Whelk Works: questions, answered

Straight answers about what we do, what it costs, and how it works.

What does Whelk Works do?

We set up and run the online side of local restaurants, shops and service businesses on the Suncoast: website, Google listing, every social and directory profile, reviews, and on Whorl III your customer list, your missed calls and your ads. One number a month. You own all of it.

What are the three Whorls?

Whorl I: we set you up right, once, and hand you the keys. Whorl II: we set you up and keep it right every month. Whorl III: we also run your front desk: customer list, missed-call answering, ads.

How much does it cost?

Setup is $499 on every Whorl, once, forever. Whorl I has no monthly. Whorl II is $149 a month on the 12-month plan or $179 month to month. Whorl III is $249 a month on the 12-month plan or $299 month to month.

What do I get for $499 on Whorl I?

A hand-built 4-page site on the hosting you already have, any provider; every listing claimed and corrected (Google, Apple, Bing, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Facebook, Instagram); ordering and reservations wired to what you already use; security, email deliverability, Analytics and Search Console set up; Google Ads and Meta Ads accounts built on your card and left paused; and a handoff document listing every account and how to get back in.

What does Whorl II add?

We move the site to our hosting and cancel your old hosting for you once the new one is live, include your domain and a branded email address, make unlimited edits to what is there, post four times a month from your photos, keep every listing in sync, answer your reviews within a week, and send a plain-English report every month.

What does Whorl III add?

Your own customer list that your website feeds, with consent recorded and your own texting number; one campaign a month plus two standing programs; an assistant that answers missed and after-hours calls and knows your hours, menu and booking link; Google and Meta ads run and reported on your card; and a weekly report.

Is there a contract?

The 12-month plan is billed monthly at the 12-month rate. If you want out early you settle the remaining months and the service runs through month 12. Month to month has a 3-month start, then cancel anytime. Whorl I has no term at all.

What do I pay besides Whelk Works?

On Whorl I, whatever you already pay your hosting provider. On Whorl II and III hosting and your domain are included. On Whorl III, your ad spend and your text, call and email usage, at cost, on your card. We never mark any of it up.

Do I own my domain, my website and my customer list?

Yes. Your domain, email and DNS live in a GoDaddy account in your name that you give us access to manage. Your Google, Meta and other listings are opened in your name. While we run your site it is hosted on our platform; when the contract ends we move it to hosting on your GoDaddy account at no charge, and your customer list and consent records go with you. It is in the agreement, not a favor.

Do you work with Toast, Square, Clover, OpenTable or Shopify?

Yes. Your ordering, reservation or POS system stays yours. We link to it everywhere and never touch it.

Do you use AI?

For scheduling and coordination, yes. For your ads, your posts or your photos, no. Everything a customer sees is real.

What is unlimited edits?

Hours, prices, menu items, photos, copy and links, as often as you like, done within two business days. New pages, new sections or a redesign are a separate quote.

Can you help me show up in Google and ChatGPT answers?

We publish your business details in the machine-readable form those systems read and remove the settings that hide sites from them. Nobody can guarantee a recommendation.

I run a food truck or work from home. Which Whorl?

Whorl I. We set everything up, including your social and your Google service-area listing, and hand it over. A lighter monthly product for mobile and home-based businesses is on the list.

What areas do you serve?

St. Petersburg to Fort Myers: Sarasota, Venice, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Englewood, North Port, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and nearby.

Do you do a referral program?

Yes. Refer a business that signs a 12-month plan and you get 10% of their first year: a credit on your bill if you are a client, a check if you are not, paid after their third month. Whorl I or month to month: $50.

How do I get started?

Send us your business name. We look at your site and listings together, free, and tell you which Whorl fits.

Look at my listing