Does Second Mile build new sites and handle migrations?
Yes. A website engagement can be a new build, a redesign, a move to HubSpot CMS or WordPress, a set of new features on a site you already have, or ongoing support for a site that is already live.
Which content management systems do you build on?
HubSpot CMS and WordPress, and Shopify for ecommerce. We recommend a platform based on what the site has to do and what else your business runs on. If you already have HubSpot, the CMS decision and the CRM decision are usually made together.
Do we need a website audit before a redesign?
Not as a separate step. Every website engagement begins with a roadmap, which covers what an audit would. A standalone website audit or roadmap is the right first step when the site is large, the ownership is unclear, or you want the plan before committing to the build.
Who writes the copy?
Either of us. We can write the full site, or structure each page and guide your team's drafts. What we always do is give every page a clear job before anyone writes a word, because content written without a structure gets rewritten.
What does AEO-ready mean here?
A site built so that search engines and answer engines can find it, understand it, and cite it. In practice: clear headings, content that answers the question in the first sentence, schema markup, and a structure that stays clean as your team adds pages.
How do you handle accessibility?
Every site we build is designed and developed with accessibility in mind from the start, and accessibility is checked throughout the build rather than audited once at the end. Where your organization needs formal WCAG testing and a compliance report, as universities and public bodies usually do, we include it in the scope.
Are hosting and maintenance included after launch?
Managed WordPress hosting on WP Engine is available as a standalone service, with maintenance, backups, security monitoring, and support. HubSpot hosts HubSpot CMS sites.
What happens after launch?
Training and documentation are part of every build, and your team will be able to run the day-to-day. Many of our clients choose ongoing support and improvement as a monthly engagement, for analytics, advertising, new landing pages, and the next set of features when the business is ready for them.
What should our team have ready before a website project starts?
Less than you might think. The people who will make decisions about the site, access to the current site and analytics, any brand or design system standards you have to work within, and a few examples of websites you like or that inspire you. Content, structure, and everything else gets worked out in discovery.
