What Craig Harkey Design Offers for South Carolina Businesses

Craig Harkey Design builds websites for small businesses and nonprofits across South Carolina, focusing on sites that work on phones and tablets as well as desktops.

Craig Harkey Design is a web design studio based in South Carolina that works with local businesses, nonprofits, and service providers to build and update their online presence. The studio specializes in responsive design—websites that automatically adjust to fit whatever device someone is using to view them. Rather than a one-size-fits-all template approach, the studio works directly with clients to understand their specific needs and goals.

The studio handles the full range of web design work: creating new sites from scratch, redesigning existing ones, updating content management systems, and ongoing maintenance. They also work with clients who need help thinking through what their website should accomplish before any design work begins.

Key Takeaways

• Craig Harkey Design creates custom websites rather than using pre-built templates, tailored to how each business actually operates.
• The studio builds responsive sites that display correctly on phones, tablets, and desktop computers without separate mobile versions.
• Services include new site builds, redesigns of existing websites, content management system setup, and ongoing updates and maintenance.
• The studio works with small businesses, nonprofits, and service-based companies throughout South Carolina.

How the Design Process Works

Craig Harkey Design typically starts by meeting with clients to understand what they need the website to do. This might mean learning how customers currently find them, what information visitors most often ask for, or what problems the old website created. The studio uses this conversation to set priorities before any design sketches appear.

Once the direction is clear, the studio creates designs and prototypes for client review. This back-and-forth continues until the design matches what the client actually needs. The studio then builds the site using code and a content management system—usually WordPress—so the client can update text and images themselves without needing to know how to code.

After launch, Craig Harkey Design offers ongoing support. This might include fixing bugs, updating plugins and security features, adding new pages or functionality, or making changes based on how visitors actually use the site.

Website Types and Industries Served

The studio works across many different business types. Common projects include websites for medical and dental practices, law firms, real estate agents, contractors, restaurants, retail shops, and nonprofits. Each industry has different needs—a law firm's site needs to build trust and explain services clearly, while a restaurant site needs to show hours, menus, and make reservations easy.

Craig Harkey Design also works with service-based businesses that rely on local customers finding them online. This includes plumbers, electricians, HVAC companies, and similar trades. For these businesses, the studio often focuses on making the site easy for customers to contact the business and understand what services are offered.

Responsive Design and Mobile-First Approach

A core part of Craig Harkey Design's work is building sites that work well on phones. More than half of web traffic now comes from mobile devices, so a site that looks good only on a desktop computer will lose customers. The studio builds every site to display correctly whether someone is viewing it on an iPhone, an Android phone, a tablet, or a computer.

This is different from creating a separate mobile version of a website. Instead, the studio uses responsive design techniques—flexible layouts and images that scale automatically—so there is only one website that works everywhere. This approach is easier to maintain and keeps the site consistent across all devices.

Content Management and Ongoing Updates

Most sites Craig Harkey Design builds use WordPress, a content management system that lets business owners update their own content without hiring a developer. The studio sets up WordPress so that the client can add new blog posts, update service descriptions, add photos, or change hours and contact information through a straightforward dashboard.

The studio also offers maintenance packages for clients who want ongoing support. This includes security updates, plugin updates, backups, and monitoring for broken links or other issues. For businesses that do not have the time or expertise to manage their site themselves, this ongoing support keeps the site running smoothly and protects it from security problems.

Working With Local South Carolina Businesses

Craig Harkey Design is based in South Carolina and works primarily with local clients. This means the studio understands the regional business landscape, local competition, and what customers in South Carolina are searching for online. The studio can speak directly with clients in person or by phone, which many business owners prefer when making decisions about their online presence.

The studio also understands the specific challenges that South Carolina businesses face—seasonal tourism in coastal areas, agricultural businesses in the Lowcountry, manufacturing in the Upstate, and the mix of established businesses and startups across the state. This local knowledge shapes how the studio approaches each project.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a website from Craig Harkey Design cost?

Pricing varies depending on the complexity of the site, the number of pages, and what features are needed. A simple site for a small business costs less than a complex site with custom functionality. The studio provides quotes after discussing the project scope with the client.

Can Craig Harkey Design update my existing website?

Yes. The studio works with clients who have older websites that need updating, redesigning, or moving to a new platform. This might mean keeping some of the existing content and structure while modernizing the design, or rebuilding the site entirely depending on what the client needs.

Will I be able to update my website myself after it launches?

Most sites built by Craig Harkey Design use WordPress, which is designed so business owners can update text, images, and pages without knowing how to code. The studio trains clients on how to use the system and provides documentation. For more complex changes, the studio offers ongoing support.

How long does it take to build a website?

Timeline depends on the project size and complexity. A simple site might take a few weeks, while a larger site with custom features could take several months. The studio discusses timeline expectations during the initial consultation.

Do you work with nonprofits?

Yes. Craig Harkey Design works with nonprofits and community organizations. The studio understands that nonprofits often have limited budgets and can discuss pricing options that work for mission-driven organizations.