(Names have been changed to protect privacy)
We just wrapped up one of those calls that reminds us why we love working with multi-location businesses. “Brittney” from a hospitality company that manages websites for several restaurant and bars across Texas, and her situation perfectly illustrates both what we do best and what makes an ideal client relationship.
The Perfect Storm of Website Problems
Brittney inherited website management responsibilities without any technical background. Sound familiar? She’s juggling multiple WordPress sites across different hosting providers – some on GoDaddy, others on SiteGround. Each platform has different logins, different interfaces, and different limitations.
Her previous vendor created exactly the problems we see constantly: tickets disappearing into black holes, simple requests turning into complex projects, billing confusion, and worst of all – they transferred domains without clear consent, creating a messy exit process.
This is our sweet spot. Multi-location businesses with straightforward needs, previous vendor frustrations, and owners who understand the value of professional service.
What Sage Brings to the Table
Our approach solved every pain point Brittney mentioned:
Consolidated management under one roof. Instead of juggling multiple hosting accounts, everything runs through our managed WordPress hosting with daily backups, premium plugins, and professional security monitoring.
Real ticketing system with team oversight. Our four developers and 35-year system admin ensure requests never get lost. Same-day completion for routine changes. Clear notifications from request to completion.
Transparent pricing at $99 monthly per site. No hidden fees, no surprise charges. Routine updates included. Additional development work gets quoted separately with clear approval.
Investment in the relationship. We absorb migration costs and setup time because we’re building long-term partnerships, not chasing quick profits.
What Great Clients Look Like
Brittney represents our ideal client profile:
Business owners who understand value over cheapest price. She’s been burned by bottom-barrel hosting and wants professional service worth paying for.
Clear communication about actual needs. “We don’t update a whole lot of things. Usually just a couple things every couple months.” Perfect honesty that lets us price appropriately.
Appreciation for expertise without micromanagement. She wants the technical headaches handled by professionals so she can focus on running the business.
Growth mindset beyond basic maintenance. Already talking about future overhauls and improvements once the foundation is solid.
What Clients Should Expect from Quality Vendors
Our conversation highlighted the standards every business should demand:
Domain ownership stays with the client, always. We’ve heard every horror story about domains getting held hostage. Never acceptable.
No long-term contracts required. If our service is good, clients stay. If not, they should leave easily. Contracts often hide service quality problems.
Professional tools included, not extra charges. Premium SEO plugins, speed optimization, analytics setup, and security monitoring should be standard, not add-on fees.
Clear scope boundaries with transparent additional pricing. Routine updates included. Development work quoted separately. No surprise billing.
Response time commitments that match business needs. Same-day for urgent issues. Clear timelines for complex requests. Emergency support when sites go down.
Why This Partnership Will Work
The best indicator of relationship success? Brittney immediately saw the value in our video background capabilities and testimonial integration ideas. She’s thinking beyond basic maintenance toward making her sites more effective marketing tools.
That’s the mindset we love working with. Business owners who see websites as growth assets, not just necessary expenses. Who appreciate professional service and understand that quality costs more than bottom-barrel alternatives.
The result? Brittney’s ready to move forward pending partner approval. Her exact words: “If it’s up to me, I’m in.”
That’s how great client relationships start – with mutual understanding of needs, clear expectations, and excitement about working together long-term.
FAQ
What should I expect to pay for professional WordPress management per site?
Professional WordPress management typically runs $99 per month per site. This should include consolidated hosting with daily backups, premium plugins, security monitoring, routine updates, and same-day response for standard requests. Additional development work beyond routine updates gets quoted separately with clear approval before any work begins.
How do I know if a vendor is right for multi-location businesses?
Look for vendors who can consolidate all your sites under one management system instead of forcing you to juggle multiple hosting platforms. They should have a real ticketing system with team oversight so requests never disappear, provide transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and offer same-day completion for routine changes across all locations.
Should my website vendor require long-term contracts?
No. Quality vendors don’t need contracts to keep clients. If the service is good, clients stay voluntarily. Long-term contracts often hide service quality problems or vendor insecurity. You should be able to leave easily if the relationship isn’t working, which means the vendor needs to earn your business every month.
Who should own my domain names?
You should always own your domains directly. Never allow a vendor to register or transfer domains into their control. Domain ownership gives vendors leverage to hold your business hostage during disputes or when you want to switch providers. This is a non-negotiable standard for professional relationships.
What’s included in routine WordPress updates versus additional development work?
Routine updates include plugin updates, security patches, content changes like text or image swaps, and minor adjustments to existing pages. Development work includes building new pages, redesigning sections, adding new functionality, custom integrations, or significant layout changes. Quality vendors clearly define this boundary upfront and quote development work separately with approval.
How quickly should a professional vendor respond to website issues?
Same-day response for urgent issues and routine requests should be standard. Complex development requests need clear timelines communicated upfront. Emergency support when sites go down should be available without multi-day waits. If you’re waiting two weeks for basic changes, you don’t have professional management.
What happens during vendor migration if my previous company transferred my domains?
This creates a messy exit process where you’ll need to request domain transfers back to your control. Professional vendors will help navigate this transition, but it takes time and coordination. This is exactly why domain ownership should stay with you from the start. Quality new vendors often absorb migration costs to build long-term relationships.
How do I avoid tickets disappearing into black holes with my website vendor?
Use vendors with real ticketing systems that provide confirmation when requests are received, notifications when work begins, and completion alerts when finished. Systems with team oversight prevent requests from getting lost if one person is unavailable. Ask specifically about their ticketing process and what visibility you’ll have into request status.
Looking for website management that actually works? If Brittney’s story sounds familiar, let’s talk. We specialize in taking the technical headaches away from multi-location business owners who want professional results without the drama.
