Question 1

How much does a small-business website cost?

Accepted Answer

A one-page Starter Presence site starts at $447. A five-page Local Growth site starts at $797. A ten-page Lead Engine site starts at $1,497. All prices are flat-rate, agreed before the project starts, with no hidden fees. Monthly hosting and support starts at $37/month. You can see full pricing on the pricing page.

Question 2

How long does a website take?

Accepted Answer

A one-page site typically takes 1-2 weeks. A five-page site takes 2-3 weeks. A ten-page site takes 3-4 weeks. These timelines assume you provide content and feedback promptly. Rush builds are possible — ask if you have a deadline.

Question 3

Will I own my website?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You own the code, content, domain, and hosting. Everything is registered in your name. If you ever want to move to another developer, I help you migrate at no extra charge. No vendor lock-in, no proprietary platform.

Question 4

Do I need monthly maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Not required, but recommended. Websites need security updates, backups, and uptime monitoring. Essential Care is $37/month and covers updates, backups, and security checks. Growth Care at $67/month adds content changes and monthly reporting. Search Care at $97/month adds content optimization and local visibility work. You can cancel anytime.

Question 5

Can you fix my existing site?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I charge $65/hour for individual fixes with a one-hour minimum. Most small repairs are done within 24-48 hours. For sites with multiple issues, a $597 full refresh may be more cost-effective. I will tell you honestly which makes more sense for your situation.

Question 6

Do you work with WordPress?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I can build, repair, and maintain WordPress sites. I also build static sites using Gatsby, which are faster and more secure than WordPress for many small businesses. The right choice depends on how often you update content and whether you need a CMS. I will recommend the best platform for your needs, not the one that locks you in.

Question 7

Can you help with Google Business Profile?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Google Business Profile setup and optimization is included in the Local Growth and Lead Engine packages. I help you claim or create your profile, complete every section, add photos, set service areas, and align it with your website. This is one of the highest-impact local SEO steps for a small business.

Question 8

Can you guarantee first place on Google?

Accepted Answer

No. No one can guarantee a specific ranking on Google. Anyone who promises that is not being honest. What I can do is build a fast, accessible, well-structured website with proper local SEO foundations, schema markup, and content that targets the right searches. This gives you the best chance of ranking well, but rankings depend on many factors including competition, your business profile, and Google's algorithm changes.

Question 9

Do you write the content?

Accepted Answer

I help you write and organize content. For the Starter package, you provide the text and I structure it. For Local Growth and Lead Engine, I collaborate with you on original copy that targets your local market. I do not publish unedited AI-generated content. Good content comes from knowing your business, and you know it better than anyone.

Question 10

What happens after launch?

Accepted Answer

I submit your sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools, verify indexation, and run a post-launch check. The Lead Engine package includes a 30-day post-launch measurement review where we look at traffic, form submissions, and search performance. For all packages, I am available for questions and fixes after launch.

Question 11

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

I serve Durand, Davis, Rockford, Freeport, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Belvidere, Byron, Oregon, Beloit WI, and Janesville WI. I work remotely with clients anywhere, but my local focus is Northwest Illinois and nearby Southern Wisconsin. If you are outside this area, ask — I may still be able to help.

Question 12

Why choose a solo developer instead of an agency?

Accepted Answer

You work directly with the person building your site. No account managers, no handoffs, no agency overhead. You see the price before the project starts. You own the finished work. You get faster turnaround because there is no approval chain. The trade-off is that I do not offer services I cannot personally deliver, so the scope is focused on what a small business actually needs.

Website design frequently asked questions

Packages from $447

You own everything

No long-term contract

Pricing, timelines, and ownership at a glance

Common questions from local business owners

Get a free website plan

Package	Build price	Monthly	Timeline	Best for
Starter Presence	$447	$37/mo	1-2 weeks	New businesses, solo operators
Local Growth	$797	$67/mo	2-3 weeks	Established service businesses
Lead Engine	$1,497	$97/mo	3-4 weeks	Full local market presence
Site Refresh	$597	—	1-2 weeks	Updating existing sites
Hourly	$65/hr	—	24-48hr	Small fixes, maintenance

Packages from $447

You own everything

No long-term contract

Common questions from local business owners

How much does a small-business website cost?+

How long does a website take?+

Will I own my website?+

Do I need monthly maintenance?+

Can you fix my existing site?+

Do you work with WordPress?+

Can you help with Google Business Profile?+

Can you guarantee first place on Google?+

Do you write the content?+

What happens after launch?+

What areas do you serve?+

Why choose a solo developer instead of an agency?+