Frequently asked questions
How long does a project take?
Most sites go from first conversation to launch in weeks. Changes after launch happen in days, not the next quarter.
Who looks after the site once it is live?
We do. Your site runs on Care: we host it, keep it fast and up to date, back it up, make small changes when you ask, and keep the technology underneath current as the web changes. You run your business and we run the site.
Will I be able to update it myself?
Yes. We set your site up so you can make everyday changes yourself, without waiting on us for small edits. Text, photos and new posts are yours to change. Bigger changes, like a new section or a new feature, are a quick conversation with us, and small ones are included on Care.
What is the site built on? WordPress? A page builder?
Neither. Every site is written as code, by us, on modern web technology: no WordPress, no templates, no plugins to keep patched. That is why our sites score at the top on Google's speed tests and stay that way as they grow.
What are the ongoing costs?
Care is $150 a month. It covers your hosting, your domain, your database and any third-party software your site uses, all paid by us, plus free updates to keep the site running, backups, small changes and a real person to call. There are no other fees.
What do I need to give you?
Your logo if you have one, the photos you want to use, and a sense of what each page should say. If you don't have finished wording or photos, say so. We write and shape the copy with you in the design step, and we can point you to a local photographer.
Can I see sites you have built?
Yes. Ask us and we will send you live sites to open on your own phone, so you can judge the speed and feel for yourself rather than take our word for it.
Do you work with businesses outside Hawaiʻi?
Yes, we work statewide and beyond. We're based in Hawaiʻi and it shapes how we build, but the studio isn't limited to island clients.
Can you add AI to my site?
Yes. We build AI automation ourselves, so this isn't a service we're guessing at. See the AI page for what that can look like.
What does it cost?
Foundation sites start at $3,500 one-time, Growth sites at $6,500, and custom builds at $12,000. Care is $150 a month and every site runs on it. Every project gets a clear price up front before any work starts, and the price does not change unless the scope does. See the Pricing page.
Who is Kapaworks?
A small web studio on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, founded by Thomas Townsend. We design and build websites, online stores, web and mobile apps and the systems behind them for small businesses, and we do the engineering ourselves rather than reselling templates.
I already have a website. Can you redesign it?
Yes. We rebuild it from the ground up, faster and ready for AI search, and carry over every page, link and address so nothing you have earned on Google is lost. Redesigns are priced the same way as new sites.
Do you do SEO?
The technical side is built into every site: clean structure, fast loading, proper titles and descriptions, a sitemap and structured data that search engines and AI assistants can read. We set up Google Business Profile and Search Console at launch. We do not promise rankings, and we are wary of anyone who does.
Do you build online stores? Shopify or custom?
Both. For most shops we build on Shopify, with a custom design, so you get a proven checkout and a store you can run yourself. When a business needs something Shopify cannot do, we build the store as part of a custom platform. See the Shopify page.
Do we need to meet in person?
No. Most projects run over video calls and email, with a shared link to your site as it takes shape. If you are on Oʻahu we are happy to meet in person.
What happens if something breaks after launch?
If you are on Care, tell us and we fix it; that is what Care is for. If you are not, we still fix anything that was our mistake, and we quote anything new before we touch it.
What is a Foundation site?
Our starting tier: five to ten pages, custom-designed and built as code, live in about a week. It is called Foundation because everything else we offer, from bookings to online stores to AI, is built on top of it over time rather than requiring a rebuild.