Website Design Company for Small and Growing Businesses
Websites that load fast, show up on Google and turn visitors into calls and inquiries, and that you fully own.
We'll reply with a written proposal: the work, what we need from you and an estimated timeline.
Why your website isn't bringing in business
Most business websites don't fail because of the colors or the logo. They fail because they are slow, hard to use on a phone, hard for Google to understand, unclear about what you do, or impossible for you to change. These are the six problems we see most often when owners ask us to look at their site.
It looks dated or breaks on phones
Most visitors arrive on a phone. Text is tiny, buttons are hard to tap and the phone number can't be tapped to call, so people leave for the next business on the list.
It's slow to load
Huge images, too many add-ons (plugins) and cheap hosting make pages crawl. Visitors give up before the page appears, and Google's speed measures (Core Web Vitals) flag the site as a poor experience.
Nobody calls or fills in the form
The pages don't say clearly what you do, where you work or why you're the safe choice. There's no clear next step, or form emails quietly land in spam.
Google can't find or understand it
Every service is crammed onto one page, page titles all say "Home", there are no location or service pages, and a past redesign broke old web addresses and lost the rankings you had.
You can't change anything yourself
Updating your hours or adding a photo means emailing a developer and waiting, so the site slowly goes out of date.
Someone else holds the keys
Your old designer or agency registered the domain in their name, owns the hosting account or built the site on a system you can't take with you. Leaving feels risky, so you stay stuck.
What our website design services include
Softscotch is a website design company for small and growing US businesses that need a website to bring in work, not just look nice. We plan your pages, write or polish the words, design every screen for phones first, build the site on a platform you can edit yourself, and set up SEO (search engine optimization: helping Google find and understand your pages), speed, accessibility and lead tracking before launch. You own the domain, the site and every login. We work with businesses across the US, and we're happy to show you recent work from our portfolio before you decide.
Eight areas of work take you from a page plan and the right words, through design, build, SEO, speed and accessibility, to forms and tracking that show which visitors became real inquiries. Your proposal spells out how many pages and page layouts are included, who writes what, which platform we build on, and any outside costs.
Strategy, page plan and sitemap
We agree who the site is for, what you want visitors to do, and which pages you need. The sitemap (a map of every page and how they link) gives each service, location and question its own clear home.
Copywriting and content
Our writers interview you and turn what you know into clear, plain words for every page. If you'd rather write it yourself, we edit it for clarity and search. We also plan photos and gather real proof.
Design for phones first
We design every page layout for phones, tablets and desktops, using your brand colors, fonts and photos. You review clickable designs before anything is built, so changes are cheap and quick.
Build on WordPress, Shopify or custom
We build on the platform that fits: usually WordPress for service businesses, Shopify for online stores, or custom code when you need special features. You get simple editing controls and training.
SEO built in from day one
Each page gets a clear purpose, page title, description, headings, internal links and schema (hidden labels that tell Google your business type, services and location). Redesigns get redirects that protect existing rankings.
Speed and hosting setup
We compress images, keep add-ons to a minimum, set up caching (saving ready-made copies of pages so they load faster) and help you choose reliable hosting, then test speed on real phones.
Accessibility for every visitor
We design and build to the WCAG 2.2 AA guidelines (the most widely used web accessibility standard): readable contrast, keyboard use, image descriptions, clear form labels and captions where needed.
Lead forms, calls and tracking
We set up forms that reach the right inbox or CRM (customer records system), tap-to-call buttons, booking links, Google Analytics and Search Console, and tracking that shows which visits became inquiries.
Website design for SEO: how we build sites that bring in leads
SEO web design means the things Google looks for are part of the plan from the first meeting, not bolted on after launch. We decide which searches each page should answer, write for real customers, keep the site fast and accessible, and make the next step obvious on every page. Then we hand you the keys.
Content first, design second
We plan the words, offers and proof before we pick layouts, so you don't end up with a pretty template with nothing useful in it.
SEO built in from the first meeting
Search terms shape the page plan, page titles, headings and links from the start. When we redesign a site, every old web address is mapped to its new page so you don't lose the rankings you've earned.
Fast and accessible by default
Speed and accessibility are part of every design decision, not an extra. We test on real phones and with keyboard-only use, and tell you what we tested.
You own everything, always
The domain, hosting, website files, Google accounts and every login are in your name. If you ever leave us, you take the whole site with you, with no exit fees and no hostage situations.
A real portfolio you can check
We have a real website design portfolio. Ask us for recent examples close to your industry or budget, and look at how they work on your own phone before you decide.
Built for what happens after the click
A website only matters if inquiries reach you. We test every form, call button and booking link, connect them to your inbox or CRM and make sure each lead is tracked to where it came from.
Our free website review: 7 things we check first
Send us your website address and we'll review your current site before we talk about a new one. Each check shows what we found, why it matters to your customers, what we would fix and whether it needs a redesign or just a repair. Sometimes the honest answer is that you don't need a new site yet.
Speed and loading
We test your main pages on a typical phone and connection, the way your customers really use them.
A speed score is a guide, not the goal. We care about how quickly a real visitor can read the page and tap the button.
Phones and tablets
We use your site on phones and tablets as a new customer would, looking for your services, area and phone number.
Shrinking a desktop page onto a small screen is not mobile design. Buttons, menus and forms need to be easy to use with one thumb.
SEO and Google
We check whether Google can find and understand each page, and whether each service and area has its own page.
Good SEO web design gives Google a clear, fast, well-organized site. It can't guarantee rankings, which also depend on your competition.
Words, photos and proof
We read your pages as a customer would: is it clear what you do, where you work and why someone should trust you?
Stock photos and vague slogans don't build trust. Real photos, clear service details, honest reviews and licensing or membership details do.
Calls, forms and leads
We test every way a visitor can contact you and check where each inquiry actually goes.
We often find forms that send to an old email address or straight to spam. A beautiful site that loses inquiries helps no one.
Accessibility
We check your key pages against the WCAG 2.2 AA guidelines with automated tools plus hands-on tests, such as using the site with only a keyboard.
Accessibility helps people with disabilities and every other visitor too. We report what we tested. We don't give legal advice or promise you'll never receive a complaint.
Tracking and ownership
We check whether you can see which visitors become inquiries, and who really controls your domain, hosting and accounts.
Many owners discover during this check that their domain or analytics account is in someone else's name. We help you get control back before any rebuild starts.
What changes when your new website goes live
First we record how your current site performs, who owns each account and which pages already bring in visitors.
- Starting pointSpeed, mobile use, accessibility, search visibility and current inquiries are measured, so you can compare the new site fairly.
- Keys and accountsDomain, hosting, analytics, Search Console and any old agency access are listed and moved into your name if needed.
- Pages worth keepingPages that already rank or bring in leads are flagged, so their content and web addresses are protected in the new site.
The new site goes live after testing on phones and desktops, with redirects in place, forms tested and tracking checked on the live site.
- Clear pages for every serviceEach main service, area and common question has its own page with plain words, real proof and a clear next step.
- Fast, accessible buildImages are compressed, add-ons are kept lean and key pages are checked against WCAG 2.2 AA with automated and hands-on tests.
- Leads that reach youForms, tap-to-call buttons and booking links are tested end to end and connected to your inbox or CRM.
After launch we watch Search Console, forms and inquiries closely, fix anything that slipped and agree what to improve next.
- Close watch after launchBroken links, missing redirects, form problems and pages Google hasn't picked up yet are caught and fixed quickly.
- Honest early reportingVisits, form fills, calls and real customers are reported separately, with a fair comparison to your old site.
- Next steps listExtra pages, content, speed work or SEO ideas are ranked by value, so the site keeps improving instead of going stale.
Web design for small businesses, contractors, law firms and nonprofits
A roofer needs a click-to-call button and proof of licensing. A law firm needs careful wording that follows lawyer advertising rules. A nonprofit needs an easy donation page. We shape the pages, proof and forms around how your type of business actually wins customers, and we can show you portfolio examples close to your field.
Web design for small businesses
Owners need a site that explains what they do in seconds, works on phones, shows up in local searches and is easy to update.
General contractors and construction companies
Buyers want past projects, service areas, licensing and insurance details, and an easy way to request a quote.
Home services and trades
People often search in a hurry on their phone. Your number, hours, area and reviews must be visible straight away.
Roofing companies
Homeowners compare roofers on trust: real job photos, warranties, insurance claim help and clear next steps after storms.
HVAC and plumbing businesses
Repairs, installs, maintenance plans and emergency calls each need their own page, with booking that works on a phone.
Web design for law firms
Practice area pages, attorney profiles and intake forms must follow lawyer advertising rules (ABA Model Rules 7.1 to 7.3 and your state bar). We work with your firm on any claims or disclaimers.
Web design for nonprofits
A nonprofit site needs to tell your story, make giving and volunteering easy and prove impact. We also manage Google Ad Grants for eligible nonprofits.
Clinics and healthcare practices
Patient privacy rules (HIPAA) affect forms, booking tools and tracking on health pages. We work with your compliance team so patient details aren't collected or shared carelessly.
Real estate agents and brokerages
Listings, neighborhood pages and agent profiles must follow Fair Housing rules in wording and images. We work with your broker or compliance contact on anything sensitive.
Insurance agencies
Product pages may need carrier approval and must follow state insurance rules. Quote forms that lead to calls or texts need proper consent under the TCPA (the US law on calls and texts).
Online stores
Product pages, checkout, shipping and returns must work smoothly on phones. Shopify or WooCommerce usually fits better than custom code.
B2B and professional services
Buyers research for weeks and involve several people. They need detailed service pages, proof and an easy way to book a call.
Who does what in your website project
Your proposal lists what Softscotch delivers, which outside people or tools we coordinate, and what we need from you, such as facts about your business, photos, logins and sign-off on each stage. Clear roles are the main thing that keeps a website project on time.
Planning, writing, design, build and launch.
- Review your current site and plan every page in a sitemap
- Write or edit the words for each page and plan photos and proof
- Design every page layout for phones, tablets and desktops
- Build the site, set up SEO basics, speed, accessibility and redirects
- Set up and test forms, call buttons, booking links and tracking
- Launch, watch the live site closely and train your team to edit it
The outside people and tools a website depends on.
- Work with your domain registrar and hosting company on access and setup
- Work with photographers, illustrators or video makers if you need them
- Work with your CRM, booking, payment or email tool providers
- Work with your old developer or agency to move files and access safely
- Work with your legal or compliance team on sensitive wording and forms
- Link up with our SEO, ads and lead follow-up teams if you add them
You stay in charge of your business facts and brand.
- Share facts about your services, prices approach, areas and customers
- Supply logos, brand files, photos and any existing content you want kept
- Give us access to your domain, hosting and current website accounts
- Approve the sitemap, the words, the designs and the final test site
- Check any legal, medical, financial or licensing claims on the pages
- Name one person who can make decisions so the project keeps moving
Our website design process and timeline
A typical small business website often takes about 8 to 12 weeks from kickoff to launch, once we have your logins, business details and a named person who can approve each stage. A small, simple site can be quicker. Online stores, custom features, large content moves and slow approvals make it longer. Google rankings and leads after launch run on their own schedule, so we never promise dates for them.
Website design project, from kickoff to launch
Kickoff, free review and access
We go through the results of your website review, agree the goals and what counts as a good lead, and collect logins for your domain, hosting, analytics and current site.
KPI Goals and access agreedPage plan and content plan
We map every page in a sitemap, choose which searches each page answers, list old addresses that need redirects and agree who writes and supplies photos.
KPI Sitemap approvedWords and design
Our writers draft the page copy from an interview with you. Designers create phone and desktop layouts using your real words, and you review clickable designs with set rounds of changes.
KPI Designs and copy approvedBuild on a test site
We build the site on a private test copy, add your content, set up SEO basics, schema, speed settings and accessibility features, and connect forms, booking and tracking.
KPI Test site readyTesting and your final review
We test on real phones and browsers, check accessibility and speed, send test form entries, check every redirect, and fix what you and we find before you sign off.
KPI Ready to launchLaunch, close watch and handover
The site goes live, we check Search Console, forms and tracking, fix anything that slipped and train your team. You get every login and a handover guide.
KPI Site live and handed overOur full growth plan (all services together), month by month
Foundation and review
We review your whole website, where you rank and your competitors, agree how the site should be organized, and set up hosting, analytics (visitor tracking) and your GoHighLevel lead system. The first agreed pages start going live.
KPI pages liveBuild and launch
The site is built or rebuilt. Main, service and industry pages go live with on-page SEO, website labels and technical fixes. Your Google Business Profile is improved and lead follow-up automations are switched on.
KPI pages in GoogleEarly rankings, paid ads start
More pages built from templates (programmatic pages) start going live, paid ads and email follow-ups are switched on for early leads, and Google adds your pages to its results as the first rankings usually appear.
KPI search terms rankingMomentum builds
Rankings often start climbing, visits from free search begin to rise, ad spending is tuned to the return it brings (ROAS, return on ad spend), and groups of related articles and links from other sites build your reputation with Google.
KPI visits from searchResults start to show
Main search terms can move closer to page one, the first leads from free search often arrive, AI tools may begin to mention you, and testing improvements to your pages (CRO, conversion rate optimization) helps more visitors get in touch.
KPI leads from searchGrowth builds on itself
Pages that are working are protected and improved, template pages bring in visitors searching for very specific terms, and SEO, ads, email and automation work together to bring steadier leads and sales. Timing varies by market and competition, and no ranking is guaranteed.
KPI leads and salesHow to choose a website design company
Before you hire anyone, ask to see real sites they built, who will write the words, who owns the domain and logins, how SEO and accessibility are handled, what happens after launch and exactly what the price includes. The list below shows the warning signs we hear about from owners, and what a good web design company should offer instead.
- Shows a few screenshots but won't share live sites you can test
- Gives a price before asking about your pages, content or goals
- Expects you to write every word, or fills pages with filler text
- Starts from a template and squeezes your business into it
- Treats SEO as an extra you buy after launch
- Launches a redesign without redirecting old web addresses
- Ignores accessibility, or promises "100% ADA compliance"
- Never tests whether form entries actually reach you
- Registers the domain or hosting in the agency's own name
- Disappears after launch, or charges for every small edit
- Shows real portfolio examples you can open on your own phone
- Sends a scoped proposal after a free review of your current site
- Writes or edits your copy, based on an interview with you
- Plans pages around your services, customers and searches first
- Builds SEO into the page plan, titles, links and schema from day one
- Maps every old web address to its new page to protect rankings
- Designs to WCAG 2.2 AA and reports exactly what was tested
- Tests every form, call button and booking link end to end
- Keeps your domain, hosting, site and every login in your name
- Trains you to edit, and offers clear support options after launch
Results from Softscotch client work.
These totals come from work for Softscotch clients across search, paid ads, websites and lead generation, as published on softscotch.com. Past results don't guarantee future results.
All six Softscotch client stories.
Every Quick Story currently published on Softscotch.com, covering education, ecommerce, healthcare and SaaS. Stock photography represents each client industry; the figures are reported historical results and do not guarantee future performance.
Education Ads + local SEO
183% more leads for an education consultancy
WordPress
Quora ads
Local SEOAn education consulting business in India needed to build its digital presence and lead flow from scratch.
- Built a new WordPress website
- Used Quora ads to grow daily lead volume
- Added Local SEO and community engagement
Home solutions Shopify + SEO
Home-solutions ecommerce growth
Shopify
Organic search
Amazon adsA home-solutions business was dependent on business-to-business (B2B) marketplaces, losing sales and recovering from a Google penalty.
- Resolved the Google penalty
- Revamped the website and online store
- Improved organic visibility and Amazon campaign performance
Health consultant $20/day
Five booked calls a day for a health consultant
Facebook ads
Google AdsA Houston lactation consultant needed to recover a malware-damaged website and rebuild local patient acquisition.
- Rebuilt the hacked site and migrated it to secure hosting
- Ran targeted Facebook and Google campaigns
- Reached top-three local Google positions
Ecommerce 10 months
315% organic growth for an ecommerce site
Content strategy
On-page SEOSoftscotch reports a 315% increase in ecommerce organic traffic over 10 months through focused on-page SEO.
- Optimized product and collection pages
- Improved the links between pages and the page addresses (URLs)
- Made the site easier for Google to explore and better matched to what people search for
SaaS platform Cold outreach
9% close rate for a transcription SaaS
Prospecting
Cold email
SMTPA transcription platform needed a qualified prospect list and a reliable email-sending setup for outreach we managed.
- Built a comprehensive prospecting list
- Managed the cold outreach campaigns
- Set up reliable email-sending servers (SMTP)
Healthcare 6 months
182% organic growth for a healthcare clinic
Healthcare
Off-page SEOA clinic in a competitive location needed to build organic search visibility from the ground up.
- Built the clinic's foundation for unpaid (organic) Google search
- Combined on-page and off-page SEO
- Reached top-five positions in Google Search
Teams that stopped leaving clicks on the table.
"The Softscotch team has been a solid partner as our business evolved over the last five years. Unlike most agencies, they have never charged us for work that falls outside the agreement. That is what sets them apart."
"Without their knowledge, we would be in a very different place than we are now. Whenever they find something that can be improved, they implement it quickly. I could not be happier with their performance and response time."
"Softscotch goes above and beyond the scope. The time, effort and dedication they put in is like having your own in-house marketing team. They are not just another marketing company."
"We are extremely happy with Softscotch, such an attentive team. No project is too small, and they give their 100%. We are extremely satisfied with their work."
"Softscotch is a great team to work with: transparent, reliable and genuinely invested in the growth of your company. They are good partners to have by your side."
"The Softscotch team has been a solid partner as our business evolved over the last five years. Unlike most agencies, they have never charged us for work that falls outside the agreement. That is what sets them apart."
"Without their knowledge, we would be in a very different place than we are now. Whenever they find something that can be improved, they implement it quickly. I could not be happier with their performance and response time."
"Softscotch goes above and beyond the scope. The time, effort and dedication they put in is like having your own in-house marketing team. They are not just another marketing company."
"We are extremely happy with Softscotch, such an attentive team. No project is too small, and they give their 100%. We are extremely satisfied with their work."
You'll always know exactly what we changed.
Plenty of agencies go quiet after the audit and you never quite know what you're paying for. We do the opposite. You get a live view of every change and what it moved, in plain language you can act on.
Live client dashboard
Every change, score and ranking in one place you can open any time, not a monthly PDF you wait around for.
Ready for your review
Weekly video summary
A short screen-recorded video (Loom) each week walking you through exactly what shipped and what it moved, so nothing is a mystery.
Before
After
Before/after score per page
See the exact lift on every page we touch, not a vague "it's improving" you have to take on faith.
Approved page updates are live.
Product details need a review.
Confirm the next priority pages.
Plain-English reporting
Clicks, rankings and revenue, explained in words you can act on, instead of a wall of charts about how often you were seen (impression charts.
Reports on demand
Ask for any cut of the data whenever you need it and get it, no waiting for the end of the month.
- ✓Proposed
Softscotch prepares the change.
- ✓Approved
Your team gives the go-ahead.
- ✓Published
Checked live and recorded.
Ethical, transparent, always on
One accountable team, strictly white-hat (only methods search engines and platforms allow), no shortcuts and no surprises. Support whenever you need it.
One Softscotch plan gives you access to the full service stack, coordinated around your priorities.
You do not need a separate agency or retainer for every channel. Your plan can draw from search, paid media, web, ecommerce, outreach, automation, lead generation, messaging, content, creative and operations. The agreed scope sets what is active, in what order and at what capacity.
Website design company FAQs
These answers cover what's included, cost, timelines, who writes the content, ownership, accessibility, SEO, redesigns, platforms, support after launch, our portfolio, the free website review and how to choose the right company.
What does a website design company do, and what's included with Softscotch?
A website design company plans, writes, designs and builds your website. With Softscotch, the work can include a review of your current site, a page plan (sitemap), copywriting, design for phones and desktops, the build on WordPress, Shopify or custom code, SEO basics, speed setup, accessibility checks, forms, booking and tracking, launch and training. Your proposal lists the pages, page layouts, platform and extras that are included.
How much does website design cost?
It depends mostly on the type of site. A simple brochure site costs the least. A lead-generation site with many service and location pages, forms and tracking costs more. An online store adds products, payments and shipping. Custom features such as booking or member areas cost the most. Within each type, price follows the number of page layouts and pages, who writes the copy, photography, moving old content, connected tools and support after launch. Outside costs, such as your domain, hosting, paid plugins or a Shopify plan, are listed separately. Request a quote and we'll send a scoped proposal.
How long does a website design project take?
A typical small business website often takes about 8 to 12 weeks from kickoff to launch. A small, simple site can be quicker. Online stores, custom features, large content moves and late approvals make it longer. The biggest cause of delay is waiting for content, photos or logins, so we agree dates for those at kickoff.
Who writes the content and supplies the photos?
You choose. Our writers can interview you and write every page in plain words, or edit content you write yourself. You always check facts, prices and claims. For photos, real images of your team and work build the most trust. We can plan a photo list, work with a photographer or use carefully chosen stock photos. Your proposal states who supplies what.
Will I own my website, domain and logins?
Yes. Your domain, hosting account, website files, admin logins, Google Analytics and Search Console are set up in your name, with Softscotch given access only as a user. If you ever move to another company, you take everything with you. If your current domain or hosting is in an old designer's name, we help you get it moved into yours before we start.
Will my website be accessible and ADA compliant?
We design and build to the WCAG 2.2 AA guidelines, the most widely used web accessibility standard, and test key pages with automated tools plus hands-on checks such as keyboard-only use. US courts and the Department of Justice often point to WCAG, but we can't give legal advice or promise a site is fully "ADA compliant" or free from claims. We tell you what we tested, what we fixed and what to keep checking.
What is website design for SEO, and can you guarantee rankings?
Website design for SEO means building the site so Google can find, read and understand every page from day one: a clear page plan, one page for each main service and area, good page titles and headings, fast loading, internal links, schema and redirects from your old site. It gives you a strong base, but no honest company can guarantee rankings, traffic or leads. Those also depend on your competition, your reputation and Google's own choices.
Should I redesign my current website or start over?
It depends on what our free review finds. If your site is on a sound platform and you can edit it, a redesign or a set of fixes may be enough. If it's slow, hard to edit or built on a system you can't take with you, a fresh build is often cheaper in the long run. We'll tell you honestly, including when you don't need a new site yet.
WordPress, Shopify or custom: which platform is right for me?
WordPress is usually the best fit for service businesses and content-heavy sites, because it's flexible and easy to edit. Shopify is usually best when selling products online is the main goal. Custom code makes sense when you need features a standard platform can't handle well. We recommend a platform based on what you sell and who will edit the site.
Will I lose my Google rankings when you redesign my site?
Redesigns can lose rankings when old web addresses break or useful content is removed. We protect them by listing every page that gets visits or links today, keeping or improving that content, and setting up permanent redirects (301 redirects) from each old address to its new page. After launch we watch Search Console for errors and fix them quickly. Rankings can still move for a few weeks while Google re-reads the site.
What happens after launch, and can I edit the site myself?
Yes. We build simple editing controls and train your team to change text, photos, hours and blog posts. After launch we watch the live site closely for a few weeks and fix anything that slipped. Then you can choose an optional care plan for updates, backups, security checks and small edits, or look after the site yourself.
Can I see examples of websites you've designed?
Yes. We have a real website design portfolio and we're happy to share recent work close to your industry or budget. Open the sites on your own phone and see how fast they load. Ask for examples when you request your free website review.
What's in the free website review?
Send us your website address and we'll check seven things: speed, how it works on phones, SEO and Google, the words and proof on your pages, how visitors get in touch, accessibility, and tracking and ownership. You get a plain-English summary of what's working, what isn't and whether you need repairs, a redesign or a new site. There's no obligation to hire us.
How do I choose the right website design company?
Look at live sites they've built, not just screenshots. Ask who writes the words, how SEO and accessibility are handled, how they protect rankings during a redesign, and whether forms are tested. Make sure the domain, hosting and logins will be in your name. Ask for a written scope listing pages, timelines, outside costs and exclusions. Be careful with anyone who guarantees rankings or quotes before understanding your business.