Answers · 16 questions
Straight answers, no filler.
Getting a website
How long does it take to build a small business website?
A straightforward small business website — five or six pages, your services, photos and contact details — takes about two weeks when the builder has what they need. Most delays aren't design: they're waiting on your content.
Read the answerHow many pages does a small business website need?
Five is usually right: home, what you do, pricing or an equivalent trust page, about, and contact. Add one page per service only when that service is something people search for on its own.
Read the answerWhat should be on a small business home page?
In this order: what you do and where you do it, one obvious way to contact you, proof you're real, and your prices or price range. Everything else is optional.
Read the answerDo I need a website if I already have a Facebook page?
Yes, for two reasons: a lot of people won't look at a Facebook page before buying, and you don't control it. A simple website is what your Google Business Profile links to and what shows up in search results.
Read the answerWhat do I need to give someone to build my website?
Six things: what you do, the towns you serve, your services and prices, your hours and phone number, ten or so photos, and your domain details. Everything else can be decided during the build.
Read the answerCosts and contracts
How much does a small business website cost in Canada?
Most Canadian small businesses are quoted $2,500–$8,000 up front for a custom-built site, plus $20–$60 a month for hosting and anywhere from $75–$150 an hour for changes afterwards. Monthly managed options start around $99/mo CAD with the build, hosting and updates included in the one fee.
Read the answerWho owns my website content if someone else builds it?
You should always own your domain name, your text, your photos and your Google Business Profile. Whether you own the build itself depends on the arrangement — a managed monthly service includes the platform and hosting rather than handing over files.
Read the answerCan I move my existing website to a new provider?
Yes. In most cases the cleanest route is to rebuild the site on the new provider's platform, keeping the content and pages worth keeping, then point your domain across. Done properly there's no downtime and no loss of search rankings.
Read the answerGetting found locally
Why is my website not showing up on Google?
Usually one of four things: the site is too new or blocked from being indexed, it has no Google Business Profile attached to it, the pages don't mention the town and service people search for, or you're checking while signed in and seeing personalised results.
Read the answerIs a Google Business Profile free, and do I need one?
Yes, it's completely free, and for a local business it matters more than your website for getting calls. It's what puts you in the map results and shows your hours, phone number, photos and reviews.
Read the answerHow do I get more Google reviews without annoying customers?
Ask in person at the moment the customer is happiest, then send one short text or email with a direct review link. Never offer discounts or gifts for reviews — that breaks Google's rules and can get them removed.
Read the answerHow long does local SEO take to work?
Expect small movements in four to six weeks, meaningful change in three to six months. Google Business Profile fixes can show up in days; rankings for competitive service searches take longer.
Read the answerShould I run Google Ads or wait for SEO to kick in?
Run ads if you need work in the next month and can afford a test budget; rely on SEO if you can wait a few months for enquiries that don't cost per click. Most small businesses do best running a small ad budget while the free side builds.
Read the answerWill AI search replace Google for local businesses?
It's changing how answers are shown, not removing the need to be findable. Assistants like ChatGPT and Google's AI answers pull from the same places — clear pages, business profiles and reviews — so a site that states facts plainly tends to get quoted.
Read the answerRunning your site
Do I need a blog for my small business website?
Not a blog, no. What helps is a small set of pages that answer real questions your customers ask before buying — five useful answers beat fifty posts nobody searched for.
Read the answerHow do I update my website without learning any software?
You don't have to touch a builder or dashboard at all — the simplest arrangement is to send the change to whoever manages your site and have them do it. Most text, price, hours and photo changes are a few minutes of work.
Read the answerGet your website handled for $99 a month.
Tell us a little about your business. Once you sign up, onboarding is a few quick questions — or a call if you'd rather talk. Live in about two weeks.
No setup fee. Month to month. Canadian team, Canadian hosting.