A question I get asked from time to time is, "Why should I pay you to design my site when there are lots of free options?" And it's a fair question. If you're not analyzing every business expense then you're looking for trouble!

There are lots of free website builders available - Wix, Weebly, GoDaddy Website Builder, or, if you're a little more adventurous, take WordPress for a spin.  So, again, why pay me?

Hiring a web professional such as myself can benefit individuals or businesses looking to establish or enhance their online presence for these reasons:

1. Expertise and Skill: We have the technical knowledge and skills required to create well-designed and functional websites. We are constantly learning new skills and staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices, ensuring your website meets modern standards such as WCAG.
2. Customization: We will tailor your website to meet your specific needs and goals. We create a unique design for every client to reflect your unique brand identity, making your website stand out from competitors and leaving a lasting impression on visitors. We DON'T do cookie-cutter, choose-your-template websites!
3. User Experience (UX): Everyone understands the importance of a positive user experience, even if they don't realize they

When we began CitrusKiwi 9 years ago, no merchant processor would touch us. No surprise really. Brand new company, owner brand new to the USA, no credit history. We had a lot going against us. So we went with PayPal. And, for 9 years, they have provided reasonably good service. Yes, they're expensive; yes, their reporting is a joke; yes, their search and filtering is an even bigger joke. But at least they gave us an account and they've improved from when we first signed up. But, finally, it was time to move on.

So, we signed up with Total Merchant Services. Setup was slow - well over a month to get the account in place and connected with Authorize.net. On top of that, we were never sent any documentation regarding our account - didn't know how to log in even! So, we processed a few transactions, and, despite the initial issues, business seemed to be working. Until last week....

I had a couple of clients say they were having issues setting up their payments. Then I began to get declined emails - Error code 38 - "The Global Payment System identification numbers are incorrect. Call Merchant Service Provider."