Honest answers, no jargon.
The questions local owners ask us most, about pricing, timeline, ownership, and how we work. Don't see yours? Apply and ask us directly.
What a build actually costs, and what it doesn't.
Is this actually free?
No, we're low-cost, not free. You pay for your own domain and hosting (typically about $25/month total) plus a low, student-led project fee that we agree on before any work starts. There's no agency markup and no monthly retainer.
How much does a small business website cost?
There's no single sticker price, because we scope each build to what your business actually needs. After a free consultation we send a written scope and one flat project fee before any work begins. Because we're a low-overhead, student-led team, that fee lands far below the $5,000-$15,000 a traditional agency typically charges for custom work. The only ongoing cost is your own domain and hosting, about $25/month total, billed directly to you.
How does pricing work?
Every business is different, so we don't use one-size pricing. We start with a free consultation to understand your goals, then send a clear written scope and a flat project price. You approve it before we build anything, so there are no surprises. Because we're a student-led team with low overhead, that price sits far below a traditional agency.
Are there any monthly fees or hidden costs?
No hidden costs and no retainer to us. The project is a single one-time fee you approve in writing up front. The only ongoing cost is your own domain and hosting (about $25/month total), which you pay directly to those providers and fully control. We lay out every number before you commit.
Do you require a contract or long-term retainer?
No long-term retainer and no lock-in. You pay a one-time project fee for the build, and that's it, no monthly contract tying you to us. After launch you own everything and can run it yourself, bring in anyone you like, or come back to us for changes. We earn repeat work, we don't trap it.
How fast we move, and what keeps it on schedule.
How long does a build take?
Most builds go live in about 7-10 days from an approved application, depending on scope and how quickly we get your content and feedback. Your timeline is part of the written scope you approve up front, and we keep you posted as we go.
How soon can my website go live if I'm in a hurry?
Most builds go live in about 7-10 days from an approved scope. If you're on a tight deadline, tell us on the consultation call: depending on the scope and how fast we get your content and feedback, we can often prioritize it. We'll be honest about what's realistic rather than promise a date we can't hit.
Why is your timeline faster than a typical agency?
We're a small, student-led team with low overhead and no layers of account managers or hand-offs. We scope tightly, build directly, and share progress as we go, so a custom site that takes an agency 6-12 weeks usually takes us about 7-10 days. Less bureaucracy, same custom result.
What do you need from me to hit the timeline?
Mainly your content and quick feedback: things like your services and prices, photos, and a couple of rounds of review. We give you a simple checklist up front. The build moves as fast as we get those, which is why the timeline is part of the written scope you approve before we start.
What if something comes up, or I want changes during the build?
You approve a written scope and price before we build anything, and you see progress as we go, so there are no surprises at the end. We refine the work with your feedback until it matches what we agreed, then hand over full ownership at launch. The site and code are always yours.
Who owns and controls the site, the code, and the accounts. (You do.)
Do I actually own the website?
Yes, 100%. We transfer all code, content, and assets to you at launch. If you ever choose to move on, the site goes with you. No lock-in, no licensing fees, no fine print.
What happens to my website if I stop working with you?
Nothing breaks, and nothing is held hostage. You own 100% of the site, code, content, domain, and hosting, transferred to you at launch. If you ever stop working with us, everything stays exactly where it is and keeps running. You can maintain it yourself or hand it to anyone else, with no licensing fees and no lock-in.
Can I edit the website myself after launch?
Yes. We build your site so the things you change most, like text, menus, prices, hours, and photos, are easy to update yourself, and we hand off documentation at launch to walk you through it. For bigger changes we're here whenever you want us, but you're never dependent on us for day-to-day edits.
Who controls my domain and hosting?
You do, completely. Your domain and hosting are registered in your name and billed directly to you (about $25/month total), so you hold the keys, not us. We help you set it all up during the build, but the accounts and the control are always yours.
Who we're a fit for, what we can build, and what happens at the end.
What kinds of businesses do you work with?
We focus on local businesses that serve a community: retail shops, studios, contractors, salons, clinics, restaurants, and similar. Because every business is different, we start with a short consultation to understand your needs before proposing anything. If we're not the right fit for what you need, we'll tell you honestly on that call.
What AI features can you build?
It depends on your business. Common additions include a 24/7 customer-support chatbot, AI appointment booking and intake, automated FAQ answers, and lead follow-up. We design the AI around your specific workflows, and only add it where it actually helps.
What happens after launch?
You get the full handoff: your code, documentation, analytics, and hosting setup, plus post-launch support to get you settled in. The site is yours to run, and we're here for future changes or help whenever you need them.
Got the answers? Let's build.
Tell us about your business in a 5-minute application. We review every one personally and reply within 48 hours.
- 5-minute application
- We reply within 48 hours
- You own 100%, no lock-in
- No surprise fees, ever
Already partnering with local businesses like Blue Skies Pottery in Bryn Mawr. Lohani Paints saw +2,900% monthly search clicks after launch. Results vary by business.