Cates Works

FAQ

How working together actually works.

Straight answers on process, how we iterate, how pricing stays open, and what a Care plan really includes. If your question isn’t here, just ask.

Process

How a project runs from first call to launch.

What does a typical project look like from start to finish?

Every engagement starts with a short, no-pressure discovery call to understand your business, your customers, and what success looks like. From there I move through four phases — Create (design and build), Improve (sharpen and optimize), Care (keep it healthy), and Grow (bring in traffic and leads). You work directly with me the whole way through, so there’s no handoff and no telephone game.

Who will I actually be working with?

Me, directly — from discovery through launch and beyond. This is a boutique consultancy on purpose: no account managers, no junior team the work quietly gets passed to. You get one dedicated partner who knows your project end to end.

How involved do I need to be?

As involved as you’d like. Most clients enjoy a light-touch rhythm: a kickoff, regular previews to react to, and a launch. I’ll always tell you clearly when I need a decision or content from you so nothing stalls — but I handle the technical heavy lifting.

Do you work with clients outside your area?

Yes. I work remotely with clients across the US. Calls, previews, and updates all happen online, so location is never a barrier.

Iteration & design

How we refine until it feels right.

How many rounds of revisions do I get?

We iterate until the experience feels right — not until the first draft is merely approved. I’ve built up to nine prototypes for a single client when that’s what it took. Refinement is part of how I work, not a paid add-on tacked onto the end.

Will I see the work before it’s final?

Constantly. You’ll get real, clickable previews throughout the project rather than a big reveal at the end. That’s the whole point of iterating — you react to something concrete, and we sharpen it together.

What if I don’t like the direction?

Then we change it. Early previews exist precisely so we can course-correct while it’s cheap and easy to do so. I’d much rather adjust the direction at prototype three than defend a choice you’re not excited about.

Can you match my existing brand?

Absolutely. If you have brand guidelines, I’ll build within them. If you don’t, I can help establish a clean, cohesive look as part of the work.

Pricing & openness

Why the numbers stay in the open.

Why do you show pricing openly on the site?

Because guessing games waste everyone’s time. The estimates on the site — and in the engagement builder — exist so you can get a genuine sense of investment before we ever talk. They’re honest starting points, not bait.

Are the prices on the site fixed quotes?

They’re starting estimates to frame the conversation, not a binding quote. Final pricing depends on scope, and I confirm everything with you personally before any work begins. You’ll never get a surprise invoice.

How do you charge — fixed price or hourly?

Project work is scoped and quoted up front so you know the investment before we start. Ongoing work runs through a monthly Care plan. Larger campaigns and lead-generation work are quoted separately so they never muddy the core project.

What happens if the scope changes mid-project?

We talk about it before anything changes. If something new comes up, I’ll walk you through the trade-offs and the cost, and you decide. No scope creep, no quiet additions to the bill.

Care plans

What the monthly relationship really includes.

What is a Care plan, exactly?

A Care plan is the monthly relationship after launch — part maintenance, part online coach for your digital presence. It keeps your application healthy, current, and improving instead of slowly going stale. Plans start at $20/month for monitoring and scale up to a hands-on partnership.

What’s the difference between the plans?

Watch ($20/mo) is automated monitoring plus a monthly health summary. Care ($50/mo) adds prioritized support and a monthly allowance of changes. Higher tiers bring strategy calls, analytics reviews, and ongoing conversion recommendations. Every plan can be tailored to your business.

Do I have to sign up for a Care plan?

No. A Care plan is optional, and you can start light or add one later. That said, most clients find that a site which keeps improving — with someone watching performance and acting on it — pays for itself over time.

What counts as a “change” in a Care plan?

Content updates, small feature tweaks, design adjustments, and the like — the ongoing changes that keep a site fresh. Larger features or new campaigns are scoped as separate project work, and I’ll always tell you up front which bucket something falls into.

Can I cancel or change plans?

Yes. Plans are month-to-month and can be adjusted or cancelled as your needs change. The goal is a partnership that earns its place every month, not a contract that locks you in.

Still have a question? Get in touch or plan your project to see an estimate.

Let’s talk

Have a project, or a product that could work harder?

Most projects begin with a short, no-pressure discovery call.