Websites built by humans.
Getting a new website doesn’t have to be so painful. Our simple 3-step web design system shortens the whole development timeline by weeks — Saving you time, money, and frustration.
Define. Design. Refine.
First we make it work, then we make it work better.
Define the problem and solution
There’s no need for committees, teams, PowerPoint presentations, or Zoom calls. We start by answering a few simple questions:
- What is the problem?
- Can the problem be solved with a new website?
- What resources are available to solve the problem?
- Based on your budget and business goals, which solution would be best?
Design and development
After we agree on the best solution, we begin building your website guided by the following principles:
- Design with the notion that parts other than HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are optional.
- Execute core functionality using the simplest available technology.
- Provide a fully functional demonstration site to share progress.
- No more wireframes, cryptic PDFs, moodboards, or baffling mockups to decipher and approve.
Refine and improve
High performance websites aren’t built overnight — they’re the result of hundreds of small refinements over time. That’s why we always include a 3-month post-launch support period to monitor site performance and make incremental improvements. Some areas we focus on include:
- Page speed and usability optimization
- Content review and refinement
- Website architecture and usability
- Accessibility standards
- Search engine and LLM (AI) friendliness
Side Note
From paper to screen
When the web began to conquer the world in the 1990s, graphic designers started migrating from paper to pixels. The browser window — like the paper page before it — was treated as a known constraint upon which designers imposed their will.
But there’s a big problem with this approach. Whereas a piece of paper has fixed dimensions, a browser window could be any size. There’s no way for a web designer to know in advance what size any particular person’s browser window will be.
Progressive enhancement
In April 2010 web designer Ethan Marcotte proposed a solution he borrowed from the world of architecture: Responsive design. He suggested that maybe websites could change and adapt according to the needs of the user’s internet device.
This approach has been adopted by most web designers, and it’s been standard practice for many years. We’ve expanded on this concept to include an incremental approach to programming called progressive enhancement. It typically has three steps:
- Identify required core functionality.
- Make that functionality available using the simplest possible technology.
- Layer on additional features and functionality that can be used by more advanced devices.
The benefit of using progressive enhancement is a more powerful website that can better react to unexpected circumstances — Like weird browsers, clumsy thumbs, flaky network connections, and obsolete internet devices.
FAQ: Website Design
Q: How much does a new website cost?
We typically charge between $3,000 and $7,000 for a new website. Sometimes more, sometimes less. You might be surprised at how affordable this really is.
Q: What’s included? What do I get?
A lot. We create your content, pages, layout, navigation, styles, interactions, everything. Every website built by Ern Berck Digital includes (but is not limited to):
- Fixed cost (no surprises)
- Flexible timeframes
- Website strategy
- Copywriting
- Image sourcing
- Custom website design
- Website development
- Website launch
- Responsive design
- Accessibility features
- Access to premium plugins
- Search engine friendly
- Social media integration
- Unlimited revisions
- Post-launch support (90 days)
- Website Operations Manual
- Unvarnished opinions
- Our undivided attention
Q: Is there anything that’s not included?
Yes. Typically, we don’t provide:
- Domain name registration
- Website hosting
- Email configuration and management
We help you choose vendors, but you pay the bills and retain ownership.
Q: How long does it take to build a website?
Depending on complexity and how cooperative everyone is, it usually takes 4–12 weeks for us to build a website. Under ideal conditions we can have a site up and running in less than 2 weeks.
Q: Can you show me some examples of your work?
Of course. Just visit our Work page for live links and brief descriptions.
Learn more
For more details and related information, see below.