Web Design for Local Businesses

Web design and SEO for local service businesses, built to rank in search and show up in AI recommendations.

Let's Talk About Your Website
psychotherapist website design.

Websites That Do More Than Look Good

I’m Therese Kopiwoda, a WordPress web designer who has been building websites for small, local service businesses since 2001. I work with home service companies, salons, contractors, consultants, real estate professionals, and other local businesses that depend on being found online. I also have a deep specialty in pet business web design, more on that below.

A great-looking website doesn’t automatically build your business. That’s why every site I build is custom-designed, mobile-responsive, and optimized for both search engines and AI-powered tools. It’s all built so the right clients can find you and hire you. Whether you need a brand-new site or a redesign of something that just isn’t working anymore, I can help. We’ll work together to make sure your new website is built for your business – not just any business.

Websites for Local Businesses

Real estate agents, office services, contractors, consultants, and other local businesses all have the same problem: potential clients are searching online every day. If your website doesn’t up, someone else gets their business. I build websites for small, local service businesses that need to look professional, get found, and bring in the right kind of clients.

Pet Businesses

I’ve worked in and around the pet industry since 2001, including ten years running my own pet sitting business. If you’re a pet sitter, dog walker, groomer, trainer, or daycare, visit my pet business web design page to see websites built specifically for your industry.
Let's Talk About Your Website

What’s Included in Every Website

Every website I build is custom-designed for your business. It won’t be built from a template and it won’t be handed off to someone you’ve never met. We will work together through the entire project, and you’ll have real input on the design every step of the way. When we work together you’ll end up with a website that actually looks and feels like your business, and not just another generic site.

Every website also includes SEO best practices and basic AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), so your business shows up in both traditional search results and AI-tools like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews.

Custom Design

Designed specifically for your business, not a template with your logo swapped in. We’ll talk about your style, your brand, and what you like before I build anything.

Mobile-Responsive

Your website will look and work great on phones, tablets, and desktops. Most people will find you on their phone first, so that has to be right.

SEO Best Practices

SEO best practices are built into every page from the start, so search engines can find and understand your site and your business.

Basic AEO

AI-powered search is changing how people find local businesses. Every site I build includes basic Answer Engine Optimization to help you show up when AI tools recommend services like yours.

Your Branding

Your website should feel like you. I’ll work with your existing branding (logo, colors, fonts, and overall style) so everything looks cohesive and on-brand. No branding yet? No worries, we’ll sort that out before we get started.

Training Included

After your site launches, we’ll do a Zoom session where I walk you through how to make updates yourself. You won’t need to call me every time you need to change something — unless you want to.

What's the difference between basic AEO and full AEO?

AEO (sometimes called AI SEO) means your website is structured so AI tools can read and understand your business. That includes things like clear page structure, plain-language service descriptions, FAQ sections, and foundational schema markup. Think of it as giving AI the information it needs to mention you.

Full AEO goes further: deeper content strategy, advanced schema markup, and a plan to make your business more likely to be the one AI recommends first. That’s a separate service.

Find out more about AEO →

How Much Does a Website Cost?

Websites start at $2,500.

The final price depends on the scope of your project. Before I give you a quote, we’ll talk through exactly what you need before I put together a written proposal, so there are no surprises.

What Affects the Price?

  • Number of Pages: A 5-page website will cost less than a 20-page website.
  • Interactive Features: This includes things like extensive contact forms, employment applications, or other custom features.
  • Advanced AEO: While basic AEO is included, full Answer Engine Optimization will be quoted separately based on your site size.
  • Timeline: If you need your website to be completed sooner than my usual 6-8 week turnaround time, there may be an additional charge.
Let's Talk About Your Website

How We’ll Work Together

One thing I’ve learned in more than 20 years of building websites, is that the best results come from a real collaboration. I’m not the type of web designer who disappears for six weeks then pops up saying, “it’s done.” Instead, I’ll be asking for your input along the way, adjusting as we go along, to make sure the website truly reflects your vision. Here’s how it goes from start to launch…

Therese on a zoom call talking to a client about AI SEO.
step one.

We Talk First

It’s important to me that I get to know a little about you and your business. So the first thing we’ll do is talk on the phone or via Zoom. We’ll talk about your business, your goals, your ideal clients, expectations, and what you;re looking for.  I’ll also ask about your current website (if you have one), your branding, and links to sites you like.

step two.

You Get a Written Proposal

Once I understand what you need, I’ll put together a written proposal spelling out exactly what’s included: how many pages, what’s covered, pricing, and payment options. You’ll see everything in writing before any work begins, so we’re on the same page from the start.
step three.

I Build a Draft

After you approve the proposal and pay the deposit, I get to work. I’ll put together an initial design for you to review and give feedback on before I build out the rest of the site. I’ll update you as I go, so you can see the progress.

step four.

We Review & Refine

You’ll review the full site before it goes live. This is the time to catch anything that needs tweaking. I’d rather spend a little extra time here than launch something you’re not 100% happy with. Most websites are completed in 6–8 weeks from kickoff.

step five.

Launch & Training

We launch your site, and then we hop on Zoom so I can show you how to make updates yourself. You’ll leave that call confident about managing your own website. After that, you can either make changes yourself or contact me for changes/support when needed. No monthly contract is required.

See My Work

 

pet and family photographer website design.

Websites for Local Businesses

I’ve built websites for local service businesses across the country, including my specialty: pet businesses. Browse the portfolio below.

View Local Business Portfolio

Do you have a pet business? View my Pet Business Portfolio.

Questions About Web Design

Here are the questions I hear most often. If yours isn’t here, just ask — I’m happy to talk through anything before you commit to anything.

What do I need to have ready before we start?

Before we get started, it helps to have a list of all your services, your target clients, and what makes your business different from the competition. If you have existing branding (a logo, colors, fonts) I’ll want to see those. Same with any photos you want to use on the site.

You don’t need everything right away, but the more you can show/tell me during our first conversation, the faster we can move. I’ll send you a list of questions ahead of time to help you get organized.

One thing I ask of all my clients is to find 2 or 3 websites that have elements you really like. That helps me get an idea of what you’re looking for.

How long will it take to build my website?

For most small business websites, I like to allow 6–8 weeks from start to launch. The exact timeline depends on the size and complexity of your site, and on how quickly we can get through content and approvals together. I’ll give you a more specific estimate after our first conversation.

What types of businesses do you work with?

Although pet businesses are my main specialty, I also work with other local service businesses. Not sure if yours is a fit? Just ask.

Do you work with existing websites, or only new builds?

Both. If you have a website that needs a full redesign, I can help with that. If you have a WordPress site that just needs some work, I may be able to help with that too. What I’d need to do first is take a look at what you have and give you an honest assessment of whether it makes more sense to rebuild from scratch or make changes to what’s already there. Contact me and we can go from there.

How much does a website cost?

My web design rates start at $2,500. The cost depends on the number of pages, features, and complexity of the design. I’ll give you a written quote after our initial conversation, so you’ll know exactly what to expect before any work begins.

What costs should I expect besides the design fee?

There are a few things you’ll want to budget for separately: your domain name (usually $10–15/year through NameSilo), website hosting (I recommend BigScoots, which runs around $120/year for the plan most of my clients use), and a security and backup service. Depending on your site, I may also suggest a few premium plugins. These are add-ons that handle specific functions on WordPress websites.

I’ll walk you through all of it before we get started.

What platform do you build websites on?

WordPress with the Divi theme is my primary platform, and it’s what I recommend for most small businesses. WordPress is flexible, scalable, and widely supported, which means if you ever need to work with another designer down the road, finding someone who knows WordPress won’t be a problem. I can also work with Squarespace and Wix if that’s what you prefer, but WordPress is my recommendation.

Who owns the website when it's done?

You own the website, your domain, and all the content are yours. After I complete your website, and the final payment is made, you are the sole owner of the files, content, and design. Your domain and hosting will bee registered in your name, not mine. You should always own your own website. If a designer can’t promise you that, that’s a red flag.

Do you write the content for my website?

You do. You know your business better than anyone, and your website should sound like you, but I can recommend a copywriter if you need one. I’ll help you organize and present the content effectively. I’ll also tell you what content the site needs and why, from an SEO and AEO perspective, so nothing important gets left out.

Can I use my own photos?

Yes, and I encourage it. Stock photos are fine as a placeholder, but your own photos do a lot more to build trust with potential clients than anything you’ll find in a stock library. You can use photos of you, your team, you work, and your clients or their pets . . . with their permission, of course!

The main thing to keep in mind is quality. Blurry or poorly lit photos can actually work against you, no matter how good the rest of the site looks. I’ll tell you if something isn’t going to work well and help you figure out a better option.

Will I be able to make changes to my website myself?

Yes. Every new website I build includes a Zoom training session so you know exactly how to do that. I’ll record the Zoom so you’ll have the video to refer to when you need it.

If you’d rather not deal with it yourself, I’m available for ongoing updates on an as-needed basis. Either way works.

Do you offer ongoing support after launch?

Yes. I offer ongoing support on an as-needed basis, with no monthly retainer required. You only pay for the time I actually spend on your site. Most of my clients check in occasionally for updates, new pages, or small fixes. Others have me do everything, and some handle everything themselves after the initial training. Either way works.

What's the difference between SEO and AEO, and which do I need?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is about getting your website to rank in traditional search results. This is the list of links that comes up when uses Googles, Bing, or other search engine to search for your service. AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is about getting your business named and recommended by AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI Overviews.

The difference matters because AI tools don’t show a list of ten results and let you pick. They give you a handful of recommendations and move on. If your business isn’t in that shortlist, you’re invisible, no matter how well you rank in traditional search.

The real answer is you need SEO and AEO, and both are built into every website I build at a foundational level. If you want a more in-depth AEO strategy, that’s a separate service.

Learn more about AEO.

I want a website that gets me found online, not just a good looking one. Can you help?

Every website I build follows SEO best practices, and includes basic AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), which is about getting your business recommended by AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews.

It’s one of the most important things a local business can invest in right now, and something most web designers don’t even know exists yet. If that sounds interesting, let’s talk about it when we meet.

How soon will my website show up on Google?

It can take anywhere from a few days to a few months for Google to index a new website, and that timeline is totally up to Google. What I can do is build your site following SEO best practices so you’re set up well from day one. I’ve had great results getting client sites to rank well, but I won’t promise you the first page of Google. And if anyone else does, you should run the other way!

Ready to Build a Website?

Let’s talk about building your new website, or redesigning your current one. We can make it easier for your ideal clients to find you, whether it’s on Google or AI tools like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, and others. 

Let's Talk!

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