Choosing a web designer can feel stressful. You want someone reliable who builds a site that actually works, ranks locally, and can explain everything in plain English, without tech talk. You don’t want to waste money on a site that doesn’t attract customers, slows down your business, or creates more problems than it solves. That’s where I come in.
I’m Larry James, a WordPress web designer and Local SEO specialist based in Durham Region. For over 15 years, I’ve helped service-based business owners in Durham Region create websites that not only look professional but actually perform.
I understand the challenges small businesses face tight budgets, competing with larger companies, and needing a website that grows with their business.
When you work with me, you get more than a website. You get a complete solution designed to help your business get found online and convert visitors into clients. I specialize in building sites that are easy to manage, optimized for search engines, and designed with your customers in mind.
Ready to get started?
Contact me today to learn how working with a professional web designer can help grow your business.
Local Knowledge That Works in Your Favour
I also help clients improve their visibility with Local SEO services
I know Durham Region, the neighborhoods, the competition, and the keywords people use to search for your services.
I will incorporate local keywords into your website so you appear in the Local Map Pack and show customers that your business is relevant.
Experience You Can Count On
With over 15 years building WordPress websites for service-based businesses, I’ve handled new site builds, fixed broken or hacked sites, and migrated websites to new hosting platforms. My experience allows me to anticipate challenges and deliver sites that work reliably from day one.
You can see examples of websites I’ve designed in my portfolio
Clear, Straightforward Communication
I keep things simple. You’ll always know where your project stands with clear timelines and honest advice. I explain everything in plain English, so you never feel lost in technical talk.
Flexible Support Options
Some clients just need a website built, while others want ongoing support with updates, backups, and security. I offer both:
- One-time projects
- Maintenance packages
SEO and AI-Friendly Design
Every site I build is designed to perform in search engines and in emerging AI-powered local search tools. I make sure your business is discoverable not just in Google, but also in AI-driven overviews and recommendations.
This includes structuring content so AI can easily understand your services and locations, using clear headings and keywords, and adding location signals.
This approach helps your business get found in new AI searches, giving you an edge as search technology evolves.
Service Pages and Location Pages
I create dedicated service pages and location-specific pages to help your business rank not just in your main location, but also in nearby towns and cities. Each service gets its own page with targeted content, and each location page is optimized for a specific nearby city.
- Benefits of separate pages for SEO:
- Improves search engine rankings for each service
- Attracts customers in multiple areas
- Avoids cluttering a single page with too much information
Web Design Pricing
The cost of design and development for a basic WordPress website site starts at around $1,200. The final price depends on the number of pages, site functionality, and additional service or location pages.
| Type of Site / Pages | Starting Price | Notes on SEO Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Website (Home, About, Services, Contact) | $1,200 | Standard pages for a small business |
| Extra Service Page | $150 each | Dedicated page improves SEO for that service |
| Extra Location Page | $150 each | Targets nearby towns and cities |
| Functionality Add-ons (forms, booking) | Varies | Pricing depends on complexity |
Separate service and location pages cost more but are a worthwhile investment for SEO, AI search visibility, and expanding your reach.
How to Get Started
Starting your website project with me is simple. First, reach out with a brief description of your business and what you need. We’ll schedule a call to discuss your goals, pages, and any special features.
After our conversation, I’ll provide a clear proposal with pricing and timelines. Once you approve and make the initial payment, I’ll get to work building your site.
If you’re unsure what’s best for your business, I’ll guide you through the options and help you choose the approach that fits your budget and goals.
FAQ’s
How Much Does a New WordPress Website Typically Cost?
A 5-page WordPress website with a simple design starts at $1,200. For most service-based businesses in Durham Region, projects usually range from $2,000 to $2,500.
Website pricing factors include your design complexity, custom functionality, and content volume. Basic WordPress features like contact forms and photo galleries are standard, while advanced booking systems or client portals increase costs.
You’ll also need a domain name and web hosting, which adds $100-$150 annually to your investment.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Website From Start to Finish?
Most websites take 4-6 weeks from start to finish, depending on your content readiness and feedback speed. Your website development timeline includes discovery, research, wireframe mockups, design & development, and testing phases. Effective project management phases guarantee we stay on track while you focus on your business.
Complex websites with custom features may extend to 8 weeks, but I’ll give you realistic timelines upfront so you can plan accordingly.
Do You Work With Businesses Outside of Durham Region?
Yes, I work with businesses across Ontario. I’ve built effective partnerships with clients in Toronto, York Region, and in the United States through video calls, and project management tools. My client testimonials reflect successful remote projects where distance never compromised quality. You’ll find my approach works regardless of your location.
Do You Only Work With Serivce-Based Businesses?
Most of my clients are service-based businesses like contractors, trades, consultants, and local professionals. That’s where my experience and SEO strategies work best.
I can work with other business types, but my focus is on helping service providers attract local customers through targeted website design and local SEO. If you’re unsure whether your business is a fit, contact me and we can discuss your goals.
Do You Provide Ongoing Maintenance?
Yes. I offer ongoing website maintenance to keep your site secure, updated, and running smoothly. This can include software updates, backups, security monitoring, and content changes.
Maintenance is optional but recommended, especially if you want to avoid security issues or downtime. You can choose a monthly package or request updates as needed. Monthly plans start at $75, giving you peace of mind knowing your site is being looked after.
What Happens if My Website Breaks or Gets Hacked?
If you subscribe to my monthly maintenance plan, you have nothing to worry about. I’ll immediately assess the damage, restore your site from clean backups, and implement enhanced security protocols. Most clients are back online within hours, not days.
If you’re not on a maintenance plan, I can still help. If you can provide me with a recent backup, I can try to restore it. I will also need to troubleshoot the cause, and secure the site to prevent it from happening again. This work is billed at my hourly rate and is not covered by any previous project fees.
Can You Help Improve My Existing Website’s Search Rankings?
Absolutely. Over 75% of websites never make it past page two of search results, leaving massive revenue on the table. I’ll audit your current site’s performance, then implement proven SEO strategies that target your local Durham Region market.
My website optimization approach focuses on technical fixes, content improvements, and Local SEO services that help service businesses like yours climb those rankings and capture more qualified leads.
How Do I Get Started?
Getting started is easy.
- Contact me with a brief outline of your project.
- We’ll schedule a call to discuss your goals, pages, and any special features you need.
- I’ll send you a proposal with pricing and timelines.
- Once you approve and make the initial payment, I’ll begin work.
If you’re unsure what you need, I can walk you through the options and help you decide on the best approach for your budget and goals.
Let’s Talk About Your Project
If you want a website that works, ranks locally, and helps grow your business, including visibility in AI-powered search, let’s chat. Reach out today, and we’ll see if we’re a good fit.
