Jennifer Taormina & Co. is a creative studio in Austin that partners with service-based and retail businesses—from Texas, to coast to coast, and across the pond. We specialize in strategic branding and design, custom Showit websites, and easy-to-use website and Canva templates that help our clients grow with clarity and confidence.



From design and process to copy, timelines, and post-launch support — we’ve got you covered.

This FAQ page answers the most common questions small business owners ask about our custom website design services on Showit — so you know exactly what to expect before booking a consult.

Website FAQs 

Book a website consult

From design and process to copy, timelines, and post-launch support— we’ve got you covered.

This FAQ page answers the most common questions small business owners ask about our custom website design services on Showit—so you know exactly what to expect before booking a consult.

Website FAQs 

Book a website consult

Website design 

Website design 

What platform do you design on?

All of our custom websites are built on Showit — a beautifully flexible platform that allows for fully custom design, with the option to add custom code when needed for advanced functionality.

It’s the best of both worlds: design freedom and strategic customization for us, and an intuitive, drag-and-drop interface for you to manage your content with ease.

Do I need branding before I start a custom website?

Do I need branding before I start a custom website?

Yes—branding always comes first.

To create a cohesive, high-impact website, you’ll need a professionally developed brand identity and style guide. If you’ve already worked with us on branding, you’re good to go. If not, we’ll review your current brand to see if it’s strong enough to support your site—or talk about next steps for a rebrand.

Here’s what you’ll need to have in place before we begin:

  • A primary logo (plus variations, like a submark or favicon)
  • A defined color palette
  • Brand typography (font pairings for headings, body, etc.)
  • A style guide that outlines visual direction
  • High-resolution logo files (SVG or PNG)
  • Brand photography (or a plan to get it)
  • Clear brand voice and positioning (your messaging foundation)

If you’re missing any of the above, we’re happy to help—through a full rebrand or a brand refinement add-on to get you launch-ready.

Explore our branding services to see how we can support you.

How do I know if I need a custom site or a template?

How do I know if I need a custom site or a template?

If you’re looking for a strategic, built-from-scratch site designed around your goals, offers, and client journey—a custom website is for you.

If you're in the earlier stages of business, working with a tighter timeline or budget, or want to DIY your launch with guidance — one of our Showit templates might be the perfect fit.

Still unsure? Get in touch and we’ll help you choose the best path for where you are right now.



Can you redesign my existing website?

Can you redesign my existing website?

We don’t offer partial redesigns or work within existing platforms. Instead, we create a brand-new custom Showit site from the ground up—one that’s aligned with your brand, built around strategy and designed to help your business grow with clarity and confidence.

Copywriting & SEO

Copywriting & SEO

Do you provide website copywriting?

Do you provide website copywriting?

We don’t include copywriting in our website packages—but your words are a big part of the strategy. You’ll need to provide all website copy before the design phase begins, so we can build your site around your message, not just fill in the blanks.

Need support? We’re happy to refer you to a trusted copywriter—or share our DIY prep guide to help you get started.

Can I write the copy myself?


Can I write the copy myself?


Absolutely. If you’re confident writing your own copy, we’ll send you a prep guide with best practices and page-by-page prompts to help you get started.

That said, we always recommend professional copywriting for key pages like your homepage, about page, and services— especially if conversions are a goal.

Do I need to provide meta descriptions too?


Do I need to provide meta descriptions too?


Yes—meta descriptions are short summaries that appear under your page titles in search results. They’re important for both SEO and encouraging people to click on your site.

You’ll need to provide one for each page alongside your website copy to ensure everything aligns with your message and search visibility. If you're working with a copywriter, be sure they include meta descriptions in your deliverables.

What level of SEO is included?


What level of SEO is included?


Every custom site we build includes foundational SEO — mobile responsiveness, fast load speeds, optimized heading structure, and compressed images.

You’ll be responsible for providing SEO-optimized copy and meta descriptions. For advanced SEO needs—like keyword strategy, Google Analytics setup, or long-term SEO growth—we’re happy to connect you with a trusted expert from our network.

Why Showit?


Why Showit?


What is Showit?


What is Showit?


Showit is a drag-and-drop website platform that gives you total design freedom—no coding required. It’s built for creatives and service providers who want a beautiful, high-performing site and the confidence to manage it after launch.

It seamlessly integrates with WordPress for powerful blogging and SEO, while giving you full creative control over your layout and design. It’s the best of both worlds: visual flexibility and backend strength.


Why do you use Showit?


Why do you use Showit?



Because it gives us the freedom to design strategically—without limitations.

Showit isn’t just another template-based builder. It’s a no-code, fully customizable platform that lets us build a one-of-a-kind site tailored to your brand, goals, and user experience—and you don’t need to be tech-savvy to use it.

Behind the scenes, it’s built on solid infrastructure:

  • Your site is hosted on WP Engine for top-tier speed, security, and reliability
  • Your blog runs on WordPress — the gold standard for SEO performance
  • We layer in custom code when needed to add interactive elements, subtle animations, and advanced features that take your site from polished to powerful

And after launch? You’ll get a personalized walk-through and access to training tutorials so you can update your content with ease— plus support from Showit’s friendly, real-human team (no bots here).





Is Showit good for SEO?


Is Showit good for SEO?


Yes—Showit combines flexible design with a clean, SEO-friendly foundation.

Because blogs are powered by WordPress, you get the best of both platforms. We also optimize your site for speed, mobile responsiveness, heading structure, and meta tags—giving Google (and your audience) exactly what they need.

Can I update my site after launch?


Can I update my site after launch?


Yes! With Showit, you don’t need coding skills or design experience to make edits. We’ll provide a personalized walk-through and easy-to-follow training videos, so you feel confident managing your content, swapping images, or making basic layout changes.

And if you ever need support down the road, we’re here—and so is Showit’s excellent (real-human!) support team.


What's included?



What's included?



What’s included in a custom website?


What’s included in a custom website?


Every custom website we create is built from the ground up—no templates, no shortcuts. It’s designed to support your business goals, reflect your brand, and offer an intentional user experience from start to finish.

Here’s what’s included with our custom Showit site packages:

  • Strategic site map & UX flow – built to guide visitors with clarity and ease
  • Fully custom design & Showit development – tailored to your brand and goals
  • Navigation & footer design – structured for a seamless, intuitive user journey
  • Mobile responsiveness & SEO setup – built to look great and perform well on every device
  • Instagram feed & social media integration – keeps your content connected and current
  • Walk-through training & post-launch support – so you feel confident managing your site after it’s live

Every project starts with a standard core set of custom-designed pages—typically Home, About, Service, and Contact pages. From there, we build out additional pages (like expanded Service pages, FAQs, Portfolio, Blog, or Sales Pages) based on your content, copy, and business needs.

Need something more? We can also incorporate features that support how you run your business — including:

  • Lead capture forms – for building your email list with platforms like Flodesk or ConvertKit
  • Booking and scheduling integrations – such as HoneyBook, Acuity, or Calendly
  • Newsletter sign-ups – seamlessly integrated opt-in
  • Embedded forms, galleries & interactive features – to keep your content dynamic and engaging

These enhancements are tailored to your specific goals and can be added to your proposal during the planning phase.

And yes—you’ll receive a full video walk-through after launch so you feel confident navigating and updating your site on your own.

Will my site work on mobile?



Will my site work on mobile?



Absolutely. Every site we build is designed with a mobile-first mindset—so it looks polished, functions smoothly, and loads quickly on every device.

Whether your visitors are browsing on phones, tablets, or desktops, they’ll experience your brand exactly as intended—clean, clear, and user-friendly from start to finish.

Bonus: Google favors mobile-friendly sites, so this approach supports your SEO from day one.



Process & timeline



Process & timeline



How long is the strategy call and what happens during it?




How long is the strategy call and what happens during it?




The strategy call is a 20–30 minute conversation where we get aligned on your goals, vision, and what functionality your site needs. We’ll cover things like:

  • What pages your site will need
  • Whether you want to work with a copywriter or write your own copy
  • Any integrations you need (like booking tools or email platforms)
  • Visual direction and timeline expectations

Before the call, we’ll send you a short questionnaire to help us gather key info. This ensures the call is focused, productive, and helps us build a truly custom (and accurate) proposal for your site.





Do you charge for custom proposals?




Do you charge for custom proposals?




Yes—because every proposal is custom-built based on your goals, page count, and features, we require a $500 deposit to move forward after the strategy call. That deposit is fully credited toward your project if you choose to book with us.

If you decide not to move forward, the deposit is non-refundable — as it covers the time, strategy, and care that goes into crafting a tailored proposal. This helps us prioritize serious inquiries and ensures you receive a thoughtful, strategic recommendation — not a cookie-cutter quote.




What do I need to provide before we start?




What do I need to provide before we start?




You’ll need to provide:

  • Final website copy (including SEO meta descriptions)
  • A professional brand style guide with your fonts and logos
  • High-resolution images and brand graphics

If we created your branding, we already have this on file. If not, you’ll need to provide professionally designed brand assets before we begin.

You’ll receive a prep checklist and a shared Google Drive folder to upload everything. To keep your project on track, all assets must be submitted by the content deadline provided after booking.





Do I need to provide my own images?




Do I need to provide my own images?




Yes. All imagery should be provided before we begin design. Photos must be high-resolution, professionally shot, and aligned with your brand’s tone and style.

We highly recommend using lifestyle or brand photography instead of stock wherever possible—it makes a big difference in how polished and cohesive your site looks and feels.





What if I don’t have professional photos yet?




What if I don’t have professional photos yet?




That’s totally fine — we’ll provide a shot list and styling tips to help you plan your shoot and get the visuals you need. You don’t have to hire a high-end photographer (unless you want to). The goal is to have clear, on-brand images that elevate your site and reflect your business in the best light.





What’s the timeline for a custom website?




What’s the timeline for a custom website?




Most custom websites take 8–12 weeks — but that clock doesn’t start until we’ve received everything we need from you, including final copy, brand files, and images.

Once we’re fully prepped, we’ll kick off the design phase and follow the timeline outlined in your proposal. If your project includes custom features or advanced integrations, we’ll account for that in your schedule.

Delays most often happen when content or assets are missing — so the more organized you are upfront, the smoother everything goes on our end.





What’s the process like?




What’s the process like?




Here’s how our custom website process flows from start to launch:

1. Strategy call – we get aligned on goals, vision, and functionality

2.
 Custom proposal – you'll receive a detailed outline of pages, features, and investment

3.
Project booking – submit your deposit and reserve your start date

4. Site mapping – we map out your content, user journey, and page structure


5. Design & development – your custom Showit site comes to life


6. Revisions – you’ll receive a Loom walkthrough and one main round of refinements


7.
Pre-launch testing – we test all links, responsiveness, and cross-browser performance

8.
Domain connection & launch – your site goes live (cue the champagne!)

9. Post-launch support – you’ll get tutorial videos, 7-day support, and optional maintenance packages


It’s a strategic, streamlined and collaborative process—and you’ll always know what comes next.






Once I book, then what?




Once I book, then what?




After your deposit is submitted and your project is confirmed, we’ll start with client prep and onboarding.

You’ll receive:

  • A prep checklist with everything you need to gather
  • Access to a shared Google Drive folder
  • A personalized onboarding page with next steps, helpful resources, and how to reach us
  • A content submission deadline and your official project start date

Your project timeline begins once we have all of your content and assets in hand. The more prepared you are, the smoother (and faster) the process will be.




Investment & support



Investment & support

What’s the investment for a custom website?




What’s the investment for a custom website?




Custom websites start at $9,500 and are priced based on your unique goals, features, and page count. After your strategy call, we’ll send a tailored proposal that outlines everything included—so you know exactly what you're getting and why.




Why are custom websites more expensive than templates or doing it myself?




Why are custom websites more expensive than templates or doing it myself?




Because a custom website isn’t just a design —it’s a strategic business tool that’s built to grow with you.

Templates give you a framework. DIY gets you online. But a custom website is intentionally designed and developed around your brand, goals, and customer journey. It’s not just about how it looks—it’s about how it works.

Here’s what you’re really investing in:

Strategy-first approach — we don’t just start designing; we map out your user experience, brand messaging, and conversion goals so the entire site is built with purpose.

Tailored design & functionality
— every page and section is thoughtfully designed to reflect your brand, support your goals, and create a seamless experience across all devices.

Integrated tools
— from lead capture forms and booking platforms to newsletter opt-ins and custom animations, we implement the tools that streamline your business.

Search-optimized foundation
— built with SEO best practices from day one: mobile responsiveness, heading hierarchy, metadata, and fast load times.

Custom features & styling
— need collapsible sections, interactive galleries, or hover effects? We bring it to life — no template limitations.

Professional partnership — we guide you through the entire process and train you on how to manage your site post-launch, so you’re empowered, not dependent.

Time and expertise — each custom website takes8–12+ weeks to design, develop, test, and launch. You're hiring an expert team to handle the heavy lifting, solve challenges, and build something that truly reflects your business.

You're not just paying for a website—you’re investing in a high-performing, conversion-driven digital home that reflects the level of your brand and works for you 24/7.

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all websites. Your brand is unique, and your site should be too. That’s why every custom site we create is thoughtfully designed, built for performance, and developed to convert— not just to look good.


Do you offer payment plans?




Do you offer payment plans?




Yes—we offer milestone-based payment plans to keep things manageable:

  • 25% deposit to reserve your start date (non-refundable)
  • 25% after design approval
  • 25% at the start of development
  • 25% before launch

Need more flexibility? For qualifying projects, we also offer custom monthly payment plans. Just let us know during the proposal phase, and we’ll find what works best for you.






What if I need updates after launch?




What kind of support do you offer after launch?




We’ll show you how to update your site confidently using Showit’s drag-and-drop editor. You’ll receive a personalized Loom walk-through, plus access to additional training resources.

Prefer to stay hands-off? We offer:

  • Hourly support for updates and refinements
  • Retainer packages for ongoing support, seasonal updates, or fresh content

Your site should grow with you — and we’re here to help, whether you want to manage updates yourself or have us take care of it for you.