Frequently asked questions about Bernadot Studios

Very little. The process is designed to save you time, not eat it up. You’ll answer a few key questions, then get updates along the way. We are also providing FREE content writing for all clients at this time, so you do not need to write any polished content for your website.

You don’t need to. Everything’s explained in plain English, and you’re guided through each step. You’ll always know what’s happening, and why it matters.

Both. Whether you’re just starting or your online presence needs serious cleanup, the process meets you where you are and moves you forward with clarity.

Yes and no. It is possible, but it requires marketing skill sets and web design knowledge to do it successfully (image manipulation, content writing, SEO, schema, accessibility, value propositions, etc.). As of this writing (october 2025), my last 4 of 5 clients came from a Wix website they built themselves. I recommend saving your time and money and reaching out for a free consultation.

That’s a common concern. You’ll get clear deliverables, fair pricing, and real communication, plus a 100% satisfaction guarantee along the way. If something’s not right, it gets fixed, or you get your money back. We also return all calls within minutes / hours and you will NEVER be ghosted.

At Bernadot Studios, website pricing is clear and upfront. A professional 5-page website starts at $1,000, with optional ongoing support available for $99/month (billed annually). That includes fast hosting, daily backups, security, updates, and local support. If your project requires more pages or custom functionality, you’ll receive a detailed quote before we begin. No surprises, no hidden fees, just fair, transparent pricing designed for service-based businesses in the La Crosse area.

Most websites are completed within 30 days, depending on your responsiveness and the complexity of your project.

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed before launch. If your website isn’t right, we’ll work with you to fix it. If we can’t meet your expectations, we’ll refund your money. You won’t pay for a website you’re not happy with.

Yes. We currently offer FREE content writing and editing to ensure your message is clear, persuasive, and aligned with local SEO.

Absolutely. You own your website, content, domain, and hosting accounts. We never lock you into proprietary systems or hidden contracts.

Yes. Your site is built on WordPress, which allows you to easily make updates. We also provide guidance and support if you ever need help.

Yes. We build every site with on-page SEO best practices and submit it to Google for indexing. Additional SEO services are available for more aggressive search goals.

You have options. Redesign your site: We can create a brand-new website while keeping your existing domain name. Support for existing sites: We also offer ongoing support for most WordPress websites we didn’t build, pending a quick review to confirm eligibility.

You get fast, secure hosting with daily backups, full site restoration, continuous security monitoring, cleanup in case of a breach, daily software updates and licensing managed for you, email service, web hosting, and priority support seven days a week.

Working with a local web designer like Bernadot Studios means you get a partner who understands your market, your customers, and your competition. We’ve helped over 100 La Crosse area service businesses build websites that get found and trusted locally. Plus, you get direct support (no call centers) and fast responses, even on evenings and weekends. When you’re searching for a “web designer near me,” you’re really looking for someone you can count on, and that’s exactly what we deliver.

Yes. We offer logo design for $500. Includes multiple designs and iterations to get you the logo you want. If we cannot meet your needs, we will refund all of your money.

Yes. As long as your site runs on WordPress and meets our basic standards, we can take over support and updates. Please note that we do not accept websites running a WooCommerce store.

We specialize in service-based businesses and generally do not support websites using WooCommerce or other built-in online store plugins. If your site includes an embedded store powered by a third-party platform (like Shopify, Mindbody, or an appointment-based app), that’s typically acceptable. However, we do not offer support for any eCommerce functions such as managing orders, shipping, or payments.

Support is available 7 days a week and most minor updates or edits are processed the same day. We typically reply in minutes / hours and will respond to all requests within 24 hours.

It includes priority phone & email support, daily website software updates for WordPress, plugins & themes, security setup, site restoration if something breaks, premium plugin licensing, and performance optimization for fast loading pages.

If something goes wrong during an update, we’ll fix or restore your site at no extra cost. That’s part of the service.

The Service Suite is Bernadot Studios’ all-inclusive website support solution that began in 2021 with our $1,000 website package. It includes everything from the Support+ Plan plus secure web hosting and professional email services under one plan. The Support+ package is primarily for non-clients who already have a WordPress website and want reliable maintenance, updates, and fixes, but do not need our web hosting or email services.

Very easy. I will create a page on your website that has a form with 2 fields: Customer name and Email Address. You enter in the information and click submit. The system will take care of the rest, including sending one reminder after 2 days, if the customer has not responded.

By default, here is how 5 Star Engine works: Send customer review request via email Customer clicks link in email and is taken to a customized form for your business Customer completes form and submits Customer is asked if they wish to leave a review on Google or other platforms you’ve included Customer simply clicks link to the other platform and pastes in their review that they typed in step 3 Positive reviews are auto-posted to your website If you wish to target only Google Reviews, for example, and skip collecting reviews from people who do not have a Google account or wish to leave a Google review, the process works like this: Send customer review request via email Customer clicks link in email and is taken to a page with a single button linked to your Google reviews (no form) Customer clicks button and is taken to your Google Business Profile to leave a review Positive reviews are auto-posted to your website

No. There are a couple of reasons your customer may not leave you a Google review. No Google account – a person needs a Google account to leave a review on Google Choose not to participate – some people are too busy or choose not to share their experience on Google This is why a system is so important, as this is a numbers game. You want to simplify your life and make sending requests easy and effective.

Instantly, or as fast as you can send out a request. Once a review is submitted, it will post in just seconds.

Yes, in fact, I will manage this for you so you do not have to learn a new system.

In the event of a negative Google review, we will alert you and help you craft a professional response. Upon your approval, we will publish the response to your Google Business Profile.

Yes. If you are dissatisfied within the first 30 days of service, we can work to make things right, or offer you a complete refund (including setup fees). No refunds are offered after 30 days on the Yearly plan.

Absolutely. Many profiles are incomplete or inactive. We clean up, optimize and manage it so it works for you.

No, whether you have a physical shop or provide service in the field, we optimize your profile for your service area.

Most businesses see improvements in visibility and engagement within 4–8 weeks, depending on competition and consistency of updates (posts, reviews, photos, etc.).

Ranking depends on multiple factors, proximity, relevance, and prominence. Even with perfect optimization, Google will favor businesses physically closer to the searcher.

Yes. You’ll need to complete Google’s business verification process to confirm your ownership. This involves recording a short video showing your business location and assets, following Google’s verification steps to prove authenticity. Please note, verification is not included in the standard Google Business Profile Management service but can be provided as an optional add-on in the rare event that you may need verification assistance.

We would be happy to listen to your situation. We may be able to provide assistance, as Google always has the final say. This would be an add-on service with additional fees.

No further changes are made on your behalf. and you’ll keep control of your GBP. We will also remove ourselves as an authorized user of your account.

Yes. We offer our 5 Star Engine Online Review System to request, monitor, and showcase your customer feedback. This service works perfectly together with the GBP Managment service, and it is recommended you use both together. Learn more about 5 Star Engine here.

A citation is any online mention of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP). These usually appear in directories like Yelp, MapQuest, or Apple Maps and help customers, and search engines, verify your legitimacy.

Citations build trust with Google, AI search engines, and customers. They improve your local rankings, increase visibility, and ensure people find the right information about your business, no matter where they search.

We submit your business info to five major data aggregators (like Foursquare and Data Axle). They distribute your information to hundreds (or even thousands) of directories, apps, and voice search tools, saving you countless hours.

Backlinks are clickable links from one website to yours. Citations may or may not include a link, but their primary power lies in validating your business’s identity across trusted sources, especially important for local SEO and AI search.

Yes. Local citations are still a top ranking factor for local search visibility, and consistency across listings is one of the most trusted signals Google looks for.

Yes. Tools like Siri, Alexa, and ChatGPT pull business info from platforms like Foursquare, Yelp, and Google Business Profile. Getting listed properly improves your chances of showing up in these AI-driven results. If you do not have a Google Business Profile for your business, make sure to check out our GBP Management Service.

Yes, but you can cancel upon any renewal period. It’s a $350 / yearly fee for full submission to the top five leading aggregator networks. Failure to renew can lead to your information being removed or being inaccurate.

No ongoing work is needed for most. But if your business info changes (address, phone number, etc.), just let us know and we can re-submit your business information so that your data stays accurate across all aggregators.

We will grant a 100% refund for the citation submission service should you change your mind before we submit your data to our 3rd party service. Once your data is submitted, no refunds will be provided, as there is no way to cancel the process once initiated.