Websites That Feel Like Virginia, Not Silicon Valley
The other day I stopped into a little antique shop tucked just off a quiet street in Fredericksburg. It smelled like old pine and had handwritten signs taped to the shelves. The owner, a kind older gentleman, asked what I did for a living. I told him I design websites.
He raised an eyebrow and said,
“Well, I tried one of them do-it-yourself websites. Looked real nice… till it broke.”
That’s the thing about Virginia — we’re not trying to be flashy.
We’re trying to be real.
Whether you’re running a surf shop in Virginia Beach, a home bakery in Charlottesville, or a nonprofit in Richmond, your website shouldn’t feel like it was made in a glass tower in Silicon Valley.
It should feel like you.
At Curtis Design, we build websites that:
- Speak your voice — not some generic marketing lingo
- Work fast — even on rural Wi-Fi
- Show up on Google when someone types “contractor near Norfolk”
- And feel personal, approachable, and just right
We’ve been at this for over 30 years, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this:
Every Virginia business has a story — and your website should tell it clearly.
So if you’re tired of sites that feel cookie-cutter, or you’ve been burned by an online “builder,” don’t worry.
You’re not alone. And you’ve got better options.
Why Freelancers & DIY Builders Often Let Virginia Businesses Down
Let me tell you a quick story.
We once got a call from a mechanic shop owner in Newport News — real hardworking guy, family-run business, been around for 15 years. He said,
“I paid a guy from Craigslist to make my website last year… haven’t heard from him since.”
Classic.
The site kinda worked at first — until a plugin broke. Then a page disappeared. Then his contact form started sending messages to the wrong email address.
By the time he called us, he was losing customers who said “your website’s not loading.”
Here’s the thing: freelancers mean well. So do DIY platforms.
But if you’re a business owner in Roanoke or Arlington, you don’t have time to learn what “DNS propagation” means or why your mobile layout is broken after an update.
We’ve seen it all:
- Pages that vanish after a WordPress update
- Squarespace sites that look great but don’t rank on Google
- Ghosted by Fiverr designers mid-project
- Sites made for desktop in 2020… that don’t load on phones in 2025
Truth is — cheap upfront usually means expensive later.
If you have to chase someone down to fix your site…
If you lose one customer because your phone number wasn’t clickable…
If your “budget site” costs you a day’s worth of stress every week…
…it’s just not worth it.
At Curtis Design, we’re not some massive agency with layers of project managers.
We’re hands-on, responsive, and we finish what we start.
You call? We pick up. You need help? We explain things in plain English — not tech lingo.
Because in Virginia, trust matters.
Working With Curtis Design: No Hype, Just Results
One of the first things we hear from clients in Virginia is:
“I just want something clean that works — nothing crazy.”
And honestly? That’s our favorite kind of project.
At Curtis Design, we’ve been building websites for over 30 years, and we’ve found that most businesses — whether you’re in Lynchburg, Harrisonburg, or Alexandria — all want the same three things:
- A site that looks good
- A site that works on mobile
- And a site that helps people find and trust you
We don’t believe in overcomplicating it.
You won’t hear us pitching “blockchain integrations” or “interactive parallax neural interfaces.”
We’re not here to impress you with tech — we’re here to impress your customers with clarity.
Here’s what we do instead:
- ✅ Clean, mobile-first design — because most of your visitors are on their phones
- ✅ Built-in SEO — so when someone Googles “roofing company in Richmond,” you show up
- ✅ Fast loading and fully secure — no broken buttons, no outdated plugins
- ✅ Simple tools — like WordPress, but customized so you can use it
- ✅ Real people support — not a ticket system, just an actual human who gets back to you fast
Oh — and we never talk down to you.
We explain things clearly, show you how your site works, and even offer training if you want it.
If not? We’ll manage the tech so you can focus on your work.
Bottom line:
We treat your website like it’s our own — because we know it’s representing your business, your brand, and your reputation in Virginia.
How Much Does a Website Cost in Virginia?
Let’s not beat around the bush.
If you’re here, you’re probably wondering — “Okay, but how much is this gonna cost me?”
Totally fair question.
And the honest answer?
It depends.
That’s not a dodge — that’s just the truth.
Here’s what we’ve seen with our Virginia clients:
- A 3-page brochure site for a realtor in Winchester: ~$2,200
- A WordPress site with blog + booking for a massage therapist in Norfolk: ~$3,800
- A larger eCommerce setup for a Richmond-based clothing brand: ~$6,400
But we don’t do cookie-cutter packages.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all.
And we definitely don’t hand out numbers before hearing your needs.
Because here’s the thing:
That massage therapist didn’t need a shopping cart.
That realtor didn’t want a blog.
That shop in Richmond needed 50+ product pages.
See the difference?
So if you’re wondering:
“Could my site cost $2,000?”
Yep, possibly.
“What if it ends up being $4,500?”
Also possible.
It comes down to what your business really needs to look good, load fast, and convert visitors into clients or customers.
That’s why we always start with something simple:
👉 A free 15-minute call
We’ll ask a few questions, hear about your goals, and give you a custom quote. No pressure. No fluff.
We’ll walk you through it — clearly, honestly, and in plain English.
And by the end, you’ll know what it costs, what you get, and how long it’ll take.
Just like it should be.
Let’s Talk — No Sales Pitch, Just a Real Chat
If you’re running a small business in Virginia, chances are you’re wearing a lot of hats already.
Marketing shouldn’t be another one you dread putting on.
Whether you’re just starting out in Blacksburg, expanding in Alexandria, or rebranding in Virginia Beach, the first step is simple:
👉 Let’s talk.
No slick sales script. No “limited-time offer.” Just a real conversation about what you need.
We’ve been doing this for three decades. We’ve worked with all kinds of businesses — from yoga studios to auto repair shops to local nonprofits.
And the one thing we always hear after a project is:
“I wish I had done this sooner.”
So don’t wait.
💬 Book a free 15-minute consultation — no pressure, no jargon
📝 Or fill out this quick form and tell us what you’re thinking
We’ll listen.
We’ll ask the right questions.
And if it makes sense? We’ll show you exactly how we can help — clearly and affordably.
Because here in Virginia, you don’t need a flashy agency — you need a real partner.
And that’s exactly who we are.