Your Traverse City
Web Design Experts
Need a new site, or ready to replace one that’s holding you back? We’re Hog the Web, a web design and development team headquartered right here in Traverse City. We build custom WordPress websites that look great, load fast, are easy to use, and have a solid foundation for SEO and AI visibility.
Prefer to explore a budget first? Try our 3-minute website estimator.
Traverse City
Headquartered locally
300+
Businesses served
WordPress
Design + development + SEO
Long-term
Support beyond launch
A Website That Lasts.
A Team That Sticks Around.
Since 2015, Hog the Web has been designing, developing, redesigning, and maintaining WordPress websites for businesses in Traverse City and beyond. We’ve learned a lot along the way, including that a successful website needs more than a great-looking design.
We don’t disappear after launch. Many of our clients have worked with us for years, relying on our team for WordPress support, training, technical improvements, SEO, and ongoing optimization. Whether we’re fixing something behind the scenes or helping you reach more customers, we’re invested in keeping your website working for your business.
Explore Our Web Design Portfolio
MIG & CO. - Software
MIG approached us, ready for a major overhaul of their outdated website geared toward business lead generation. We put special attention to making the website load lightning-fast and snappy. Our new design is still delivering results for them, now years later, and they couldn't be more satisfied.
Faxination
Faxination was a unique redesign where we seamlessly combined two websites into a single, visually captivating, and professionally polished site. Even though this unique request presented some challenges, we were able to work through it seamlessly. Ultimately, our client expressed great satisfaction with the innovative custom design we delivered!
— Susan Leid
Christie Dustman - Landscape Design
One of our most beloved and highly regarded website designs is for Christie Dustman and her landscape design company. The beauty and professionalism of her landscape work really shine through in this design. Recently we've been helping her with search engine optimization (SEO). In the past six months, we've doubled the number of keywords her site ranks for in Google search results!
StudyBuddy Pro - Law School Tutoring
We designed and built this fully interactive law tutoring portal for StudyBuddyPro that serves hundreds of law students nationwide. This includes subscription-based ecommerce functionality, online courses, quizzes, member dashboard, individual user analytics and much more!
Imhoff Painting
First, we refreshed Imhoff's branding with a new style guide. Next, we redesigned their company website based on the new look. Our copy-writers also edited the sales copy of their web pages to create a more consistent and engaging brand voice.
Once we launched the new version of this site, their conversions increased 75%!
View Imhoff Painting Case Study
Catchlight Painting
We designed a beautiful, custom website for Catchlight Painting that we've noticed many of their competitors attempt to replicate after it was launched. Next, we focused on their SEO performance and were able to TRIPLE their traffic from search engines in 12 months. Needless to say, they are definitely Hogging the Web!
Eskow Law Group
The Eskow Law Group wanted something refreshingly different for their website. Hog the Web was able to design and build a unique web presence that perfectly captured their vision. The design is also user-friendly and optimized to adapt to all different device screen sizes, from mobile to tablet to desktop.
AMS Insights - Marketing
We had helped the AMS marketing team with maintaining their old, and somewhat glitchy e-commerce website for several years. Finally, they grew tired of the extra hassle and cost of constantly fixing the old site and asked us to rebuild it from the ground up. Not only was the new site much more visually appealing, but also relieved their constant headaches in it's smooth and stable functioning.
Citroniq - Energy
One of our long-time clients provides digital marketing services to various energy industry companies. We've partnered together on many projects over the years, like this one. We've enjoyed collaborating with other experts on his team, such as content writers, CRM specialists, and more, in order to deliver a whole-package end product that serves a diversity of functions and yields results.
Scott B. Franklin & Associates - Law
Franklin Law and Associates has partnered with Hog the Web since 2018. In addition to designing and building a beautiful, modern website, they have relied on us for all their web-related needs, from marketing their LLC services to creating user-friendly onboarding forms for their clients and even setting up new email accounts and forwarders.
Oxlo - Software
Oxlo, a Dura company, approached us to modernize their seven-page website and improve its navigation for a more user-friendly experience. Drawing from our successful collaboration on a previous website redesign project, we worked closely with their team to update both the content and design resulting in an eye-catching new look.
DJS Advisory LLC
This client wanted to get their consulting business online, but they didn't know where to start. We teamed up with them to figure out which services were most important to showcase, and then we designed a website with eye-catching colors and clear images. The client was ecstatic with the results, and their business got a major boost in online visibility.
Association of Academic Support Educators - Law
We redesigned the website for AASE including a brand new, user-friendly membership subscription portal for Law School educators that includes a dashboard area with members-only content like presentation recordings, event registration, scholarship opportunities, a forum, and more.
Input Ace - Software
Input Ace was in a rapid growth phase and needed a new, industry-leading website design to reflect their new success. After attempting to work with a lower-budget designer, they were unimpressed with the results. After reaching out to us, they were dazzled when we revealed our new designs for their website, and they've referred many more clients to us since the successfully completed project.
Greenfire Bio - Research
This client was launching a new biotech company and needed a clean, professional-looking web presence on short notice. Leveraging some existing design templates, and stock imagery, we were quickly able to build and launch their new website. It turned out so well that they haven't felt a need to redesign it yet!
Keystate - Energy
One of our long-time clients provides digital marketing services to various energy industry companies. We've partnered together on many projects over the years, like this one. We've enjoyed collaborating with other experts on his team, such as content writers, CRM specialists, and more, in order to deliver a whole-package end product that serves a diversity of functions and yields results.
Gilreath & Associates - Law
Gilreath & Associates came to us wanting a backup copy of their current website taken, before having us redesign/rebuild it. We quickly discovered that it was built on a proprietary content management system (CMS) and there was no way to save a working backup copy of the old website. This was very frustrating. Fortunately we build all out websites on the open-source WordPress CMS, which can be used by any developer, and migrated to any hosting provider. This gave the client much greater peace of mind in investing in building the new site with us.
Health First Consulting - Medical
Cass had a novel business idea of creating patient education videos that doctors and hospitals could purchase access to. We worked with her to create a user-friendly store and checkout process that included granting instant access to the videos. Her customers can even generate an expiring link that grants temporary access to the videos for their various office devices. Once we launched the new site, she received numerous compliments on the site's design and ease of use.
Mike Sarraille - Coaching
Hog the Web designed and built several websites now for Mike Sarraille and his marketing team. We enjoyed the more hands-on approach of his team and the way we were able to bounce ideas back and forth to arrive at end results that really exceeded everyone's expectations. As they say, teamwork makes the dream work!
FHL Banks - Finance
FHLBanks approached us to give their website a much needed refresh. Since the new site was launched, we've enjoyed working together with their team to add new pages, update the content, and continue to improve the site for their customers.
Hog the Web Reviews & Testimonials
Hear directly from the people who have worked with our design, development, SEO, and support team.
Applied Marketing Science
“I can't say enough good things about the Hog the Web team. They're flexible, communicative, and they offer great ideas and advice.”
The Leelanau School
“They feel less like a contractor and more like a partner who's genuinely invested in helping us”
Imhoff Fine Residential Painting
“Look at what happened to my traffic when I went back to Hog the Web... Boom!”
The French Library
“We've been working with Hog the Web for the past five years and it's been a really good experience for us.”
DCAC Live
“They dug into our SEO ... and found issues we didn't even know we had.”
Follow the Money
“We will be using Hog the Web for many many years to come, and we highly, highly recommend them for you as well.”
What we build
WordPress Web Design & Development Services
Whether you need website design in Traverse City for a five-page business site or a complicated, content-heavy rebuild, we start with what the website needs to accomplish. Then we design and build around that.
Custom Website Design
Purpose-built layouts, typography, imagery, navigation and calls to action. We aim for a design that feels like your business, not a generic theme with a new logo on top.
- Desktop, tablet and mobile layouts
- Easy-to-follow service and contact paths
- Accessible, readable content hierarchy
Website Redesign & SEO Preservation
Updating an existing site? We review important pages and URLs before anything gets deleted. Otherwise a beautiful redesign can quietly erase years of hard-won Google visibility.
- Page inventory and URL mapping
- Redirects and internal-link review
- Conversion-oriented redesign work
Custom WordPress Development
Functionality should fit the business. If you need a WordPress developer in Traverse City for more than an off-the-shelf theme, we handle custom templates, forms, calendars, content structures, membership features and e-commerce integrations where the project requires them.
- Booking, inquiry and lead-generation flows
- WooCommerce and complex page types
- Third-party tools and API integrations
SEO, AI Search & Website Care
We can also help people find the website and keep it healthy afterward. That includes WordPress SEO, technical fixes, content improvements, security maintenance and day-to-day support.
- WordPress SEO services
- Maintenance and support plans
- Hands-on WordPress implementation
Built around how Northern Michigan businesses operate
Your Traverse City Website Should Answer Real Customer Questions
A visitor trying to book a summer activity has different questions than a homeowner seeking a contractor in February.
Tourism, hospitality & seasonal businesses
Make dates, availability, directions, booking instructions and seasonal hours easy to find. Build useful pages for visitors planning ahead, without burying the information year-round customers need.
Local services & year-round businesses
Explain which jobs you take, where you travel, what the process looks like and how someone can request an estimate. Photos of real work and credible reviews beat vague “best in the area” copy.
Retail, restaurants & local organizations
Prioritize mobile usability, menus or product details, event information, accessibility and straightforward calls to action. The best website is often the one that removes friction at exactly the right moment.
Serving the Grand Traverse Region
From downtown Traverse City and Old Mission Peninsula to Leelanau County, Suttons Bay, Acme, Elk Rapids, Interlochen, and Kingsley, we work with businesses across Northern Michigan. Our headquarters are in Traverse City.
Results from real client projects
Where Web Design, Development & SEO Meet
Good looks alone are not enough. These client projects show how our team protects existing search visibility, improves usability, and tackles technical problems.
Redesign + SEO recovery
+75%
Imhoff Fine Residential Painting
A previous redesign caused a 97% organic traffic collapse. We restored useful content and URLs, rebuilt the site, and increased tracked conversions 75% versus the original website.
B2B redesign + usability
+49.9%
Applied Marketing Science
Homepage engagement rate improved 49.9% during the first 42 days following the redesign. Search impressions for the homepage also increased 46% in that comparison.
Technical SEO + content
+207%
Overwatch
Non-branded monthly organic clicks grew from 25 to 76 after technical SEO fixes, on-page optimization, and focused new content. This was an SEO project rather than a redesign result.
All metrics refer to specific documented projects, using GA4, Google Search Console, and other supporting tools.
What working together looks like
From First Conversation to Launch and Beyond
We don’t start by picking a template and filling it with placeholder copy. We start with a conversation to understand your unique needs and audience.
Listen & plan
We learn your services, audience, existing site limitations, budget and what a successful launch should accomplish.
Design with intent
We define key pages and user paths, then create layouts that fit your branding and give visitors clear next steps.
Build & check
We develop the WordPress site, test mobile layouts and functionality, and address technical and SEO handoff needs.
Launch & support
We coordinate the go-live and can continue with updates, WordPress maintenance, SEO and improvements as needed.
Deliverables, accessibility requirements, SEO scope, and support arrangements are agreed upon during project planning.
Our actual headquarters
A Web Design Team Headquartered in Traverse City
Hog the Web has been building and maintaining websites since 2015, with a dedicated team and remote talent working together for clients across the country. Traverse City is our home base, not a virtual office.
We know the Grand Traverse region has a mix of year-round residents, seasonal visitors, hospitality operators, service trades, and professional firms. We can collaborate remotely whether your business is on Front Street, in Leelanau County, or much farther away.
Home base
Hog the Web
9789 E. Cherry Bend Rd.
Traverse City, MI 49684
(800) 570-2915
WordPress web design, custom development, SEO, maintenance, and security.
We work with clients by appointment and remotely; please contact us before planning an in-person meeting.
A practical buyer’s checklist
What Should You Ask Before Hiring a Web Designer in Traverse City?
When comparing Traverse City web design companies, a reasonable price and an attractive portfolio matter. So do the questions that become important six months after your website launches. Here is what we would ask any agency, including our own.
Who owns the website and accounts?
Make sure domain registration, content, WordPress administration and third-party integrations are documented, along with what happens if you change providers.
What work is actually included?
Ask whether strategy, copywriting, photography, SEO, accessibility, integrations, revisions and launch support are included, or priced separately.
How is existing Google traffic protected?
If this is a redesign, request a page and URL review, redirect plan, internal-link checks and post-launch monitoring. A design overhaul should not blindly delete pages that already work.
What happens when something breaks?
Clarify updates, security, backups, response arrangements and ongoing costs. WordPress is flexible, but real websites still need maintenance.
Budget and project fit
How Much Does a Website Cost in Traverse City?
It depends on more than the number of pages. A small informational site with ready-to-use copy is different from a custom redesign with complex integrations, content migration, new layouts, and SEO preservation.
We estimate work based on the actual design and development scope, not a made-up “starting at” number intended just to book a call. Before quoting, we want to understand what you are building and what already exists.
You can use our 3-minute website estimator to think through the big variables before we talk. It is not a final proposal or a substitute for scoping your project.
What drives the estimate?
Scope, Not Just Page Count
- Custom design vs. approved mockups
- Number of unique layouts and page types
- Ready-to-use copy, photography, and imagery
- Booking, forms, e-commerce, and integrations
- Content migration, redirects, and SEO preservation
- Testing, revisions, and launch support
We confirm deliverables and cost before work begins.
Frequently asked questions
Traverse City Web Design FAQs
Practical answers about WordPress, SEO-safe redesigns, pricing, maintenance, and working with our team.
Are you a local Traverse City web design company or a remote agency?
Both. Hog the Web is headquartered at 9789 E. Cherry Bend Rd. in Traverse City, Michigan, while our designers and developers also collaborate remotely. You can work with us locally or from anywhere in the U.S.
Do you design websites for businesses in Leelanau County and elsewhere in Northern Michigan?
Yes. We work with organizations throughout the Grand Traverse region, including places such as Suttons Bay, Elk Rapids, Acme, Interlochen and Kingsley. We also serve businesses outside Michigan. Our actual headquarters remain in Traverse City.
What types of websites does Hog the Web build?
Primarily WordPress sites: professional business websites, service websites, content-heavy sites, custom landing pages, WooCommerce stores and projects with special functionality. The scope depends on your business requirements, not a fixed package.
Can you redesign my existing WordPress website without losing SEO rankings?
Preserving existing search visibility is a major part of how we approach redesigns. We can audit valuable pages, map URLs, plan redirects, review internal links and monitor post-launch search performance. No agency can guarantee unchanged rankings, but we can avoid many preventable migration mistakes.
How much does a custom website design cost?
Pricing depends on design complexity, unique page layouts, content readiness, migration and integrations. Rather than invent a universal price, we scope the project. You can start with our 3-minute website estimator or contact us for a conversation.
Do you offer both website design and local SEO?
Yes. We offer WordPress SEO services alongside web design and development. Depending on scope, this can include on-page SEO, technical fixes, search intent, local relevance, useful content and measurement. Google Business Profile work, if needed, should be discussed separately.
Can you help a tourism or seasonal business around Traverse City?
Yes. Seasonal operators often need prominent dates, operating details, booking paths, event pages and mobile-first navigation. We can structure those features around your actual business calendar while keeping the website clear for year-round customers.
Can you connect online booking, inquiries or WooCommerce to the website?
Yes, when those features are part of the project. We develop WordPress forms, booking and e-commerce flows, and integrations with third-party systems. We first confirm the platforms and workflow you need.
How long does a Traverse City website project take?
There is no reliable one-size-fits-all timeline. A small site with approved designs and content will usually require less work than a large redesign involving copy, integrations, migration and review cycles. We will propose a timeline after we understand the requirements.
What happens after the website launches?
You can manage your WordPress site, or use our optional website maintenance and security plans. We can also continue SEO and development work. We clarify ownership, access and support responsibilities during the project.
Is WordPress the best website platform for every Traverse City business?
Not necessarily. A simple self-managed landing page may not need custom development. We specialize in WordPress because of its flexibility, content management, integrations and long-term control. We will tell you if the complexity you have in mind doesn’t justify a custom build.
Let’s Build a Website That Lasts.
Based in Traverse City. Built for your actual customers. Designed, developed, and maintained by people who care about how it works after launch.
