questions, answered.
Answers to the Questions Every Business Owner Eventually Asks about Websites
From website design and branding to SEO and strategy, these are the questions I hear every week. I hope my answers give you the confidence to make informed decisions, whether you work with me or simply leave knowing a little more than you did before.
Pricing
Custom websites range from $3000 - $5000 USD.
Unlike a template that's been reused thousands of times, a custom website is built specifically around your business, your goals, and your ideal clients. If you're just getting started, a template may be the right fit for now. But when your business has grown to the point where your website no longer reflects the quality of your work, investing in a custom website is often the next natural step.
t can be one of the best investments you'll make, but only if you're ready for it.
A custom website isn't meant for every business, and that's okay. If you're still finding your footing, a template may serve you well for a season. But when you've established your business, understand your value, and are ready to attract higher-quality clients, a custom website becomes much more than a marketing tool. It becomes a reflection of the business you've worked so hard to build.
A custom website is one of the most time-intensive investments a business can make because every part of it is created specifically for you.
From strategy, copy, and design to SEO, mobile optimization, and testing, there's much more happening behind the scenes than most people realize. You're not buying a template. You're investing in a website that's thoughtfully built to support your business for years to come.
Every project is a little different, but most custom websites include strategy, custom design, responsive development, basic SEO, copy guidance, mobile optimization, contact forms, domain connection, and website training before launch. My goal isn't just to deliver a beautiful website. It's to leave you with a website you feel confident using long after the project is complete.
Finding a Designer
Start by looking at their own website and portfolio. If they can't create a website that gives you confidence in their own business, it's hard to trust them with yours. From there, read reviews, ask about their process, and pay attention to how they communicate. You're not just hiring someone to build a website. You're choosing someone to guide you through one of the biggest investments you'll make in your business.
Read More: https://www.saltandsandllc.com/the-journal/how-to-choose-a-website-designer
Ask how they approach the design process, what communication looks like, what's included in the project, how revisions are handled, and what happens after your website launches. I'd also encourage you to read their reviews and look through their portfolio before making a decision. A great website is important, but so is finding someone you genuinely enjoy working with.
Read More: https://www.saltandsandllc.com/the-journal/questions-to-ask-before-hiring-a-website-designer
A good website designer does more than create something beautiful. They listen well, communicate clearly, educate without overwhelming you, and make you feel confident throughout the process. The right designer should take a tremendous amount of weight off your shoulders, not add more to them.
If you have the opportunity, I think there's real value in working with someone local. It gives you the chance to meet in person, support another local business, and build a relationship that extends beyond your website. That said, the right fit will always matter more than location, so don't overlook an incredible designer simply because they're a few states away.
Absolutely. Many website designers, myself included, work with clients across the country using video calls, email, and collaborative tools. While meeting in person is always a bonus, what matters most is choosing someone whose communication, process, and work give you confidence from the very beginning.
Timeline & Process
Every project is different, but most custom websites take 6 to 10 weeks from start to finish. The timeline depends on the size of the project, how quickly content and feedback are provided, and the overall scope. I never rush the process because I'd rather deliver a website you're genuinely proud of than one that's simply finished quickly.
A well-built website should serve your business for many years, but that doesn't mean it should be left untouched. Your business will continue to grow, and your website should grow with it. Small updates made consistently are far more valuable than waiting years to change everything at once.
I recommend maintaining your website regularly and only redesigning it when your business has truly outgrown it. Major redesigns every one to three years are common, but your website shouldn't be rebuilt simply because time has passed. If it still reflects your business well, keep improving what you already have.
Launch day isn't the end of the project. I'll make sure you're comfortable managing your new website, answer any final questions, and provide the resources you need moving forward. Your website should be something you feel confident using, not something you're afraid to touch.
Search Engine Optimization
Absolutely. A well-built website with strong SEO, helpful content, and consistent updates can rank very well on Google. SEO isn't about tricking search engines. It's about making it easy for Google to understand what you do and why your website deserves to be shown.
SEO is a long-term investment, not an overnight fix. While some improvements can be seen within a few weeks, meaningful growth often takes three to six months, with the strongest results building over time through consistent updates, quality content, and a healthy website.
There are several reasons, including a new website, limited SEO, missing indexing, or simply strong competition. The good news is that most of these issues can be improved. Showing up on Google isn't just about having a website. It's about giving search engines enough reason to recommend it.
Yes. Think of your website as the destination and SEO as the directions that help people find it. Without SEO, even a beautiful website can be difficult for potential clients to discover through search engines.
Site Performance
Absolutely. A well-built website with strong SEO, helpful content, and consistent updates can rank very well on Google. SEO isn't about tricking search engines. It's about making it easy for Google to understand what you do and why your website deserves to be shown.
SEO is a long-term investment, not an overnight fix. While some improvements can be seen within a few weeks, meaningful growth often takes three to six months, with the strongest results building over time through consistent updates, quality content, and a healthy website.
There are several reasons, including a new website, limited SEO, missing indexing, or simply strong competition. The good news is that most of these issues can be improved. Showing up on Google isn't just about having a website. It's about giving search engines enough reason to recommend it.
Yes. Think of your website as the destination and SEO as the directions that help people find it. Without SEO, even a beautiful website can be difficult for potential clients to discover through search engines.
Not when it's done thoughtfully. A well-planned redesign should preserve the SEO you've already built while improving your website's performance, content, and user experience. In many cases, a redesign actually creates an opportunity to strengthen your SEO rather than starting over.
Wix Studio
Absolutely. Wix has come a long way over the years and is an excellent option for many small businesses. It's user-friendly, scalable, and gives business owners the flexibility to manage their own website without needing to know how to code. When it's built well, Wix can grow alongside your business.
Yes. Wix websites are fully capable of ranking on Google when they're built with strong SEO foundations. The platform isn't what determines your rankings. Your content, website structure, technical SEO, and consistency are what make the biggest difference.
If you're looking for a more custom, professional website, I think so. Wix Studio offers significantly more design flexibility, stronger responsive controls, and better tools for creating a website that feels unique to your business. For service-based businesses, it's one of my favorite platforms to work with.
Both platforms have their strengths, but I generally recommend Wix Studio for businesses that want more flexibility as they grow. Squarespace is simple and beautiful, while Wix Studio offers greater customization, stronger design capabilities, and more room to create a website that's tailored to your business.
It depends on what your business does. If your primary focus is selling products online, Shopify is hard to beat. If you're a service-based business that needs a professional website with occasional online sales, Wix Studio is often the better fit because it offers much more flexibility beyond ecommerce.
WordPress is incredibly powerful, but it often comes with more maintenance, plugins, and ongoing management. Wix Studio provides many of the same professional capabilities in a much simpler, all-in-one platform. For most small businesses, that means spending less time maintaining a website and more time running their business.
If your current website feels limiting, outdated, or no longer reflects your business, it may be worth considering. Wix Studio gives you more flexibility to grow, customize your website, and create a stronger experience for your visitors. The right platform should support your business today while giving you room to grow tomorrow.
Working Together
Our consultation is simply a conversation. I'll ask about your business, your goals, your ideal clients, and what you hope your new website will accomplish. It's a chance for us to get to know each other, answer your questions, and decide whether we're the right fit before moving forward.
Read More: https://www.saltandsandllc.com/the-journal/questions-i-ask-every-single-client
Absolutely. Nothing goes live until you've had the opportunity to review it and you're happy with the final result. This is your website, and I want you to feel completely confident before launch day.
That's exactly why feedback is part of the process. I'll never take your opinions personally, and I'd much rather know what isn't working than have you settle for something you don't love. My goal is to create a website that genuinely feels like your business.
Not necessarily. Some clients come with copy already written, while others prefer guidance along the way. I'll help shape your messaging, organize your content, and make sure your website clearly communicates who you are and what you do.
That's completely okay. You don't need to have all the ideas before we begin. I'll guide you through the process, ask the right questions, and help uncover a direction that feels authentic to your business. Your job is to know your business. My job is to bring it to life.
Confidence
A professional website feels clear, trustworthy, and intentional. It should reflect the quality of your business, answer your visitors' questions with confidence, and make it easy for people to take the next step. If you're embarrassed to send someone your website, it's probably time for a change.
Read More: https://www.saltandsandllc.com/the-journal/pretty-design-vs-strategic-design
Sometimes, yes. A well-designed template can be a great starting point, but many templates begin to feel familiar because they're used by thousands of businesses. What matters most is whether your website feels like your business rather than something that could belong to anyone.
It isn't about flashy animations or expensive photography. Websites feel more premium when every detail is intentional, from the layout and typography to the messaging, imagery, and user experience. Those small details work together to build trust before a visitor ever reaches out.
A template is designed to work for everyone, while a custom website is designed specifically for your business. Templates can be a great option when you're just getting started, but a custom website is built around your goals, your brand, and the experience you want your clients to have.
The best websites don't just look good. They make visitors feel confident enough to take the next step. Clear messaging, thoughtful design, strong calls to action, and a simple user experience all work together to turn curious visitors into real inquiries.
CAN'T FIND THE ANSWER YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?
Every business is different, and sometimes the best questions aren't the ones everyone else is asking. Send me your question below, and I'll be happy to point you in the right direction.