Like a well-tended garden the best websites are built with intention from the very beginning. At Humboldt Creative we combine strategy, design, and development to create digital spaces that quietly stand apart and more importantly serve you as a business tool.
Web Design in Arcata, Eureka & Humboldt County
You’ve Built Something Meaningful. Your Website Should Reflect That.
Buying a website is a lot like buying a car. You need to know what it needs to do before you even start thinking about things like colors and fancy add on features. A beautiful online business card (or what Web Designers often call “Brochure Sites”) will show potential customers you’re legit, but a strategic website doesn’t stop there. A strategic website is one that actually serves you as a business tool.
That’s the work we do at Humboldt Creative. When we design a website we start from square one. We ask the right questions to get a birds eye view of your business, understand it within the context of your market, figure out your pain points, and ultimately create a digital product that makes your life easier. Because when you’re running a business the last thing you want to tack on to your infinite to-do list is dealing with tech.
Services & Capabilities
So what does that actually mean? Because yes, we can make Brochure Sites and have a lot of fun doing so, but what does something strategic look like? Picture this:
- A website that feels modern & trustworthy
- A website that puts you in the driver seat with easy editing
- Content that offers clear messaging & aligned storytelling
- Fast performance & the right foundations for future SEO and/or Marketing efforts
- Custom functionality when needed
Going back to the buying a car analogy, we make sure your site is ready for whatever you need it to do whether that means 4WD and a lift or a reliable daily commuter. And we make sure she looks good too.
How it Works
While every project is different, the overall flow of a custom collaboration looks similar across most projects. Here’s what to expect:
- Free 30-Minute Discovery Call: We start with a meeting to discuss what’s going on with your website (or lack thereof), what your business does, what you want your website to do, and any significant pain points in your day to day operations. We’ll also touch on some broader marketing pieces. If you’re local, we love to meet in person.
- Proposal: It usually takes us 1-2 business days to put together a proposal based on the Discovery Call. This will include a scope of work, a timeline, and the total investment among the other details that are specific to your business. If everything is aligned and we agree to move forward next we enter…
- Design Phase: This is where it starts to get really fun! For newer businesses this may include moodboards and logo design. For established businesses this usually means we start right away with 2-3 variations of the homepage. We revise the homepage you like best until you’re totally happy and then move into Designing the rest of the site. Depending on SOW we might present mock-ups for internal pages too, or we may move straight into the next phase.
- Development Phase: This is when we move from pictures to a living, breathing site. This is also when we’ll add in any custom functionality. We’ll stay in touch during this phase but this is really when you’ll experience the most “radio silence” from us as we work our magic to bring your site to life.
- Final Approval & Launch: Finally we move into testing, final approval, and launch. This goes much as you would expect. You get to see the site in a staging environment, click around, and review the content and imagery. We revise as needed and finally launch! If needed we offer webmaster services, but if you prefer to host things independently we’re still happy to help as needed to make sure going live is smooth sailing.
FAQs
How much does a website cost?
Remember the car analogy? It applies here too. We’ve made sites for as low as $2,500 and sites for upwards of $25k. So like buying a car, it really depends.
In general, most custom websites start around $4,500. Final pricing depends on the scope, functionality, and content needs of the project. That said, we’re always happy to talk through options and help determine what makes sense for your goals and budget. And we’re happy to do payment plans if needed.
If that pricing is too far out we also offer subscription plans for qualifying small and medium sized businesses. And we also have templates coming down the pipeline!
Do you work with businesses outside of Humboldt?
Yes! We’ve worked with businesses coast to coast, from Miami to Austin to Nashville to Sacramento. While we love working with local businesses we’re happy to work remote too.
Do you build on WordPress or Squarespace?
Both. Some projects are best suited for Squarespace, while others benefit from the flexibility of WordPress. We’ll guide you toward the option that makes the most sense for your business.
Can you build an e-commerce site?
Absolutely. We can build easy-to-manage online shops using platforms like WooCommerce, Shopify, Squarespace Commerce, or a fully custom set up depending on your needs. In addition to making your site stand out from your competitors we also focus on long term usability so you’re in the drivers seat and feel confident using your site to sell your products (without needing to give us a call every time you have a new drop!)
Can you build a Drupal site?
Drupal is our first love. So yes! We also have experience working with existing Drupal websites, including redesigns, updates, and migrations, and can help guide you toward solutions that makes the most sense for your team, budget, and future growth.
What about custom sites? Can you build me something totally custom?
Definitely. Some businesses outgrow traditional website builders and need something more tailored to how they actually operate. We build fully custom websites, platforms, and web applications when projects require advanced functionality, integrations, membership systems, custom workflows, or highly specific user experiences.
Our philosophy is simple: use the right tool for the job (or if we go back to the trusty car analogy, drive the right car for the job).
Sometimes that’s WordPress or Squarespace. Sometimes it’s a fully custom build designed from the ground up.
Will my site look good on my mobile device?
Yes. Every website we create is designed to work beautifully across desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. Mobile responsiveness is built into our process from the beginning, not treated as an afterthought. We pay close attention to readability, spacing, performance, and usability so your site feels polished no matter where someone is viewing it.
Will I be able to edit my own website?
Absolutely. We believe your website should belong to you, not feel locked behind a developer gate.
Whenever possible, we build sites with approachable content management systems and intuitive editing experiences so you can confidently make updates on your own. We also provide guidance and training at handoff so you feel comfortable managing day-to-day content changes moving forward.
Do you offer ongoing support?
Yes. Some clients prefer a full handoff, while others want an ongoing creative and technical partner. We’re happy to support either approach. Check out our webmaster services for more information.
What happens at handoff?
We care deeply about making sure our clients feel empowered after launch.
At handoff, we provide the tools, access, and guidance needed for you to comfortably manage your website moving forward. That includes things like login access, training, platform walkthroughs, and general best practices for keeping your site healthy over time.
We never want clients to feel like their website is being held hostage. Whether you continue working with us long-term or take the reins yourself, the goal is the same: helping you feel confident, supported, and fully in control of your digital space.
Website built for Eureka based Contractor Ultimate Building Solutions. Visit the site or check out our spotlight blog post about the launch.
Website built for the Humboldt Builders Exchange. Visit the site or check out our case study about the design and the custom functionality.
Website built for Eureka based Contractor Sunbolt Solar. Visit the site or check out our spotlight blog post about the launch.
Website built for Arcata based Educator CooperativeGames.com. Visit the site or check out our spotlight blog post about the launch.
