Frequently asked questions
The questions small business owners actually ask before hiring a developer. If yours isn't here, ask it via the contact form.
Do I own my website?
Yes. Your domain, your code, your content — all yours. We don't use proprietary platforms that lock you in. If you ever decide to leave, we hand everything over cleanly.
What happens to my site if I stop working with you?
We help you transfer hosting and code to whoever you want next, and we don't charge to do it. The site keeps working. The only thing that ends is our maintenance.
What's the difference between a website and an app?
A website is what people find when they Google you — it explains who you are and what you offer. An app is interactive software people log into to do something — book appointments, manage inventory, run a business workflow. We build both, and many small businesses only need a website.
Why does the $50/month tier exist? What's the catch?
No catch. We use AI to build the basics fast, which makes a small site cheap to produce. Hosting, content edits, and ongoing maintenance are bundled. You can cancel anytime, and you keep your domain.
Can you redo my Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress site?
Yes. If your site looks dated, doesn't show up on Google, or is hard to update, we can rebuild it on modern tools — usually faster, cheaper to run, and easier for you to manage. We can also keep your existing URLs so your SEO doesn't break.
How do I update content myself after launch?
Depends on the tier. Subscription Sites include small content edits in the monthly fee — you email what you want changed and we update it. Growth Sites and up include a CMS so you can edit pages yourself.
Will my site rank on Google?
Every site we build has SEO fundamentals in place: fast page loads, mobile-friendly design, structured metadata, and a sitemap. For local businesses, we also help set up your Google Business Profile. Ranking takes time, but the technical foundation is right from day one.
Do you do logo and branding design?
Light branding, yes — color, type, layout. For full logo design we'll point you to a brand designer we trust. We focus on shipping working software, not on running a brand studio.
What's your turnaround time?
A Subscription Site can launch in days. Starter Sites typically run 2–4 weeks. Growth Sites run 4–8 weeks. Custom apps are scoped per project — usually 6–16 weeks. We give you a real timeline before any work starts.
Are you in Colorado Springs? Can we meet in person?
Yes. We're based in Colorado Springs and meet local clients in person regularly. We work with clients across the Front Range — Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Pueblo — and remotely with clients nationwide.
Will I be working with you directly, or someone else?
Directly. Ridgeglow is engineer-led, not agency-led. You won't get bounced between an account manager, a designer, and a developer. The person you talk to is the person doing the work.
What if I don't know what I want?
That's normal. The first conversation is for figuring that out. Bring your business and your problems — we'll translate them into a scope. If at the end it isn't a fit, that's fine too. No pressure.
What if I already had a developer who let me down?
We've heard this a lot. We work transparently, with weekly progress updates, fixed-price-where-possible scopes, and no surprises in the bill. If something's off, we'd rather you tell us early than ghost us.
Ready to start?
Tell us about your project. We'll reply within one business day with next steps and a rough budget range. No commitment.
Tell us about your project