Web design in Santa Rosa, CA

Custom web design for Santa Rosa businesses

Every site we build is designed from scratch around your business: your brand, your people and what you want the site to do. No templates and no recycled layouts. Just a fast, search-ready website that looks like you and brings in the right customers.

  • Serving Santa Rosa since 2011
  • No templates, ever
  • You own your website
Law firm website design in Santa Rosa by Durling Digital

Local web design

Web design for Santa Rosa businesses

A website has to do more than look good. It needs to load fast, show up when people search on Google or ask ChatGPT, and make it easy to call, book or send a message. Since 2011, we’ve helped Santa Rosa businesses build sites that do exactly that, with web design and search work tied to real goals like more leads and happier customers. Not sure where to start, or thinking about redoing your current site? Let’s talk through your goals in a free consultation.

Built in WordPress

Most of our sites are built on WordPress, which runs over 40% of the web. That means a huge ecosystem, no lock-in and a site that can grow with you. It connects to the tools you already use, from booking and CRM to payments and AI, so your website works as part of your business instead of off to the side. Does that sound like a fit?

Designed for you

Templates are everywhere, and we don’t use them. Your website is often the first impression a customer gets, so we design it from scratch around your business. We guide you through color, typography, layout, motion and the overall experience, and we keep it fast and easy to use. What do you want your site to say about you?

Managed by us

You shouldn’t have to babysit the technical side. Our care plans cover hosting, security, updates and backups, and we’ll make changes for you after launch too, from new pages and photos to staff and service updates. Need something changed? Send us a note and we’ll take care of it.

What you get

What’s included in custom web design?

  • Responsive DesignYour site will look and work great on any phone, tablet or desktop. We design with mobile in mind, since that’s where many of your visitors will find you, and we test on real devices before launch.
  • MockupsYou’ll see real design options before anything gets built, so you can react to something concrete. We refine the direction together until it feels like your business and supports what the site needs to do.
  • PhotographyYour own photos of your team, space and work are best, and we’ll help you plan them. If you don’t have any yet, we include licensed stock photography so the site never launches with empty spaces.
  • GraphicsWe create custom graphics and icons that fit your brand and break up the text, so pages are easier to scan and never feel like a wall of words. Nothing is recycled from a template or stock kit.
  • RevisionsExpect some back and forth. Each stage includes multiple rounds of revisions, because your feedback is how we get the site right. You’ll never be asked to sign off on something you’re not sure about.
  • Project ManagerTimelines, check-ins and clear communication are part of the job. You get email and phone access, regular check-ins and weekly progress updates from kickoff to launch, so you always know where things stand.

How it works

Our custom web design process

From start to finish, we guide you through five stages. Here’s how a typical project goes, from the first conversation to launch day.

1

Discovery

The Meeting

We start with a conversation about your business, your goals and what isn’t working today. We’ll talk through scope, budget, design taste and how you want the site to bring in customers.

Detailed Proposal

If we’re a fit, you get a written proposal covering your goals, current issues, our recommended solutions, pricing and timeline, so you know what to expect before we start.

Contract

Once the proposal looks right, we both sign and get to work on the agreed timeline. We’re looking forward to it.

2

Content

Sitemap

We audit your current site and goals, then map out the pages and navigation. A clear structure helps visitors find what they need and helps search engines and AI tools understand what you do.

Content

Someone has to write the words. Many clients already have content, and if you don’t, we can write it or connect you with a copywriting partner. Either way, we’ll advise on what search engines and AI tools look for.

Imagery

Real photos of your team, space and work make the biggest difference, so we recommend providing your own or hiring a photographer. If that isn’t possible, we include licensed stock photography.

3

Design

Website Mockups

Based on our conversations and your input, we create layout options for your homepage and key pages. These mockups give us something concrete to react to and refine.

Review

We go through the mockups together and narrow down what works. Often a direction clicks quickly, and when it needs changes, we’re happy to make them before moving on.

4

Development

Coding

This is where the build happens. Your new site is built in a private staging environment, so your current site stays live. We check in often with progress updates and questions.

Populate Content

We add all of your text, images and video to the site and flag anything still missing. Strong, helpful content is one of the biggest factors in how well a site ranks and gets cited.

SEO

Every page gets the on-page basics done right: titles, descriptions, headings, image alt text, internal links and structured data. That’s what helps Google, and AI tools like ChatGPT, understand and trust your site.

Mobile and Speed

Responsive isn’t enough on its own. We check how every page works on phones and tablets, and we optimize images, code and hosting so pages load fast on any screen.

Compatibility

We test in Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox, on desktop and mobile, so the site looks and works the same no matter what your visitors use.

Site Review

When the build is ready, we send you a private link to review with your team. Last-minute tweaks are expected, and we’ll make them before launch.

5

Launch

Training

If you’d like to update the site yourself, we set up accounts and show your team how. If you’d rather not touch it, we’ll make the changes for you.

Pre-flight

Before going live we run a full check of links, forms, tracking, redirects from your old pages and search settings. We also move over anything from your old site or hosting so nothing gets lost.

Launch

Once you approve, we make it live. The switch usually takes about a day, and we’ll recommend the best launch date for your project.

Beyond the design

Development, content and care, handled

Do you offer custom development and integrations?

Absolutely. Every business runs differently, so we build the features and connections your site needs, from simple upgrades to full custom builds. Here are the main areas.

Custom Development

We build features around how your business actually works, like online applications, calculators, client portals, resume submission or landing pages for ad campaigns.

Integrations

We connect your website to the tools you run your business on: CRMs, online booking and scheduling, payment platforms, email marketing, review platforms and messaging. If it has an API, we can usually connect it.

AI and Automation

We can add AI chat assistants, smarter search and automations that answer common questions, route leads and send follow-ups, so fewer opportunities slip through. We’ll tell you honestly where AI helps and where it doesn’t.

Forms and Lead Capture

Forms that collect what you need, whether that’s a phone number, an appointment request, a file or a resume. Submissions go to the right person or system, with spam protection built in.

Social and Reviews

We connect your social accounts and show recent posts or your best Google reviews right on the site, so visitors can see that real people trust you.

Blog and Resources

A blog or resource section gives you a place to share news, answer common questions and build the kind of helpful content that search engines and AI tools like to cite. We can set one up or bring over what you already have.

Yes. If you don’t have the time or a writer on staff, we’re happy to help. Here’s how.

Copywriting

We write clear, search-friendly copy for your website and campaigns, backed by research on what your customers search for and ask. It’s written for real people first.

Press Releases

A well-placed press release can help you get found and build credibility in your field. We’ll help you write and publish news that positions you as a trusted source.

Licensed Photos

Photos we provide are licensed for print and online use. We’ve seen clients get cease and desist letters over images pulled from Google, so we make sure that never happens to you.

Yes. We handle the technical side so your site stays fast, secure and online. Here’s what that includes.

Managed WordPress

We manage the front and back end of your site. Security, updates, backups, site changes and support are all part of our hosting and maintenance plan, so you can focus on running your business.

Hosting Environment

Speed and security start with the right hosting. We recommend and set up a plan that fits your site, and we’re happy to work with your current provider if you’d rather stay put.

Security

Your site runs on HTTPS with an SSL certificate, plus regular updates and proactive security measures to keep your site and your visitors’ information safe.

Backups

We back up your site every day, so there’s always a recent copy to restore if something goes wrong. It’s included in your hosting and maintenance plan.

Forwards

Need an extra domain pointed at your site, or switching your primary domain? We set up the redirects so visitors and search engines land in the right place and you don’t lose traffic.

Site Changes

Need a new team member, service, location or photo? Send it over and we’ll update the site, or we’ll set up an account and show you how to do it yourself.

Service Plan

Some businesses want to run everything after launch, and others want us on call. We’ll set up a plan that matches how much help you want.

Customer First

We work with a manageable number of clients so everyone gets real attention. When you need us, we answer, and we’d rather you lean on us than worry on your own.

Recent work

Web design we have built for local businesses

Smith Dollar2026-11-09T08:05:00+00:00
Smith Dollar Santa Rosa law firm website design, full homepage
Ridgway Chiropractic2026-11-09T08:00:00+00:00
Ridgway Chiropractic Santa Rosa chiropractor website design, full homepage
JTS Surgical2026-11-09T07:55:00+00:00
JTS Surgical medical device website design, full homepage

Service area

Downtown Santa Rosa, serving the North Bay

Our studio is at 427 Mendocino Ave., Suite 100, in downtown Santa Rosa. We design websites for healthcare practices, law firms, contractors and other local businesses across Sonoma County and the North Bay.

Web design questions

Common questions

Templates launch fast, but they look like everyone else’s and often carry code you’ll never use, which slows your site down. We design from scratch around your business, so it looks like you, loads quickly and has a solid foundation for search.

You do. You own your website, domain name, written content and images. Some web companies use a lease model, where you rent the site for as long as you’re a client. With us, you own it all.

Every project is different, so we don’t quote a firm timeline until the scope is clear. As a general guide, plan on about 12 weeks from our first conversation to a live website. Timing also depends on our development calendar, which we manage carefully so every project gets the attention it needs.

Pricing depends on the size and scope of the project, from the number of pages to integrations, AI features, content and custom builds, so we don’t publish a single price. After a free consultation we prepare a proposal with an overview, your goals, solutions, pricing and timeline, so you know what to expect before we begin.

Yes. We’re based in downtown Santa Rosa and work with businesses across Sonoma County and the North Bay. We also build websites for clients beyond the area.

Schedule a free consultation. We meet to learn about your business and goals, and if we’re a fit, we draft a proposal with an overview, your goals, current issues, solutions, pricing and timeline.

Nobody can guarantee that, and be wary of anyone who does. What we can do is build the foundations: clear page structure, helpful content, structured data, fast load times and a strong local presence. Those are what help Google and AI tools understand who you are and recommend you.

Works with

More ways we help you get found

Local search and SEO

Show up when Sonoma County searches for what you do, on Google Maps and in search results.

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AI search visibility

Help ChatGPT, Google’s AI answers and similar tools understand your business and recommend it.

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Google Ads

Reach people who are already searching, with a budget you control.

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Logo and branding

A mark and a look your clients remember, carried through everything you print and post.

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E-commerce websites

Online stores that handle payments, shipping and inventory without the headaches.

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Want a custom website for your business?

Start with a free visibility audit or schedule a call. No pressure and no jargon.