Frequently Asked Questions

FAQS

Answers to common questions from Maine businesses

Web Design FAQ

How much does a website cost?

Most builds run $2,500 to $5,000 depending on complexity, features and how much is custom. You get a fixed number before any work starts.

How long does it take to build a website?

A straightforward site takes two to four weeks. A more complex build runs one to three months, depending on design, development and how quickly content comes together.

What makes a good website design?

Visually clear, easy to use on any device, fast to load, and built to convert. That means obvious calls to action, navigation people do not have to think about, and pages that answer the question the visitor arrived with.

Why is mobile responsiveness important?

Most web traffic now comes from phones. A responsive site gives the same experience at every screen size, which affects both how people use it and how Google ranks it.

Organic SEO FAQ

What is SEO, and why does it matter?

Search Engine Optimization is the work of making your site visible in search engines. Done properly it brings in traffic you are not paying for per click, builds awareness, and produces leads that keep arriving after the work is done.

How long does SEO take to show results?

Broad organic SEO is a long game. Expect three to twelve months before results are clear, depending on competition, the condition of the site and the strategy. Local SEO usually moves faster than that, which is covered in the Local SEO section.

What is local SEO, and who needs it?

Local SEO targets location-based searches, the kind that end in "near me" or name a town. It matters most for businesses with a storefront and for service-area businesses that travel to customers.

Do I need ongoing SEO services?

Yes. Search algorithms change, competitors keep working, and new content needs optimizing. Rankings that are not maintained tend not to stay.

Local SEO FAQ

How is Local SEO different from regular SEO?

Local SEO targets searches like "plumber in Waterville" or "best realtor near Augusta." General SEO chases broader keywords. Local SEO gets you into Google Maps, the local pack and the local results, which is where nearby customers actually look.

How quickly does Local SEO work?

Many businesses see movement in two to three months, particularly once the Google Business Profile is properly optimized and citations are cleaned up. That is faster than broad organic SEO because the competitive field is smaller and the profile signals are more direct.

What does Local SEO include?

Google Business Profile optimization, local keyword targeting, a review strategy, local citation building, and the technical work on your own site such as service-area pages and schema markup.

Do I need ongoing Local SEO?

Yes. Algorithms update, competitors optimize, new reviews and directory listings appear constantly. Ongoing work is what holds a local ranking in place.

Website Management FAQ

What is included in website management?

Core, plugin and theme updates, security monitoring, performance and Core Web Vitals, backups, and content changes. NorthView WebCare keeps the site secure, fast and current without you having to think about it.

Why does maintenance matter?

Unmaintained WordPress sites break and get hacked. Regular updates close security holes, keep the site compatible as software moves on, and keep content fresh for both visitors and search engines.

Do you manage sites you did not build?

Yes. I take over existing WordPress sites after an initial audit to assess the condition and flag anything that needs fixing first. If your site is not on WordPress, get in touch and we will talk about it.

How often is my site updated?

Weekly or monthly depending on your plan, plus real-time attention for anything urgent. You are dealing with the person who knows your site, not a ticket queue.

Branding & Creative FAQ

Why does branding matter?

A brand is not a logo, it is how customers read your business before they speak to you. Consistency builds trust, separates you from competitors and makes everything else you publish work harder.

What is included in branding services?

Logo design, brand style guidelines, color palettes, typography, and business collateral such as cards and brochures, so everything you put out looks like it came from the same company.

Do you do social media branding?

Yes. Branded graphics, post templates and profile assets, so your presence looks consistent across every platform.

What does branding cost?

It depends on scope, so branding is quoted rather than packaged. Tell me what you need and you will get a number.

Social Media Marketing FAQ

How often will you post?

Plans are flexible. A typical month includes two custom-designed posts plus additional posts built from your own updates and photos, all optimized for reach and engagement.

Which platforms do you manage?

Facebook and Instagram through Meta Business Suite, plus LinkedIn and Google Business Profile content. If you are not sure where to spend the effort, we work that out from your business type and who you are trying to reach.

Do you run paid social ads?

Yes. Facebook and Instagram ads, whether that is boosting posts that are already working or running targeted campaigns. That includes defining the audience, setting a budget and optimizing as results come in.

What do the social graphics include?

On-brand graphics for posts, promos, seasonal content and story formats, built from your existing website and brand assets so everything stays visually consistent.

TESTIMONIALS

What Maine business owners say about the work

17 five-star Google reviews

Thanks Mike! Our new website looks great! We appreciate the time you spent tending to meet our needs and give us something simple enough for us to keep up to date while also looking fantastic!

Ron Greco

Mike built and designed a new fresh website for our non profit organization at an affordable price and very timely. I appreciated how much he took on for us in regards to writing copy, organizing a calendar and setting up forms. Definitely recommend!

Lauren Keiser

Northview did a great job at really listening to our needs and giving us guidance on where to take our website. I would recommend and use again!

Lacey Breton

Mike has been great to work with! The website he built is awesome, he communicates very well and completed the work in a timely manner. 10/10!

Jared Bornstein

Mike at North View Digital is fantastic to work with! He always keeps our website looking fresh and professional, and he’s always prompt and responsive when we need updates or changes. We’re so grateful for everything he’s done for our organization — highly recommend North View Digital!

Molly King

I asked Mike to build me a website, and he impressed me right from the start. On top of that, he also provides SEO and marketing support, which has been a huge help for my business. It’s great to have someone local who truly understands the Maine market. Thanks again, Mike!

Corey Lee

Mike did a fantastic job creating the website for my business at a reasonable price. He was very professional, responsive and was great at answering all of my questions. I highly recommend Mike as he knows what he is doing and is local with lots of experience.

Emma Rushton

I was looking for the best Maine web design company who could also help me with SEO, NorthView Digital was the perfect fit. They were quick, professional, and knowledgeable!

Adrian Sincyr

We have been using NorthView Digital for over four years now. We are a very small non-profit with only three employees. Mike is always very responsive to any of our requests. He stays on top of our website for us. We can not say enough about the value we receive from having Mike handling our website.

Cindy Wade

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