20 Most-Asked Website Questions (Answered) for California Businesses | Stan Consulting

Reddit is where owners ask blunt questions and get blunt answers. We read the most-discussed threads on web platforms, costs, speed, pages, hosting, and “DIY vs hire.” Here are the 20 questions California businesses ask most about building a website, with clear answers and a local example for each.

1) Do I really need a website, or is social media enough?

Answer: A website is your home base. Social can change rules overnight. Keep social, but publish your offer, proof, and contact on a fast site you control.
Example: Sacramento med spa that posts Reels but books on a simple site with a “Book” button.
Why this works: Buyers compare and need details in one place. Reddit owners say, “Start simple, but own it.” Reddit

2) WordPress or Webflow for a service business?

Answer: WordPress wins on ecosystem, plugins, and long-form content. Webflow wins on design control and clean CMS for marketing pages. Pick the one your team can keep updated.
Example: Roseville contractor on WordPress for blog + quote forms; Sacramento design studio on Webflow CMS for case libraries.
Why: Reddit threads consistently call WordPress more extensible and Webflow cleaner for marketing sites. Reddit+1

3) Shopify or WooCommerce for a small store?

Answer: Shopify if you want speed to launch, built-in checkout, and less maintenance. WooCommerce if you need heavy customization and already live in WordPress.
Example: San Diego DTC brand with 40 SKUs chooses Shopify and ships in weeks.
Why: “Shopify is DIY-friendlier; Woo needs more upkeep” shows up again and again. Reddit+2Reddit+2

4) How much should a first site cost?

Answer (short): Pay for what supports sales now.

• DIY builder (Wix/Squarespace/Hostinger): $0–$500 setup + $16–$40/mo. Good for a simple brochure while you get proof.

• WordPress or Webflow (service business): $3,000–$8,000 for a focused 5–7 page build that’s fast on mobile and built to convert.

• WordPress/Webflow brand site (10–20 pages + CMS/cases): $8,000–$20,000+.

• Shopify starter store (10–30 SKUs): $5,000–$12,000 build + $39–$105/mo plan + $20–$200/mo apps.

• Shopify custom theme/complex catalog: $15,000–$40,000+.

Common add-ons: copywriting $1,500–$5,000; brand identity $2,500–$7,500; basic ADA/QA $1,000–$3,000; photography $1,000–$3,000.

How to choose:

• Offline, need a card-on-file site: start on a builder and upgrade later.

• Service in Sacramento (leads now): WordPress or Webflow with clear service and city pages, proof by the button, tap-to-call.

• Ecommerce with ads: Shopify for fast checkout and fewer headaches.

Examples:

• Los Angeles specialty clinic: Webflow, 6 key pages + booking. $6,000–$9,000.

• Sacramento contractor: WordPress, 8 pages + estimate form + gallery. $5,000–$8,000.

• San Diego DTC brand (20 SKUs): Shopify starter + apps + email hooks. $7,500–$12,000.

• Silicon Valley B2B: Webflow CMS with case library (15–20 pages). $12,000–$25,000.

Ongoing costs (typical):

• Hosting: WordPress $15–$40/mo; Webflow $23–$60/mo; Shopify $39–$105/mo.

• Maintenance: WordPress updates $100–$300/mo (optional if we handle it); Webflow/Shopify minimal.

• Domain $12–$20/yr; Email (Google Workspace) $6–$12/user/mo.

Why this answer works: price follows scope pages, template vs custom, copy readiness, integrations, and who maintains it. Pay for clarity, speed on mobile, and conversion; those make the site earn its keep.

5) One-page site or multi-page?

Answer: One page is fine to start if you operate offline and only need contact, services, and a form. If you sell multiple services or cities, add separate pages for clarity.
Example: Folsom landscaping starts with one page; adds “Lawn Care in Folsom” later.
Why: Many Redditors say most small firms overbuild; start lean, expand as needed. Reddit+1

6) What pages does every service website need?

Answer: Homepage (clear promise), Services, About, Contact with phone + form, and a location page if you serve a region.
Example: Sacramento construction: “Estimates in 24 hours” on Home, “Remodeling,” “ADU,” “Concrete” pages, plus “Sacramento Area” page.
Why: These are the pages buyers look for first in checklists and Q&A. Reddit

7) How fast is “fast enough”?

Answer: “Loads quickly on 4G” is the rule. Compress images, keep scripts light, avoid heavy embeds.
Example: Silicon Valley consultancy trims hero video, uses WebP images, and drops a chat script → smoother mobile.
Why: Speed complaints dominate threads about poor Core Web Vitals on small-business sites. Reddit+1

8) Do I need a blog?

Answer: Only if you can publish useful posts tied to your services. If not, create 3–5 strong service pages and one clear guide your buyers care about.
Example: Roseville electrician posts “How to choose a panel upgrade” and links to “Panel Upgrades in Roseville.”
Why: Owners regret dead blogs; focused service content wins attention. Reddit

9) DIY builder (Wix/Squarespace/Hostinger) or hire?

Answer: DIY is fine for a starter brochure or “I need something live by Monday.” Hire when you need brand voice, conversion, or platform migration.
Example: Sacramento therapist uses a builder with online booking and upgrades later.
Why: Threads repeat “builders launch fast; custom wins when you need control.” TechRadar+1

10) What about domains, hosting, and email?

Answer: Keep your domain under your own account. Use reputable hosting for WordPress. Use your platform’s hosting for Webflow and Shopify. Use a professional email on your domain.
Example: Rocklin CPA uses Google Workspace on @companyname.com.
Why: Ownership and stability are common pain points in Reddit advice. Reddit

11) How do I collect leads without getting spammed?

Answer: Short form with name, phone, and service choice. Use honeypot or platform spam tools. Show phone number and “Call now” for mobile.
Example: Sacramento roofing adds 3-field form + “Call” button above the fold.
Why: Owners want fewer fields and real calls; threads advise keeping forms simple. Reddit

12) What content convinces buyers fastest?

Answer: Offer, proof, price context, timeline, and next step. Put a review or case snippet next to the button.
Example: San Diego med spa shows before/after with a short testimonial beside “Book.”
Why: Redditors call out “proof near CTA” as the thing missing on most small sites. Reddit

13) How do I handle appointments or estimates?

Answer: Use the simplest booking tool that puts a time on your calendar and sends a confirmation. For estimates, show your response time clearly.
Example: Elk Grove contractor: “We respond in 5 minutes during business hours” + booking widget.
Why: In real threads, speed-to-lead is a common win. Reddit

14) Is Webflow really faster than WordPress?

Answer: It depends on how each is built. Webflow sites often stay lean. WordPress can be fast if you keep plugins light and images compressed.
Example: Sacramento architect on Webflow CMS; Roseville clinic on slim WordPress with no heavy builders.
Why: Users with experience in both say speed is about execution, not the logo. Reddit

15) What does a “good” e-commerce product page include?

Answer: Clear value, benefits, clean photos, social proof, delivery info, and an obvious add-to-cart.
Example: Los Angeles DTC coffee brand adds grind choice, shipping cutoff time, and a short review by the button.
Why: Shopify vs Woo threads note copy and proof near CTAs move the needle most. Reddit

16) What about legal pages and policies?

Answer: Publish privacy policy, terms, and refunds or estimates policy. Put your company info in the footer.
Example: Sacramento clinic links “Privacy,” “HIPAA notice,” and address in footer.
Why: Owners often forget basics; checklists call them “must-haves.” Reddit

17) Should I embed my Instagram/TikTok feed?

Answer: Only one post you really want buyers to see, loaded on click. Don’t slow your page with a full feed.
Example: Roseville boutique shows one Instagram lookbook post below the fold.
Why: Heavy embeds are constant speed complaints in site reviews. Reddit

18) What’s the simplest analytics setup?

Answer: Track a few actions you care about: calls over 30 seconds, booked meetings, add-to-cart, and purchases. Keep a weekly score.
Example: Sacramento home services track calls 30s+ and booked visits.
Why: Reddit pros push “measure what matters,” not dashboards for show. Reddit

19) How often should I update my site?

Answer: Update when your offer changes, when you add a service or city, or when you have new proof. Quarterly is a good minimum.
Example: San Diego remodeler posts a new “Room Additions” page and one case each quarter.
Why: Dormant sites stall. Owners say “ship small, often.” Reddit

20) When should I hire a pro?

Answer: When your time is the bottleneck or you need clear messaging, a platform move, or pages that actually convert.
Example: Silicon Valley SaaS hires help to write the promise, build two landing pages, and wire a simple demo flow.
Why: Threads agree: DIY is fine until it slows sales. Reddit

Bottom line

Pick a platform you can keep updated. Say exactly what you do, for whom, in your city. Put proof next to the button. Keep pages fast on mobile. If you want this done right, Stan Consulting will build the plan, the voice, and the pages so buyers act.

Call +1-415-589-9805 or book a 15-minute fit check.

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