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Traverse City, Michigan· Web & Software Consulting

Fast websites, dependable software, and one person who actually answers.

Belanger Digital Solutions is my web development and software consulting practice in Traverse City. I help small businesses around Northern Michigan build, fix, and look after their technology, with the skills of an in-house team and none of the overhead.

Trusted by small businesses, contractors, realtors, and local organizations across Northern Michigan and remote clients nationwide.

The technical person most small businesses don't have.

Most small businesses don't have an IT department, and most don't need one. What they need is someone to call when the website goes down, the email starts landing in spam, or a software decision feels over their head. That's what I do. I handle the web, software, and technology work, and I explain it in language that actually makes sense.

One point of contact
You work directly with me, every time.
Local & remote
On-site in Northern Michigan, online anywhere in the U.S.
Built to last
Fast, secure, and tested, the way my QA work trained me.

Selected work

Real projects for real businesses

A tourism association, a custom web app, and a local service business. Different goals, but the same hands-on approach from the first call through launch and beyond.

Screenshot of the Visit Drummond Island website

Tourism & destination marketing

Visit Drummond Island

A fast, image-rich site for the Drummond Island Tourism Association. It helps visitors plan a trip to one of the most remote corners of the Upper Peninsula, with lodging, dining, trails, and events all in one place.

Website developmentNorthern Michigan
Visit visitdrummondisland.com
Screenshot of the BuyerWise website

Custom web app

BuyerWise

A custom app that turns a 40-page home inspection report into a plain-English plan. It ranks issues by severity, estimates repair costs, and drafts what to say to the seller, all in a couple of minutes.

Custom softwareWeb app
Visit buyerwise.app
Screenshot of the Home Inspection Company website

Local service business

Home Inspection Company

A clean, mobile-first site for a Northern Michigan home inspection business. Clear services, an easy way to request an inspection, and the fast load times people expect when they're searching from a phone.

Website developmentLocal business
Visit belangerinspection.com

A better foundation

Custom Next.js architecture vs. the typical agency WordPress template

I build websites on a modern static/Next.js stack instead of the database-heavy WordPress templates most local agencies reuse. The difference shows up where it counts: speed, security, and cost.

Page load speed

Custom Next.js: Pre-rendered static pages served from a global CDN. Usually under a second on mobile.

WordPress template: Database queries and stacked plugins run on every visit, so it's often several seconds, especially on rural cellular.

Security exposure

Custom Next.js: No database or plugin attack surface to exploit. Nothing to hack on a static page.

WordPress template: Plugins and themes are the #1 source of WordPress breaches and require constant patching.

Hosting cost

Custom Next.js: Runs on efficient cloud hosting like Vercel, often free or close to it at a small-business scale.

WordPress template: Managed WordPress hosting plus paid plugins and security add-ons add up every month.

Maintenance

Custom Next.js: Few moving parts. Updates are deliberate, tested, and version-controlled.

WordPress template: Plugin and core updates can break the site at any time and need ongoing babysitting.

Search & Core Web Vitals

Custom Next.js: Clean semantic HTML and top Lighthouse scores that search engines reward.

WordPress template: Bloated markup and slow scripts commonly drag down Core Web Vitals and rankings.

Already on Wix, Squarespace, or an aging WordPress site? I can move you over to a faster, more secure setup, content and search rankings included, with no downtime during the switch.

Why Belanger Digital Solutions

Why clients keep my number

Hiring a technology consultant shouldn't be a leap of faith. Here's what working with me is actually like.

01

You work with me, start to finish

Every project is handled by me, Aaron. You won't get passed off to an account manager or a subcontractor you never meet.

02

A decade of quality-engineering habits

I spent years in software QA and test automation, finding the bugs other people missed. I build and check my own work the same way.

03

Right-sized and affordable

I match what I recommend to your goals and your budget. No upsells you don't need, and no enterprise tooling for a five-page website.

04

Plain English, not jargon

I lay out technical choices in terms you can actually weigh. If you want the reasoning behind one, just ask.

How it works

A simple, no-surprises process

Four steps from the first hello to something that works, plus support after it launches.

  1. 01

    We talk

    Tell me what you need and what's getting in the way. I listen and ask questions before proposing anything.

  2. 02

    I scope a plan

    You get a clear, written outline of the work, the cost, and the timeline. No surprises, and no open-ended bills.

  3. 03

    I build & test it

    I do the work, keep you posted in plain language, and test it properly before anything goes live.

  4. 04

    You're supported

    After launch I'm still here for updates, questions, and maintenance. One reliable person to call.

Proudly local

Rooted in Traverse City & Northern Michigan

I care about the businesses that keep Northern Michigan running: the contractors, realtors, shops, and home-service pros. Hire me and you're working with a neighbor, not a call center three time zones away.

Want to meet in person? I'm happy to grab a coffee. Out of the area? I work with clients all over the country the same way: quick to respond, easy to reach, and clear about what's going on.

  • Small businesses

    Storefronts, studios, and service providers who need a real online presence.

  • Contractors & trades

    Builders and home-service pros who'd rather be on the job than fighting their website.

  • Realtors

    Agents who need to look sharp online and capture leads reliably.

  • Local organizations

    Nonprofits and community groups doing a lot with a small budget.

Tell me what you're trying to build.

Tell me about your business and what's getting in the way. You'll get a straight, specific reply back, usually within one business day.