Question 1

How long does it take to build a website?

Accepted Answer

Most websites are completed in 2-4 weeks from the initial consultation to launch. The timeline depends on how quickly you provide content (text, images, logo) and feedback on designs. We'll give you a specific timeline during our discovery call.

Question 2

What's the first step to get started?

Accepted Answer

Fill out our contact form, email, or text us. We'll respond within 24 hours with some quick qualifying questions. If we're a good fit, we'll schedule a 30-minute consultation by phone, Zoom, or in-person if you're local to discuss your business, goals, and vision.

Question 3

Do I need to provide content (text and images)?

Accepted Answer

Ideally, yes. You know your business best. But if you need help, we can guide you on what content works and can recommend stock photos. Writing full website copy isn't included in the base price, but we can discuss options if you need that service.

Question 4

What if I don't like the design?

Accepted Answer

You'll see the complete design before we build anything. We include 2 rounds of revisions to make sure you're happy. If you're still not satisfied after revisions, we offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. We'll keep working until it's right, or you don't pay.

Question 5

Can you redesign my existing website?

Accepted Answer

Yes! If you already have a website that's outdated or not working for you, we can redesign it. Pricing is similar to a new site, depending on how much content and functionality needs to be migrated. We'll assess your current site and give you an exact quote.

Question 6

How much does a website cost?

Accepted Answer

$2,500-$5,000 one-time design fee + $199-$399/month retainer. The one-time fee covers design and development. The monthly retainer covers hosting, security, updates, SEO maintenance, and ongoing support. No surprise fees, ever.

Question 7

What's included in the monthly retainer?

Accepted Answer

The monthly retainer is required and includes premium hosting, SSL security, regular backups, platform updates, performance monitoring, and content updates. Think of it as an ongoing partnership - we're your dedicated web team. You get 3 update batches per month (each batch can include unlimited photo swaps and small text changes) with 48-hour turnaround. No surprise bills, no tech headaches.

Question 8

What's the difference between the monthly retainer and integration fees?

Accepted Answer

Your monthly retainer covers everything technical about your website that requires specialized knowledge: hosting, security, updates, SEO, and design changes. Integration fees are one-time setup costs for connecting third-party business tools (like Calendly for bookings or Mailchimp for emails) that you then manage yourself for your day-to-day operations. We handle the website infrastructure, you handle your business operations.

Question 9

How much does a website cost if it's more complex?

Accepted Answer

$2,500 is our starting price for standard 4-6 page websites. If you need more pages, custom features, or integrations, the price may go up, but we'll give you an exact quote upfront. No surprise fees, ever.

Question 10

What happens if I cancel the monthly retainer?

Accepted Answer

You can cancel anytime with 30 days notice - no long-term contracts. We'll transfer full ownership of your website to you so you can manage it yourself or hire someone else. The retainer isn't a trap; it's an ongoing partnership that works as long as it makes sense for your business.

Question 11

Can I start with Essential and upgrade my retainer later?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can upgrade or downgrade your monthly retainer tier anytime based on your support needs. However, upgrading your retainer gives you enhanced support and maintenance, not additional pages or features. Think of it this way: your design fee builds the house, your retainer maintains it. A bigger retainer = better maintenance, not a bigger house. To add more pages or features later, that requires a separate design project fee.

Question 12

Why a monthly retainer instead of a one-time fee?

Accepted Answer

Websites aren't 'set and forget' - they need ongoing security updates, backups, performance monitoring, and content changes. Our retainer model gives you predictable monthly costs instead of surprise $100-150/hour bills every time you need a change. Plus, you get priority support and we're accountable to you every month.

Question 13

How do I update my website after launch?

Accepted Answer

All updates are handled by us - that's the beauty of the retainer model. Need to change text, swap photos, or update your hours? Just text or email us and we'll make the change within 48 hours. No dashboards to learn, no tech headaches. You focus on running your business; we handle your website.

Question 14

What's the update batch system?

Accepted Answer

We use a batch system to efficiently manage your requests. You submit updates anytime, and we process them in organized batches with guaranteed 48-hour turnaround. Essential plan gets 3 batches/month, Professional and Premium get unlimited batches.

Question 15

What if my site breaks or goes down?

Accepted Answer

That's what the retainer is for. We monitor uptime and performance, and if something breaks, we fix it with no additional charge. You'll also have direct access to reach out if you notice any issues.

Question 16

What counts as an 'update batch'?

Accepted Answer

An update batch can include unlimited small changes like photo swaps, text updates, hours changes, pricing updates, etc. Major design overhauls or adding new pages would be a separate project, but routine maintenance and content updates are included.

Question 17

How fast do you respond to requests?

Accepted Answer

We guarantee 48-hour turnaround on all update batches. For urgent issues or site downtime, we typically respond within 4 hours. Our average response time is under 24 hours.

Question 18

Do you do SEO?

Accepted Answer

Every website includes Foundation SEO setup: proper page titles, meta descriptions, structured data schemas, sitemap creation, Google Search Console configuration, Google Business Profile optimization, and mobile optimization. We don't currently offer ongoing monthly SEO services (like content creation or link building), but your site will be fully optimized for search engines from day one.

Question 19

What is technical SEO and why is it included?

Accepted Answer

Technical SEO is the behind-the-scenes work that helps Google understand, find, and rank your website. We include schema markup, mobile optimization, speed optimization, sitemap configuration, and Google Search Console setup. This is worth $2,500+ if purchased separately, but it's included in all our websites.

Question 20

Will my website work on mobile phones?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. All websites are fully responsive and optimized for mobile, tablet, and desktop. Over 60% of web traffic is mobile, so this is non-negotiable. We test on multiple devices before launch.

Question 21

Do I own the website?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. You own all the content and design. If you ever decide to cancel the retainer, we'll transfer full ownership of the website to you within 30 days. You'll get all the files and access you need to manage it yourself or work with someone else.

Question 22

What platform do you build websites on?

Accepted Answer

We use custom-coded websites (React/Next.js) deployed on Vercel. This gives you better performance, security, and flexibility than WordPress or website builders. You don't need to know any of this - we handle all the technical stuff.

Question 23

Can I manage my own bookings/emails/payments?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! That's the point of our optional integrations. We set up professional tools like Calendly (bookings), Mailchimp (email), and Stripe (payments), and integrate them beautifully into your site. Once setup is complete, you manage your business operations in those platforms while we keep your website running flawlessly. You focus on your business, we focus on the technical stuff.

Question 24

What if I need help with the tools you integrate (Calendly, Mailchimp, etc.)?

Accepted Answer

Basic troubleshooting (like 'the form isn't showing up on my site') is included in your retainer since that's website-related. For help with the actual platform (like 'how do I create an email campaign in Mailchimp?'), those platforms have excellent support teams and tutorials. We can also provide training calls for $100/hour if needed.

Question 25

Do you integrate with my existing business tools?

Accepted Answer

Most likely! We regularly integrate with popular tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, Calendly, Mailchimp, Stripe, PayPal, and more. If you have a specific tool in mind, let us know during the discovery call and we'll confirm compatibility.

Question 26

Do you work with businesses outside of Chicago?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! While we're Chicago-based and focus on local businesses, we work with clients anywhere. Everything is done remotely via email and video calls, so location doesn't matter.

Question 27

What makes you different from other freelancers?

Accepted Answer

Transparency, reliability, and ongoing support. We're upfront about pricing, timelines, and what's included. We don't disappear after launch. The monthly retainer means we're accountable and available whenever you need updates or help. Plus, all our guarantees remove the risk from your decision.

Question 28

Why not just use Wix or Squarespace myself?

Accepted Answer

You absolutely can! But most business owners find it frustrating and time-consuming. It typically takes 40+ hours to learn the platform, design something professional-looking, and set everything up correctly. We save you that time and headache, and deliver a better-looking result in 2-4 weeks.

Question 29

What industries do you work with?

Accepted Answer

We work with all types of small businesses: professional services (lawyers, accountants, consultants), home services (plumbers, electricians, contractors), healthcare providers, retail shops, restaurants, and more. If you serve customers and need to be found online, we can help.

Question 30

Do you offer payment plans?

Accepted Answer

The one-time design fee is typically due 50% upfront and 50% at launch. For larger projects over $5,000, we can discuss payment plans. The monthly retainer is billed monthly via credit card or ACH.

Questions? We've Got Answers.

Getting Started

Pricing & Retainer Model

Ongoing Support & Updates

Technical & SEO

Integrations & Tools

Business & Logistics

Still Have Questions?