Who we are
Mitten Web Works is a small team of designers and developers based in Traverse City. We build focused websites that help local businesses and creators reach their customers.
Our Mission
Design delightful, reliable websites that make running a business easier — with clear pricing, honest timelines, and support that doesn't disappear after launch.
How We Work
We start with a short discovery call, put together a visual mockup, and then build the site with performance and accessibility in mind from the first line of code.
How a project goes
No mystery and no jargon. Here's what working with us actually looks like, start to finish.
We talk
A quick call or email about your business, your customers, and what the site needs to do. We'll get back to you within a day or two.
You see a mockup
We put together a visual mockup of your homepage built from your real information, so you can see the direction before the build starts.
We build it
Custom code built for your site: mobile-first, fast to load, and accessible. You review it and we adjust until it feels right.
Launch and beyond
We put it online. With our Hosting + Support plan we keep it there: hosting, updates, and backups, and when something needs to change, you call and a real person answers.
What we care about
Built for you
No page builders or recycled themes. Every site starts from your content, which keeps it lean and makes it yours.
Fast for everyone
Most of your visitors are on a phone. We build for that first, and we build so people using screen readers or keyboards can get around too.
Straight answers
Clear pricing, honest timelines, and no bloated packages or add-ons you don't need. If something isn't worth your money, we'll say so.
Rooted up north
We're based in Traverse City and build for businesses across Northern Michigan and the rest of the mitten: shops, trades, salons, restaurants, and the people who run them.
Small businesses here run on word of mouth and repeat customers. A good website should back that up, not replace it: it should make you easy to find, easy to call, and easy to trust.
Common questions
What does a website cost?
It depends on how many pages you need and what the site has to do. Our plans start with a Starter site of up to 5 pages. Hosting is a separate monthly plan. See the pricing page for the details.
Do you host the site too?
Yes, through our Hosting + Support plan: $29.99 a month, or $329.99 a year. We keep your site online, patched, and backed up, and you have someone to call when something needs to change.
Do you use templates or a page builder?
No. Every site is custom-built, which keeps it lightweight and fast to load and means the design is built around your business, not squeezed into someone else's theme.
Do you only work with Traverse City businesses?
We're based in Traverse City, but we work with businesses all over Northern Michigan and the rest of the state.
What do I need to get started?
Just a conversation. It helps to have your logo, a few photos, and a list of your services and hours, but we can start without them and figure out the rest together.