Answers before you have to ask.
Grouped by topic. If your question isn't here, send it to me and I'll reply within one business day.
Getting started
I know I need a website, but I have no idea where to start. Can you help?
Yes, and that's exactly who I built this for. You don't need a plan, a platform or a single word written. Just send me a note telling me a little about your business. I'll ask the right questions and walk you through it in plain English, one step at a time, with a fixed price in writing before anything starts.
What if I don't know what I want my website to look like?
That's completely normal. You know your business, and that's what I need. We'll talk about who your customers are and how you want them to feel when they find you, and I'll design around that. You'll see it early and get two rounds of changes, so nothing goes live until you love it.
What do I need to provide to get started?
Very little. A short kickoff form and a 45-minute conversation about your business, and I write the words from that. If you have a logo and photos, great. If not, I can source photos or give you a simple shot list, and a logo is available as an add-on.
How long does it take to build a website?
A Refresh takes about two weeks and a Full site about three, from the day we agree on the scope. Your part is about an hour at the start, plus two quick reviews along the way.
Existing websites
I already have a website, but I'm not happy with it. Do I need to start over?
Not always. If the bones are good, a Refresh rebuilds your key pages so they look current, load quickly and work on phones, for less than a new site. The free site check tells us which way to go, and I'll tell you honestly if the smaller option is all you need.
My website was built by someone else. Can you still help me?
Yes. I've spent twenty years working on sites other people built. I'll look at what you have, keep what's working and fix what isn't. If it's on a platform that's holding you back, I'll explain your options without the tech talk.
I can't get in touch with my old web designer. What can I do?
This happens more than you'd think, and it's fixable. I'll help you work out where your domain and hosting are registered and get them back into your name, so you're never locked out again. Every site I build is set up in your name from day one for exactly this reason.
My website isn't bringing in customers. How can I improve it?
Usually it comes down to a few things: it's hard to use on a phone, it's slow, it doesn't show up in search, or it doesn't make the next step obvious. The free site check is a fifteen-minute video that shows you what's getting in the way, and you keep the list whether or not you hire me.
Cost & pricing
How much does a small business website cost?
A Refresh is $1,800, a Full site is $3,800, or $4,800 with the first year of the care plan included. Every price is published on the services and pricing page, including the add-ons, and you get the full cost in writing before anything starts. No hourly billing, no surprises halfway through.
Are there any ongoing costs after my website is finished?
Only what it takes to keep it online. If you look after it yourself, your domain and hosting run roughly $20–30 a month. If you'd rather never think about it, the optional care plan is $95 a month and covers hosting, updates, backups and your changes.
Will I own my website once it's completed?
Yes, completely. Your domain, hosting and the site itself are set up in your name, with your own logins. If you ever want to move it, I'll help you do it. Nothing is held back.
Why should I hire a web designer instead of building a website myself?
You could build it yourself, and tools like Squarespace and WordPress are good. But your time has a cost too. It's the same reason people hire a lawn company or a house cleaner: you could do it, but those hours are worth more spent running your business. The difference is who does the work. Doing it yourself means evenings learning the tool, writing every page and picking a template thousands of other businesses use. Working with me takes about an hour of your time, the site is designed around your business, and when something goes wrong you have someone local you can actually reach.
Website basics (without the tech talk)
What's the difference between a domain name, hosting, and a website?
Think of it like a shop. Your domain name is the address people type in to find you. Hosting is the building your shop sits in. Your website is everything inside: the sign, the shelves and the welcome at the door. You need all three, and I set them up together in your name.
What is SEO, and why does it matter for my business?
SEO stands for search engine optimization. In plain English, it's the work that helps Google, and now AI tools like ChatGPT, understand what you do and where you are, so you show up when someone nearby searches for it. Every site I build includes clear page titles and descriptions, a sitemap and a cleaned-up Google Business profile.
Do I really need a website if I already have Facebook or Instagram?
Social media is a great place to be seen, but you don't own it. The rules change, posts get buried, and not everyone uses those apps. A website is the one place online that's fully yours. It shows up in search and gives customers your hours, location and a way to reach you. Your social accounts and your website work best together.
Will my website work on phones and tablets?
Yes. Every site I build is designed for phones first, because that's where most of your customers will see it, and then scaled up for tablets and bigger screens.
After your website launches
What happens after my website goes live?
I stay on for 30 days after launch to fix, tweak and make sure everything is working the way it should. I also walk you through how to manage it, and the walkthrough is recorded so you can rewatch it any time.
Can I make changes to my website myself?
Yes. Updating your hours, prices, photos or a holiday closure is simple, and the recorded walkthrough shows you exactly how. You're never stuck waiting on someone else for the small things.
What if I need help updating my website later?
I'm here. Changes after launch are quoted up front and agreed before I start, so you always know the cost first. Or choose the optional care plan, and I handle it all, within hours, not weeks.
What happens if something breaks or my website stops working?
Let me know and I'll look into it. On the care plan, I monitor your site and I'm on it the same day if anything breaks. Without it, I'll still help, and you'll know the cost before I start.
Getting results
Will having a website actually help me get more customers?
A good one does. People look you up before they visit, and a site that's easy to find, quick to load and clear about what you offer gives them a reason to choose you. I can't promise a number, but I can make sure nothing on your site is standing between a customer and your door.
How do I get my business to show up on Google?
Start with a complete Google Business profile and a website that tells Google clearly what you do and where you are. I take care of both: page titles and descriptions, a sitemap and your Google Business profile cleaned up. After that, reviews and keeping your information current help most.
How can I tell if people are visiting my website?
Free tools like Google Analytics and your Google Business profile show you how many people visit, how they found you and which pages they look at. I'll make sure they're connected and show you where to look, in plain English.
What should my website include to turn visitors into customers?
Keep it simple: what you do, where you are, your hours, how to reach you, and a clear next step, whether that's booking, ordering or getting in touch. Good photos and a few real reviews go a long way. That's the core of every site I build.
Ask me anything.
I reply within one business day, in plain English.