Let's Be Real
The idea of subscribing to your own website instead of "owning" it sounds weird at first. These days, everyone's tired of subscriptions.
Honestly, I felt weird about it too. For years, I prided myself on building websites my clients could update themselves. I'd finish the project, hand everything over and give detailed demos to empower them; They had everything they needed to be little web developers. So when I first heard about website subscriptions, I thought, Isn't this just trapping the non-technical people I'm trying to help into a lifetime of payments? That didn't sit right with me.
But here's what I learned after building websites for over twenty years:
The Traditional Build: "Here's Your Website!"
A developer builds you a beautiful, custom website. You love it! It's perfect. You pay the big upfront fee and get handed the keys with a stack of login credentials and a promise that "you can update it yourself now."
Reality check: You're never going to remember that admin URL (let alone your password), and you definitely don't want to learn how to use a confusing dashboard.
The Developer Will Disappear (Because There's No Money In Maintenance)
Your developer moves on to the next big project. Why? Because there's no business model for ongoing maintenance. They make money on new builds, not maintaining old ones.
You're officially on your own with a complex stack of technology in an arena that changes constantly.
I believe this is fundamentally unfair to you as a business owner.
Your Site Starts to Rot
Months pass. Your business evolves, but your website doesn't. That old staff photo with the person who was "let go" for being rude to customers six months ago? Still there. Your new service offerings? Nowhere to be found. Updated business hours? Nope.
Meanwhile, security updates pile up, plugins break and your site slowly becomes an embarrassing digital ghost town.
The Panic Moment & Sob Story
Something breaks. Maybe your site gets hacked, maybe a plugin update killed your contact form, or maybe you just can't anymore with the old system. On top of all that, you only just now discovered this because you're trying to launch your newest business offering.
You're in a bind, and I have 6 months of work already lined up - I know where things stand. Cue the emergency developer fees.
I feel bad because your previous budget dev probably screwed you over (knowingly or not). If only this would have been done right the first time, we could have all saved ourselves a lot of unnecessary hysteria.
The Dreaded "Rebuild" Conversation
You feel like you just finished your last website rebuild, how could we possibly be looking at doing a new one?! Unfortunately, that's often the reality when you use trendy, cheap tech (I'm looking at you Wordpress, Wix and Squarespace!!!)
Web developers are not (always) looking for a payday when they suggest a website rebuild - More times than not, it's literally a necessity. Tech fads come and go, styles change and SEO strategy evolves. Learning the system your site used 5 years ago to make a few content updates is not going to be attractive to any developer.
Why Developers Always Seem to Suggest a RebuildRinse & Repeat
You either pay for expensive emergency fixes to band-aid the problems, or you start over with a completely new website and developer. Either way, you're back at step one with a bigger bill and the same fundamental problem:
Nobody has any incentive to actually maintain your website once it's built.
This broken cycle is exactly why I switched to the subscription model. When your success becomes my ongoing revenue, suddenly I have every reason to keep your site working, current, and helping your business grow. No more abandoned websites, no more emergency bills, no more "figure it out yourself" handoffs.
What Makes This Subscription Different
Always Up-to-Date
Your site never falls behind on design, SEO, or security. I'm always monitoring and improving behind the scenes.
Predictable Monthly Cost
Pricing is based on what your site actually needs. You know exactly what you're paying for. There are no random bills or fees.
Unlimited Changes, No Surprises
Want to update your hours, swap out photos, or refresh text? Changes to your existing content are always included, no limits, no hidden fees. See exactly what's included
True Partnership, Not Just a Platform
You get an experienced pro (me!) who treats your site like his own (because it is); not an anonymous support team or fly-by-night freelancer.
Let’s Address the 🐘(s) in the Room
Here's a few of the questions you might have. If you have others, don't hesitate to reach out!
Can I cancel anytime?
+Yes, after the initial 12-month commitment to kick off the engagement. After that, it's month-to-month.
Read about my No Questions Asked Cancellation PolicyWhat happens to my website when I cancel?
+It goes offline. This is like any other subscription - when you move on, you lose access. When you cancel this subscription, your website will go offline at the end of the current subscription period. You keep your domain and I export all your content for you to take with you for your next adventure, but the website code, layouts, design, formatting, etc stay with me.
Read about my No Questions Asked Cancellation PolicyDo I own my website?
+No. You own the content (text, images, branding, etc) and your domain name (www.your-url.com). I own the code, the site hosting, all the infrastructure and all the problems and technical non-sense associated with it.
Why "ownership" doesn't workIsn't this more expensive in the long run?
+Actually, it's usually less expensive and way less stressful. You skip surprise invoices, "emergency" developer fees, and major redesign bills. Plus, you get a website that can be updated at any time.
What if I want full control?
+There are so many free resources to help you do it yourself these days, and that's how I started back in 2004 (before the numerous free resources). Look where it got me - I became a full time web developer! If you have the technical DIY spirit, I totally get it and support you (from afar), but I don't want to be your teacher.
What Does "Ownership" Actually Cost You?
Owning a website shouldn’t mean babysitting one. A traditional approach piles on hidden costs, slow fixes, and emergency bills. I run it differently: I build, host, secure, and update your site for one predictable monthly rate.
Traditional Approach
- 🚫 $8,000+ upfront build
- 🚫 Surprise invoices for basic edits
- 🚫 Security & plugin upkeep on you
- 🚫 Slow, ticket-based support
- 🚫 Redesign again in ~3–4 years
- 🚫 Emergencies = more bills
Typical 4-Year Cost: $10k - $15k+
Plus time, stress, and lost momentum.
My Subscription Model
- ✅ $0 up front
- ✅ One predictable monthly fee
- ✅ Unlimited changes to existing content
- ✅ Hosting, security, monitoring included
- ✅ Direct support (no ticket maze)
- ✅ Full redesign included after 3 years
Total: One clear monthly rate
No drama. No surprise invoices. Just results.
P.S. Google changed its search algorithm 7 times in 2024. Every time, I handled it for my subscription clients. The "owners"? Most found out when their site traffic tanked.
Who This Model Works For(And Who It Doesn't)
First things first: If you’re a business owner, creative, nonprofit, or just a human with a story to tell and a need for a slick, professional site - welcome! My model is perfect for sites that need to showcase services, share information, or connect with people. I work best with sites that *don’t* need user logins or shopping carts. If you want fast updates, a hands-off experience, and a site that’s always up-to-date, you’re my kind of client.
Full disclosure: At this stage, I don’t build e-commerce shops or member login portals. It’s not you, it’s me; I just don’t have the secret sauce (yet) for those more complex builds. Those types of sites are like owning a high-maintenance sports car, and I’m focused on building reliable, no-drama rides. If you need e-commerce or logins, join the waitlist and let’s talk when I’ve got that magic figured out!
✅ This model is for you if…
- You want your website to just work, without having to Google how to fix it.
- You'd rather have everything covered in a single, predictable monthly fee—not play "pay as you go" roulette and hope the next bill isn't a killer.
- You value having an experienced pro (that's me) who actually knows and cares about your business.
- You update your site regularly—add news, change bios, promote new services, whatever.
- You're in this for the long haul and want your website to grow with your business.
❌ This model is NOT for you if…
- You love tinkering, troubleshooting, and want to do everything yourself.
- You want to fully "own" and control every aspect of your website—no exceptions.
- You prefer "pay as you go" for every update. (Pro tip: This sounds cheaper, but surprise bills and delays add up fast. It's usually a false economy.)
- You want a set-it-and-forget-it site you'll never touch again. (Seriously, please don't. It'll cost you way more in the long run.)
- You're planning to flip your business in under a year.
- You have a cousin who "does websites" for beer money. (Does he need a job?! I'm always looking for skilled developers!)
Honest truth:
If you're just looking for the cheapest option or want total control forever, that's totally cool—there are plenty of options out there. But if you want a site that actually helps your business and a partner who's in it with you, let's talk.
What My Clients Say
"Working with Dan has been a game-changer for our business. I used to spend hours every month dealing with website issues, security updates, and trying to make changes myself. Now I just email Dan when I need something, and it's done within 24 hours. The monthly fee is so much more predictable than the surprise bills I used to get from other developers."
