Question 1

What kind of businesses do you actually work with?

Accepted Answer

Small and medium businesses across BC and Canada, local shops, restaurants, clinics, professional offices, trades, repair shops, consultants, agencies, and service-based companies. If you'd describe yourself as 'too big for a spreadsheet, too small for an agency,' that's our sweet spot.

Question 2

I'm not technical. Will this be a problem?

Accepted Answer

No. The vast majority of our clients aren't technical. We translate between 'how the business works' and 'what the software needs to do.' If you can describe your problem out loud, we can scope it.

Question 3

Do I need to know exactly what I want before reaching out?

Accepted Answer

No. Most people start with a problem, not a spec. The free consultation exists to turn that problem into a clear first version, or to tell you it's not worth building yet.

Question 4

We already use [Square / Shopify / Jane / QuickBooks / etc.]. Can you work with that?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. We don't try to replace tools that are already working for you, we build the missing piece around them. Integration depends on the specific tool's API, but we'll be straight about what's practical.

Question 5

What if you're not the right fit?

Accepted Answer

We'll tell you on the first call. If your project needs a different specialist (heavy mobile development, high-volume e-commerce, regulated healthcare data), we'll often suggest who to talk to instead.

Question 6

Can you build both websites and apps?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Standard business websites, landing pages, internal tools, dashboards, CRM systems, booking workflows, client portals, and custom web apps are all in scope.

Question 7

Can you replace the spreadsheet our business runs on?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes. If a spreadsheet has become the system of record for customers, jobs, bookings, or inventory, we can almost always design a cleaner workflow around the same information.

Question 8

Can customers log in and use part of the system?

Accepted Answer

Yes, client portals are common. Customer logins, private data, payments, and document uploads all need careful planning, but they're well within scope.

Question 9

Will the tool work on phones and tablets?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We build for the actual devices your team and customers use, including phones in the field. Mobile-friendly is the default, not an upgrade.

Question 10

Can you build native iOS or Android apps?

Accepted Answer

Most of what small businesses ask for is better as a mobile-friendly web app, easier to maintain, no app-store gatekeeping, no separate codebase. We'll be honest if a true native app is what you actually need (it usually isn't).

Question 11

Can you handle payments?

Accepted Answer

Yes, via providers like Stripe. Payments add real scope (compliance, edge cases, refunds, testing) so we plan and quote them carefully, not as a free 'oh and add a checkout' at the end.

Question 12

How long does a typical project take?

Accepted Answer

Small business websites: 2–3 weeks. A focused first version of a custom app, CRM, or booking tool: 4–10 weeks. Larger builds with multiple user types and integrations take longer. We'll give you a realistic window after one short call.

Question 13

How is the work organized?

Accepted Answer

Discovery → plan → build → review → launch. Weekly written updates. A working link to click as soon as there's something to look at. No vanishing for three weeks then surfacing with a 'reveal'.

Question 14

What if I want to change something halfway through?

Accepted Answer

Small tweaks are part of the deal. Bigger additions (new screen, new workflow, new integration) get scoped and quoted separately so nothing gets buried in a final invoice.

Question 15

How involved do I need to be?

Accepted Answer

Roughly one short call per week, plus replying to a few questions and clicking around the working preview. That's usually enough.

Question 16

Why does pricing start at a range instead of a flat fee?

Accepted Answer

Two restaurant websites or two CRMs are rarely the same project. After a short call we know enough to give you a fixed-scope estimate. No surprise invoices, no hourly meters running.

Question 17

How do payments work?

Accepted Answer

Typically a deposit to start, the balance on launch. For larger projects we break it into milestones. Always agreed in writing before we begin.

Question 18

Is this cheaper than a traditional software agency?

Accepted Answer

Usually yes, sometimes by a lot, especially for small business tools and first-version apps. We keep the team small, the scope tight, and skip the discovery-retainer treadmill.

Question 19

What about ongoing costs after launch?

Accepted Answer

Hosting and any third-party services (email, SMS, payments) are typically pass-through and modest. An optional monthly support plan covers small changes and monitoring. No lock-in.

Question 20

Will I own the website or app?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You own the code, the data, and the domain. Ownership and access are agreed in writing before the project starts. You can take it elsewhere any time, no lock-in.

Question 21

How is sensitive data handled?

Accepted Answer

Practical defaults: encrypted connections, role-based access, sensible authentication, and clear data ownership. For systems that handle health, legal, financial, or other sensitive information, we recommend a dedicated privacy and security review before launch.

Question 22

What happens if something breaks after launch?

Accepted Answer

Two weeks of free 'something's not quite right' support is included with every project. After that you can request changes ad-hoc or pick up an optional monthly support plan.

Question 23

Do you provide ongoing maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, optionally. Monthly plans cover small updates, monitoring, backups, and improvements. Most clients start without one and add it once the tool is in daily use.

Question 24

What if you stop being available?

Accepted Answer

Because you own the code and data, anyone capable can pick up the project. We use mainstream tools and clean structure specifically so this is straightforward, not a marketing line.

The questions small business owners actually ask us.

Is this the right fit for my business?

What can you actually build?

Timelines and how a project runs

Pricing and money questions

Ownership, security, and what happens after launch

Still on the fence?