The Complete Guide to Website Services for Business Owners

Owning a website today is a lot like owning a car. Buying the car is just the beginning — you also need gas, insurance, maintenance, repairs, and the occasional upgrade. The same is true with websites. Launching your site is just step one. To keep it running smoothly, secure, and effective at attracting customers, you’ll need a mix of different services working together.

But here’s the problem: for most small business owners, the world of website services feels confusing and overwhelming. Hosting, SSL, SEO, DNS, maintenance — what do these terms even mean, and which ones do you actually need?

Over the years, I’ve met hundreds of business owners who were frustrated with their websites. Some had sites that looked great but didn’t show up on Google. Others were paying for services they didn’t really need, while ignoring the ones that mattered most. A few even thought that once you launched a website, you were “done” — only to be surprised when things broke or traffic dropped off.

I created this guide because I know what it feels like to run a business and not have time to learn “tech talk.” As a small business owner myself, I get it — you just want your website to work, attract customers, and help your business grow.

This guide is here to:

• Demystify the jargon. I’ll explain services in plain English with real-world examples.
• Show you your options. From free tools to premium solutions, you’ll see what’s out there.
• Set realistic expectations. What things cost, what they do, and what you should budget for.
• Help you prioritize. Not every website needs every service right away. I’ll help you know where to start.

Think of this guide like having a trusted mechanic walk you through car ownership — only this time, it’s about websites. Whether you’re just launching your first WordPress site or you’ve been managing one for years, this resource will help you understand the big picture and make smarter choices.

By the time you finish reading, you’ll know exactly what goes into building and maintaining a successful website — and you’ll feel confident making smart decisions about where to spend your time and budget.

Before you can design a beautiful website or start marketing online, you need a few core services in place. Think of these as the foundation of your digital storefront.

If your website were a physical shop:

• The domain is your street address.
• The hosting is the building where you set up shop.
• The SSL certificate is the lock on your front door.
• And DNS is the map that helps customers find you.

Without these basics, you don’t have a reliable “location” for your business online. Let’s break them down one by one, starting with your domain and DNS.

Domain Registration & DNS (Your Website’s Address and GPS)

When you tell someone to visit your website, you usually give them an address like yourbusiness.com. That’s your domain name — it’s what people type into their browser to find you, just like a street address helps customers find your shop in town.

But an address by itself isn’t enough. Behind the scenes, something called DNS (Domain Name System) works like a GPS or phonebook for the internet. It takes the easy-to-remember name (yourbusiness.com) and points it to the exact location of your website files on a server.

Here’s the analogy:

• Domain name: “123 Main Street” on your business card.
• DNS: The GPS that takes people to the right building when they plug in the address.

What to Expect

• Costs: Domains usually cost between $10–$20 per year. Fancy extensions (.io, .co, .store) can be more.
• Registration: You buy and renew your domain through a registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains.
• Management: If you move hosts or set up business email, you may need to update your DNS records. This sounds technical, but most registrars provide step-by-step instructions.

Domain Owner’s Checklist & Pro Tips

• Register your domain under your own name/account, not an agency’s.
• Turn on auto-renew so you don’t lose it.
• Buy common variations/misspellings to protect your brand.
• Keep DNS records organized (note which services use email, hosting, etc.).
• Treat your domain like your business sign — keep it secure and current.
• Always register your domain in your own name. You’d be surprised how many business owners let an employee or agency register it, and then lose access later.
• Consider buying common variations (like .net or misspellings) to protect your brand.
• Set your domain to auto-renew — losing your domain is like losing the keys to your shop.

Web Hosting (Your Website’s Building)

If your domain is your address, then web hosting is the building where your store lives. It’s the place where all your website files, images, and content are stored so visitors can access them online. Here’s the analogy:

• Shared hosting: Renting a booth at a flea market. Cheap, but crowded and unpredictable.
• VPS (Virtual Private Server): Renting an office in a shared building. More space and control.
• Dedicated server: Owning your own entire building. Full control, but full responsibility.
• Managed WordPress hosting: Hiring a property manager to handle cleaning, security, and utilities so you can focus on your business.

What Costs to Expect

• Shared hosting: ~$10–$20/month (budget-friendly but limited).
• VPS/Cloud hosting: ~$30–$80/month (better performance, more technical).
• Managed WordPress hosting: ~$25–$40+/month (best balance for most businesses).

Hosting Checklist & Pro Tips

• Don’t chase the cheapest plan — hosting is your website’s foundation.
• Look for uptime guarantees (99.9% or higher). Downtime = closed store.
• Check what’s included: backups, SSL, security, staging sites.
• Pick a host that can grow with you — it’s painful to move later.
• For WordPress sites, managed WordPress hosting usually saves time and headaches.

SSL/TLS Certificates (The Lock on Your Website’s Front Door)

Imagine walking up to a shop and noticing the front door has no lock. Would you feel safe leaving your credit card or personal information inside? Probably not.

That’s exactly how people (and search engines) view a website without an SSL certificate.

An SSL/TLS certificate is like the lock on your store’s front door. It encrypts the data moving between your visitors and your website, keeping things like passwords, contact form details, and payment information secure. When your site has SSL, visitors see the little padlock icon in their browser bar and your web address starts with https:// instead of just http://.

What to Expect

• Costs: Basic SSL certificates are often free these days (thanks to providers like Let’s Encrypt). Higher-assurance certificates (OV or EV) can cost anywhere from $50–$200+/year, usually only needed by large enterprises or banks.
• Setup: Many hosting providers include SSL for free and even auto-renew it. If not, you may need to install it manually or purchase one.
• Trust factor: Google favors secure sites, and most browsers will now warn visitors if your site isn’t protected.

SSL Owner’s Checklist & Pro Tips

• Always make sure your site shows the padlock in the browser. No padlock = no trust.
• If your host offers free SSL (most do), take advantage of it.
• For small business websites, a free or basic SSL is usually enough.
• For eCommerce or sites handling sensitive data, consider upgrading to a paid option with additional verification.
• Don’t forget renewals — an expired SSL is like locking the door and losing the key. Visitors will be turned away with a scary warning.

Professional Email (Your Business Email Address)

Picture this… You walk into a new store, and the owner hands you a business card. The card says bakerjohn@gmail.com. Now imagine a different card that says john@mainstreetbakery.com

Which one feels more trustworthy?

That’s the difference a professional email address makes. Just like polished signage on your shop front builds confidence, having email on your own domain (yourname@yourbusiness.com) instantly makes you look more professional and credible.

What to Expect

• Costs: Professional email services usually cost $6–$12 per user per month, depending on the provider and features.
• Options:
  • Google Workspace (Gmail) — familiar, reliable, integrates with Google tools.
  • Microsoft 365 (Outlook) — popular with businesses that use Word, Excel, Teams, etc.
  • Host-provided email — some hosting plans include email, but reliability and storage can be limited.
• Setup: Typically involves updating DNS records (MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC). Don’t worry — most providers walk you through it with step-by-step guides.

Professional Email Owner’s Checklist & Pro Tips

• Always use your domain name in your email (e.g., john@yourbusiness.com).
• Choose a provider that fits your workflow — Gmail lovers → Google Workspace, Microsoft users → Microsoft 365.
• If you’re on a budget, start with host-provided email, but plan to upgrade as you grow.
• Set up spam protection and security records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to improve email deliverability.
• Keep all your business emails under one domain — it helps build brand recognition and trust.

Putting It All Together (Your Website’s Foundation)

Let’s step back for a second. If your website were a physical store on Main Street, here’s what we’ve covered so far:

• Domain Name: Your street address that customers type into their GPS.
• DNS: The GPS system that makes sure people land at the right building.
• Hosting: The building where your store actually lives.
• SSL Certificate: The lock on your front door that keeps transactions safe.
• Professional Email: The business card you hand out that shows you’re the real deal.

Each of these services may seem small on its own, but together they form the foundation of your online presence. Just like you wouldn’t open a store without an address, a secure lock, and a working phone number, you shouldn’t run a website without these basics in place.

Foundation Services Owner’s Checklist & Pro Tips

• Make sure you own and renew your domain name.
• Choose a hosting plan that can grow with your business — it’s your website’s building.
• Always have a valid SSL certificate so customers feel safe.
• Use a professional email tied to your domain for credibility.
• Keep logins and renewal dates organized — these are the keys to your digital storefront.

Once your foundation is set, you’re ready to move on to the fun part: planning, designing, and building your website so it actually attracts and serves customers.

Once your foundation is in place (domain, hosting, SSL, and email), it’s time to actually build the storefront your customers will visit. This is the stage where your vision becomes reality — from floor plans (strategy) to interior design (visuals) to stocking the shelves (content).

Every successful website build has four parts: Discovery & Strategy, UX/UI Design, Development, and Content Creation. Let’s break them down.

Discovery & Strategy (Blueprints Before the Build)

Imagine building a house without blueprints. You’d end up with misplaced doors, missing windows, and no idea where the plumbing goes. The same is true with websites.

Discovery & Strategy is about asking the right questions before any design work begins:

• Who is your ideal customer?
• What problems are they trying to solve?
• What do you want them to do when they visit your site (call, buy, sign up, donate)?
• What’s your budget and timeline?

This stage results in a plan: a sitemap (your site’s “floor plan”), a content outline, and clear goals so you don’t waste money building features you don’t need.

UX/UI Design (The Look and Flow of Your Store)

Once the blueprint is ready, it’s time to design. This is the paint, layout, and signage of your website — the part that customers see and interact with.

• UX (User Experience): How people move through your site. Is it easy to find products, contact you, or learn more? Good UX is like designing a store where customers can find the checkout without hunting for it.
• UI (User Interface): The colors, fonts, buttons, and imagery. It’s the style and personality that make people feel comfortable sticking around.

For WordPress sites, this stage often means choosing a theme or builder (like Divi) and customizing it to reflect your brand.

WordPress Development (Bringing the Store to Life)

Design is just the vision — development is what makes it functional. It’s the framing, wiring, and plumbing of your website.

In WordPress, this means:

• Setting up themes and plugins.
• Building custom features (forms, bookings, eCommerce).
• Ensuring the site works on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
• Testing speed, accessibility, and security.

Good development is invisible. Customers don’t notice the “plumbing” unless it breaks — but it makes all the difference in whether your site feels solid or fragile.

Content Creation (Stocking the Shelves)

You wouldn’t open a store with empty shelves. Your website is the same way — design and development don’t matter without content.

Content includes:

• Copywriting: Headlines, product descriptions, about pages, blog posts.
• Images & Graphics: Photos of your team, products, or services.
• Videos: Demos, testimonials, or quick introductions.

Great content builds trust and guides people toward taking action. Even simple things, like professional photos of your staff or clear product descriptions, can make your site feel more human and trustworthy.

Keeping Your Website Open, Safe, and Running Smoothly

Once your website is planned, designed, and stocked with content, it’s tempting to think the hard work is over. But just like a physical shop, the real challenge isn’t just opening your doors — it’s keeping them open, safe, and running smoothly.

That’s where performance, security, and policies come in. These services make sure your site is fast enough to keep customers around, secure enough to earn their trust, and compliant enough to protect your business from costly mistakes.

Think of this section as your website’s utilities, security system, and rulebook. Without them, even the best-designed store will quickly run into problems.

Website Performance (Speed = Customer Patience)

Imagine walking into a store where the lights flicker, the doors stick, and the shelves take forever to stock. Most customers would turn around and leave.

That’s what happens when your website is slow. In fact, studies show that even a one-second delay can reduce conversions by up to 7%. Speed matters.

For website owners, performance usually comes down to:

• Hosting quality (your building’s foundation).
• Image optimization (light shelves that don’t collapse).
• Caching & CDNs (keeping popular items closer to customers).
• Clean code (no clutter in the aisles).

The goal is simple: make your site fast, smooth, and reliable so customers don’t walk out before they even browse.

Website Security (The Locks, Alarms & Insurance)

Would you leave your store unlocked overnight? Of course not. Yet many website owners run sites with weak passwords, outdated software, or no security monitoring — which is the digital equivalent of leaving the cash register open.

Security services help protect your website from hackers, malware, and data theft. They include:

• Regular updates: Keeping WordPress, themes, and plugins current.
• Strong passwords & two-factor authentication: Locks and keys for your staff.
• Firewall & malware scans: Security guards at the door.
• Backups: Insurance policies in case something goes wrong.

Good security doesn’t make your site invincible, but it dramatically lowers the risk — and helps you recover quickly if something does happen.

Policies & Compliance (The Rulebook)

Running a website also comes with rules. Depending on where you do business, you may be required by law to disclose how you handle customer data, display cookie notices, or ensure accessibility for all visitors.

Think of this like the permits and regulations a physical business needs to follow. You can’t ignore fire codes in a shop, and you can’t ignore compliance online.

Key policies and compliance areas include:

• Privacy policies: Explaining how customer data is collected and used.
• Cookie notices: Especially important if you serve visitors from Europe.
• Accessibility (WCAG): Making your site usable for people with disabilities. Not only is this often a legal requirement, it’s simply good business.

When you handle compliance correctly, you reduce legal risks, build customer trust, and open your website to a wider audience.

Website Performance, Security & Compliance Services

A successful website isn’t just about looks — it’s about being fast, safe, and trustworthy. By focusing on performance, you keep customers from leaving before they even browse. With security, you protect your site and your reputation. And through policies and compliance, you build trust while keeping your business on the right side of the law.

Together, these services form the guardrails of your online presence. They don’t just keep things running — they protect your investment and ensure your website is ready to grow.

Now that the foundation is secure and the rules are in place, let’s look at the services that keep your website healthy over time: ongoing maintenance, SEO, and marketing support.

Launching your website is like opening a new shop. The grand opening is exciting — the doors are open, the shelves are stocked, and customers are walking in. But the real work comes afterward: keeping the shelves full, fixing small problems, running promotions, and making sure the lights never go out.

That’s what ongoing website services are all about. These are the tasks and support that keep your site healthy, visible, and growing long after launch day. Let’s look at the main ones every website owner should know about.

Website Maintenance & Support (Regular Upkeep)

Think of website maintenance like routine car service — oil changes, tire rotations, inspections. Without it, the car may run fine for a while, but eventually, something breaks down.

For websites, maintenance usually includes:

• Updating WordPress, themes, and plugins.
• Running security scans.
• Taking regular backups.
• Fixing broken links or small glitches.

Skipping maintenance can leave your site vulnerable to hacks, slow performance, or embarrassing “down for maintenance” errors. With regular care, you extend the life of your site and avoid costly breakdowns.

Search Engine Optimization (Getting Found Online)

A beautiful shop in the middle of nowhere won’t attract customers unless people know it exists. That’s what SEO (Search Engine Optimization) does — it puts your website on the map so people searching on Google (or AI-powered search engines) can find you.

SEO includes:

• Optimizing content for the right keywords.
• Improving site speed and mobile experience.
• Adding structured data so search engines understand your site.
• Building links from other trusted websites.

Good SEO doesn’t happen overnight — it’s like planting seeds. With time and care, it grows into steady, long-term traffic and leads.

AI Search & Your Website (The New Frontier of Visibility)

Not long ago, the main goal of website visibility was ranking on Google’s first page. Today, things are changing fast. Tools like Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Bing Copilot, and Perplexity are starting to answer people’s questions directly — often pulling information from websites like yours.

Think of AI search like a helpful shop assistant. Instead of making customers wander the aisles, it listens to their questions and walks them straight to the right shelf. If your website provides clear, helpful, trustworthy content, AI assistants are more likely to “recommend your store” in their answers.

How to Prepare Your Website for AI Search

• Write in plain language. AI loves content that explains things clearly for real people.
• Use structured data. Schema markup (FAQ, HowTo, Product) helps AI understand your site.
• Answer questions directly. Include FAQs and short definitions — perfect for AI snippets.
• Build trust signals. Showcase your experience, credentials, testimonials, and case studies (what Google calls E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness).
• Stay active. Regular updates show both Google and AI tools that your site is alive and reliable.

AI isn’t replacing websites — it’s changing how people find and interact with them. The businesses that adapt early will be the ones AI consistently recommends.

Content Updates & Blogging (Stocking the Shelves)

Imagine a store that never changes its displays or adds new products. Customers might visit once, but why would they come back?

Fresh content keeps your website alive. Regular updates — like blog posts, new product pages, or customer stories — not only give visitors a reason to return, but also signal to search engines that your site is active and relevant.

Even one well-written post per month can make a big difference over time.

Analytics & Reporting (Checking the Cash Register)

Would you run a shop without ever looking at your sales numbers? Probably not. Analytics is how you track whether your website is actually working.

With tools like Google Analytics or privacy-friendly alternatives, you can measure:

• How many people visit your site.
• Where they come from.
• What pages they like (and what pages they leave).
• Whether they take action (calls, purchases, sign-ups).

Analytics help you answer the big question: “Is my website helping my business grow?”

Conversion Rate Optimization (Improving the Checkout Line)

Sometimes customers walk in, browse, but never buy. That doesn’t mean they weren’t interested — it may mean the checkout line was too long or confusing.

That’s where CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization) comes in. It’s about testing small changes — like button colors, headlines, or form lengths — to make it easier for customers to take action. Even a small boost in conversions can lead to big results over time.

Keeping Your Website Healthy & Growing

Ongoing services and AI optimization are what keep your website from becoming a “set it and forget it” project. They’re the ongoing care, marketing, and modernization that ensure your digital storefront stays competitive in a fast-changing online world.

With that foundation in place, let’s shift gears and talk about eCommerce services — the tools and strategies that turn a website into a full-fledged online store.

Shopping Cart & Checkout (The Register and Counter)

Every eCommerce site needs a shopping cart (where customers collect items) and a checkout process (where they pay). On WordPress, this is most often handled by WooCommerce, a plugin that turns your site into a full online store.

Just like in a real shop:

• The cart is your customer’s basket.
• The checkout is your counter.
• The smoother the process, the more sales you’ll keep.

Payment Processing (The Cash Register & Credit Card Machine)

In a store, you’d use a card reader or cash register to process payments. Online, you need a payment processor. Common options include Stripe, PayPal, Square, and Authorize.net.

These services handle the secure transfer of money from your customer to your bank. Most charge around 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction, which is the “swipe fee” of the internet.

Product & Inventory Management (Stocking Your Shelves)

Just like a shopkeeper keeps track of what’s on the shelves, eCommerce sites need tools to manage products, pricing, and inventory.

• WooCommerce and other plugins let you add products, track stock, and even set up automatic alerts when items are running low.
• If you sell digital products, this may just mean making sure downloads or memberships are delivered automatically.

Shipping & Fulfillment (The Delivery Truck)

If you sell physical products, shipping is a big part of the equation. Your eCommerce setup can connect to services like UPS, USPS, FedEx, or ShipStation to generate labels, calculate rates, and even offer live shipping estimates at checkout.

Think of this as your delivery truck — making sure customers get what they ordered, when they expect it.

Taxes & Compliance (The Accountant’s Desk)

When you sell online, sales tax becomes part of the picture. Tools like WooCommerce Tax or Avalara can automatically calculate and collect the right amount of tax for different states or countries.

This is like having an accountant’s desk built into your store — keeping you compliant without needing to crunch numbers manually.

eCommerce Security (Guarding the Safe)

With payments and customer data involved, security becomes even more important. In addition to the basics (SSL, backups, updates), eCommerce sites should also:

• Use a trusted payment processor (don’t store card numbers yourself).
• Monitor transactions for fraud.
• Follow PCI compliance rules.

This is the digital version of guarding your safe — protecting your customers’ most sensitive information.

Why Speed and Efficiency Matter After the Sale

Running an eCommerce site means more than just putting products online — it’s about creating a complete shopping experience that feels seamless and trustworthy. With the right services in place, your website transforms from a simple storefront into a full online shop that can serve customers 24/7.

You’ve set up your online shop, stocked the shelves, and opened the doors. Now imagine customers lined up outside — but the entrance is narrow, the aisles are crowded, and delivery trucks keep getting stuck. Frustrating, right?

That’s what a slow or clunky website feels like to your visitors. Performance and delivery enhancers act like extra lanes on the highway, bigger doors at your shop, and smoother delivery routes that keep traffic flowing without bottlenecks.

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs – Extra Delivery Trucks)

A CDN is like hiring delivery trucks stationed all around the country (or world). Instead of every customer waiting for a shipment from your one main warehouse (your web host), the CDN delivers content from the closest “mini-warehouse.”

• Result: Pages load faster no matter where your visitors are.
• Popular options: Cloudflare, AWS CloudFront, Akamai.
• Cost: Many offer free or low-cost starter plans; advanced networks scale with usage.

Image Optimization (Lighter Packages)

Imagine trying to carry a box full of bricks when all you really needed was a few papers. That’s what oversized images do to your site — they weigh it down unnecessarily.

Image optimization makes your pictures smaller in file size without losing visible quality. This is like shipping lighter packages so they arrive faster.

• Use next-gen formats (WebP, AVIF).
• Resize images to the actual display size (don’t upload billboard-sized files for thumbnail spots).
• Enable lazy loading so images only load when needed.

Core Web Vitals (Customer Experience Metrics)

Think of Core Web Vitals as the mystery shoppers of the internet. Google sends them in to see how your site performs in real life:

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): How fast the main content loads (like how quickly a store gets its front display ready).
• Interaction to Next Paint (INP): How quickly the site responds to clicks (like how fast a cashier reacts when you hand over money).
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): How stable the page looks while loading (like rearranging shelves while customers are already shopping).

Google uses these metrics as part of its ranking system. Fast, stable, and responsive sites keep customers happy — and get rewarded in search.

Script & Plugin Management (No Clutter in the Aisles)

Every plugin or script you add to WordPress is like stocking another display in your shop. A few well-chosen ones are great. Too many, and your aisles get clogged.

Regularly review and clean up unused plugins or heavy scripts. It keeps your site fast, stable, and easier to maintain.

Building a Website That Lasts

Performance and delivery enhancers may feel “optional,” but they’re actually the difference between a site that frustrates visitors and one that keeps them coming back. Just like widening aisles and speeding up deliveries in a physical store, these services help your online business run smoothly at scale.

With speed and reliability covered, the next step is making sure your site is ready for the long haul. Let’s wrap things up with the final checklists and resources every website owner should know to keep their site healthy for years to come.

Every website owner eventually asks: “Should I try to do this myself, or should I hire someone?” The answer depends on your time, skills, and budget — but also on the complexity of the service.

• Think of it like running a store:
• You might sweep the floors yourself (DIY).
• You might hire a handyman to fix a leaky faucet (freelancer).
• And you’d definitely call in a contractor for a major remodel (agency).

Your website works the same way. Some services are perfect for DIY, some are better handled by professionals, and others absolutely require expert help.

Good DIY Candidates (Quick Fixes You Can Handle)

These are the sweep the floor type tasks:

• Writing blog posts about your business.
• Updating store hours or phone numbers on your site.
• Adding new photos of your products or team.
• Managing social media posts.

With a little practice, most business owners can handle these in-house.

Hire a Freelancer for Specialized Tasks

Freelancers are like skilled tradespeople — great for small, focused jobs where you don’t need a full team. Examples:

• Designing a new homepage banner.
• Setting up email marketing integrations.
• Writing optimized copy for one or two service pages.
• Troubleshooting plugin conflicts.

They’re cost-effective for one-off projects, but may not be available for long-term support.

Bring in an Agency for Bigger Needs

Agencies are like general contractors — they coordinate multiple specialists to deliver bigger projects. Examples:

• Complete website redesign or new site build.
• Ongoing SEO campaigns.
• eCommerce builds with custom features.
• Long-term maintenance and support packages.

Yes, agencies cost more, but you get strategy, project management, and ongoing accountability — not just a quick fix.

The Real Question: Time vs. Money

At the end of the day, the decision comes down to this:

• Do you have time to learn and do it yourself?
• Or do you want to pay someone else so you can stay focused on running your business?

Neither is “right” or “wrong” — but knowing where to draw the line saves you frustration.

Your Website Survival Guide

Now that we’ve covered the full range of website services — from foundation to compliance — and looked at what you can do yourself versus outsource, it’s time to wrap it all up. In the next section, I’ll give you practical checklists, common FAQs, and simple next steps so you can keep your website running smoothly for years to come.

We’ve covered a lot of ground, so here’s a final summary of the key website services every business owner should know about, along with a few popular providers in each category.

Foundation Services

• Domain Registration & DNS → Your website’s address.
  • Providers: Namecheap, Hover
• Web Hosting → The building your website lives in.
  • Providers: Monterey Premier, Pressable, SiteGround, WP Engine, Kinsta
• SSL Certificates → The lock on your front door.
  • Providers: Let’s Encrypt, DigiCert
• Professional Email → A branded email address that builds trust.
  • Providers: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365

Website Planning & Design

• Discovery & Strategy → Building blueprints for your site.
  • Providers: Monterey Premier
• UX/UI Design → How your site looks and flows.
  • Tools: Figma, Canva
  • Providers: Monterey Premier
• WordPress Development → Bringing your design to life.
  • Platforms: WordPress, Divi
  • Providers: Monterey Premier
• Content Creation → Stocking your shelves with text, photos, and videos.
  • Providers: Monterey Premier, ClearVoice, Fiverr, Upwork

Performance & Security

• Performance Optimization → Faster load times for happy visitors.
  • Tools: Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix
• Security Services → Protecting your site from hacks.
  • Providers: Wordfence, Sucuri
• Backups & Recovery → Insurance in case of disaster.
  • Tools: UpdraftPlus, VaultPress/Jetpack

Compliance & Accessibility

• Privacy & Cookie Policies → Customer transparency and legal compliance.
  • Tools: Termly, Iubenda
• Accessibility → Making your site usable for everyone.
  • Tools: WAVE Accessibility Tool, accessiBe

Ongoing Website Services

• Maintenance & Support → Regular updates and fixes.
  • Providers: Monterey Premier, GoWP, WP Buffs
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization) → Getting found online.
  • Tools: SEMrush, Ahrefs
  • Providers: Monterey Premier
• Analytics & Reporting → Tracking performance.
  • Tools: Google Analytics, Plausible

eCommerce-Specific Services

• Shopping Cart & Checkout → Running your digital cash register.
  • Platforms: WooCommerce, Shopify
  • Providers: Monterey Premier
• Payment Processing → Secure online payments.
  • Providers: Stripe, PayPal, Square
• Shipping & Fulfillment → Getting products to customers.
  • Tools: ShipStation, EasyPost
• Tax Automation → Staying compliant with online sales.
  • Tools: Avalara, TaxJar

AI Search Optimization

• Content Clarity & FAQs → Answering customer questions directly.
  • Providers: Tawk.to
• Structured Data (Schema) → Helping AI understand your site.
  • Tools: Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper, Merkle Schema Generator