Web Design & Development

A professional business website typically takes 4–12 weeks from kickoff to launch.

A simple 5–10 page brochure site can be completed in 4–6 weeks. More complex sites with custom functionality, e-commerce, or extensive content take 8–12 weeks or longer. The timeline depends on design complexity, how quickly you provide content and feedback, and the number of revision rounds. The biggest delays usually come from content - gathering photos, writing copy, and getting stakeholder approvals. At MooseBase, we provide a clear project timeline upfront and keep things moving with structured feedback cycles.

A good business website loads fast (under 3 seconds), looks professional on all devices, makes it easy for visitors to take action, and ranks well in search engines.

Key elements include clear navigation, compelling headlines, strong calls to action above the fold, trust signals like testimonials and reviews, fast page speed, mobile-responsive design, and proper SEO fundamentals. Your homepage should answer three questions within 5 seconds: what you do, who you serve, and how to get started. The best business websites are built around conversion goals, not just aesthetics.

WordPress is ideal for content-heavy sites, blogs, and businesses that want to manage their own updates without developer help.

It powers 40%+ of the web and has thousands of plugins for almost any feature. Custom-built websites are better for businesses needing unique functionality, maximum performance, or tight integrations with other systems. Custom sites are faster, more secure, and fully tailored to your needs, but cost more and require a developer for changes. Most small businesses do well with WordPress. Choose custom when you need something WordPress can't do out of the box, or when performance is critical.

Choose a web designer by evaluating their portfolio, checking client reviews, and asking about their process.

Look for designers who have experience in your industry, show measurable results (not just pretty designs), and communicate clearly. Ask about their design process, revision policy, timeline, and post-launch support. Red flags include no portfolio, no contract, vague pricing, and no discussion of your business goals. A good designer asks about your customers, competitors, and objectives before showing you design options. Request references from past clients, and make sure you'll own your website and domain when the project is complete.

Every business website needs at minimum: a homepage, about page, services/products page, contact page, and privacy policy.

Beyond these essentials, most businesses benefit from: individual service pages (one per service for SEO), a testimonials or case studies page, a blog or resources section, an FAQ page, and location-specific pages if you serve multiple areas. Each service page should focus on one offering with a clear call to action. The more specific your pages are, the better they rank in search results and convert visitors. Quality matters more than quantity - 10 strong pages outperform 50 thin ones.

Mobile-first design means designing your website for smartphones before scaling up to tablets and desktops.

Since over 60% of web traffic comes from mobile devices, this approach ensures your most important content and calls to action work perfectly on small screens first. Mobile-first design prioritizes fast load times, thumb-friendly navigation, readable text without zooming, and streamlined content. Google also uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it evaluates the mobile version of your site for search rankings. If your website doesn't work well on phones, you're losing both visitors and search visibility.

You should update your website content at least quarterly and perform technical maintenance monthly.

Content updates - new blog posts, updated service descriptions, fresh testimonials, and current pricing - signal to Google that your site is active and relevant. Technical maintenance includes software updates, security patches, backup verification, broken link checks, and performance optimization. A full design refresh is typically needed every 3–5 years as design trends and technology evolve. Sites that go years without updates lose search rankings, develop security vulnerabilities, and give visitors the impression your business is inactive or outdated.

Web design focuses on how your website looks and feels - layout, colors, typography, imagery, and user experience.

Web development focuses on how it works - the code that makes features function, processes data, and connects to servers and databases. Think of design as the blueprint and development as the construction. Most modern agencies (including MooseBase) handle both, ensuring the design vision translates into a fully functional site. For small business websites, you generally don't need to hire separately. Look for a team that's strong in both areas so your site looks great and works flawlessly.

Yes.

Social media is rented space - you don't control the algorithm, the platform rules, or your visibility. A website is property you own. Social media profiles can be suspended, reach can drop overnight with algorithm changes, and you can't fully customize the experience. Your website is where you control the narrative, capture leads with forms and calls to action, rank in Google search results, and build long-term SEO equity. Social media is excellent for brand awareness and community building, but it should drive traffic to your website - not replace it. The strongest businesses use both together.

Freelancers are typically cheaper ($2,000–$8,000 for a small site) and work well for simple projects.

Agencies cost more ($5,000–$20,000+) but offer broader expertise - design, development, SEO, copywriting, and strategy under one roof. Agencies also provide more reliability: if one person gets sick, the project continues. Choose a freelancer for simple brochure sites with tight budgets. Choose an agency when you need strategy, multiple skill sets, or long-term partnership. The best choice depends on your project complexity, budget, and how important post-launch support is. Always check portfolios and references regardless.

Start by defining your website's primary goal - generate leads, sell products, book appointments, or build credibility.

Then map out your site structure: list every page you need and organize them into a logical navigation hierarchy. Write a brief for each page covering its purpose, target audience, and key call to action. Gather your brand assets, write (or hire someone to write) your content, and collect testimonials and photos. Research 3–5 competitor websites to identify what works in your industry. Finally, set a realistic budget and timeline. Planning upfront prevents scope creep, reduces costs, and leads to a better end result.

Absolutely.

Despite the rise of social media, AI, and online marketplaces, a website remains the foundation of your online presence in 2026. It's the only digital property you fully own and control. 97% of consumers search online before making a local purchase, and businesses without websites lose credibility instantly. Your website also serves as the hub for all marketing efforts - SEO, paid ads, social media, and email all drive traffic back to your site. With AI-powered search evolving, having structured, authoritative website content is more important than ever for appearing in AI-generated answers and search results.

A high-converting service page turns visitors into leads by combining strategic design with persuasive copy.

Key elements include: a compelling headline addressing the visitor's pain point, a clear description of what you offer and who it's for, social proof (testimonials, reviews, case studies), trust signals (certifications, guarantees, years of experience), a strong call to action above the fold, and minimal distractions. The best service pages focus on benefits over features, speak directly to the customer's problem, and make it dead simple to take the next step - whether that's calling, filling out a form, or booking online.