Tatnet in Baltimore: Web Design for Local Services and Small Retail

Tatnet is a web design studio in Baltimore that builds custom sites for service businesses, retailers, and small manufacturers who need more than a template but work within tight budgets. Unlike national agencies that demand five-figure retainers or template shops that deliver identical-looking sites, Tatnet charges per-project and specializes in sites that rank in local search and convert visitors into customers.

What Tatnet actually does

Tatnet designs, builds, and launches WordPress-based websites. The studio does not offer logo design, brand strategy, or print work. It handles the full build: information architecture, responsive design across mobile and desktop, WordPress setup, basic SEO configuration, and deployment. Tatnet also offers post-launch support packages for updates and security, priced separately. The studio operates solo or with one subcontractor, so turnaround is typically 4 to 8 weeks per project depending on scope and revision rounds.

Services and pricing

Tatnet offers three tiers. A Basic Site (informational, 5 to 8 pages, contact form, maps integration) runs $2,400 to $3,200. A Standard Site (10 to 15 pages, blog setup, product or service catalog, email integration) ranges from $3,800 to $5,500. A Custom Site (16+ pages, WooCommerce integration for e-commerce, member login systems, or complex custom functionality) starts at $6,000 and scales with the work. All prices include one round of major revisions; additional rounds are billed hourly. Ongoing support for updates, backups, and security patches runs $60 to $150 per month depending on scope.

Tatnet does not build sites on Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify; clients own the WordPress install and hosting. This means no monthly platform fees beyond hosting (typically $10 to $30 per month for small business hosting in Baltimore), but it also means clients are responsible for long-term maintenance or must pay Tatnet for ongoing care.

How Tatnet compares to other Baltimore web design options

Baltimore hosts a handful of established design agencies. Firms like Sagepath Group and Mindgrub serve larger brands with budgets exceeding $20,000 and deliver sophisticated branding and design systems. Tatnet undercuts that market by 60 to 80 percent and targets owners who have a clear sense of what their site should do but lack design skills or time.

Template-based platforms (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify) cost less upfront ($15 to $50 per month) and require no developer. They suit one-person operations or very short timelines. Tatnet is the choice if you want a site you own, plan to keep for 5+ years, or need SEO visibility in local search results. WordPress sites rank more reliably in Google for local queries than templated sites, especially when configured correctly from the start.

Freelancers on Upwork or Fiverr may quote lower prices ($500 to $1,500), but Tatnet includes project management, revision cycles, and post-launch checkups that unvetted freelancers often skip. For a Baltimore service business betting its online presence on the site, the middle ground Tatnet occupies carries less risk than the lowest price option.

Who suits Tatnet and who does not

Tatnet is built for service businesses (plumbers, electricians, therapists, accountants), local retailers, and manufacturers in the Baltimore area who need a professional, searchable web presence and plan to keep it updated for years. Owners comfortable with WordPress or willing to hire someone to manage edits later are ideal clients.

Do not hire Tatnet if you need a site in two weeks, expect unlimited revisions, want e-commerce with hundreds of products (consider Shopify), or require brand strategy, logo design, or print collateral. Tatnet does not do mobile apps, email marketing platforms, or custom software.

What the first visit involves

Tatnet starts with a phone or video call (typically 30 minutes) to understand the business, goals, and rough site structure. The studio then delivers a written proposal listing pages, features, timeline, and price. If accepted, you pay a 50 percent deposit. Tatnet builds a working draft (usually visible in 2 to 3 weeks), and you provide feedback. Two to three more rounds of refinement happen before launch. You are asked to provide text content, images, and any existing branding guidelines; Tatnet can write copy for an additional $200 to $400.

Hours, location, and logistics

Tatnet operates by appointment. Communication happens via email, phone, or Zoom; there is no office to visit. Tatnet is based in Baltimore (Roland Park area) but works with clients across Maryland and regionally. Hosting is your responsibility once the site launches, though Tatnet can recommend reputable providers and set it up for a one-time $100 to $150 fee.

Tatnet fits the Baltimore professional services landscape because it bridges the gap between do-it-yourself and premium agency work, making professional web presence accessible to the service and small retail businesses that drive the local economy.