If you take a moment to search for web design services, you’ll quickly notice that many companies claiming to be ‘web designers’ don’t actually design websites. Their business model, though appealing, often follows a simple formula: the agency buys a website template (typically around $49), you provide a domain, and they apply the template, leaving you to add the content. While this approach isn’t inherently bad, it’s far from true web design.

GMW Solution Designs Websites

At GMW Solution, we understand that templates can sometimes be a practical solution for businesses that only need a simple online presence—for example, something to include on a business card. However, for companies that depend on their website to attract customers and grow their business, a custom-designed website is a far better investment. Templates, while convenient, often lack flexibility and can be frustrating to work with.

We believe every website should be as unique as the business it represents. At GMWSolution, we create websites that showcase your strengths, build trust and credibility, and position you as an authority in your industry. A well-designed website not only elevates your business but also serves as a cornerstone of your success. So, yes, we truly design websites!

A modern website is a sophisticated and dynamic tool that serves various purposes. It’s no surprise that most of our website projects evolve into long-term partnerships—not due to contractual obligations (as our projects are typically fixed-price and pay-and-own), but because of the value we provide.

Start with the Right Questions

Ask yourself:

• What do I need my website to accomplish?
• What pages should it include?
• What features would benefit my customers?

If you’re unsure, partnering with an agency that can guide you is essential. Every project we undertake begins with a Website Plan & Strategy phase. This process defines your site’s structure, layout, and functionality. While you may not know what’s possible, we do.

Meeting Your Business Needs

Every business is unique, and we tailor our solutions to fit your specific goals. Here are some common needs and how we address them:

• Logo & Graphic Design: From logos and branding to graphics and print materials, we handle it all. Having the same team for your website and graphic design ensures consistency and saves time.
• Custom Development: Our experienced developers can build any functionality you need. If your vision exceeds your budget, we’ll work with you to find practical alternatives.
• Integration & Automation: As certified Zapier experts, we streamline workflows and integrate APIs seamlessly to enhance your website’s functionality.
• Content Writing: We can plan, write, or refine your website content to ensure it aligns with your brand and resonates with your audience. If you already have content, we can proofread and polish it to perfection.
• SEO Marketing: Attracting new customers starts with search engine optimization. We incorporate SEO best practices from the very beginning, ensuring your website is ready to perform well in organic search results.

No matter your requirements, we design and build websites that deliver on your goals and serve as a cornerstone for your business’s success.

If you believe you've purchased a website for 12 easy monthly payments of $99, think again—you might be in for an unpleasant surprise. Be wary of web design companies that effectively rent you your own website. Always review the terms and buy-out options carefully. Ensure you own not just the “website,” but also the domain, phone number, email address, and all site content. We've encountered far too many cases of "website hostage" situations, and unfortunately, the outcome is rarely in the client’s favor.

At GMWSolution, you retain 100% ownership of everything we create for you. No exceptions, no fine print.

It’s essential to understand what your role will be throughout the project. Successful website development relies on collaboration. One common pitfall in web design projects is unclear responsibilities—a problem we’ve seen firsthand when we’ve had to step in and rescue unfinished projects. Defining clear roles from the outset is critical to ensuring a successful outcome.

Here are five key areas where your involvement will be crucial:

1. Project Kickoff & Onboarding Questionnaire

This process usually involves two meetings. In the first, we’ll introduce our workflow and outline the details we need to create a website tailored to your business. Following this, we’ll send you an onboarding questionnaire, which we’ll review together in a second meeting to gather all necessary input.

2. Website Plan Approval

Using your goals and the information from the questionnaire, we’ll create a blueprint for your new website. This will include a list of pages, their structure, and key functional elements. We’ll seek your feedback and approval before moving to the next phase: design. At this stage, we’ll also clarify what content you’ll provide versus what we’ll create for you.

3. Webpage Design Approvals

We’ll design your website pages, and you’ll provide feedback. This process continues iteratively until all pages are finalized and approved. You’ll have unlimited design revisions to ensure your satisfaction before we proceed to development.

4. Final Walk-Through

Once the designs are coded and the website is thoroughly tested on various devices and scenarios, we’ll conduct a final walk-through. Together, we’ll review your new site’s pages and functionality. Any last-minute adjustments will be made, after which we’ll migrate your site to its hosting environment. For redesigns, we’ll ensure all old pages redirect to their new equivalents to avoid any confusion for visitors.

5. Celebrate Your New Site

After the site goes live, it’s time to celebrate! During the Project Wrap-Up presentation, we’ll ensure you’re fully comfortable with managing your new site. We’ll provide a tutorial on editing and maintaining your website, package backups for safekeeping, and discuss future opportunities to maximize the value of our partnership.

With clear roles and a collaborative approach, we’ll create a website you’ll love while making the process smooth and stress-free.

Website costs can vary widely, much like buying a house (though websites are usually far more affordable!). Can you get a website for $1,000? Absolutely. Are there websites that cost $100,000 or more? That’s true too. The question is: are you looking for a one-page site or something more expansive?

Just as important as the price is understanding the terms. Does the web design agency charge $150 per hour with an “estimate” of 100 hours? What happens if you want to add content or pages—will there be extra charges? Do you pay for each revision? And what about hosting?

At SmartSites, we’re happy to provide a clear cost for your website project, but we’ll need some initial input from you. Since no two projects are alike, we’ll review your goals and requirements to create a detailed project scope. For most projects, we aim to offer a fixed cost—one flat fee. You pay half upfront and the remainder at launch. Reach out to us to get a personalized quote for your website design and development!

Experience plays a crucial role in creating successful websites, and we take pride in our extensive expertise in website design and development. In education, we’ve built websites for institutions like Harvard University. In the automotive sector, we’ve collaborated with some of the biggest car brands. We’re equally proud of the websites we’ve crafted for doctors, plumbers, lawyers, non-profits, and the many small businesses we’ve had the privilege to serve.