Website Design

Strategic Website Design for Charleston & Summerville’s Locally Owned Businesses

If you’re a local business owner, you already know how hard it can be to stand out — even when you’re great at what you do. You’ve poured time, money, and heart into your business, yet online it can still feel like you’re competing with everyone at once.


As Charleston web designers who’ve been on the other side of that struggle, we design websites that help locally owned businesses cut through the noise, show up clearly, and be taken seriously from the first click. Your website should do more than look good — it should work quietly in the background, helping the right people find you, trust you, and take the next step.


We build websites that balance beautiful and thoughtful design with local SEO, so your business shows up clearly and confidently where it matters most.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do you offer a #1 search result ranking guarantee?

    No reputable SEO company should guarantee first-page placements for all keywords because many factors outside of our control- such as the amount of local competitors, the state of your current website, and algorithm changes- can all impact rankings. What we WILL promise is that we’ll use the latest SEO best practices to improve your visibility, optimize your web presence, and attract local traffic that’s looking for businesses like yours to you!

  • How long will it take to see results from local SEO?

    Every business is differnt, but we can often discover many high-opportunity keywords for clients that we call “low hanging fruit”. Once we create new content or optimize what you already have for them it can give your business some quick wins, but most local SEO efforts begin to show meaningful improvements and rankings that last take within 3-6 months of consistent work.

  • How will I know if social media management is working for my business?

    You’ll receive regular reports with key metrics like follower growth, engagement, reach, and website clicks.—plus recommendations on how to keep improving. For an extra layer of data, we can install Meta pixels on your website to track users.

Your Website Plays A Bigger Role Than You Think

When you’re running a local business, your website isn’t just a box to check — it’s often the deciding factor. Before someone calls, books, or walks through your door, they’re sizing you up online. Strong website design in Charleston helps your business feel established, trustworthy, and easy to choose in a crowded local market.

Magnifying glass over a dollar sign.

You can be incredible at what you do and still feel invisible online. A website built with local SEO helps your business show up when people are actively searching and making buying, booking or visiting decisions that you don't want to miss out on.

A stick figure with a question mark above its head, scratching its head in confusion.

A dated or confusing website can quietly work against you. Clean design, with clear messaging and structure, signal professionalism and credibility. This is even more important for locally owned businesses competing with larger brands and a sometime saturated local market.

Two stick figures giving each other a high five, celebrating.

Website traffic alone won’t help your business grow. A website designed by The Harper Edit will guide visitors toward the next step. Whether that’s booking an appointment, making a purchase, or reaching out, we make it happen without pressure or confusion.

working with the harper edit

Our Strategy

Our approach to web design is shaped by lived experience. We’ve been local business owners trying to juggle customers, marketing, managing a team (everything in between.) That’s why our websites are built to be strategic, easy to manage, and designed to support real growth — not just look good on launch day and then disappear into a forgotten corner of the internet. We spend time making sure your website is built with clarity, local SEO best practices, and timeless design that continues to deliver long after your site goes live.

Ready for a Website That does Your Amazing  Business Justice?

If you’re looking for a web designer in Charleston who understands both the emotional and strategic side of running a local business, we’d love to connect.


Click the link below to send us details about your needs and let’s see if our approach is the right fit for you!

CLARITY

Three black dots in a row on a white background.

We start by getting clear on what you do, who you serve, and what actually sets you apart locally. When your message is clear, your website becomes easier to navigate, easier to trust, and easier to choose.

STRUCTURE

Three black dots arranged horizontally.

Your site is built with intention — from page hierarchy to user flow. We organize content in a way that helps visitors find what they need quickly while supporting strong local SEO for Charleston and Summerville searches.

VISIBILITY

Three black dots on a white background, suggesting an ellipsis.

Design and SEO work together from day one. As Charleston web designers, we build websites that help locally owned businesses show up in search results — not just look good once someone arrives.

CREDIBILITY

Three black dots in a horizontal row, centered.

Your website should reflect the business you’ve worked hard to build. Clean design, thoughtful details, and consistent messaging help your brand feel established, professional, and trustworthy in a competitive local market.

MOMENTUM

Three black dots in a horizontal line, on a white background.

A good website doesn’t sit still. We design with growth in mind, creating a foundation that can evolve as your business does — without needing a full rebuild every time you take the next step.