Rob Shurtleff The Website Guy - Web Design Lino Lakes MN

Our Story

Your Local Web Designer

Hi, my name is Rob. I am a U.S. Navy veteran and freelance website designer based in the Lino Lakes, MN area. I own and operate The Website Guy, with my wife, Lin. We have a big passion for small business.

I built my first website in 2005 for a financial advisor, my second in 2009 for my wife's bookkeeping client (a property manager who is still a client today), and 8 websites later, I decided to go full time in 2013 after getting a degree in business management / marketing.

I've always had an artists mind and a servants heart. What I love most is helping that small business owner, who does not have the time, want, or know how to build a website - yet knows they need one - to get a website affordably to drive visibility online.

I am here to free you to do what you do best - run your business. Below is our process. We look forward to hearing from you.
The Website Guy - Freelance Website Design

We deliver what you deserve, so you don't settle for less.

Meet & Greet

Meet & Gather Information

First we need to meet with you to go over expectations and know what you are looking for in the design of your website.
Resaerch & Design

Research & Design

We use this information to design a mockup of your new website. Upon approval we'll upload it to a host of your choice.
Market & Off Page SEO

Marketing

Now is the fun part. Telling the world about your new website. There are lots of ways to do this. We can help if you want.

BUILDING WEBSITES SINCE

CUSTOMER WEBSITES BUILT

CUPS OF COFFEE - YUMMY!

First, we'll do an initial meet and greet (online, phone, or in person). We will do all we can to get a clear picture of what you expect the website to look like in terms of design and content. To start the work, we require a 50% down payment (with signed agreement & credit card info). Any content you can provide (text, pictures, etc.) would be most helpful as your words and passion is always easier to sell than our interpretation. We then research your competitors to see what they are using in terms of design, content, and search engine optimization. We then use both of these resources to put a customized design together that allows you to stand tall next to, and yet apart, from your competition.

When the initial design is finished, we will send you a link to where the website is temporarily parked. Often, we find that it is easier to modify and change what you can see rather than what you cannot. If there are any changes, we will be more than happy to make them. Please keep in mind that some design changes may be limited due to various factors. Once the majority of changes have been made, we'll then modify the layouts so your website looks good in multiple monitor and device resolutions - big and small. Preferably, it is our goal to have the site ready to publish within 2 rounds of revisions and/or within 30 days of initial contact.

Upon final approval, we will need your domain account info as well as your hosting account info. At a minimum, we will need "cPanel" login info and/or the "FTP" account info so that we can upload the files. If you need help setting this up as well as your email addresses, we can do this for you as part of the process. When all is ready, the site will then be published to the host of your choice, under your own account.

After the site is live, we'll run it through a final website audit to ensure all the I's are dotted and T's are crossed in terms of on-page SEO., and send you a complimentary website audit report as proof. We will also need access to your Google (Gmail) account to set up Analytics (traffic), Webmaster Tools (SEO), and Google My Business (maps listing) in your name. This information will be part of the monthly reports you'll receive.

After the site is live, we will provide changes at no additional cost (depending on package - see services page). Many times, website owners think that once their website is built, they can take it over and make changes to the website themselves. No matter how "easy" the website software claims to be, it is often easier said than done. Since this isn't their area of expertise, the website usually becomes damaged and is costly to repair. Let us do what we do best, so you can do what you do best.

If you are not on our monthly plan, our rate for monthly website maintenance is $70/hour. In addition, we can provide the following services annually for $70: 1 - Update your website with the newest version of our software - this will keep the website code current for SEO purposes. 2 - Update the copyright date so your customers know you are actively in business. 3 - Submit the website to the search engines to refresh your status with them as currently active. 4 - Provide website performance reports which will list traffic via Google Analytics and Webmaster Tools, as well as on-page / off-page SEO - this allows you to know how your website is performing so you can make informed marketing decisions moving forward. Depending on the package chosen, these items may be included.

We also provide other off-page SEO & internet marketing services, such as local search engine marketing, social media posts, and other online marketing resources / relevant link building in local and industry specific directories etc. FAQ.