Building a website shouldn’t feel mysterious, stressful, or full of fine print. This page covers the most common questions we get about how Audubon Website Services works. We touch on everything from pricing and timelines to edits, hosting, and ongoing support. If you don’t see your question answered here, that’s not a problem. Reach out and we’ll talk it through.
The difference between the Plans basically comes down to how you pay, and in the case of the Seasonal Plan, how the website will function.
The Flex Plan spreads the cost of your website into predictable monthly payments. It’s ideal if you want lower upfront costs and ongoing support baked in.
The Standard Plan is a one-time payment for the website build, along with a mandatory hosting agreement and optional support. It’s best for clients who want a one-time payment for all the work and envision a long-term relationship with us.
The Seasonal Plan is designed for businesses that don’t operate year-round and only need a simple, one-page online presence during certain months. It keeps your business visible and professional while aligning costs with your actual operating season.
If you’re unsure which option fits best, don’t worry—most clients are at first. We’ll help you choose the option that makes the most sense for how your business actually operates.
The Options define the level of ongoing service included with your website. Both Options deliver a fully custom, professionally built site. The difference is how much support you want after launch.
The Basic Option is ideal if your website doesn’t change often. It covers essential setup and keeps things simple, reliable, and low-maintenance once the site is live.
The Premium Option is for businesses that expect updates, refinements, or growth over time. It includes additional ongoing support and editing capabilities, making it easier to keep your site current without starting from scratch.
Please note that the Seasonal Plan is not subject to these two Options. It has it's own, unique service offering that is essentially aligned with a Premium Option level of support.
No, only Flex Plans (both Premium and Basic) include hosting as part of the monthly payment. All Standard Plans require a separate monthly hosting fee.
We prioritize long-term relationships over quick, one-off projects. A website isn’t something you fully evaluate in a few weeks. It needs time to be indexed by search engines, seen by real users, and adjusted based on real-world feedback. Our commitment structure is designed to give clients enough time to genuinely experience the value of their website before making long-term decisions.
The Flex Plan requires a minimum 12-month commitment. After the initial 12 months, service continues month-to-month and may be cancelled at any time.
The Standard Plan is a one-time fee upfront and requires a monthly hosting fee. There is no minimum amount of time reqired to host the site. Keep in mind that AWS must handle hosting of any website we make and if you cancel the hosting agreement, you will no longer be able to use your website.
The Seasonal Plan requires a minimum 6-month commitment with the website in active mode. After the initial 6 months, service continues month-to-month and may be cancelled at any time.
Most small business choose the Flex Plan with the Basic Option. It offers a low upfront cost, predictable monthly pricing, and enough ongoing support to stay current without overthinking it.
That said, businesses that expect frequent updates, or are actively growing, often choose the Premium Option, while more established businesses that want a one-and-done build tend to prefer the Standard Plan.
There’s no “correct” choice. The right combination depends on how often your site will change and how hands-on you want to be after launch. We’ll help you choose based on how you actually operate.
Yes, you can choose the Seasonal Plan even if your business is not technically seasonal.
That said, the Seasonal Plan is intentionally limited. It is designed for simple, low maintenance, one page websites that do not require frequent updates or ongoing changes. Because of that, it is best suited for businesses that only need a basic online presence and are comfortable with a more constrained setup. If your business is active year round or you expect your website to evolve over time, one of the full website Plans will usually be a better long term fit.
We offer a range of add on services that allow your website to grow and adapt over time without needing a full rebuild. These services include things like adding additional static pages, setting up a blog or adding blog posts, logo or icon design, search engine optimization improvements, conversion analysis and performance recommendations, domain purchase and setup, and third party integrations such as online ordering or scheduling tools. We also offer general development work billed at an hourly rate for custom requests that fall outside standard offerings.
All add on services are optional and clearly scoped before any work begins. Pricing and expectations are confirmed in advance so there are no surprises. If you need something that is not listed, we can usually accommodate it by outlining what is involved and getting your approval before moving forward.
SEO is a broad and often misunderstood topic. It generally falls into two categories: on page SEO and off page SEO. What we provide as part of every website is on page SEO. On page SEO includes things like proper meta tags, accessibility tags, clean heading structure, optimized page layout, fast load times, and a sitemap for your website. These are not optional extras. They are foundational elements of a well built website and are considered modern best practices in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript development. Because of that, on page SEO is always included. Any developer charging extra just to make a site search engine friendly is cutting corners elsewhere.
A website that lacks proper on page SEO is not just bad for search engines, it is simply a poorly built website. Off page SEO, such as backlinks, content strategy, and long term ranking campaigns, is outside the scope of standard website development but can be discussed as an optional add on if needed.
Yes of course! We are not a sketchy company and we never take domains hostage. It is clearly laid out in all of our contracts that the client (you) always maintains ownership of your domain - even if we help you buy it and set it up.
Switching plans or options later on is possible, but it depends on what you are switching from and what you are switching to.
Some changes are straightforward, such as upgrading from a Basic Option to a Premium Option. In those cases, we will outline the updated pricing and terms and make the change once everything is agreed to in writing.
Other changes may not be allowed or may require a new agreement, especially if the structure of the website or the level of service changes significantly. Because each plan and option is priced and scoped differently, not every combination can be swapped freely after a project is underway or completed.
Pricing varies between plans and options because they represent different levels of work, risk, and long term involvement. Some plans spread the cost of a website over time, while others are structured around a one time build. Some options include ongoing edits and support, while others are intentionally minimal after launch. Each combination changes how much time, availability, and responsibility we commit over the life of the project.
In simple terms, you are not just paying for a website. You are paying for how it is built, how it is supported, and how much flexibility you want going forward. Pricing reflects those differences so that each plan is fair, sustainable, and clearly defined.
Because the Flex Plan and the Standard Plan are built around different assumptions and different risks.
The Standard Plan is a one time website build. The full cost is paid up front and AWS is compensated for the entire project immediately. The Flex Plan spreads that cost over time, lowers the upfront commitment for the client, and includes ongoing service throughout the term.
A year of Flex payments is not meant to be a direct installment version of the Standard Plan. It is a separate model designed for flexibility, lower upfront cost, and ongoing support.
Of course not! All pricing is defined in advance based on your selected Plan, Option, and any approved Add-On services. If something falls outside the original scope, it is discussed and priced clearly before any additional work begins. Nothing is billed without your approval.
Flex Plan payments begin with an initial 12-month term, then continue month-to-month indefinitely after that.
The Flex Plan is not just paying for a website. It is paying for an ongoing relationship with us. In addition to the initial website build, the Flex Plan includes continued access to support, maintenance, and guidance as your business evolves. That ongoing involvement is why Flex payments continue beyond the launch of the site and why the plan is structured differently from a one time build.
You just have to sign a new contract and begin the initial 12-month minimum term again.
No, that defeats the purpose of the Standard Plan. If you're looking for a lower upfront cost, consider the Flex Plan.
We retain ownership of the website code under all Plans.
You retain ownership of your domain name and all content you provided, including text, images, and branding. However, the underlying website code is licensed for use during an active agreement and does not transfer to you if a Plan is canceled.
We retain ownership of the code because each site is built using internally developed structures, components, and reusable code snippets that may be shared across different projects. This allows us to work efficiently, maintain consistency, and deliver high quality websites without reinventing the wheel for every build. That shared code base is part of our intellectual property and how we keep projects streamlined and affordable.
Because we are not competing with template based builders or bargain freelancers.
Many lower priced options rely on page builders, pre made templates, or rushed work that looks fine on the surface but is difficult to maintain, slow, or limiting long term. In those cases, the lower price usually reflects less time spent on structure, performance, and long term reliability.
We build custom coded websites with clean, maintainable code, proper on-page SEO, and performance optimization as standard, not as upgrades. Pricing also reflects clear communication, defined processes, and ongoing support rather than disappearing after launch. In short, we charge more because you are paying for a durable, well built website and a professional relationship, not a quick deliverable.
SEO stands for search engine optimization. It refers to the practices used to help search engines understand your website and determine when it should appear in search results.
SEO matters because search engines are one of the primary ways people discover businesses online. A well optimized website is easier for search engines to read, faster to load, more accessible to users, and more likely to appear when potential customers search for relevant services.
At its core, SEO is about clarity and structure. When a website is built properly, with clean code, logical organization, and useful content, both users and search engines have a better experience. Good SEO does not guarantee instant traffic or top rankings, but poor SEO almost guarantees that your site will struggle to be found.
By default, we include on page SEO with every website. This means your site is built with clean, semantic code, proper heading structure, accessibility considerations, fast load times, and mobile responsiveness. We also implement appropriate meta tags, structured page layouts, and a sitemap so search engines can correctly crawl and understand your site.
This foundational SEO is part of building a high quality website and is never treated as an add on. More advanced SEO work, such as keyword research, content strategy, backlink development, or ongoing optimization, is not included by default but can be added if needed.
SEO is both a one time setup and an ongoing process, depending on what you are trying to achieve. The foundation of SEO is established when your website is built. Proper structure, clean code, accessibility, performance, and on page optimization are set once and form the baseline for how search engines understand your site. That part does not need to be constantly redone.
Ongoing SEO comes into play as your business, content, and competition change. Adding new pages, publishing content, refining keywords, and improving performance over time can all impact how your site ranks. That work is optional and depends on your goals, not a requirement just to have a functional website.
SEO results take time and vary widely based on several factors. For a new website, it can take weeks or months before search engines fully index the site and begin showing it consistently in results. Meaningful improvements in visibility or rankings usually take longer, especially in competitive markets.
Factors like your industry, location, competition, content quality, and how active your site is all play a role. SEO is not instant and it is not guaranteed, but it is cumulative. A well built website with good fundamentals puts you in a strong position, and steady improvement comes from consistency over time rather than quick fixes.
No. If someone is giving you specific guarantees about future rankings, they're lying to you. No one can guarantee specific rankings on Google.
Search engine rankings are controlled by Google and depend on many factors outside of any developer’s control, including competition, user behavior, and algorithm changes.
What we do guarantee is that your website is built correctly. That means clean code, proper structure, strong on page SEO, fast performance, and accessibility best practices. Those elements give your site the best possible foundation to perform well in search results, but rankings themselves are never guaranteed.
Yes, we can help with Google Business Profile optimization as an add on service. This can include reviewing your profile setup, ensuring your business information is accurate and consistent, helping optimize descriptions and categories, and providing guidance on best practices for photos, posts, and reviews. A well managed Google Business Profile is especially important for local search visibility.
No. SEO alone does not automatically bring customers. SEO helps your website get found, but getting found is only one part of the process. Visitors still need a clear message, a professional presentation, and an easy way to take action once they arrive. Even strong rankings do not matter if the site does not convert visitors into inquiries or sales. Think of SEO as building the road to your business. Your website, messaging, and offer determine whether people actually walk through the door.
Conversion analysis is the process of evaluating how visitors use your website and whether they take the actions you want them to take. This can include actions like contacting you, requesting a quote, making a purchase, or signing up for something. Conversion analysis looks at where users click, where they hesitate, and where they leave, then identifies changes that can improve clarity and effectiveness. The goal is not just to get more traffic, but to make better use of the traffic you already have by turning visitors into real leads or customers
A conversion is any action on your website that moves a visitor closer to becoming a customer. What counts as a conversion depends on your business and your goals. Common examples include submitting a contact form, calling your business, booking an appointment, signing up for a newsletter, or completing a purchase. For some businesses, simply clicking to get directions or viewing a key page can also be considered a conversion. During conversion analysis, the first step is defining what actions actually matter for your business. Once that is clear, the website can be evaluated and improved around those goals.
User behavior is analyzed using a combination of analytics tools, site data, and practical observation. This typically includes reviewing page views, traffic sources, time spent on pages, and how users move through the site. We also look at where users click, where they pause, and where they tend to leave. When available, this data helps reveal patterns such as confusing layouts, missed calls to action, or pages that are not performing as intended.
Yes, that's the whole point! When conversion analysis or performance review is part of your service, we will suggest changes designed to improve leads or sales. These suggestions are based on how real users interact with your site and can include adjustments to layout, messaging, calls to action, page flow, or content structure. The focus is always on making the site clearer, easier to use, and more effective at guiding visitors toward meaningful actions.
Our websites are custom built, not created with page builders. Each site is written using hand coded HTML, CSS, and JavaScript rather than drag and drop tools or pre made templates. This approach allows for better performance, cleaner structure, stronger on page SEO, and fewer long term limitations. Because the code is purpose built, sites are easier to maintain, scale, and optimize over time. You are not locked into the constraints or technical debt that often come with page builder platforms.
No, we will not perform work on WordPress, or any other page-builder websites.
WordPress sites are built on a complex ecosystem of third-party themes, plugins, and configurations that vary widely from site to site. This makes troubleshooting, updating, or modifying an existing WordPress installation unpredictable and time-consuming, even for relatively small changes.
We specialize in custom-built, hand-coded websites using modern HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This results in a website that would outperform any comparable page-builder site.
If you currently have a WordPress (or similar) site and generally like the look of it, we would be happy to rebuild the site from scratch using our custom approach. We'd keep any/all elements you like from your old site so long as they are not causing performance issues. This ensures we can deliver work we stand behind without inheriting the fragile dependencies of a page-builder site.
You own your business assets, but not the website code itself.
You retain full ownership of your domain name and all content you provide, including text, images, logos, and branding. That content is always yours and can be reused anywhere you choose. The website code, however, is owned by us and licensed to you for use while you are under an active agreement. This applies to all plans and options. We build sites using internally developed structures and reusable code components that are shared across many client projects, and that underlying code remains our intellectual property.
This model allows us to work efficiently, maintain consistency, and deliver high quality websites without reinventing everything for each project.
Yes! You always own your domain. Your domain name is registered in your name or your business name, not our. Even if we help purchase or set up the domain, ownership remains with you and can be transferred or managed elsewhere at any time. We do not take ownership of client domains.
Custom code offers more control, better performance, and fewer long term limitations than WordPress. WordPress is powerful, but it relies heavily on themes, plugins, and frequent updates to stay secure and functional. Over time, that can introduce performance issues, maintenance overhead, and compatibility problems, especially as plugins change or stop being supported.
With custom coded sites, there is no unnecessary bloat, no plugin dependency, and far fewer security concerns. The result is a faster, more stable website that is easier to maintain and optimize. For businesses that want reliability, performance, and long term flexibility without constant upkeep, custom code is often the better choice.
Edits can be requested by emailing info@audubonwebsiteservices.com. In your message, describe the changes you would like made. Your request will be added to our work queue and handled in a timely manner based on your plan or option. If a request falls outside what is included, we will let you know before any additional work begins.
Your website’s design is guided by your business goals, not our personal taste. We start by gathering information through an intake questionnaire and early discussions to understand your brand, audience, services, and preferences. That input shapes layout, structure, and visual direction so the site supports what you are actually trying to achieve. Design decisions are also informed by usability, accessibility, and performance best practices. The goal is a site that looks professional, is easy to use, and clearly communicates your value, not one built around trends or guesswork.
If you do not like the initial design, we address that during the review process. Design is presented for feedback before finalization, and reasonable revisions are part of the process. We use your input to refine layout, structure, and visual elements so the site aligns with your goals and preferences. If feedback involves changes that go beyond the agreed scope or requires a major shift in direction, we will discuss options and any additional cost before proceeding. The goal is collaboration and clarity, not locking you into something you are unhappy with.
Yes. All our websites are designed for mobile devices from the start. Sites are built using responsive design principles so they adapt naturally to phones, tablets, and desktop screens. Mobile usability is not treated as an afterthought or a separate version of the site. This approach ensures your website is accessible, readable, and functional on the devices most people actually use.
Your website is built to load fast, feel smooth, and work reliably on modern devices and browsers. We focus on performance from the start by using clean custom code, lightweight structure, responsive design, and best practices that support speed, accessibility, and on page SEO. That usually results in a noticeably faster and more stable site than template based or plugin heavy builds. Actual performance can still vary depending on things like image sizes, third party tools you choose to integrate, and the hosting environment. When those factors matter, we will recommend the best options to keep things fast and consistent.
Yes! That's what's great about custom coded websites that do not rely on plugins, themes, or large third party frameworks - there's really nothing to hack.
Security also depends on the hosting environment. We use reputable hosting providers and standard protections such as HTTPS and basic server level safeguards. While no website can be guaranteed to be immune from all threats, this approach significantly reduces risk compared to plugin heavy or poorly maintained systems.
Yes, we support blogs as an Add-On service. We set up the structure so posts are well organized and built with performance and on-page SEO in mind. You can choose to provide your own blog text to us for posting or you can have us write keyword-researched text for you. Because blogs introduce ongoing content and maintenance considerations, they are handled intentionally rather than bolted on. If a blog makes sense for your business goals, we will recommend the right setup and explain what is involved before moving forward.
No, we handle hosting your website with our designated hosting providers. We do this to manage our costs in addition to ensuring proper performance, security, updates, and support without introducing variables we cannot control. Managing hosting centrally also helps us respond quickly if issues arise and maintain consistent service quality.
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