Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our CV website service

General

What exactly is a CV website?

A CV website is a personal website that functions like an online resume or portfolio. It showcases your professional experience, certifications, skills, and achievements in an attractive, easy-to-share format. Unlike a PDF resume, it's always accessible via a simple link and can include photos, videos, and interactive elements.

Who needs a CV website?

Anyone in the marine industry looking to stand out professionally: scuba instructors, freedivers, marine biologists, underwater photographers, conservation officers, skippers, and other marine professionals. If you're job hunting, freelancing, or want to establish your professional brand, a CV website is a powerful tool.

Do I need technical skills to get a CV website?

Not at all. We handle everything: design, development, hosting, and launch. You simply provide your content (background, photos, certifications), and we build the site for you. Updates after launch are also handled by us.

How is this different from LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is a great networking platform, but it's limited in design, and your profile looks like everyone else's. A CV website is fully customized to your brand, includes your choice of layout and content, and provides a more comprehensive view of your skills and personality. Many professionals use both: LinkedIn for networking and a CV website for detailed presentation.

Process & Timeline

How long does it take to build my website?

It depends on your package: Starter (5-7 days), Professional (7-10 days), Premium (10-14 days), Complete (14-21 days). These are typical timelines assuming you provide content promptly. We also offer Priority 48-hour delivery for an additional $200.

What information do I need to provide?

You'll need: (1) Your career history, certifications, and education, (2) A professional headshot and any action photos you want to include, (3) Your goals for the site and target audience, (4) Links to social profiles, publications, or other relevant materials. We provide a detailed questionnaire to guide you through this.

Can I see the site before it goes live?

Yes. We provide a preview link for you to review before launch. You can request revisions based on your package's allowance, and we won't launch until you give final approval.

What if I don't have professional photos?

We can work with the photos you have. If they need optimization (resizing, color correction, cropping), we can handle that as part of your package or as an add-on service. If you have no photos at all, we can discuss options like stock imagery or placeholder graphics.

Pricing & Packages

Which package should I choose?

Starter is ideal for entry-level professionals or those on a tight budget. Professional is our most popular choice for established pros who want a complete online presence. Premium is for those who need maximum performance and SEO. Complete is best if you need content writing help. See our Pricing page for detailed comparisons.

Are there any hidden costs?

No. The price you see is what you pay. Hosting on Netlify is included at no extra cost. The only additional costs would be optional add-ons you choose (extra pages, blog articles, custom domain purchase, etc.) or if you request services beyond your package scope.

Do I have to pay for hosting separately?

No. All packages include free hosting on Netlify, which provides fast loading speeds, SSL security, and reliability. There are no ongoing hosting fees.

Can I upgrade my package later?

Yes. If you start with Starter and want to upgrade to Professional or Premium later, we'll credit what you've already paid toward the higher package price.

Do you offer payment plans?

For packages $500 and above, we can arrange a 50% deposit upfront and 50% upon completion.

Technical & SEO

Will my site work on mobile phones?

Yes. All our sites are mobile-first and fully responsive, meaning they look perfect on phones, tablets, and desktops. We test on multiple devices before launch.

What is SEO and why does it matter?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) helps your site appear in Google and other search engines when people search for your name or relevant keywords (e.g., "PADI instructor Thailand"). Better SEO means more visibility. Our Premium and Complete packages include advanced SEO optimization.

Can I connect my own domain name?

Yes. If you already own a domain (like yourname.com), we can connect it to your site. If you don't have one, we can help you purchase and set it up as an add-on service.

Is my site secure?

Yes. All sites include an SSL certificate, which encrypts data and displays the padlock icon in browsers. This is standard for professional websites.

How fast will my site load?

Very fast. We use modern web technologies and optimize all images and code. Our Premium package targets a 90%+ Lighthouse performance score, which is industry-leading.

Content & Updates

Can I update my site after it launches?

Yes. Minor content updates (text changes, updating certifications, adding a new dive specialty) are free for 30 days after launch. After that, you can request updates on a per-request basis or sign up for a monthly maintenance plan.

What counts as a "minor update"?

Text edits, adding/removing certifications, updating contact information, or swapping out a photo. Major updates (redesigning a page, adding new sections, major layout changes) are quoted separately.

Can you write the content for me?

Our Complete package includes professional copywriting assistance. For other packages, you can add copywriting as an optional service ($100 per page). We're happy to refine and polish content you provide, but full writing from scratch is a separate service.

Can I add a blog to my site?

Yes. The Premium and Complete packages include a blog section. If you're on Starter or Professional and want to add a blog later, we can quote that as an upgrade.

Ownership & Rights

Do I own my website?

Yes. You own all the content and have full rights to your site. If you ever want to move it to a different hosting provider or make changes yourself, we'll provide you with the source files.

What if I want to cancel or get a refund?

If you're not satisfied after the first design draft, we'll refund your deposit minus any work completed. Once you approve the design and we proceed to revisions, the project is considered in progress and refunds are not available. We work hard to ensure you're happy with the final result.

Can I take my site and manage it myself later?

Yes. We build sites using modern web technologies, and we're happy to provide source files and documentation if you want to hire another developer or manage it yourself in the future.