Website Development FAQ — Expert Answers
Answers to Your Web Development Questions
Based on 100+ real projects and questions I’ve answered from Calgary businesses and clients around the world.
General Questions
Everything you need to know about working with me.
A web developer writes the code that makes websites function. This includes:
- HTML structure — the skeleton of your website
- CSS layouts — the design and styling
- PHP/JavaScript — the functionality (forms, databases, interactivity)
- WordPress configuration — setting up your content management system
- Hosting & security — making sure your site is fast and safe
I handle all of this — plus AI automation, speed optimisation, and custom integrations. I don’t use page builders like Elementor or Divi for client sites because they produce bloated code that slows your site down.
DevGurux is for small to medium‑sized businesses (SMBs) that want professional websites, AI automation, and custom integrations — without paying enterprise prices.
I work with trades, contractors, health studios, professional service firms, e‑commerce stores, and startups. According to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, 94% of businesses in Calgary are small businesses — and they deserve enterprise tools at fair prices.
Yes — I work with clients across Canada and internationally. Calgary is a focus area because of the strong local demand I’ve observed, but remote collaboration works seamlessly everywhere.
I’ve built websites and AI automation systems for clients in New York, Hamburg, London, and across Canada. I operate during MST business hours and respond to messages within 30 minutes.
Primarily WordPress with custom code, but I also work with:
- Shopify — for e‑commerce stores
- Custom PHP — for bespoke web applications
- Pure HTML/CSS/JS — for landing pages and lightweight sites
I choose the platform that fits your needs — not a one‑size‑fits‑all solution.
ChatGPT can generate HTML, CSS, and JavaScript snippets. But it cannot:
- Deploy a site to a live server
- Configure hosting and domain settings
- Optimise images for speed
- Handle WordPress security or plugins
- Build custom functionality tailored to your business
I use AI tools to speed up certain tasks. But a functional business website still requires human decisions about structure, user flow, and client‑specific requirements.
AI changes how we work, not whether we are needed. Code generation handles repetitive tasks faster. But building a site that fits a specific business requires:
- Judgment about UX and user flow
- Performance optimisation
- Security considerations
- Client communication and collaboration
According to W3Techs, WordPress powers 43% of all websites — human developers are still essential for custom builds. I use AI where it saves time, not where it makes decisions.
Pricing Questions
Transparent answers about website costs and budgets.
Small business websites typically range from $600 to $3,000 CAD. The price depends on:
- Number of pages — more pages = more time
- Custom functionality — booking systems, e‑commerce, member portals
- AI automation — chatbots, lead generation, workflow automation
I provide a fixed quote after understanding your requirements — no hourly billing surprises. For a quick estimate, use my Website Cost Calculator.
📊 According to DesignRush, agency pricing typically starts around $7,000 for a basic website. My low‑overhead model means you get the same quality at a fraction of the price.
Yes — for projects over $1,000, I offer:
- 50% upfront — to begin the project
- 25% at design approval — after you’ve seen the design
- 25% at launch — when the site goes live
No interest, no hidden fees. I want to make it easy for you to get the website you need.
No — hosting and domain are separate costs:
- Hosting: starts at $5/mo (see recommendations)
- Domain: ~$15/year
I help you set them up for free. You own everything — no lock‑ins.
No. What I quote is what you pay. There are no:
- Monthly retainers
- License fees
- Surprise add‑on costs
- Ongoing subscription fees
You own everything — code, content, design, and integrations. You can take your site anywhere, anytime.
Based on 100+ real projects, 85% of estimates match the final invoice within ±10%.
Only custom integrations or major scope changes adjust the price. I update the calculator monthly with new project data to keep it accurate.
Process Questions
How I work from start to finish.
- Simple 5‑page websites: 5–10 business days
- Full custom websites: 2–4 weeks
- Complex custom integrations: 4–6 weeks
I give you a weekly preview link so you can see progress and provide feedback throughout the process.
No. I write custom HTML, CSS, and PHP directly. Page builders produce bloated code with 40‑80 separate CSS and JavaScript files per page.
My sites load under 15 total requests — the difference shows up in both rankings and conversions. See why speed matters →
I give 2 revision rounds:
- Round 1: After the design is built (layout, colours, content structure)
- Round 2: After the full site is built (functionality, responsiveness, final details)
This is enough for perfection without endless delays that hurt launch timelines. Additional revisions are billed at an hourly rate.
Ideally, yes — but I can also work with placeholder content and you can replace it later. If you need help with copywriting, I can recommend writers or provide basic content structuring.
I help you plan your content structure so your site is ready for SEO from day one.
Technical Questions
Behind‑the‑scenes details about how your website works.
Responsive web design ensures your website automatically adjusts its layout for optimal viewing on phones, tablets, and desktops — without separate mobile sites.
I build mobile‑first from the start. According to Google’s mobile‑first indexing, over 60% of searches now happen on mobile. If your site isn’t responsive, you’re losing half your potential customers. Learn about responsive design →
Core Web Vitals are confirmed Google ranking factors that measure:
- LCP (Largest Contentful Paint): how fast your main content loads
- INP (Interaction to Next Paint): how responsive your site feels
- CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift): how stable your layout is
According to Google Search Central, a one‑second delay in mobile load time can reduce conversions by up to 20%. Every site I build targets sub‑second load times and passes Core Web Vitals.
- WordPress: User‑friendly admin (you can edit pages yourself). Powering 43% of all websites. Great for most businesses.
- Custom code: Built from scratch with no framework bloat. Faster, but requires a developer for changes.
I use WordPress with custom code — you get the best of both worlds: an easy‑to‑manage admin panel and a lightweight, high‑performance site. Learn about WordPress development →
I build SEO‑ready foundations into every site:
- Proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3)
- Meta title and description fields
- Schema markup (with Rank Math)
- Fast load times (Core Web Vitals)
- Mobile‑first responsive design
According to DebugBear research, Core Web Vitals are a confirmed ranking factor. I also offer dedicated SEO services for ongoing optimisation.
AI & Automation Questions
How AI chatbots and workflow automation can help your business.
An AI chatbot is a virtual assistant that can:
- Answer customer questions 24/7 — even when you’re asleep
- Qualify leads — collect contact details and understand what they need
- Book appointments — schedule calls and meetings automatically
- Handle common FAQs — reduce the load on your support team
Many of my clients see 3‑5x more leads within the first month of adding a chatbot. Learn about AI chatbot development →
Workflow automation connects your tools and eliminates manual data entry. For example:
- When a lead fills out a form → automatically create a contact in your CRM
- When a customer books a service → send them an email confirmation and reminder
- When a project reaches a certain stage → notify your team on Slack
I use tools like Make.com, Zapier, and custom API integrations to build these workflows. Learn about workflow automation →
Yes — I can add AI chatbots, lead automation, or CRM sync to any existing website, regardless of platform:
- WordPress — via plugins or custom code
- Shopify — via apps or custom integration
- Custom HTML/CSS — via JavaScript embed
The calculator below can help estimate the cost of adding AI to your site. Custom integrations →
No. I handle all the technical setup. Systems are designed to be easy to manage with user‑friendly dashboards. You get:
- Simple admin panels for chatbots
- Clear documentation and training
- Ongoing support available
You don’t need to know any code — just tell me what you need and I’ll build it.
Support & Maintenance Questions
What happens after your website launches.
Yes — optional maintenance plans are available:
- Starter: $49/mo — updates, backups, security monitoring
- Business: $99/mo — everything in Starter + content updates, priority support
- Custom: $149/mo+ — full support, AI retraining, advanced monitoring
You can also manage the site yourself if you prefer. I don’t disappear after launch — that’s a commitment I make to every client.
I include security hardening in every build:
- SSL certificate setup
- Brute‑force protection
- Regular backups
- Firewall configuration
If you’re on a maintenance plan, I monitor and fix issues proactively. If you’re not, I offer emergency hack repair services. Learn about website security →
Yes — I build sites on WordPress with a user‑friendly admin dashboard. You can edit:
- Text content — pages, blog posts, service descriptions
- Images — replace photos, add new ones
- Contact details — phone number, email, address
I also provide video training and written documentation so you can make changes confidently.
You can always:
- Reach out for one‑off support at my hourly rate
- Renew your maintenance plan at any time
- Manage the site yourself using the training I provide
I don’t lock you in — you decide what level of support you need.
Still Have Questions?
I’m happy to answer any questions you have — no pressure, just honest advice. Book a free 20‑minute strategy call.