Straight answers about websites, SEO and AI search
Short, direct answers to the questions business owners actually ask about websites, Google and AI search. Each one starts with the answer in a few sentences, then goes deeper for anyone who wants the detail.
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Planning and cost
- How long does it take to build a website?A focused small business website usually takes three to four weeks from kickoff to launch, and a larger build with…
- How much does a website cost in Canada?It depends on what you’re buying.
- What affects the cost of a website?Scope drives cost more than anything.
- Do I need a new website or a redesign?Redesign when the platform is sound and the problems are mostly visual, structural or about copy.
- How often should you redesign a website?Many businesses end up redesigning every three to five years, but the calendar shouldn’t decide.
- What pages does a small business website need?Start with a homepage, a page for each main service, an about page, a contact page and a privacy policy.
- What should be on a homepage?A homepage should say clearly who you help and what you do, give one obvious next step, show proof that you’re good at…
- What do I need before starting a website project?Before kickoff, know what the site must achieve, who it’s for and who makes decisions.
- How do I write a website brief?A useful website brief covers your business in a paragraph, the main goal of the site, the audience, the pages and…
- Is a one-page website enough for a business?A one-page website is enough when you offer one simple thing, mostly get work from referrals and just need a credible…
- Should my business website have a blog?Only if you’ll publish useful articles that answer what customers actually ask, and keep doing it.
- What is included in website maintenance?Good website maintenance covers hosting, security patches and software updates, regular backups you can actually…
- How much does website maintenance cost?It depends on three things: how much the platform needs looking after, how quickly you need help when something goes…
- Is a custom website worth it for a small business?It’s worth it when your website is a main source of customers and you compete on trust, quality or search visibility.
Platforms and DIY
- Is Wix bad for SEO?No, not anymore for the basics.
- Is WordPress still worth it?Yes, for the right site.
- Should I use a website builder or hire a designer?Use a builder if you have more time than budget, the site mainly confirms you exist, and you’re comfortable making…
- Can I build my own business website?Yes.
- Are AI website builders any good?They’re good at speed.
- Is Shopify good for a small online store?Yes, for most small stores Shopify is the sensible default.
- Is Framer good for business websites?Framer is good for design-led sites that don’t need much complexity: startup marketing sites, portfolios and landing…
- How do I move from Wix to a custom website?You can’t export a Wix site, so moving means rebuilding.
- How do I move from WordPress to a custom website?Export your content, list every URL and plugin, decide how each plugin’s job will be handled on the new site, then…
- Can I move my Wix site to WordPress?Yes, but it’s a rebuild, not a transfer.
- What is the best website platform for a small business?It depends on what the site has to do.
- Why is my WordPress site so slow?Usually it’s one or more of: cheap shared hosting, too many plugins, a heavy page builder or theme, oversized images…
Google and SEO
- Why is my website not on Google?Usually Google either hasn’t found your site yet, has been told not to index it, or doesn’t see it as the best answer…
- How long does SEO take to work?Technical fixes can show up within weeks once Google recrawls the page.
- How do I get my website on the first page of Google?Pick searches you can realistically win, usually specific services in your area.
- Does website speed affect SEO?Yes, but modestly.
- How do I check if Google has indexed my site?Search site:yourdomain.ca for a quick rough check.
- Will a website redesign hurt my SEO?It can, but it doesn’t have to.
- How do I keep my SEO when changing website platforms?Keep the content and URLs that rank, redirect every old address that changes with a 301, and carry across titles, meta…
- What are backlinks, and do I need them?A backlink is a link from another website to yours.
- Does my website need an XML sitemap?Not strictly, but it’s cheap insurance.
- What is a good PageSpeed score?PageSpeed Insights rates 90 to 100 as good, 50 to 89 as needing improvement and below 50 as poor.
- How do I fix Core Web Vitals?Find which metric is failing in Search Console, then fix its usual cause.
- Is SEO worth it for a small business?For most local service businesses, yes, because customers search before they call and organic traffic keeps arriving…
- Can I do SEO for my business myself?Yes, a lot of it.
- Should I spend on SEO or Google Ads?Ads bring traffic quickly and stop when you stop paying.
FAQ
About these answers
Because that’s what most people need. The short answer covers the question in a few sentences; the rest of the page is there if you want the reasoning.
Where it matters, yes: privacy law, accessibility rules and language requirements are written for Canadian businesses. They’re general information, not legal advice, so check with a lawyer before relying on them for your own business. Most of the web and SEO advice applies anywhere.
No. Costs depend on scope, so I explain what drives them instead. The free project estimator gives you a sense of scope for your own site.
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- nick@tavro.ca
- 587-439-9994
- Calgary, Alberta