Common Questions About Our Stress-Free Web Design in Asheville
Every time we present or demonstrate our All-in-One website package, the No Stress CMS website management system, or why our approach is often a better fit than WordPress for small businesses -- thoughtful questions come up.
Below are the ones we hear most often.
If you don't see your question here, please contact us. We will reply promptly and personally. We may even add your question to this page. Because chances are, other smart business owners are wondering the same thing.
Choosing a website partner is an important decision, especially for small businesses that don't have time for technical headaches or ongoing maintenance surprises. Our goal has always been simple: build websites that rank well in search engines, load quickly, generate leads, emphasize conversions, and are easy to manage -- all without stress.
Here are clear, straightforward answers to the questions we're asked most often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Website Platform & CMS Questions
Do you use WordPress to build your websites?
For about 95% of our small business clients, we do not. WordPress can be a good fit for content-heavy or enterprise-level projects, but for most small businesses WordPress introduces unnecessary complexity.
WordPress is designed to accommodate an almost endless number of features and plugins, which most small business owners do not use or need. It also comes with a steep learning curve, frequent performance and security updates, and other ongoing maintenance demands that can quickly become a source of stress.
We specialize in building custom, PHP-based websites using our No Stress CMS. Our sites are lightweight, fast-loading, and designed for small businesses that want a secure, reliable, low-maintenance alternative. When you have wording or image changes to make, you can complete them with just a couple clicks and get back to running your business.
How is your "No Stress CMS" easier than other platforms?
Most CMS platforms are built for every possible use case, which can make them unnecessarily complex for small businesses. And, unless customized, they force clients to adapt to a predefined structure. We think the structure should conform to the individual business's needs.
Our No Stress CMS is file-based: no databases, no plugins, and no themes to manage. You can update text or images in just a few clicks without risk of breaking your site's layout.
Why are your custom PHP websites more secure than WordPress sites?
43% of all websites are built on the WordPress platform -- making it the most profitable target for hackers. And they aren't targeting a specific site. The majority of these are automated bots that scan thousands of sites per minute, looking for outdated or vulnerable plugins and shared themes. As a result, industry estimates suggest that thousands of WordPress sites are compromised each day, largely due to outdated plugins and shared themes.
Our custom code is built specifically for your business. By eliminating unnecessary features and plugins, we reduce the site's "attack surface," keeping it safer from common security threats.
Can I easily update my own website content?
Absolutely. Our system is built for business owners who want control without technical complexity.
No Stress CMS lets you safely edit headlines, images, and page content while headers, footers, and navigation remain protected. Each editable section includes a one-click "Revert" option to restore previous content instantly.
Working With Us
What makes Joe Web different from other Asheville web design agencies?
As a husband-and-wife team with over 30 years of experience, we provide personal service you won't find at larger agencies.
We focus on simplicity and performance: high-quality, Google-compliant websites that are faster, more secure, and easier to manage than resource-heavy alternatives.
I'm not very technical -- how much work will I have to do to get my site live?
Very little. You provide basic information about your business, and we handle the rest -- from domain setup to text refinement and image preparation. We keep you informed throughout the process to make getting online stress-free.
Pricing & Packages
What's included in your All-in-One website package?
Our small business package includes everything you need to get online: a professional 6-page, mobile-friendly website, hosting, email setup, Google Analytics, Google Business Profile setup and submission, and basic SEO. There are no hidden fees -- just clear, upfront pricing.
Do you charge a monthly or annual fee?
The one-time fee to design, optimize, and launch your website covers everything for the first year -- unless you choose to have us handle ongoing content updates or site changes.
After the first year, there is a simple $200 annual renewal that covers domain registration, hosting, and Microsoft 365 email renewal. There are no surprise fees and no required monthly maintenance plans.
Our No Stress CMS website management system is included at no additional charge for as long as we host your site, allowing you to safely update your content anytime without ongoing CMS or licensing fees.
For clients who prefer hands-off support, we offer discounted bundles of hours for content updates and site changes.
Local SEO & Business Profiles
Why is my Google Maps business listing so important for a local business?
The Google Maps listing is often the first thing potential customers see. Many business owners assume map placement depends solely on websites or backlinks, but Google relies heavily on the completeness and accuracy of the listing itself.
A well-structured listing helps Google understand your business, location, and services, improving visibility in local search results.
Is setting up a Google business listing just a one-time task?
Many businesses do the bare minimum and treat it as "checklist work," leaving valuable opportunities on the table. Google offers tools for categories, services, descriptions, photos, and updates -- using them strategically can boost your listing's performance.
Our All-in-One package covers the essential setup, and for clients who want deeper optimization or ongoing updates, we offer discounted bundles of support hours to handle the heavy lifting.
Do I even need a website -- or is optimizing my Google Business Profile enough to rank in local search?
Optimizing your GBP is important -- adding photos, services, posts, and responding to reviews helps Google understand your business and can boost local visibility. But it's not a secret shortcut.
Your website is still the foundation. High-quality content, structured pages, and SEO-friendly design provide the context and authority that search engines need to rank you effectively. The GBP works best when paired with a strong website.
Our All-in-One package covers the essentials for GBP setup, and we offer discounted bundles for ongoing optimization if you want us to handle updates, posts, and strategic improvements.
Do I need a Bing or Microsoft Business Profile?
Bing (Microsoft) Business Profile is a commonly overlooked opportunity for additional local visibility. While it is not as critical as Google Business Profile, we find it to be moderately beneficial, since it feeds Bing, Edge, and Yahoo searches and reaches users within the Microsoft ecosystem.
Like GBP, a completed Bing profile benefits from a strong website, accurate contact information, and photos. Setup and verification, however, can be more involved than Google's process, which is one reason many businesses overlook it. Our All-in-One package covers Google essentials, and we can assist with Bing setup or optimization if desired.
Performance & Results
How will I know if my website is actually working?
We provide a simple Monthly Pulse Check to show how your site is performing in Google. You'll see how visitors find you, which pages are most popular, and how many contact you directly. Complex data is translated into a clear, easy-to-understand report so you can see your growth.
Still Have Questions? Let's Talk!
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