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Website
Development

Website
Development

Fully responsive Joomla and WordPress websites built for reliable performance, clarity, and long-term ease of management.
Black and white candid documentary-style photograph of a slightly overweight middle-aged female hair stylist with curly short hair and warm friendly expression, having a mid-conversation with her client, while her eyes and hands are intently focused on giving a precise haircut using scissors and comb, her client seated in a vintage barber chair under a cape, in a quirky New England boutique spa with cozy interior featuring exposed wooden beams, shiplap walls, an antique oval mirror, hanging plants, and small shelves of artisanal products, with a large window allowing diffused daylight, shot on Leica M10 Monochrom with 50mm lens, f/2.8, shallow depth of field, cinematic black and white contrast, rich tonal range, sharp focus on her face and hands, showcasing high-resolution, ultra-detailed textures on skin, hair, and fabric, capturing an authentic candid moment, with natural soft smile lines, realistic body proportions, and a photorealistic style, in 8k clarity, resulting in a masterpiece, free of artifacts.

Thoughtful Website Development

We develop responsive Joomla and WordPress websites that bring clarity and structure to your work. Each project is approached with care for how your story is told — creating sites that are easy to navigate, professionally presented, and built to support what you’re trying to communicate over time.

Base Site

Commonly referred to as a “business card” or “brochure” website. These are great for establishing your business online:

  • Suitable for most Maine small businesses starting out
  • Home page
  • About page
  • Contact page
  • Joomla or WordPress structure
  • Built with best SEO practices
  • Fully responsive and mobile optimized
  • Custom tailored to your business
Additional Pages

Growing businesses that need to present more content and infomration:

  • Dedicated Service Pages
  • Service Area / Location Pages
  • Portfolio / Projects / Gallery
  • Testimonials & Reviews
  • Restaurant Menu Pages
  • Features / Amenities Pages
  • Multiple Locations / Properties
  • Event Calendars
  • Appointment / Booking System
  • Image Galleries
  • FAQ Page
  • Team / Staff Page
  • Promotions / Specials
  • Blog / News / Articles - a must for SEO
Custom Development

We like to work by the project, not by the hour. We will stay within budget of your personalized quote, however if you request work above and beyond the scope, our rates are:

  • $150 per hour
  • Billed in 15 minute increments

Prices

  • Base Site (Home, About, Contact):
    $3,500
  • Additional Pages:
    $500 / Page
  • Custom Development:
    $150 / Hour

Our Website Development Process

Good website development requires more than design and code. We follow a deliberate process that begins with understanding your goals and ends with a site that is not only functional, but thoughtfully aligned with what you’re trying to achieve.

A Clear and Thoughtful Process

From the initial conversation through design, development, and launch, we keep the process clear and collaborative. You’ll know what to expect at each stage, and we work together to ensure the final result reflects your goals and is easy to manage going forward.

Discovery & Planning

We begin with a conversation to understand your objectives, audience, and the story you want to tell. This phase includes content planning and site structure mapping to ensure the project is well-defined before design begins.

Design & Customization

Starting with a professional foundation, we tailor the design to reflect your brand and goals. The focus is on creating a clean, engaging experience that helps visitors understand and connect with your work.

Development & Integration

We build the site using clean, efficient code and integrate the tools needed for your specific requirements — whether that’s forms, SEO optimization, caching, or other functionality.

Testing & Launch

Before launch, we thoroughly test the site for performance, functionality, and compatibility across devices. This ensures everything works smoothly and securely from day one.

Optimization & Support

After launch, we provide updates and monitoring to keep your site running well. Support is available when you need it, so you can focus on your work while we help maintain the technical foundation.

Key Features
& Benefits

We build websites with the features and foundation needed to perform reliably and remain easy to manage.

Fully Responsive Design

Every site is built mobile-first, ensuring it works cleanly and consistently across phones, tablets, and desktops — so visitors have a smooth experience no matter how they arrive.

SEO Foundations

We implement proper technical optimization, including clean URLs, meta data, and structured markup. This gives your site a stronger foundation for visibility without relying on shortcuts or trends.

Performance & Security

We prioritize fast load times through modern protocols and caching, along with SSL encryption, regular backups, and proactive security measures to help keep your site stable and protected.

Scalability & Integrations

Your site can grow with you. We can integrate tools such as e-commerce platforms, booking systems, analytics, and other third-party services as your needs evolve.

Custom Content Management

We build on Joomla or WordPress so you can easily update content yourself. This gives you control without requiring technical expertise for routine changes.

Long-Term Flexibility

We design sites with future growth in mind — whether that means adding new sections, features, or functionality later. The goal is to create something that continues to serve you well as your work develops.

Two Development Paths

We offer two primary approaches depending on the scope of your project. A Base Site provides a focused, professional foundation, while Additional Pages allow for greater depth, functionality, and content as your needs grow.

Base Site

A focused, professional website for businesses and individuals who need a clear and effective online presence. This option includes the essential pages and features to establish credibility and make it easy for people to find and contact you.
Full Feature List
  • A focused website for businesses and professionals who need a clear, professional online presence.
  • Includes a Home/Landing Page with a strong hero section, clear calls-to-action, and an overview of what you offer.
  • An About page that communicates who you are, your experience, and what sets you apart.
  • A Contact page with clear location details, hours, contact information, and an easy-to-use form.
  • Built on Joomla or WordPress, depending on which platform best fits your content structure and long-term needs.
  • Fully responsive design that performs well across phones, tablets, and desktops.
  • Built with sound SEO practices, including clean structure and schema markup where appropriate.
  • Includes performance and security essentials such as SSL, caching, and regular backups.
  • Custom design tailored to your brand, starting from a professional template and refined to match your goals.

Additional Pages

For projects that require more depth and functionality. These pages expand your site’s ability to present information, showcase work, support engagement, and grow with your needs over time.
Full Feature List
  • Dedicated Service or Offering Pages that clearly present each area of your work in detail, helping visitors understand what you provide and how you can help.
  • Location or Service Area Pages that communicate where you work and the regions you serve.
  • Portfolio, Projects, or Gallery sections to showcase completed work with context and imagery.
  • Testimonials and Reviews to build credibility through real feedback from past clients.
  • Menu Pages for businesses that need to present offerings clearly (such as restaurants or service-based businesses).
  • Features or Amenities Pages to highlight what makes your offering distinct.
  • Blog, News, or Articles section for sharing updates, insights, or helpful content over time.
  • Multiple Locations or Properties pages for businesses managing more than one site or location.
  • Event Calendars or Booking Systems to help visitors engage with upcoming offerings or schedule time with you.
  • FAQ Pages to answer common questions and reduce friction for potential clients.
  • Team or Staff Pages to introduce the people behind the work and build trust.
  • Promotions or Specials Pages to clearly present limited-time offerings or packages.

Professional Imagery Matters

High-quality images play a major role in how visitors perceive your site. Thoughtful photography and visuals help communicate professionalism, build trust, and make your work more tangible to potential clients.

First Impressions Are Often Visual

Images Shape Perception Instantly

Visitors form an opinion about your business within seconds — often before reading any text. Low-quality or inconsistent images can undermine even a well-designed site.

Professional Images Build Credibility

Show Your Work Clearly

Clear, well-lit photography of your projects, team, or spaces helps visitors understand the quality of your work and builds confidence in choosing you.

Visuals Help Tell Your Story

Make Your Work Feel Real

Strong imagery allows visitors to connect with what you do. Whether it’s finished work, a space, or a product, good photos help communicate value more effectively than text alone.

Imagery Is Usually an Add-On

Base Pricing Covers Structure, Not Photos

Our base website pricing includes design, development, and functionality. Professional imagery is typically handled separately. Options include providing your own photos, hiring us for a custom shoot, or using curated stock and AI-refined imagery.

Let’s Plan the Right Approach

We’ll Help You Get It Right

During our consultation, we can discuss the best imagery strategy for your site — whether that’s custom photography, stock, or refined AI-generated visuals — and provide options that fit your goals and budget.

Questions About Websites?

Here are straightforward answers to some of the most common questions about our website development, billing, and support.

Who owns the website?
Once final payment is made, you own the website outright. There are no subscription fees or ongoing licensing costs. Until final payment is received, Surf Star Media retains ownership of all contracted intellectual property.
What happens if I need updates?
For minor updates to images or copy, we charge our standard hourly rate. For larger requests — such as additional pages, restructuring, or new features — we prefer to provide a new quote. This approach often results in clearer scope and better value than hourly work.
Who maintains my site?
You are responsible for maintaining your site. However, we are available to handle software updates, security monitoring, performance checks, and other maintenance tasks if you prefer not to manage them yourself.
What happens if my site breaks?
After final payment, the website is transferred “as is.” That said, we are always willing to help if issues arise. If the problem stems from our work or products, we will address it. If the issue results from changes you made, third-party updates, hacking, or malware, we can assist at our standard hourly rate. We also provide daily backups, which often makes recovery straightforward.

Transparent Pricing
for Lasting Relationships

Simple and value-driven with no hidden fees, no endless add-ons. You get everything needed to launch a professional online presence.

Additional Pages

$500

Per Page

  • Blog / News / Articles
    Essential for SEO Growth
  • Dedicated Service Pages
  • Portfolio / Projects / Gallery
  • Appointment Booking System
    Restaurants, Mechanics, Hair Stylists
  • Testimonials & Reviews
  • Many More to Fit Your Needs

Base Site

$3,500

One Time

  • Favorite Starting Point
  • Includes Most Vital Pages
    Home, About, Contact
  • Joomla or WordPress Structure
    Industry Leading YOOTheme Templates
  • Fully Responsive Mobile Optimized
  • Built With SEO Best Practices
  • Custom Tailored To Your Business

Hourly Rate

$150

Per Hour

  • Billed In 15 Minute Increments
  • Only Work That You Request
    Beyond Agreed Quote
  • Want Additional Services?
    We'll Create a New Quote
  • We Prefer to Work By-The-Project