Answers before we start so the process is clear
This page collects questions that usually appear before working with a website development company. It covers how StartWebTop works as a compact web agency, how website developers handle projects, how SEO optimization and ADS campaigns are organized, and what to expect in terms of timelines and budgets.
- How projects are organized and what is required from you
- What is included in website development and SEO optimization
- When ADS or one-time audit is more adequate than full system
- How pricing, contracts and support are usually structured
General questions about StartWebTop
How StartWebTop positions itself, what type of businesses it works with and what results you can realistically expect.
What type of businesses does StartWebTop work with?
The focus is on real local service businesses in the US: house painting, bathtub refinishing, cleaning, excavation, interior design, small studios and similar services. The same approach can be applied to other niches where clients search in Google and need clear information before contacting you.
Is StartWebTop a single freelancer or a web agency?
StartWebTop works as a compact web agency: one place where website developers, design, copy and SEO optimization logic are combined into one process. For you it means one contact point and a single system instead of coordinating several separate vendors.
What is usually the main goal of projects?
The goal is predictable lead flow from Google search, maps and paid traffic. Design and code are important, but they are always built around clear positioning, structure and measurement, not only visual effects.
Can we start with a small test project?
Yes. Many clients start with a compact landing page, one-time audit or base local SEO setup for one city. After first results and trust, the project can grow into a broader system that covers more services and locations.
Do you work only in English?
Main focus is English-language websites for US markets. It is possible to add extra languages for specific communities (Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian), but the core structure and SEO roadmap are always built for English first.
Website development questions
How website developers handle new builds and redesigns, what is included in the work and how a website development company measures success.
What is included in a typical website project?
A standard project includes research of your niche and competitors, sitemap and page structure, design in StartWebTop style, copywriting for key pages, hand-coded HTML/CSS/JS layout, basic SEO optimization, forms and analytics setup. The result is a fast, mobile-first website ready for promotion.
Do you use templates or build from scratch?
Layout and structure are built individually for each business, based on your services and cities. Internal libraries and patterns are used to speed up work, but each project is customized so that it looks and feels like your brand, not a generic theme.
Can you redesign an existing website instead of building a new one?
Yes. If the technical base is adequate, StartWebTop can redesign structure, content and key pages on top of your current platform. If the old system limits speed or SEO, the recommendation may be to rebuild with a cleaner, performance-focused stack.
How will the website be optimized for conversions?
Each page receives clear call-to-action blocks, trust elements, service benefits and logical next steps. Contact options such as forms, calls, quote requests and maps are always placed in visible places, especially on mobile. The goal is that visitors understand who you are, what you do and how to reach you in a few seconds.
Do I need to prepare text and images myself?
You provide basic business information: services, cities, prices, main advantages and any unique details. StartWebTop structures this information, writes website copy and helps with selecting or generating visuals. If you already have content, it can be reused and improved for clarity and SEO.
Who owns the website after launch?
You own the domain, hosting account and website files. StartWebTop can stay as a long-term partner for SEO and support, but the project is not locked to one vendor. If needed, your internal team or another web agency can take over later.
Local SEO and SEO optimization questions
How the local SEO system is built, what SEO optimization means in practice and which results you can expect over time.
What is included in local SEO work?
Local SEO usually includes mapping of services and cities, creation or rebuilding of key service pages, optimization of titles, headings and content, internal linking, schema markup, Google Business Profile optimization, local citations and a plan for reviews and authority growth.
How long does it take to see SEO results?
For new websites in competitive cities it usually takes 3–6 months to see stable traffic and leads from organic search. In less competitive areas or for businesses with existing authority, first movements can appear earlier. SEO is a long-term system, not a two-week campaign.
Can you guarantee first positions in Google?
No serious SEO partner or website development company can guarantee an exact position or number of leads. What can be guaranteed is transparent work, clear scope, technical quality, realistic expectations and regular reporting on rankings, traffic and conversions.
Do I need SEO if I only plan to run ADS?
Paid traffic can bring leads without strong rankings, but landing pages must still be fast, clear and trustworthy. Basic SEO optimization is recommended even for ADS-only campaigns: it improves quality scores, lowers click prices and helps your website start growing in organic search in parallel.
Can you work only on SEO for my existing website?
Yes, if the current structure and platform are acceptable. StartWebTop can perform a deep audit and then implement SEO optimization steps on your existing website. If the foundation is too weak, a rebuild may be recommended to avoid paying for fixes that do not solve root problems.
ADS and campaigns questions
For businesses that want leads from Google Ads or Meta before the full SEO system produces stable volume.
When does it make sense to start with ADS instead of SEO?
ADS is reasonable when you need leads quickly, want to test a new service or city, or when the niche has strong competition and SEO will take more time. Paid traffic gives data on which offers and cities convert best, and this data can then be used to build a long-term SEO plan.
What platforms do you usually use?
Main platforms are Google Search and Performance Max for high-intent queries, and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) for lead campaigns in specific areas. The exact mix depends on your niche, budget and how your clients usually search.
What minimum advertising budget is adequate?
For most local service businesses, it makes sense to start from $500–700 per month in media spend per city or cluster of cities. Smaller budgets usually produce too little data to make meaningful decisions about optimization.
How is campaign success measured?
Before launch, key actions are defined: calls, quote requests, contact forms or bookings. Tracking is implemented using events and conversions. The main metrics are cost per lead, lead quality and how many real projects appear from each channel.
Technical, hosting and support questions
What happens after launch, who manages hosting and how ongoing changes are handled.
Where will the website be hosted?
You can use your current hosting provider or move to a recommended one with good performance for US visitors. Hosting is always registered in your name. StartWebTop can help with setup and deployment, but access remains under your control.
What about page speed and Core Web Vitals?
Websites are built with lightweight, hand-written HTML/CSS/JS, without heavy builders. Images are optimized, lazy loading is used where it is reasonable, and scripts are kept minimal. The goal is to keep Core Web Vitals in the green zone, which helps both users and SEO.
Can my internal developer continue working on the site later?
Yes. Code is kept clean and structured so another developer or web agency can understand and extend it. If needed, StartWebTop can prepare short technical notes for your team about structure, components and deployment.
Do you provide ongoing support after launch?
There are usually two options: ad-hoc support billed per task or a monthly package that includes SEO optimization, content growth, ADS management and technical updates. The format depends on how actively you plan to develop the project.
What happens if something breaks on the website?
During the first weeks after launch, critical technical issues related to the initial build are fixed without extra cost. Later, support is handled either under a monthly plan or through individual tasks with clear estimates before work.
Pricing, contracts and cooperation format
How budgets are calculated, how contracts are structured and what you can expect from a cooperation with a compact web agency.
How is the price for a website calculated?
The main factors are number of pages, complexity of structure, number of languages and whether additional elements such as blog, portfolio or store are required. After a short discovery call or form, you receive a fixed scope with a clear price range, not an open hourly estimate.
Do you work with prepayment?
Yes. For most projects the structure is 50% before start and 50% on completion before final transfer. For longer SEO or ADS projects, work is usually billed monthly at the beginning of each period.
Is there a long-term contract for SEO or ADS?
There is usually a minimum recommended period of three months, because SEO optimization and campaign tuning require time. After that, cooperation can continue month-to-month with one month notice for stopping work.
What is a good budget level for combined system: website + SEO?
For many local businesses in the US, adequate starting investment for a new website and base local SEO system begins from around $1490, plus monthly SEO or ADS budget if you want ongoing promotion. Exact numbers depend on niche complexity and number of cities.
What if my situation does not fit any standard package?
Then the project is scoped individually. The starting point is always your current assets, market and goals: sometimes it is smarter to launch a compact landing with strong ADS, sometimes to rebuild the entire structure first. The task of StartWebTop as a website development company is to propose an adequate sequence, not just sell a fixed package.