Looking for web design in North Dakota? Learn what to expect, how to avoid common mistakes, and what local businesses in Fargo and Bismarck really need from a website in 2025.
If you’re running a business in North Dakota — whether it’s in Fargo, Bismarck, or anywhere in between — chances are, you’ve been told you need a website. But not just any site. You need one that’s built right. That’s what we do at Curtis Design. We’re experts in North Dakota web design — and we’re here to make the process easy.
And yeah… that’s true.
But what nobody tells you is what kind of website you need, how much it should cost, or even what “web design” actually means when you’re just trying to run your business and keep things moving.
Let me make it simple.
We’ve been building websites for over 30 years here at Curtis Design. Not just for big brands — but for real businesses like yours. People who don’t speak in tech buzzwords. People who say things like “I just need something that works and looks good on a phone.”
If that’s you — this article is written for you.
We’re going to break it down in plain English:
- What web design means (and doesn’t mean)
- The biggest mistakes North Dakota businesses make with websites
- Whether you should go with a freelancer or an agency
- How much a website really costs in 2025 — without the smoke and mirrors
No pressure. No hype. Just straight answers from someone who’s seen it all.
What Does Web Design Mean for North Dakota Businesses?
Let’s be real for a second.
When most business owners in North Dakota hear the term “web design,” they either roll their eyes or start thinking about some college kid building a website in their basement. Others think it’s just about how a website looks — the colors, the logo, the layout.
And while those things do matter, web design is a whole lot more than that.
Here’s how we explain it to our clients from Fargo to Bismarck, without the tech jargon:
Web Design = First Impressions + Function + Trust
Think of your website like your storefront.
- If the windows are dirty, people keep walking.
- If the sign is crooked or outdated, they assume you are too.
- And if the door doesn’t open when they try — they’re not coming back.
That’s exactly how people treat websites in 2025.
They visit your homepage, and in about 3 seconds, they decide if you’re someone they can trust or not. That fast.
We’ve seen local businesses — HVAC companies, small cafes, law offices — lose out on customers simply because their site was hard to use, looked outdated, or just didn’t say anything.
A Simple Site That Works Is Better Than a Fancy One That Doesn’t
We’ve had business owners in Grand Forks call us and say:
“I just need a site where people can find my phone number, see what I do, and maybe book a service. I don’t want anything crazy.”
You know what? That’s perfect. You don’t need “crazy.”
You need clear, clean, and conversion-friendly.
The truth is, a good website:
- Loads fast (especially on mobile)
- Tells people what you do in plain language
- Builds trust with real photos, reviews, and contact info
- Makes it easy to get in touch
That’s what web design really is.
It’s not about flashy graphics or tech wizardry. It’s about helping real people find you, understand you, and feel confident enough to give you a call.
Still Sounds Complicated? It Doesn’t Have to Be.
Look — you run a business. You’re not supposed to be an expert in websites. That’s our job.
At Curtis Design, we build sites that work for real people running real businesses. No gimmicks. No fluff.
Just clean design, clear content, and a process that actually makes sense.
You don’t need to know how a website works — you just need one that does.
Common Website Mistakes We See in North Dakota
Let me tell you — after working with business owners across North Dakota for years, we’ve seen a lot of websites. Some great, some… well, let’s just say they needed help.
Most of the time, the folks running those businesses didn’t do anything “wrong.” They just didn’t know what really matters on a website.
So, here are the most common mistakes we see — and how to avoid them.
1. Outdated Designs That Look Like 2009
If your site still has:
- Tiny text
- Cluttered layouts
- Drop shadows on everything
- And one of those spinning “email us” GIFs…
…it might be time for a refresh.
An outdated website doesn’t just look old — it makes your whole business feel behind. People think, “If they don’t care about their website, do they care about their customers?”
Even if you’ve got the best prices in Fargo, if your website screams “20 years ago,” people will click away.
2. It Doesn’t Work on Phones
We still see sites from Bismarck to Minot that look fine on a laptop… but break completely on mobile.
Here’s the deal: More than half your visitors are using phones.
If your site doesn’t load fast or fit their screen, you’ve already lost them.
We once had a Grand Forks plumbing company wonder why they weren’t getting calls. Turned out, their “Call Now” button didn’t work on iPhones. Fixed that — leads doubled.
3. You Have a Website, But You’re Not Saying Anything
One client from Dickinson had a beautiful-looking website. Seriously — great photos, slick layout, everything.
But the problem? It didn’t tell you what the business did.
No clear services. No simple “Here’s how we help.”
Just generic headlines like “Solutions that Matter” and “Driven by Innovation.”
Don’t be vague. Be clear.
Visitors don’t read — they scan. If you can’t explain what you do in the first 5 seconds, you’re out.
4. Built With a DIY Tool, Then Left Alone
Listen — we get it. DIY builders like Wix and Squarespace are tempting. But we’ve lost count of how many abandoned DIY websites we’ve seen.
They start strong, then updates never happen, forms break, SEO falls apart… and eventually, the site becomes dead weight.
Having a website that you can’t manage, update, or optimize is like buying a truck and never changing the oil. Sooner or later, it just stops running.
5. It’s Not Built to Get You Customers
This one’s big: many small business websites are basically just digital brochures.
They’re not designed to convert — to turn visitors into phone calls, emails, bookings, or sales.
A good website guides people:
“Here’s what we do. Here’s why we’re great at it. Here’s what to do next.”
That could be:
- A contact form
- A call button
- A booking calendar
- Or just a friendly message saying, “Call us — we’ll help you figure it out.”
At Curtis Design, we’re not here to shame your site.
We’re here to fix it — with simple, smart design that gets real results for North Dakota businesses.
Because at the end of the day, your website isn’t for you —
it’s for the people trying to find you.
Our North Dakota Web Design Process at Curtis Design
When people hear “professional web design,” they imagine a long, complicated, expensive process.
Honestly? It doesn’t have to be.
At Curtis Design, we’ve been doing this since before smartphones even existed. We’ve helped everyone from small restaurants in Fargo to logistics companies near Bismarck get online — without turning the whole thing into a nightmare.
Here’s how we do it.
Step 1: We Actually Talk to You
Sounds basic, right? But most web designers start designing before they even understand the business.
We start with a real conversation. No pressure.
We ask questions like:
- What does your business actually do?
- Who are your customers?
- What do you want people to do on your website?
- What websites do you like — and hate?
One time, we met with a lawn care company in Mandan that had paid for three websites over the years… and hated all of them. Turns out, no one had actually asked what they needed.
We did. The final result? A clean, mobile-friendly site that got them booked out for the season.
Step 2: We Build It Around Your Goals (Not Just Looks)
Anyone can make a pretty website.
We build websites that work.
That means:
- Clear navigation (so people don’t get lost)
- Obvious contact info (top and bottom of every page)
- Real content that actually sounds like you
- Built-in SEO so Google can find you
- Mobile-first, always
It’s not about awards or fancy animations. It’s about function.
If your customer can’t figure out what you do in five seconds, the design failed — no matter how “cool” it looks.
Step 3: We Keep You in the Loop (No Ghosting)
This industry has a reputation for one thing: vanishing designers.
They take your money… and disappear.
That’s not how we work.
You’ll hear from us at every major milestone.
We show you previews. You give feedback. We fix things. You approve. That simple.
Want to add something mid-project? Cool.
Want us to explain something in plain English? Always.
We don’t expect you to “just trust us.”
We show you what’s happening, step by step.
Step 4: We Launch It, Then Stick Around
A lot of designers launch your site, wave goodbye, and leave you to figure out hosting, updates, and weird error messages on your own.
We don’t do that.
Once your site goes live, we’re still around.
Need something added? Got a question? Want to update your pricing or add a blog post?
Just shoot us a message.
Some of our clients in North Dakota have been with us for over a decade — not because they have to, but because they want to.
We’re not just “a web design agency.”
We’re your partner online — and we build websites that are easy to use, easy to update, and hard to ignore.
Freelancer vs Agency: What’s Better for Your Business?
We hear this all the time:
“I know a guy who builds websites. He’s a freelancer. Probably cheaper, right?”
And look — we get it. Budgets matter. We’re not here to knock freelancers. Some of them are incredibly talented, and if you’ve got a basic project and a lot of patience, it might work out just fine.
But here’s what most businesses in North Dakota learn the hard way:
A freelancer is one person.
And running a successful website project? That’s more than one job.
One Person Can’t Do Everything Well
To build a site that actually performs, you need:
- A designer who understands branding
- A developer who writes clean, secure code
- A copywriter who knows how to write for people and Google
- Someone who handles project management and keeps things moving
- Support after launch when things break or need updates
Most freelancers are strong in one or two of those areas — but not all.
So what happens?
You get half-finished work. Delays. Excuses. Or worse, ghosted.
We once worked with a roofing company in Fargo who had paid a freelancer to build their site… and then couldn’t reach them for six months. No updates, no fixes, no contact. They came to us frustrated, and we rebuilt everything — properly this time.
Agencies Like Ours Have Systems, Not Surprises
At Curtis Design, we’re a team — not just a guy with a laptop.
That means:
- We meet deadlines
- We have backups if someone’s sick or out
- We test your site before launch
- We write content with strategy
- We stay around after launch for updates, fixes, SEO, and support
And maybe most important of all:
We treat your website like a business tool, not an art project.
Our clients in Bismarck, Minot, and Jamestown don’t have time for drama. They want results. We deliver those.
So, Should You Ever Use a Freelancer?
Sure — if:
- You’re just getting started
- You need something extremely simple
- You’re comfortable managing most of it yourself
- And you’re okay if things take longer
But if you want:
- Something built right
- Someone you can actually talk to
- A partner who understands business
- And a site that makes your business look like you actually mean business…
Then you want an agency.
We’re not the cheapest. We’re not the flashiest.
But we’re consistent, honest, and still standing after 30+ years — because we get results.
What Should a Website Cost in North Dakota in 2025?
This is the question everyone wants to ask — but few people answer clearly.
So here it is. Straight from someone who’s built sites for North Dakota businesses since the early ’90s:
A professional, conversion-focused website in 2025 will usually cost between $2,500 and $9,000.
Yep, that’s a wide range.
But websites aren’t one-size-fits-all. Let’s break it down.
What Affects the Price?
Here’s what actually drives cost — and what doesn’t.
| Doesn’t Matter Much | Really Affects Price |
|---|---|
| How big your business is | How many pages you need |
| Whether you’re local or not | Whether you need custom features (forms, booking, e-commerce) |
| Whether you sell online | Whether you need us to write content |
| How “modern” it looks | If we’re fixing a broken site or starting from scratch |
A five-page informational site with simple content and a contact form might be $2,500–$4,000.
A more advanced site — let’s say for a contractor in Fargo who wants project galleries, service pages, and online estimate forms — might land between $5,000–$7,500.
And a full e-commerce site with 50+ products, payments, shipping rules? That can push $10K or more.
But you don’t need all that unless you’re actually selling online.
Beware of “Cheap” Website Offers
We see it all the time:
$499 websites. “Unlimited design changes.” “Guaranteed #1 on Google.”
It sounds too good to be true because — well — it is.
Most of those are built using cookie-cutter templates, with zero thought given to your business, your goals, or your customers.
They’re often outsourced overseas.
And when something breaks? Good luck finding someone to fix it.
We’ve had dozens of clients from places like Dickinson and Jamestown come to us with stories like:
“The site looked fine at first… but it never showed up on Google.”
“We couldn’t update anything without breaking it.”
“The guy who built it won’t respond anymore.”
By the time they called us, they’d already spent money and lost time. And in business, time is money too.
What You’re Really Paying For
When you work with an agency like Curtis Design, here’s what that budget actually covers:
- 1-on-1 strategy sessions (no generic templates)
- Custom design based on your brand
- Content written by professionals who understand SEO
- Fully mobile and tablet responsive
- Proper setup of hosting, domains, email
- Performance testing and optimization
- Support after launch
- Real people — not AI bots — managing your project
You’re not just paying for a “website.”
You’re investing in a tool that should bring you leads, build trust, and make your life easier — not harder.
Need a Quote? We’ll Give You One — No Pressure
If you’re in North Dakota and you’ve been thinking,
“We probably need a new website…”
but don’t know where to start — start by talking to someone who’s done this before.
We’ll ask a few questions, figure out what you actually need, and give you a real quote — not some vague number with surprise fees later.
No pressure. No pushy sales pitch.
Just clear answers from people who know what they’re doing.
Let’s Take the Stress Out of Your Website
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably serious about getting your business online — or finally fixing a website that’s been holding you back.
Let’s talk.
We’re not going to hit you with a pushy sales pitch. That’s not how we work.
At Curtis Design, we’ve helped businesses all over North Dakota — from Fargo to Bismarck to the tiniest towns you’ve never heard of — build websites that work. Websites that get found. Websites that bring in leads.
If you want honest answers, straight pricing, and a website that doesn’t give you a headache…
📞 Schedule a Free 15-Minute Website Call No jargon. No pressure. Just a real conversation with someone who knows what they’re doing.