How much does a small business website cost with you?
We quote it before we start, in writing: one figure for the build and one for the monthly plan that hosts, secures, and maintains it. The build is paid up front, when we start. If your business is in Maryland, Maryland’s 3% sales and use tax is added to the monthly plan. Sending the form costs nothing, and nothing is charged until you approve an invoice.
What does the build include?
Up to five pages, such as Home, About, Services, FAQ, and Contact. One contact form, a tap-to-call phone number, and links to your social pages. A design that works on phones, tablets, and computers, with a title and description on every page for search engines. Two rounds of revisions, one on the first draft and one before launch; small fixes such as a typo don’t count toward them. A privacy policy or terms page, if you need one, is added as an extra page that doesn’t count toward the five, with text you supply.
What does the monthly plan cover?
Hosting on our managed servers, daily off-site backups, security monitoring and malware removal, an SSL certificate, uptime monitoring, and updates to WordPress, the theme, and plugins, checked after they go in. Your domain’s registration and renewals, up to 10 basic mailboxes on it, and the premium theme and plugins your site uses. Small changes are included too: hours, prices, a photo, or a line of text.
Is there a contract?
There is no minimum term. The monthly plan runs month to month, and you can cancel any time before your next billing date, with no cancellation fee. Months already paid are not refunded. Before you go, you can download a complete backup of your site, and once your account is paid in full, we release your domain to you.
How long does it take?
Most of the wait is gathering your text, photos, and logo. Once we have them, the first draft usually follows within two weeks, and the site goes live within a week of your approval.
Do I have to write the text?
Your business details come from you: your services, your story, your hours, and your photos. We write the headlines and arrange it all into pages. If you have no photos, we use stock photos.
What if I need more than five pages, booking, or a store?
We quote it before starting, based on the size of the job. Larger and custom websites are quoted individually, and an online store is its own service, store management.
Can I make changes myself?
Yes. You get your own login to edit your pages, text, and images. Or text us the change and we make it; small changes are included in the monthly plan.
I already have a website. Can you replace it?
Yes. The starter website is a new build on our hosting, and we can move your domain to us as part of it. Moving existing email is a separate project, quoted after a short call. If a former developer controls your site or domain, see website takeover.
Does it come with email?
Yes. Up to 10 basic mailboxes on your domain are included, best for an address you read on one device. Upgraded mailboxes and Microsoft 365 are available too; see business email.
Can one company handle my website, domain, hosting, and email?
Yes. On the starter website, we build the site, host it, register and renew the domain, and set up the mailboxes on it, all on one monthly bill. When something needs changing, there is one number to call or text.
Will my website show up on Google?
Every page gets a title and description, the site is open to search engines, and it is built so Google can find and list it. No one can guarantee where a site appears in search. Ongoing search work is a separate monthly service; see SEO services.
Should I use Wix or Squarespace instead?
If you enjoy building and keeping up a site yourself, a website builder can be the better choice, and we will tell you so. The starter website is for businesses that want it built, hosted, and kept up for them, with someone to call.
Do you work with businesses outside Maryland?
Yes. Lyons Web Solutions is based in Highland, in Howard County, Maryland, and works with businesses across the US. The work happens by phone, text, and email, and Maryland businesses can ask to meet.
Do you pay for referrals?
Yes. Our referral program pays $500 for each business you refer that hires us to build their website.
