Answers to Your Questions: POP FAQs

What are your fees?

Contact us with the details of your project. We may ask some questions to flesh out the details, then send you an estimate based on our hourly rate for the type of work requested. Projects exceeding $500 typically require a 50% deposit before work begins.

Do you work with clients outside Santa Barbara?

Yes - most of our clients are located outside Santa Barbara. We work with businesses and organizations nationwide, with a concentration in California. Remote collaboration is our standard practice, using video calls, screen sharing, and project management tools to keep projects on track.

Do you have experience in my industry?

Since 2000, we've worked extensively with law firms, nonprofits, and professional associations. We also have experience with architecture firms, construction companies, and entertainment industry clients. Our diverse portfolio means we understand how different industries approach their web presence and member management needs.

Can you provide a quote for a clearly defined project?

Absolutely. If you have a clear scope of work, send us the details and we'll provide an estimate. We welcome detailed requirements - the more specific you are, the more accurate our quote will be.

Can you help update a website designed by someone else?

Yes, we frequently take over maintenance and updates for existing websites. We'll need to examine the site first to assess the technology stack and scope of work involved. Whether it's a WordPress site, custom PHP application, or Wild Apricot installation, we can typically help.

Can you handle rush projects?

Yes, we can accommodate urgent timelines when our schedule permits. Rush projects may incur a premium to prioritize your work over other scheduled projects.

What technologies do you specialize in?

We specialize in PHP development, particularly with the CodeIgniter 4 framework. We build custom content management systems, membership platforms, e-commerce solutions, and web applications. We also work with WordPress for clients who need a more traditional CMS approach.

Why CodeIgniter instead of WordPress or Laravel?

CodeIgniter 4 offers the right balance of flexibility, performance, and maintainability for the custom applications we build. It's lightweight, fast, and gives us complete control over the codebase without the overhead of larger frameworks. For clients who need a standard blog or brochure site, WordPress is often a better fit - we're happy to recommend the right tool for your project.

Can you integrate my website with third-party services?

Yes, API integration is one of our core strengths. We regularly connect websites with payment processors (Stripe, PayPal, AffiniPay), CRMs, email marketing platforms, membership databases, and other business systems. If the service has an API, we can likely integrate it.

Do you provide ongoing maintenance after a site launches?

Yes, we offer maintenance agreements for clients who want ongoing support, security updates, and small enhancements without negotiating each request separately. Many of our development clients transition to a maintenance relationship after their initial project.

Can you migrate my site from an older platform?

Yes, we have experience migrating sites from legacy systems to modern platforms. This includes database migrations, content transfers, and URL redirect mapping to preserve your search rankings. We'll assess your current site and provide a migration plan.

What's the difference between traditional SEO and AI Search optimization?

Traditional SEO focuses on ranking in Google and Bing search results. AI Search optimization ensures your business is accurately represented when people ask ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, or Google's AI Overviews about topics in your industry. Both matter - people are increasingly using AI assistants to find and evaluate businesses.

How do you optimize for AI search?

AI systems pull information from authoritative sources across the web. We ensure your site has clear, well-structured content that AI can understand and cite. This includes proper schema markup, consistent business information across platforms, authoritative content that establishes expertise, and monitoring how AI systems represent your business.

What does an SEO engagement include?

Our SEO services through POPSEO include technical audits, on-page optimization, schema markup implementation, content recommendations, and monthly performance reporting. We focus on sustainable improvements rather than tricks that might backfire. Learn more at popseo.com.

How long does it take to see SEO results?

SEO is a long-term investment. Technical fixes and schema markup can show results within weeks, but meaningful ranking improvements typically take 3-6 months of consistent effort. We provide monthly reports so you can track progress over time.

Do you offer local SEO services?

Yes, local search optimization is important for businesses serving specific geographic areas. We optimize Google Business Profiles, build local citations, and ensure your site is properly structured for local search queries.

What is Wild Apricot?

Wild Apricot is a membership management platform used by thousands of nonprofits, associations, and clubs worldwide. It handles member databases, event registration, online payments, email communications, and website hosting in one integrated system.

How long have you worked with Wild Apricot?

We've been certified Wild Apricot consultants since 2012 and have helped hundreds of organizations set up, customize, and optimize their Wild Apricot sites. We're one of the most experienced Wild Apricot consultants in the industry.

What Wild Apricot services do you offer?

We provide complete Wild Apricot support including initial setup and configuration, custom theme development, API integrations with external systems, data migration from other platforms, and ongoing maintenance and training.

Can you customize the look of my Wild Apricot site?

Absolutely. While Wild Apricot provides standard templates, we create custom themes that match your organization's branding. We can also add functionality beyond what's available in the standard Wild Apricot feature set through custom code and API integration.

Can Wild Apricot integrate with our other systems?

Yes, Wild Apricot has a robust API that allows integration with payment processors, accounting software, email marketing platforms, and other business systems. We've built integrations connecting Wild Apricot to QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Stripe, and custom databases.

We're already using Wild Apricot but need help. Can you assist?

Yes, we frequently help organizations that have outgrown their initial setup or inherited a Wild Apricot site from a previous administrator. We can audit your current configuration, clean up data issues, improve your theme, and train your staff.

What hosting services do you offer?

We provide managed application hosting for businesses and organizations running custom PHP applications, membership platforms, and content management systems. Our hosting includes server management, security updates, performance optimization, and technical support - so you can focus on your business instead of server administration.

What is your uptime guarantee?

We guarantee 99.9% uptime for all hosted applications. Our infrastructure includes redundant systems, proactive monitoring, and 24/7 alerting so we can address issues before they impact your users.

How do backups work?

Every hosted application receives automated daily backups with 30-day retention. Backups include both your database and application files. If you ever need to restore data or roll back changes, we can typically complete a restoration within hours.

Do you provide SSL certificates?

Yes, all hosted sites include free SSL certificates with automatic renewal. We handle the installation and configuration so your site is always secure and displays the padlock icon in browsers.

What does technical support include?

Our hosting clients receive priority email and phone support for server-related issues, application troubleshooting, and general technical questions. We also perform proactive security updates and will notify you of any issues we detect during routine monitoring.

What is POP Members?

POP Members is our affordable membership management platform built for associations, nonprofits, and clubs. Unlike platforms that charge per-member fees, POP Members offers flat-rate pricing with unlimited members. Features include member accounts, payment processing, event registration, and email communications. Learn more at popmembers.com.