Frequently asked questions about websites
Common questions about website design, custom development, WordPress, ecommerce, SEO, hosting and ongoing website support. Learn how we approach projects, what things cost and what is involved in building and maintaining a website.
Websites and builds
The things people ask before starting a project, from platforms and timelines to how much of it you can run yourself afterwards.
Do you only build in WordPress?
No. WordPress is one of the platforms we work with, but it is not the right choice for every project. We also build Shopify stores, custom websites and web applications when they are a better fit.
We recommend the approach that suits your business, your goals and the way you need to manage the website long term.
WordPress, Shopify or WooCommerce, which one do I need?
It depends on what you need the website to do. WordPress is a great fit for most business websites where content, SEO and flexibility matter. Shopify works well for businesses focused on selling online with built-in ecommerce tools. WooCommerce is useful when you want ecommerce alongside a WordPress website.
We will help you choose the right platform and explain why, including when a simpler option is actually the better choice.
How long does a website build take?
Most websites take around four to six weeks from planning through to launch. Smaller landing pages can often be completed sooner, while ecommerce websites and custom projects depend on the features and integrations involved.
The biggest factor is usually having content, images and feedback ready so the project can keep moving.
Can you redesign my existing website instead of starting again?
Yes. If your existing website has a solid foundation, we can improve the design, performance and user experience without rebuilding everything.
If the current setup is causing ongoing problems, we will explain why a rebuild makes more sense before you spend money fixing the wrong things.
Will I be able to update the website myself?
Yes. Your website should be something your team can confidently manage. We build websites with practical editing tools, then provide a handover so you know how everything works.
For larger websites, we can also provide ongoing support if you would rather have someone handle updates for you.
Can you build a website from our existing design?
Yes. We regularly work with existing designs from designers, agencies or internal teams.
We can take approved designs and turn them into a fast, responsive website with clean code, good performance and a content structure that works long term.
Do you provide website content and copywriting?
We can help shape your content and make sure your website clearly explains what you do, who you help and what customers should do next.
For larger content projects we can work alongside copywriters or your internal team to make sure the website and content work together.
Can you improve my existing website without rebuilding it?
Yes. A rebuild is not always the answer. Sometimes better hosting, performance improvements, technical SEO fixes or design changes can make a big difference.
We will assess what you already have and recommend the most sensible option.
WordPress
Is WordPress still a good choice for business websites?
Yes. WordPress remains one of the most flexible website platforms available for businesses that need control over their content, SEO and future growth.
The difference comes down to how it is built. A well-structured WordPress website should be fast, secure and easy for your team to manage.
Can you rebuild an existing WordPress website?
Yes. We can review your current website, identify what is working and rebuild the parts that need improving.
The goal is not always to start again. Sometimes improving the existing foundation is the best option, and we will tell you which approach makes the most sense.
Do you provide WordPress hosting and maintenance?
Yes. We provide hosting, backups, updates, monitoring and ongoing care to help keep your WordPress website secure and running smoothly.
Because we understand how your website is built, support is usually faster and more effective than passing issues between different providers.
Why do you build custom WordPress websites instead of using templates?
Templates are useful for getting started, but they often bring unnecessary code, design limitations and plugin dependencies.
A custom WordPress build gives you a website designed around your business, with only the features you actually need.
Is WordPress secure?
Yes, when it is maintained properly. Most WordPress security problems come from outdated plugins, poor hosting or unnecessary additions rather than WordPress itself.
We build with security in mind and provide updates, backups and monitoring to keep websites healthy.
Ecommerce
Can you migrate my existing ecommerce store?
Yes. We can help move existing stores between platforms while protecting the things that matter, including products, customer experience and search visibility.
Before making changes, we review what you have and plan the migration properly so there are fewer surprises after launch.
What happens after an ecommerce website launches?
Launching the store is only the beginning. Ecommerce websites need ongoing updates, security checks, backups and improvements as products, customers and business needs change.
Our care plans help keep everything maintained so you can focus on running the business.
Can you improve an existing ecommerce store?
Yes. We help improve stores that are slow, difficult to manage or not converting as well as they should.
That can include performance improvements, user experience changes, technical fixes or platform changes.
SEO, performance and AI search
What does AI search visibility actually involve?
AI search visibility is about making your business easier for AI systems to understand and recommend. This includes clear website structure, useful content, accurate business information and technical foundations that help systems interpret what you do.
We look at what is already working, what is missing and what changes are most likely to improve how your business appears in AI-powered search.
How much faster will my website get?
It depends on what is slowing it down. Some websites have simple issues like large images or unnecessary plugins, while others need deeper performance work.
We measure the website before making changes, identify the biggest opportunities and provide a clear before-and-after report so you can see what improved.
Can you guarantee first page on Google?
No. Nobody can honestly guarantee a specific Google ranking because search results depend on your industry, competition, content and many other factors.
What we can do is improve the foundations that support search visibility, including technical SEO, website performance, content structure and making sure search engines can properly understand your website.
Do I need to change hosting to improve website speed?
Not always. Sometimes better caching, image optimisation and technical improvements are enough.
If your hosting is genuinely the bottleneck, we will show you the evidence first rather than recommending a move just because it is easier.
Is website optimisation a one-off project or ongoing?
Performance and SEO improvements can be completed as a one-off project. After that, ongoing maintenance helps keep the website healthy as content, plugins and technology change.
We can continue supporting your website, or simply hand everything back once the work is complete.
What's included in the SEO and performance report?
The report looks at website speed, Core Web Vitals, technical SEO issues and other factors that affect how your website performs.
You will see what is slowing the website down, what we changed and what improvements are worth considering next.
Is AI search just SEO with a different name?
There is a lot of overlap. The basics still matter: a fast website, clear content, good structure and accurate information.
The difference is that businesses now need to think about being understood and recommended by AI systems as well as being found through traditional search.
How do you measure AI search visibility?
We look at how AI systems understand your business, what information they find and where improvements can be made.
It is not about chasing a single score. The goal is making sure your business information is accurate, clear and easy for systems to interpret.
Should I block AI crawlers from my website?
That depends on your business and how you want your content used. Some businesses choose to restrict AI access, while others want their information available so they can be discovered.
We can help you understand the options and make the decision intentionally rather than leaving it to default settings.
How long does SEO take to work?
SEO is not an instant switch. Technical improvements can have an impact quickly, but building visibility and trust in search results usually takes consistent work over time.
We focus on fixing the foundations first, then measuring what improves.
Do you provide ongoing SEO services?
Yes. We can help with ongoing technical SEO, content improvements and monitoring depending on what your business needs.
We focus on practical improvements rather than chasing meaningless reports or vanity metrics.
Will a new website help my Google rankings?
It can, but a new design alone does not guarantee better rankings. A good website gives search engines a stronger foundation through better structure, speed, content and technical setup.
We build websites with SEO foundations included from the start.
Hosting and maintenance
Can I cancel my maintenance plan at any time?
Yes. Our care plans run month to month with no long-term commitment.
If you cancel, your website stays yours. You simply stop receiving ongoing updates, monitoring and support.
What counts as a small website fix?
Small fixes include things like updating text, replacing images, fixing broken links, adjusting layouts or resolving minor website issues.
Larger changes or new features are quoted separately first, so you always know what the work involves.
Will you maintain a website you did not build?
Yes. We regularly help businesses take over websites built by someone else.
We start with a quick review so we understand what we are supporting. If the website needs repairs first, we will explain what needs doing before ongoing care begins.
What happens if my website goes down?
Our monitoring helps identify problems quickly so issues can be investigated before they become bigger problems.
If something does happen, you have someone who understands your website and can help resolve it.
Why not just update my website myself?
You can, but website updates can sometimes create unexpected problems, especially when plugins, themes and systems interact.
We keep backups, test changes and understand the website structure, making it easier to fix issues if something goes wrong.
Do I need to host my website with you to get support?
No. We can support websites hosted elsewhere, although having everything managed together often makes support simpler.
If your current hosting is working well, there is no need to change. If it is causing problems, we will explain why.
Can I keep my existing hosting?
Yes. We can work with your current hosting if it is suitable.
If your hosting is causing performance or reliability issues, we will explain why and recommend alternatives rather than moving you without a reason.
Do you back up websites?
Yes. Backups are part of keeping a website healthy. We maintain regular backups so problems can be recovered from quickly if something goes wrong.
Rescues, rebuilds and unfinished AI builds
We started a website with an AI tool. Can you finish it?
Yes. We can help take AI-generated websites from an early concept to something ready for real customers.
AI tools are great for getting started, but websites still need good structure, performance, accessibility, SEO and a content system that works long term.
We will review what you have and recommend whether finishing it or rebuilding parts of it makes the most sense.
Which AI website builders can you work with?
We can work with most AI-generated websites and code, including projects created with tools like Lovable, Bolt, Replit or AI coding assistants.
The important thing is not which tool created it. It is whether the final website is secure, maintainable and ready for your business.
Do I have to move an AI-built website to WordPress?
No. Sometimes keeping the existing website is the right choice.
WordPress can be a good option when you need to manage content yourself, improve SEO, add features over time or give your team more control.
We will recommend what suits your situation rather than moving everything by default.
Will my website design change if you rebuild it?
Not unless you want it to. If you already like the design, we can focus on improving what sits underneath it.
That can include cleaner code, better performance, stronger SEO foundations and a website that is easier to manage.
What does the free website review include?
We review your website and explain what is working, what could be improved and what options are available.
You get a clear overview of the issues and what fixing them would involve, whether you decide to work with us or not.
How long does a website rescue take?
It depends on the condition of the website and what needs fixing.
Some issues can be resolved quickly, while larger rebuilds, migrations or security problems require more planning. We will give you a clear timeline after reviewing the site.
Can you take over a website someone else started?
Yes. We regularly help businesses finish projects that have stalled or been left incomplete.
We will review where things are up to, identify what can be kept and help get the website moving again.
My website has been hacked. Can you fix it?
Yes. We can help clean up malware, identify how the issue happened and improve security to reduce the chance of it happening again.
If the damage is more extensive, we will explain whether repairing the website or rebuilding it is the better option.
Will moving my website affect my SEO?
A website migration can affect SEO if it is not planned properly. We carefully review URLs, redirects, content and technical settings before making changes.
The goal is to preserve what is already working while improving the website moving forward.
My old developer is no longer available. Can you take over?
Yes. This is a common reason businesses come to us.
We can review the existing website, help recover access, understand how it was built and recommend the best next step.
Sometimes that means improving the current website. Sometimes starting fresh is the better option.
Do I need a website rescue or a complete rebuild?
The answer depends on the condition of the existing website.
If the foundation is good, improving what you already have may be the best option. If the website has ongoing problems, a rebuild may save more time and money in the long run.
We will explain the options clearly before recommending any work.
How quickly can you fix a broken website?
It depends on the issue. Some problems can be resolved quickly, while larger technical issues require more investigation.
If your website is down, compromised or affecting customers, we prioritise understanding the problem and getting things stable again.
Custom tools and web applications
How much does a custom web application cost?
It depends on what the application needs to do. The best place to start is understanding the problem you are trying to solve.
We focus on building the smallest useful version first, then expanding when there is a clear reason to do so.
Would an existing software product do the job?
Sometimes it will, and we will tell you when it does.
Custom software makes sense when existing tools are creating limitations, wasting time or forcing your team into inefficient processes.
How do I know if I need a custom web application?
A custom application usually makes sense when your team is spending hours repeating manual tasks, moving information between systems or working around software limitations.
We start by understanding the problem, not by deciding what technology to build.
Whitelabel and agency work
Will our clients know you are involved?
No. We work behind the scenes as part of your team and fit into your existing process.
Your client relationship stays yours, and we provide the development support needed to deliver the project.
How does white label development pricing work?
Support can be structured around individual projects, hourly work or ongoing development capacity depending on what your team needs.
Everything is agreed clearly before work begins so everyone understands the scope and expectations.
What type of work can you help with?
We help agencies and internal teams with website builds, WordPress development, ecommerce, performance improvements, SEO work, migrations and technical support.
If something is outside our expertise, we will be upfront about it rather than taking on work we cannot deliver well.
Trade websites
How long does it take to build a trade website?
A simple trade website is usually live within a few weeks. Larger sites with multiple services, locations or custom features take longer, mostly depending on how quickly content, photos and feedback are available.
We keep the process moving with a clear plan, regular updates and a staging link so you can see progress before launch.
Do we need professional photos for our website?
No. Photos of your actual work are usually more valuable than polished stock images. A few good photos from your phone showing completed jobs, your team and your process can make a big difference.
If you do not have many photos yet, we can build the website around what you have and improve it over time.
Can you help with our Google Business Profile?
Yes. Your Google Business Profile is one of the most important parts of local search for trades. We can help make sure your business details, services, location and contact information are accurate and connected properly with your website.
Can we add new services or pages later?
Yes. Your website is built so it can grow with your business. You can add content yourself after handover, or we can help with larger updates when new services or opportunities come up.
Do I have to stay on the monthly website plan?
The monthly option spreads the cost of your website build, hosting and ongoing care over time. Once the agreed term is complete, you can continue month to month or manage the website yourself.
What happens if we need to stop the monthly plan early?
The monthly plan covers the cost of building the website, so ending early means the remaining build balance becomes payable. We make this clear from the beginning so there are no surprises.
Your website, domain and content remain yours either way.
Is there a deposit for monthly website plans?
Yes. A small upfront deposit gets the project started, then the remaining cost is spread across the monthly payments. The exact amount depends on the package you choose.
Working with us
Do we need an ongoing contract?
No. Many clients come to us for a single project, then decide later if they want ongoing support.
Care plans and ongoing development are available for businesses that want someone keeping an eye on things, but you are never locked into unnecessary services.
Who owns the website once it is finished?
You do. Your website, content, domain, hosting accounts and analytics remain yours.
We build websites that are easy to hand over, with documentation and guidance so you are never dependent on us to make changes.
Can you work with our existing developer, designer or agency?
Yes. We regularly work alongside internal teams, designers and agencies. We fit into your existing workflow, communicate clearly and provide the development support you need.
For agency partnerships, we can work behind the scenes under your process and branding.
What does a fixed quote include?
Before work starts, you receive a written quote outlining what is included and what the project will cost.
If something changes during the project, we discuss it first and update the scope before any additional work begins. No unexpected invoices.
Do you provide support after a website launches?
Yes. Some businesses need occasional help, while others want someone managing updates, improvements and ongoing development.
We offer flexible support depending on how involved you want us to be.
Do you work with small businesses?
Yes. We work with businesses that need a professional website without the complexity and cost of a large agency.
The goal is always the same: build something useful, reliable and appropriate for where your business is now.
Why should we work with Shiftmode?
Because you get experienced development without the layers of a large agency. We combine years of website development experience with a practical approach focused on building things that work.
You get direct communication, honest recommendations and a website that is built to last rather than just launched.
Do you work with businesses outside your local area?
Yes. We work remotely with businesses throughout New Zealand and beyond.
Most projects are handled online through calls, shared tools and staging links, so location is rarely a barrier.
What if I am not sure what I need?
That is completely normal. Many projects start with a problem rather than a clear solution.
Tell us what you are trying to achieve, what is currently frustrating you, and we will help work out the right next step.
Every website project is different. Bring us your questions, problems or ideas, we will talk through the options.