No guesswork, no shortcuts, no cookie-cutter sites. Just clear timelines, strategic design, and a team that knows Brantford inside and out. Every project is built for speed, mobile performance, and long-term impact—with real people guiding the process from start to finish. Whether it’s SEO, support, or seamless integration, everything’s handled with precision. The FAQs lay it all out—straightforward, no-nonsense, and built to set expectations right from the start.
General queries?
An assortment of our most frequently asked questions, from pricing to maintenance and everything in-between.
Most websites take 4–6 weeks from the time we receive all your content. Larger or more complex projects may take 6–8 weeks. We’ll give you a timeline estimate up front based on your scope.
We keep things simple and collaborative. We guide you from planning and layout to final edits and launch. You’ll be involved throughout the process or we can take the wheel if you prefer a hands-off approach.
We offer ongoing support through our hosting plans and can help with edits, technical fixes, and updates. Our hourly rate is $80 if you need assistance beyond your included support.
We build every site with SEO best practices in place and can include social media integration or advanced SEO strategies if needed.
You’ll work directly with Trevor, who’ll walk you through the scope of your project and make sure everything’s on track. Hayley helps with all website inquiries and keeps the communication flowing. Behind the scenes, we’ve got a small but mighty team that handles the design, development, and everything in between.
We provide clear timelines and regular updates. If we say a project will take 6 weeks, we stick to it. Accountability is part of how we do business.
We’ve been working with Brantford businesses for over a decade and understand the local landscape. We tailor websites to resonate with your market.
DIY tools and freelancers may cost less, but they often miss the mark. We bring years of strategy, design, SEO, and local experience under one roof, so you get it done right the first time.
Yes, every site we build is optimized for speed and performance on mobile and desktop. We test everything before launch to make sure your site loads fast and works smoothly.
Our base website package starts at $1,850, which includes design, setup, and five custom pages. Additional pages are $350 each. We also offer optional services like hosting and SEO support if you need more visibility online.
Web Design questions?
What might be going through your head if you’re wondering about our web development services.
We offer a free consultation so you can tell us about your goals and budget. We’ll show you examples of similar projects we’ve done for local businesses and walk you through how we can help you succeed.
We’re proud of our reputation and the feedback we’ve earned from our clients. We invite you to check out our Google reviews, testimonials on our site, and examples of our past work.
Yes we’ve built wholesale ordering systems and B2B e-commerce solutions for manufacturers and distributors. If you need features like customer-specific pricing, bulk ordering, or login-restricted portals, we can make it happen.
Absolutely. Beyond just design and development, we can help with:
- Setting up secure payment gateways
- Integrating shipping and inventory management
- Search engine optimization (SEO) for product pages
- Ongoing maintenance and updates
We aim to create an online store that works as hard as you do.
E-commerce websites have unique challenges: product catalogs, inventory integration, secure payments, and seamless customer experience. The best agencies understand how to design for conversions, optimize for speed, and integrate the right tools (like Shopify, WooCommerce, or custom platforms).
Yes we have extensive experience designing and building e-commerce websites for online retailers, manufacturers, and wholesale distributors. Whether you need a sleek online store, a product showcase site, or a portal for your wholesale customers, we can tailor a solution that fits your business and your audience.
Often, yes, but cheaper doesn’t always mean better. Freelancers might save you money up front, but if they’re unavailable later or can’t scale with your business, you may end up paying more in the long run to fix or rebuild your site.
With a company, you get:
- A team of experts in multiple disciplines
- Dedicated project management to keep things on track
- Ongoing support after launch
- The ability to handle larger or more complex projects
If you’re building a website for a software platform, a financial advisory, or a law firm, having a reliable, accountable partner is key.
Both options have pros and cons. It depends on your needs. A freelancer can be a good fit for very small, simple projects and tight budgets. They usually work alone, which can limit availability and expertise in certain areas.
A web design company, like Smashing Pixels, brings a full team to the table designers, developers, SEO specialists, and project managers so your site is professional and supported long-term. This is especially important for industries like technology, finance, and law, where trust and compliance matter.
We’re used to working with small businesses and understand budget constraints. During your consultation, we’ll talk through what you can invest and recommend the most cost-effective options that still give you a professional result.
Yes, things like hosting, domain name renewal, maintenance, and updates are ongoing. We can manage all of that for you with affordable monthly plans, or you can handle them yourself if you prefer.
Every business is different. A simple real estate agent site with listings needs very different functionality than an online learning platform or a clinic with online appointment booking. The more complex the site, the more time and expertise required. We’ll help you choose only the features you really need so you don’t overpay.
Absolutely. We’ve built sites for retail shops, restaurants, tradespeople, and more. If your business needs to sell products online, show off a menu, or book appointments, we can integrate the right tools to make it seamless for your customers.
Most websites can be designed and launched in 4–6 weeks, depending on how quickly you can provide content and feedback. We’ll give you a clear timeline up front so you know what to expect.
DIY builders can work in a pinch, but a professional website makes your business look more credible, performs better in search results, and saves you time and frustration. We make sure your site is mobile-friendly, fast, and built to convert visitors into customers.
Costs vary depending on what you need; basic sites start around $1,850 and scale up for added features like e-commerce, booking systems, or custom designs. We’ll work with your budget to find the best solution that fits.
While we work with businesses of all sizes, we love helping small businesses and startups. Whether you’re launching your first online store, need a simple service-based website, or want to refresh your digital presence, we’ve got options tailored just for you.
The best web design companies for small businesses understand your unique challenges like working with a smaller budget, needing fast results, and creating a site that’s easy to maintain. At Smashing Pixels, we specialize in building affordable, professional websites that help small businesses get found online and grow.
SEO inquests?
These three quizzical letters may make all the difference to your website’s traffic.
No honest agency can guarantee #1 rankings—because search results depend on many factors outside anyone’s control. Be cautious of agencies making big promises with unrealistic timelines. Instead, look for an agency that focuses on sustainable, measurable improvements over time.
Reputable agencies stay current by monitoring industry news, attending SEO conferences, testing strategies, and adapting quickly to algorithm updates. SEO is an evolving field, and staying ahead of trends is part of what you’re paying us for.
We handle the heavy lifting, but your input is still valuable—like reviewing content, providing insights about your customers, and approving strategy changes. Expect regular updates, reports, and strategy discussions to keep you informed and aligned with the progress.
The main risks are hiring a company that uses black hat tactics, overpromises results, or lacks transparency. To avoid this:
- Research their reputation.
- Ask detailed questions.
Demand clear reporting and communication.
Working with a reputable agency mitigates most risks.
Agencies usually charge a monthly retainer, though some offer one-time audits or project-based pricing. Costs depend on your goals, competition level, and how much work is needed—like content creation, technical fixes, or link building. Bigger goals and more competitive markets typically cost more.
- What specific strategies will you use for my business?
- How will you measure and report success?
- Can you show me examples of past results?
- Do you follow search engine guidelines?
- What happens if my site gets penalized?
These questions help you gauge their expertise and honesty.
Success isn’t just about rankings—it’s about more traffic, more qualified leads, and more conversions. You should expect steady progress over months, not overnight. An agency should report on key metrics like keyword rankings, organic traffic, engagement, and ROI to show growth over time.
Look for:
- A proven track record and client testimonials.
- Transparency about their methods and reporting.
- Clear communication and realistic expectations.
- Customized strategies, not cookie-cutter plans.
A focus on long-term growth, not quick (and risky) wins.
White hat SEO uses ethical, sustainable strategies that comply with search engine guidelines—like creating quality content and improving user experience. Black hat SEO uses shortcuts and manipulative tactics that can result in penalties or even removal from search results. Always choose an agency committed to white hat practices to protect your reputation and long-term results.
If you rely on your website to generate leads or sales—and your competitors are showing up above you in search results—it’s time to invest in SEO. Businesses that have a clear goal, a budget for marketing, and a desire to grow their online presence are ideal candidates.
SEO takes expertise, tools, and time. Agencies bring a full team of specialists with experience across industries, proven strategies, and access to advanced analytics software. This lets you focus on running your business while we handle the technical and creative work of getting you found online.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of improving your website so it ranks higher in search engine results for the keywords your customers are searching for. Better rankings mean more visibility, more visitors, and more opportunities to turn those visitors into paying customers.