"I didn't realize how many people search for stone online until we launched the website. We brought in an additional $50,000 in sales in just 6 months from customers who found us on Google. I'm not tech-savvy at all, but Jake made the whole process painless. Best decision I made for the business."
How We Work
A transparent, efficient process designed to deliver exceptional results without the hassle of traditional web development.
✓ 2-4 Week Timeline✓ Clear Communication✓ Hassle-Free
2-4 Week Launch
Fixed Pricing
No Surprises
How Our Chicago Web Design Process Works
A transparent, straightforward website development process from discovery to launch. No surprises, no hidden steps. Here's exactly what happens from first contact to your custom website launch and ongoing optimization.
Discovery Call
Discovery Call
- 24-hour response guarantee
- No pressure sales, just honest conversation
- Deep dive into your business goals
- Competitive keyword research planning
- Local SEO strategy discussion
Fill out our contact form, email, or text us (we're often with clients, so these work best). 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. We'll discuss your business, goals, target audience, and vision. This is where we understand what makes your business unique and plan your competitive keyword strategy and local SEO approach.
Custom Design
Custom Design
- 50% deposit to start
- Custom design using our proprietary system
- 2 refinement rounds included
- Brand-aligned, conversion-focused layouts
- Mobile-responsive design from the start
After our consultation, we'll send you a proposal and contract. Once you sign and pay 50% down, we start designing. You'll send us your content (text, photos, logos) via email or Google Drive. Using our proprietary design-to-code system, we create your custom website design tailored to your brand and audience. You get 2 refinement rounds to perfect every detail. We don't move to development until you're thrilled with the design.
Development & SEO Setup
Development & SEO Setup
- Custom-coded with SEO-optimized structure
- Google Search Console setup & verification
- Advanced structured data (7 schemas)
- Google Business Profile optimization
- Domain & DNS configuration
- Performance optimization & security setup
Once you approve the design, we build your site with custom code and implement Foundation SEO infrastructure. We set up and verify your Google Search Console, implement advanced structured data markup (7 comprehensive schemas including LocalBusiness, Organization, Service, FAQ, and more), optimize your Google Business Profile with strategic hours and service catalog, configure domain and DNS settings, set up SSL security, and build your sitemap. This is work that agencies typically charge $2,000-3,000 for separately.
Launch & Indexing
Launch & Indexing
- Final 50% due before launch
- DNS propagation monitoring
- Search Console verification
- Sitemap submission to Google
- Initial page indexing requests
- Enterprise hosting with CDN
When everything is perfect and you've approved the final site, you'll pay the remaining 50% and we'll launch. Launch day takes a couple hours for DNS propagation and final testing. We handle all the technical setup, monitor DNS propagation globally, verify Search Console is tracking properly, submit your sitemap to Google, and request initial indexing for all your key pages. Your site goes live on our enterprise-grade hosting infrastructure (included in your monthly retainer) with CDN, automatic backups, and performance monitoring.
Ongoing Support & Maintenance
Ongoing Support & Maintenance
- 30 days free support after launch
- Hosting, security, and all updates included
- SEO monitoring & optimization
- Google Business Profile maintenance
- 48-hour turnaround for changes
- Unlimited content updates (tier dependent)
The monthly retainer is required and begins after your 30-day free support period. It includes premium hosting, security monitoring, technical updates, SEO maintenance, and content changes (text, images, layout tweaks with 48-hour turnaround). Just text or email us your changes - we handle everything. No dashboards, no technical work on your end. We also monitor your SEO performance, update Google Business Profile hours/services as needed, and keep your structured data current as your business evolves. Your website stays fast, secure, optimized, and current without you lifting a finger.
Typical timeline: 2-4 weeks from start to launch
The exact timeline depends on how quickly you provide content and feedback. Most delays come from waiting on client responses, revision rounds, or us juggling multiple projects. Our fastest project was done in 1 week. Our longest took months because the client kept adding features.
Important: If we don't hear from you within 3 days during the project, we'll pause your work to focus on active clients. We'll resume when you're ready (a small reactivation fee may apply).
What if I don't like the design?
You get 2 refinement rounds included. We don't move to development until you approve the design. Additional refinements available for a small fee.
What if I don't have photos?
No problem. We'll use professional stock photos that fit your business. Just send us replacement photos when you have them, and we'll update them for you.
What if I want a refund?
We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied, we'll refund your payment. (You won't receive ownership of the website files.)
Ready to see what we can build for you?
Get your free consultationYour website should bring in customers, not frustrate them
Too many small business websites are confusing, slow, or look like they were built in 2010. We fix that. Clean, modern websites that make customers want to call you, not your competitor.
Clarity over cleverness
Visitors should understand what a business does in seconds. No confusing navigation, no mystery buttons, no technical jargon. Every element serves a purpose. If it doesn't help the business, it doesn't belong on the page.
Mobile-first design
Over 60% of web traffic comes from mobile devices. Sites must look beautiful and work flawlessly on every screen size, because a frustrated mobile visitor is a lost customer.
Speed matters
Slow websites lose customers. JJE Digital builds lean, fast-loading sites with no bloated features that go unused. Visitors get instant access, and businesses get better results.
Direct communication
Clients work directly with the team, with no account managers or intermediaries. Every project includes clear explanations in plain English and delivery that matches expectations.
Transparent pricing
Quality websites don't have to break the bank. Custom website design starts at $2,500 with a monthly retainer starting at $199/mo to keep your site running smoothly. No surprise fees, no pushy upsells, no lengthy proposals. Just clear pricing, upfront and honest. You'll know exactly what you're getting and what it costs before we start.
What's not included: Complex enterprise systems, e-commerce platforms, or feature-heavy sites that require expensive ongoing maintenance. The focus is on what small businesses actually need: clean, professional websites that establish credibility and help customers connect.
Why a monthly retainer?
A website is not a one-time project. It requires ongoing attention to stay secure, fast, and effective. Our monthly retainer ensures your site stays up to date without surprise invoices or emergency calls.
Security & maintenance
- • Platform and security updates
- • Performance monitoring
- • Regular backups
- • Uptime reliability
Ongoing updates
- • Content and text updates
- • Image changes
- • Small layout adjustments
- • Priority response times
Peace of mind
- • Predictable monthly cost
- • Professional accountability
- • No surprise invoices
- • Direct technical support
The bottom line: You're not paying for something to break and get fixed. You're paying to prevent problems, stay current, and have someone accountable when you need changes. This retainer keeps your website working as a reliable business tool, not a source of stress.
What clients say
Real feedback from small business owners who chose transparency and quality over cheap shortcuts.
"I was relying on word-of-mouth and Instagram, but this changed everything. I went from getting a few inquiries a month to 4x more bookings in the first couple months. The website fits my business aesthetic perfectly: elegant, modern, and mobile-friendly. My clients constantly compliment how professional it looks."
"I was managing a DIY website that became a nightmare. After switching to JJE Digital, I started getting 3x more calls per week and I'm now booked out months in advance. The before/after gallery and online booking changed my whole business. Turns out a quality website was my biggest missing piece."
Why a Monthly Retainer?
Transparent pricing. Predictable costs. No surprise hourly bills or hidden fees.
❌ Typical Web Designer
- ✗$3,000-$8,000 upfront, then you're on your own
- ✗2-6 month timeline (or longer)
- ✗$75-$150/hour for every change (unpredictable costs)
- ✗Basic hosting only ($0-$100/month)
- ✗"I'll get to it when I can" response time
- ✗No proactive monitoring or optimization
✓ JJE Digital Retainer
- ✓$2,500-$5,000 one-time + $199-$399/month
- ✓Launch in 2-4 weeks guaranteed
- ✓Unlimited update requests included (no hourly charges)
- ✓All-inclusive: hosting, security, updates, SEO
- ✓48-hour turnaround guarantee
- ✓Proactive monitoring and continuous optimization
Year 1 Cost Comparison
Typical Web Designer
Upfront design fee:$4,000
Basic hosting (12 months):$600
Changes (10 hours @ $100/hr):$1,000
SEO maintenance:$0
Year 1 Total:$5,600+
*Plus unpredictable hourly bills when you need changes
JJE Digital Essential Plan
Upfront design fee:$2,500
Monthly retainer (12 months):$1,788
Unlimited update requests:$0
SEO maintenance:Included
Year 1 Total:$4,288
*Fixed cost. No surprise bills. Ever.
Save $1,312+ in Year 1 with predictable, all-inclusive pricing
Update Batch System
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
3 batches/month
Professional
Unlimited batches
Premium
Unlimited batches
Zero risk. All reward.
We remove all the risk from hiring a web designer. If we don't deliver on our promises, you don't pay. It's that simple.
30-day satisfaction guarantee
If you're not happy with the initial design, we include 2 rounds of revisions. Still not satisfied? We'll keep working until it's right, or you don't pay.
On-time delivery promise
Your site launches in 2-4 weeks as promised, or you get $500 off your design fee.
24-hour response guarantee
We respond to all messages within 24 hours on weekdays, or your next month of retainer is free.
Cancel anytime retainer
No long-term contracts on the monthly retainer. Cancel with 30 days notice, no questions asked.
100% money-back guarantee
If we don't deliver what we promised, you get a full refund. We stand behind our work.
Why we can offer these guarantees: We're confident in our work and committed to your success. Simple as that.
Let's Build Something Amazing
See how our process can transform your online presence in just weeks.
🛡 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee · Cancel Anytime · No Surprise Fees