FAQ
Questions about websites, SEO and pricing
Short, straight answers. If yours isn't here, just ask.
What does Larkspun Studio do?
Larkspun Studio builds custom websites for businesses across the US and helps them get found on Google and in AI answers like ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, with a plan built around the market each business serves. We also do branding, email, print and social design, and ongoing care after launch.
Where do you work?
Larkspun Studio is based in Colorado and works remotely with businesses across the United States, by video call and email. Work for businesses outside the US is available by request.
Can you target only the areas my business serves?
Yes. We plan your SEO and AI search work around your real market, whether that is one town, a group of cities, a whole state or the entire country. We call it Market-Matched Visibility.
How much does a custom website cost?
Essential sites are $1,800 plus $100 a month for care. Pro starts at $3,500 plus $199 a month, and Elite starts at $6,500 plus $399 a month. Any plan can target any market, and you get a fixed quote before any work starts.
Related: Pricing
How do payments work?
Website builds are paid 50% to start and 50% at launch. Monthly plans are billed each month.
What is included in the $595 audit?
The Website & AI Visibility Audit covers your site’s technical health, your Google visibility, what AI assistants say about you, the competitors getting found instead, and your reviews and listings. You get a prioritized fix list, a 30/60/90-day plan and a 45-minute walkthrough within 7 business days, and the fee is credited toward any build.
Related: The $595 audit
What is the difference between the free website check and the $595 audit?
The free check automatically tests a handful of technical signals on your homepage in about ten seconds. The $595 audit is a human review of your whole site, your competitors, your Google visibility and what AI tools actually say about you, followed by a prioritized plan and a walkthrough call.
Related: Free website check · The $595 audit
Will my business show up in ChatGPT after the audit?
Not automatically. The audit shows what may be keeping your business from being found or recommended, who shows up instead and what to fix first. No one can guarantee inclusion in AI answers.
Related: The $595 audit · AI search optimization
Can you improve my existing website without rebuilding it?
Yes. We can audit your current site and improve its technical SEO, content, speed and AI-search readiness without a full redesign. We only recommend a rebuild when it makes financial and technical sense.
Related: Start with an audit
How do I start a custom website?
Fill out the short project form on our Start a project page. We reply within one business day with questions, a plan and a price.
Related: Start a project
How long does it take to build a website?
Once we have your content, Essential sites usually go live in about 1 to 2 weeks, Pro sites in 2 to 3 weeks and Elite sites in 3 to 4 weeks. The biggest factor is how quickly we get your photos, details and feedback.
Can you build my website faster?
Yes, when spots are available. A Rush option takes about half the standard time and adds 25% to the build price.
What kinds of websites do you build?
Contractor and home service sites, real estate agent and team sites, wellness and telehealth brands, small business and personal brand sites, e-commerce, nonprofits, booking sites, landing pages, multi-location sites and more.
What is AI search optimization?
AI search optimization is the work of helping AI assistants like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity and Gemini find, understand and accurately describe your business. It is also called AEO (answer engine optimization) or GEO (generative engine optimization).
What is the difference between SEO, AEO and GEO?
SEO helps your pages rank in search results, AEO helps your business get pulled into the direct answers search engines and assistants give, and GEO helps generative AI tools like ChatGPT mention and recommend you. They build on each other, so we do all three.
Does AI search work for local businesses or only national brands?
Both. Local businesses can be named for questions like "best roofer in Boise," and national brands for questions like "best payroll software for small business." We plan the work around your market.
Can you guarantee ChatGPT will recommend my business?
No one can guarantee what an AI assistant says, and you should be wary of anyone who does. We make your business clear, consistent and well documented so you are a strong candidate, and we track what the assistants say over time.
What is an llms.txt file?
An llms.txt file is a short, plain-text summary of a website, like larkspunstudio.com/llms.txt. It is optional: Google says you don’t need it to appear in its AI features, so we treat it as a small extra, not a strategy.
Why does structured data matter?
Structured data (schema.org markup) states facts like your business name, services, service area and hours in a format machines read reliably. It helps search engines describe you accurately, though it is not a guarantee of AI citations.
Do I own my website?
Yes. You always own your domain, your content and your site files.
Do I have to sign up for a monthly plan?
Essential comes with Care at $100 a month, with a 3-month minimum after launch, then month to month. If you would rather host the site yourself, we hand it over for a one-time $150 fee and later changes are $75 an hour. Pro and Elite plans are month to month, and we recommend at least 6 months.
Related: Pricing terms
What happens if I cancel my monthly plan?
Your domain, content and site files stay yours. Care has a 3-month minimum after launch; after that, you can cancel anytime, and we hand the site over for a one-time $150 fee and explain what needs to move, like hosting and any paid tools, so it keeps running wherever you choose.
Related: Pricing terms
Do you offer discounts for nonprofits or new businesses?
Yes. We offer special pricing for nonprofits and good causes, new businesses, and first responders, military families and teachers, and we donate two complete websites a year to nonprofits. Ask on a free call or apply on our Give page.
Related: Donated websites
What if none of your packages fit my business?
Book a free call. We will look at what your business or organization actually needs and quote something that fits before any work starts, even if it is smaller or different than our packages.
How many revisions do I get?
Essential includes 2 rounds, and Pro and Elite include 3. A round is one list of changes sent together, and small text and photo fixes are free for 30 days after launch.
Do I get to see design options?
Yes. Every build starts with two homepage design directions, and you pick your favorite before we build the rest.
Can I buy just one service, like a Google Business Profile setup?
Yes. Extra pages, city pages, Google Business Profile setup, an AI-readiness fix-up for an existing site and more are available a la carte, each with its own price on our pricing page.
Related: A la carte prices
Can you redesign my existing website?
Yes. We rebuild your current site to be faster and easier to find, and we redirect your old page addresses so you keep the search traffic you already have.
Find out what's costing you customers.
The Website & AI Visibility Audit: a prioritized plan in 7 business days, with a 45-minute walkthrough. Fully credited toward any build.