I’ve been doing this a long time — decades, in fact — and there are many questions I’ve frequently been asked about website design, development and marketing.
Check out the list below and if your question isn’t there, then see the last item and use the link so you can get in touch.
Our website is broken! Can you fix it?
In some cases, you may have an old, outdated site that is dependent on code or a platform that is no longer functional or secure. If that happens, I will provide options to get you back online as quickly and as cheaply as possible while we figure out next steps.
It may not be that you’re ready to get a whole new website and that’s ok! The main thing is, you don’t want your site offline or broken because that doesn’t reflect well on your business. Contact me and let’s talk about what would be best.
Why shouldn’t I just keep using Facebook for my business?
Great question! I’m so glad you asked.
While Facebook can certainly be a fantastic complementary marketing tool, if it is your only online web presence, your message is out of reach for a ton of people. (Furthermore, you’re not even reaching all of the people who have Liked and Followed your business page there.)
I’ll let you in on a secret 🤫: I don’t use a personal Facebook account. In fact, I know a lot of people who have abandoned the site over the last few years for various reasons. I only use the site to maintain my business page. Again, it’s a complement to my website, but I’d never make it the sole focus of my business!
Facebook doesn’t automatically show every post from every business that a person “Likes” in their timeline. They use their own internal algorithms to decide what to show to who and they do so in such a way that will constantly pressure you to pay to boost posts or buy advertising on their site. There’s nothing wrong with that. That’s their business model, but you’re doing yourself and your customers a disservice to only make information about your business available on social media sites that require membership for users to fully interact with content. Not to mention, confining your business promotions to their sites limits your ability to create the exact image and user experience you want to convey online.
Why shouldn’t I just use Wix or SquareSpace or GoDaddy Website builder or something similar to build my website?
If you’re on a super limited budget and you need to get a website up fast, I’ll be honest, you can certainly build a site with one of those, but just know what you’re getting yourself into — a template-based site that probably won’t meet your needs in the long run.
All of those services exist to make money, as does all business, so there will constantly be upsells. You will end up paying to keep and maintain a site like that and you’ll be limited to their available template options. Have you ever noticed how there is always an introductory price on those things? Read the fine print! Don’t sign on to something that can snowball into an expensive product that isn’t exactly what you wanted in the first place.
If you’re serious about a business website, you and I need to talk. I will be your one-on-one web guru and I will bring your vision to life. My clients frequently tell me, “I think my site is the best one you’ve ever done!”
I love that, because do you know what that means? It means I hit the bulls-eye on creating the exact site that’s perfect for their business and their customers and they couldn’t be happier.
Why should I hire you to build my site when there is a local web agency that has a whole team on staff who can help me?
I know about those web and marketing agencies. I have clients who have fled agencies just like that, very unhappy with the service (or lack thereof) that they received.
The big web agencies have their place, sure, but it’s sort of like comparing a big fast food giant with your local mom and pop diner. You just get a different kind of service when you’re dealing with a business one-on-one rather than dealing with a team and whoever has been appointed to represent your account. (Plus, let’s face it, diner food is way better than fast food anyway! 😝)
Here’s what happens when you hire me: You and I will work one-on-one to tackle whatever we set out to do. I’m going to put my 20+ years of website experience to work for you and you are going to love the end result. In the previous answer, I mentioned that one of the things my clients frequently tell me is, “I think my site is the best one you’ve ever done!”
I love that, because do you know what that means? It means I hit the bulls-eye on creating the exact site that’s perfect for their business and their customers and they couldn’t be happier.
Let’s talk and watch me do the same thing for your business.
How much do you charge?
Let’s talk! I am going to do my best for your project regardless of your budget.
How long will it take you to build my website?
I can turn things around for you pretty quickly, depending on the size and complexity of the site.
Can we outsource you to be our web person?
Absolutely! I understand a lot of companies need regular web updates to their website, but they don’t have it in their budget to keep a full-time webmaster on staff. Let’s talk and we can come up with the perfect maintenance plan at a price you can afford.
Will you help me reach new customers with my website?
YES! In fact, this is one of my favorite parts of working with new clients — helping you identify creative new ways to not only get people to your site (and by extension, your business!), but to engage them so they’ll keep coming back.
Will you teach me how to maintain my site?
When I build a new site for you, I will provide a basic set of instructions about how to log in and make minor changes to existing pages, as well as how to add new pages and blog posts.
If you would like to learn more advanced skills, I provide WordPress training by the hour, either one-on-one, or for your team.
What payment methods do you accept?
Seaport Webworks accepts checks, credit cards, and PayPal.
Do you offer website maintenance plans?
Yes, I can customize a maintenance plan that fits your needs.
Will I be able to track the audience coming to my site?
Yes. Depending on how much detail you would like, there are different analytics options available.
Wait! I have another question that you don’t have on this list!
No problem! Just send me a message and I’ll be happy to answer it.
