How the subscription works

From your first strategy call through launch and ongoing care—$0 upfront subscription plans for local business websites and managed Shopify storefronts when you hire Starbyte as your outsourced web team.

Who it's for—and who it isn't

Starbyte's subscription plans are built for owners who want results without becoming their own web department—whether you need a lead-gen website or a managed Shopify storefront. Not sure which tier fits? We'll recommend Website-as-a-Service, Storefront-as-a-Service, or custom scope on a free consult.

A good fit if you…

  • Run a local business—contractor, dental practice, restaurant, retail shop, or professional services—and want a brochure site or a managed Shopify storefront
  • Want $0 upfront and a predictable monthly plan (from $350/month for websites, $550/month for storefronts) instead of a large upfront build fee
  • Need someone to handle updates, hosting, SEO basics, and fixes without hourly surprise bills—copy and catalog changes included on subscription tiers
  • Can commit to the initial 24-month term and provide content or product info when we ask for it

Probably not a fit if you…

  • Want a DIY builder (Wix, Squarespace) you log into and change daily yourself
  • Need complex e-commerce on WooCommerce, Magento, or other non-Shopify platforms—we route that to a custom engagement after consult
  • Require full source-code ownership or self-hosting from day one
  • Need a one-time site or store with no ongoing relationship—we are built for long-term partnership on subscription plans

Week-by-week: signup to launch

Most local business websites and Shopify storefronts go live in about 4–6 weeks when content and approvals move steadily. Your timeline may vary.

Week 1

Strategy call, agreement, and onboarding

Free consultation to confirm fit and recommend Website-as-a-Service ($0 upfront, $350/month), Storefront-as-a-Service ($0 upfront, $550/month), or custom scope if neither tier fits. You sign the matching agreement; first month's payment ($350 or $550) starts onboarding and the 24-month term. We collect brand assets, services or product info, photos, and goals—you register and pay Shopify directly on storefront plans.

Week 2

Site or store plan and content

We map pages, navigation, and forms—or store structure, collections, and checkout—together in plain English. You approve the plan; we flag any missing copy, images, or product data. Billing continues on schedule even if content arrives slowly—timely responses keep launch on track.

Week 3

Design review

We present a custom design direction for your key pages or storefront templates. You review on desktop and mobile and request revisions. No generic template shopping—you get a layout built for your local business.

Week 4

Build and internal QA

We develop the approved design, wire up forms or checkout, set up hosting, and run speed, mobile, and conversion tests. You get a private preview link to review before anything goes public.

Weeks 5–6

Revisions, launch, and handoff

Final tweaks from your preview feedback, DNS/domain connection, and go-live. We confirm analytics, forms or checkout, and backups. After launch, you are in ongoing care—request updates anytime through priority support.

You have a 30-day evaluation period after your first payment—or before your site or storefront goes live—to cancel without the remaining 24-month obligation. Learn more in the FAQ.

What "unlimited updates" means in practice

You are not buying hours—you are hiring a webmaster. Here is what we handle as part of your monthly subscription versus what needs a separate conversation or custom scope.

Included—just ask

  • Copy edits: hours, services, policies, bios
  • New or swapped photos and team headshots
  • New staff profiles or service lines on existing pages
  • Menu, pricing, or promotion updates
  • Standard product and inventory updates on Storefront-as-a-Service plans (within subscription scope)
  • Form recipient changes and basic field tweaks
  • Broken link fixes and small layout adjustments

Separate scope—let's talk first

  • Brand-new major sections or landing page campaigns
  • Custom applications, portals, or complex integrations
  • Non-Shopify e-commerce, platform migrations, or storefronts outside Storefront-as-a-Service—custom engagement after consult
  • Major new features beyond content and catalog updates (new apps, complex booking engines, multi-location logic)
  • Full visual redesign (use your biennial refresh when eligible)
  • Third-party tools that need their own licenses or accounts

Requests go through priority support; we assess within 24 hours per your agreement.

Example quarterly review agenda

Once per calendar quarter, we review performance and plan next steps—about 30 minutes on a live call or via Loom if that is easier. Website plans emphasize leads and forms; Storefront-as-a-Service reviews add sales-path metrics (checkout bounce, funnel drop-offs).

  1. 01
    Traffic snapshot (10 min)

    Visits, top entry pages, and mobile vs. desktop—what changed since last quarter.

  2. 02
    Leads and forms (5 min)

    Form submissions, click-to-call patterns, and whether inquiries are reaching your inbox.

  3. 03
    Storefront metrics (storefront plans, 5 min)

    Checkout bounce, cart paths, and sales-funnel drop-offs—where shoppers stall and what to test next.

  4. 04
    SEO and site health (5 min)

    Indexing status, broken links addressed, and basics we maintained—no ranking guarantees.

  5. 05
    Recommendations (10 min)

    Content, page, or merchandising ideas, seasonal promos, and quick wins for the next 90 days.

You leave with plain-English takeaways—not a deck full of jargon.

Biennial "Never-Get-Old" refresh

Stay modern without paying for a full rebuild again—available on Website-as-a-Service and Storefront-as-a-Service after each 24 consecutive months of active subscription.

1

You request a refresh

After each 24 consecutive months on an active Website-as-a-Service or Storefront-as-a-Service subscription, you can ask for a full visual redesign at no additional cost. It does not happen automatically—we schedule when you are ready.

2

Quick discovery

We discuss what feels dated, what competitors are doing, and any new services, products, or photos. Your content stays; the look and layout evolve.

3

Design, approve, rebuild

New design mockups, your approval, then we rebuild on the same domain with minimal downtime. Forms or checkout, hosting, and SEO care continue throughout.

4

Launch and ongoing care

Go live with the refreshed site or storefront and return to normal monthly support—updates, security, and quarterly reviews keep running.

Ready to start Week 1?

Book a free strategy call. We will confirm fit, recommend Website-as-a-Service, Storefront-as-a-Service, or custom scope, and outline your launch timeline—$0 upfront on subscription plans from $350/month (website) or $550/month (Shopify storefront).