Real Business, Real Websites: South Dakota Style
I was grabbing a coffee just off Phillips Avenue in Sioux Falls last winter — it was one of those days where the snow crunches under your boots and the barista already knows your name.
The guy in front of me was chatting with the cashier about needing a new website for his roofing business.
He said, “I don’t want anything fancy. Just something that works and doesn’t look like it was made in 2006.”
And I thought — yup, that’s exactly what so many business owners around South Dakota are looking for.
Truth is, most of the folks we work with here don’t want “cutting-edge” or “AI-integrated design systems” or whatever buzzwords the internet is throwing around this week.
They want something simple, solid, and real.
Whether you’re running a repair shop in Rapid City, a diner in Brookings, or a boutique in Aberdeen, your website should reflect who you are, not who some design blog says you should be.
At Curtis Design, we don’t do generic.
We build sites for real people running real businesses — right here in the Midwest, where trust still matters and nobody’s got time for nonsense.
If you’re tired of feeling like your online presence is stuck in the past, or worse — totally invisible — you’re not alone.
You’ve got options. And we’re one of ’em
DIY Sites and Freelancers: Why It Rarely Works Out
Now don’t get me wrong — I love a good do-it-yourself attitude.
We’re in South Dakota, after all. Folks around here fix their own fences, change their own oil, and know how to stretch a dollar.
But when it comes to websites?
Let’s just say… there’s a reason we’ve rebuilt so many of ’em.
We’ve worked with small business owners all over the state — from a farm equipment dealer near Mitchell to a beauty salon in Huron — and we’ve heard the same stories over and over again:
“I paid a guy on the internet, but he disappeared halfway through.”
“My nephew built it, but now he’s in college and won’t answer his phone.”
“It works on my laptop, but it looks broken on my phone.”
Sound familiar?
Freelancers might be cheap, but cheap often comes with a cost — broken links, no updates, and zero support when things go sideways.
DIY builders? They’re great if you have 40 spare hours to figure out how to make it look halfway decent, load fast, and show up on Google.
But let’s be real: you’ve got a business to run.
You shouldn’t have to become a part-time web developer just to update your hours or fix a mobile view.
And when that site doesn’t convert — when no one’s calling, booking, or buying — you’ll wonder if it was ever worth the “savings.”
That’s why folks across South Dakota are switching gears.
They want support, clarity, and a site that just works — without all the nonsense.
How Curtis Design Builds for Real People
We don’t build websites for Silicon Valley startups or fancy VC-backed apps.
We build websites for real people — like you.
Folks running family-owned repair shops, local bakeries, plumbing companies, barbershops, and churches. Businesses that don’t need 200 features… they just need to be found.
Here’s how we do it differently:
- We listen first. No pre-made packages. We ask about your goals and build from there.
- We make it simple. You won’t need a tech degree to update your hours or change a photo.
- We write it for your customers. Not for designers. Not for us. For the people who need what you offer.
- We build mobile-first. Because let’s be real — everyone’s looking you up on their phones these days.
- We bake in SEO. That means your site shows up when someone Googles “web design near Rapid City” or “best contractor in Sioux Falls.”
We’re not trying to win awards.
We’re trying to make sure your phone rings, your inbox pings, and your calendar fills up.
Our goal?
That when someone lands on your site, they say: “Yup. This is exactly who I was looking for.”
And when you need something changed next month or next year?
You won’t be hunting down some freelancer with a disconnected number.
You’ll already know our name — and we’ll still be here.
Because that’s how we do business in South Dakota.
Real people. Real work. No drama.
Website Costs in South Dakota? Let’s Talk Real Numbers
Alright, let’s cut to it — what’s a website actually cost in South Dakota?
Well, like most things in life, it depends.
(Yeah, I know. Not the answer you wanted, but hang with me.)
We’ve worked with a local roofer in Pierre who got a solid, five-page site done for around $2,200.
Then there was a nonprofit in Sioux Falls that needed donation features, custom branding, and event calendars — that one landed closer to $6,300.
So… what gives?
Here’s what affects the price:
- How many pages do you need?
- Are you selling anything online?
- Do you need help with content or already have it ready?
- Want to accept bookings or forms?
- Need the site in English and Spanish?
But here’s the most important part:
We don’t throw random numbers at you.
Just because someone else paid $5,000 doesn’t mean you will.
Your project might come in at $2,000, $3,500, or even $4,800. That’s why we always start with a free chat — to get a feel for what you need and then give you a real quote that fits.
No mystery. No surprise bills. No “we’ll figure it out later.”
We listen first. Always.
Then we build a plan that’s clear, custom, and makes sense for your budget and your goals.
Because your business isn’t like anyone else’s — so your website (and price) shouldn’t be either.
Let’s Talk. We’ll Listen First. Always.
Look — we know reaching out to a web design company can feel weird.
You’re probably thinking:
- “Am I gonna get a sales pitch?”
- “Is this gonna cost me a fortune?”
- “Are they even gonna listen to what I need?”
Fair questions. And here’s our answer:
Yes, we’ll listen. No, we won’t pressure you. And we’ll work with your reality.
Maybe your current website is outdated.
Maybe you’ve never had one.
Maybe your cousin started it three years ago and… well, life got in the way.
Wherever you’re at — that’s where we start.
We offer a free, 15-minute strategy call where you just talk and we just listen.
We’ll ask a few questions, explain your options in plain English, and give you a clear idea of what comes next.
No sales tactics. No commitments.
Just an honest conversation about your business and what kind of website would actually help it grow.
📩 Ready to talk? Click here to get started — or just shoot us a message.
Let’s build something you’re proud to show off.