Technical FAQs & Web Design Guidelines

Yes. I build mostly with Divi, and I've also worked with Elementor, WPBakery, and Beaver Builder. A page builder is a tool, and it only becomes a problem when it's used carelessly.

I avoid pre-built templates loaded with features you'll never use, and I set up each build to stay fast: custom layouts, only the modules the design needs, and careful script loading. My post ranking the major page builders explains how I compare them.

Yes. Standard WooCommerce setups often suffer from generic search, heavy database queries, and slow checkout. I build custom templates, product filtering, and a streamlined checkout so shoppers can find products and pay with less friction. Store projects are custom-scoped, so we'd start with a conversation about your catalog and goals.

A bloated plugin stack is a common cause of slow load times and security problems. I audit your plugins, remove the redundant ones, and write custom code for specific features when it makes sense, instead of piling on heavy off-the-shelf software.

Neglected WordPress sites are vulnerable. A properly configured and maintained site is a very different story. I set up server-level firewalls, strict user-role management, database protection, and active vulnerability monitoring to keep your site as secure as possible. Security also depends on ongoing updates, which is why I offer maintenance plans.

I offer a few packages to match different needs and budgets. My fast, hand-coded HTML builds (Foundation Max) start at $1,500, while custom WordPress sites (Business Pro) start at $2,500. For more advanced functionality or complex projects, the Signature Build is scoped and quoted around your specific requirements. You can see what’s included in each package on my pricing page.

Most projects are billed on a flat-project basis. Once we’ve scoped the work, you get a fixed price up front, with no surprise invoices for extra hours. For smaller or more open-ended tasks, hourly billing is available. In that case, I’ll give you my rate and an estimate of the hours before we start.

No. Once your site is launched and paid in full, you own it, and I don’t charge any mandatory ongoing fees. Every core package includes 30 days of post-launch support so you can settle in with confidence.

That said, as the owner of your site, you’ll have a few standard third-party costs, such as your annual domain registration and your hosting renewals.

I also offer optional maintenance plans for active monitoring and security updates if you’d like them, but there are no hidden fees and no forced monthly contracts.

Most projects take about 4 to 8 weeks from kickoff to launch. The timeline depends on the package, how large the site is, and how quickly content and feedback come in. Smaller sites can move faster, and custom-scoped builds can take longer. I’ll give you a clear schedule once the scope is set.

Every website needs a domain and hosting, and both are yours to own. I can guide you toward a host that fits your site and budget, or work with the hosting and domain you already have. If you’d rather not manage it, I can also set your site up on hosting I manage. Hosting and domain renewals are separate from the cost of the build.

No. Pre-built templates tend to come loaded with bloated code you don’t need, which slows things down.

I build custom sites from the ground up using tools like WordPress and Divi, so every layout and design element is built around your goals, not a generic template.

Speed depends on more than front-end design. A lot of it comes down to the server.

I write lean, efficient code and set up caching with the tools your hosting supports, such as LiteSpeed, Cloudflare, and QUIC.cloud, to get strong performance.

That said, speed is also limited by your hosting. If your current hosting is underpowered or outdated, I’ll identify the bottleneck and recommend a move to better-suited hosting so your new site performs the way it’s built to.

Yes, on WordPress sites. However complex a site is underneath, I build a streamlined, user-friendly WordPress backend so you can manage it yourself. You and your team can update copy, publish new posts, and manage images without touching a single line of code. Hand-coded HTML sites don’t have an editor, so updates to those go through me.

Yes. My main focus is custom HTML and WordPress builds, but I can also work within platforms like Shopify and Squarespace. Schedule a call and let’s talk through your project so I can put together a quote.

Yes. My primary focus is Divi, but I’m comfortable working across WordPress and its other page builders. If your site runs on Elementor, WPBakery, Beaver Builder, or native Gutenberg (or others), I can audit what’s there, fix technical issues, and optimize your existing setup without forcing an unnecessary rebuild. If a rebuild would serve you better, I’ll tell you why and let you decide.

I can make some improvements on closed platforms like Wix or Squarespace, but they’re limited by their proprietary code and server restrictions. Because you don’t own the underlying platform, I typically recommend migrating from Wix to a custom WordPress site. That gives you more control over your site, more room to grow, and more flexibility for search.

Yes. Once your site is built and paid for, it’s yours. You own the content, the custom design and code I write, and the domain. I don’t lock clients into closed website builders or hold your site hostage behind ongoing fees. If you ever want to move to a different host or developer, you’re free to do so at any time. Divi, the page builder I use, is licensed under my account, and I cover that cost as part of your project. If you move to another developer, you’d want your own Divi license to keep receiving updates.

I’m based in Dunedin and work with a lot of businesses across Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Tampa, but the work itself isn’t limited by geography. I take on clients nationwide, including several I’ve built long-term relationships with outside Florida.

Yes. I work as a behind-the-scenes technical partner for marketing agencies that need reliable development support without hiring in-house. I handle custom WordPress and HTML builds end-to-end, under your agency’s name. I’ve worked with agencies over the years and still do today, including one I’ve partnered with for more than 3 years. I’m open to taking on more.

If you already have brand materials, photography, or finalized copy, I’ll incorporate them directly into the build. Just send them over. If you’re starting from scratch, that’s okay too. I can help with content writing and sourcing images, though this is typically quoted as an add-on rather than included by default, since it takes extra time and, in some cases, licensing costs for stock photography. I’ll always let you know upfront if anything falls outside the original scope, so there are no surprises.

A well-built website still needs upkeep to stay secure and fast. I offer ongoing maintenance support, including security updates, plugin updates, performance checks, and uptime monitoring, so your site stays in good shape long after launch. Maintenance is optional, and I’m happy to quote it alongside your project.

I don’t use AI site generators, because they produce generic sites that look like everyone else’s. AI tools can help with routine tasks, but the design, structure, and code decisions are mine, and every site is built around your business. For a closer look at AI builders versus a human designer, see my post on whether you still need a web designer in 2026.

Not if it’s done carefully. A redesign carries some risk, which is why I take precautions to help protect your existing rankings: mapping every existing URL, setting up proper 301 redirects, and making sure the new site structure is search-friendly before it goes live.

That said, some temporary ranking fluctuation is normal, especially if content is being rewritten or restructured along with the design. Search engines need time to re-crawl and re-evaluate the new pages, and if the wording or structure changes significantly, rankings for those specific pages may shift, up or down, while Google re-indexes everything. This usually settles within a few weeks, and the goal is for rankings to improve once the new site is fully indexed, but I’d rather be upfront: the transition isn’t always instant, and it isn’t guaranteed to be smooth for every single page.

I treat every migration carefully, because a lot can go wrong when it’s rushed. Whether you’re moving to a new server, upgrading to a custom WordPress site, or restructuring a WooCommerce store, the process follows the same steps: I build the new site in a private staging environment, carefully export your pages, content, and media, map your old URLs to the new ones with proper redirects, and handle the launch personally. Your current site stays live until the switch, so downtime is minimal, and the goal is to keep your data intact and your search rankings protected as much as possible. For more on how it works, see my secure website migrations page.

Technical SEO is built into every site I build: clean code, fast load times, mobile-friendly layouts, a clear page structure, and proper metadata.

Ongoing SEO work, like content and local search, is a separate service that I offer to established clients. I don’t pitch SEO on its own, because it works best on top of a well-built site. My post on why a well-built website is the real foundation of local SEO explains why.