthly inquiries after launching a properly built website. The key is that the site has to be designed to convert, not just look nice. Every page I build has a purpose and a path to contact.

Every package includes custom design, ProcessWire CMS, on-page SEO, and GA4 analytics setup. Here is what makes each tier different:

Signal (5 to 10 pages): A professional web presence you manage yourself. Mobile-first design, basic SEO, and email support. Perfect for businesses that need to get online with a site that looks great and works right.

Broadcast (15 to 20 pages): Everything in Signal plus an articles section, up to 5 service area pages, full on-page SEO, GA4 training, and phone support. Built for businesses ready to grow with content and local search visibility.

Amplify (25 to 30 pages): Everything in Broadcast plus up to 15 service area pages, full blog infrastructure, an analytics dashboard, content management workflow, and priority support. For businesses that want a hands-off, fully managed web presence.

Need something bigger? Get in touch for a custom project scope.

Yes. Every site is built on ProcessWire, which means upgrading your package means adding features to your existing site rather than starting over. Moving from Signal to Broadcast is a matter of building out your articles section and service area pages on top of the foundation that is already there. Stepping up from Broadcast to Amplify adds monthly management so I handle updates, content, and optimization for you.

You never lose what you have already built. Upgrades are additive, not replacements.

Yes. Monthly financing is available for all packages. You can split the project cost over 12 months so the investment fits comfortably into your cash flow. There are no hidden fees and no interest surprises. The details are straightforward and we walk through everything during the consultation.

I want a great website to be accessible to every small business, not just the ones with large budgets sitting around.

Hosting is included in your project price for the first year. After that, annual hosting renewal is approximately $150 per year. That covers SSL, daily backups, security monitoring, and uptime management so your site stays fast, secure, and online without you lifting a finger.

Because my sites run on ProcessWire instead of WordPress, there are no plugins to update, no theme vulnerabilities to patch, and no surprise maintenance costs from third-party code going out of date.

Timeline depends on the package and content scope. Signal sites typically launch in 2 to 3 weeks. Broadcast and Amplify sites take 4 to 6 weeks. Command projects with extensive service area coverage can take 6 to 8 weeks. The biggest variable is how quickly content, photos, and feedback come in from your end.

We keep you updated throughout the process. You will see the site on a staging URL as it is being built, not just at the end. Nothing goes live without your sign-off.

Every project is custom. If you need e-commerce, an online booking system, a client portal, custom integrations, or anything else not listed in the standard packages, I can build it. Just mention it in your inquiry and I will include it in your quote.

The packages are a starting point for scoping, not a ceiling. If your business needs something specific, I figure out how to build it right.