Custom Web Design for Professional Services
They Google you before they call. Let’s get you ready.
Website Hosting &
Ongoing Website Management
Ongoing Website Management
Logo Design
& Brand Identity
& Brand Identity
Your website is someone’s first impression of your business. It’s either earning their trust or costing you the call. I’m Justin Merrell — I build sites that do the former. Custom-designed, fast-loading, and built to reflect the quality of your work. Based in Greenville, SC. Working nationwide for 25 years.
Why professional firms choose Ghost Runner
Most professional service websites have two problems. I fix both.
Problem One
The site doesn’t reflect the quality of your work, and prospective clients notice — even if they can’t articulate why they didn’t call.
Problem Two
It doesn’t show up when people search for what you do. A beautiful site no one finds is a brochure nobody reads.
I build sites that solve both. Visually sharp enough to match your professional reputation. Technically built to be found — clean code, fast load times, proper on-page SEO, and schema markup so Google understands who you are and what you do. The foundation has to be right before anything else can work.
Why “Ghost Runner”?
The name comes from backyard baseball. The business model followed.
In backyard baseball, when your team is short a player and the runner on second needs to bat, you put a ghost runner on second — a placeholder that keeps the game moving. Nobody sits out. The game continues.
I’ve been a ghost runner since I was a kid. Turns out it’s a pretty good way to run a business.
When a business needs a website that actually represents the quality of their work — or when a team needs someone to step in and fill a gap — I’m the call. I show up, I do the work, and the project moves forward.
No hand-offs. No overhead. No explaining your vision to someone who wasn’t in the room.
25 yrs
In marketing and advertising
16 yrs
Building professional websites
100 +
Sites across 15 industries
1
Point of contact, start to finish
Direct clients. Agencies without in-house web design. Teams that need backup. One person. Every project handled directly.
You talk to the person doing the work.
Not a project manager, not an account rep, not whoever picked up the phone. Every conversation, every revision, every decision — directly with me.
The scope is clear before anything starts.
Flat-rate pricing. Written proposal. Defined deliverables. No hourly billing surprises, no scope creep invoices. You know exactly what you’re getting and what it costs before you sign anything.
The relationship doesn't end at launch.
I host and maintain the sites I build. When something needs attention six months after launch, you reach out to me — the same person who built it — and it gets handled.
What I build & what’s included
Everything your company needs. Nothing you don’t.
No packages. No tiers. Every project is scoped to what your business actually needs — from a five-page foundational site to a full rebrand with custom functionality.
Web Design
Custom layouts built around your brand, your content, and the clients you’re trying to attract. Not a template with your logo swapped in.
Web Development
Clean, fast front-end development on WordPress. Built to load fast, work on every device, and be easy for you to maintain.
Logos & Branding
If your visual identity needs work before the site does, I handle that too. Marks built to last — not trendy, not templated.
Hosting & Support
Managed cloud hosting with security updates, backups, and a real person to call when something goes sideways. No mystery hosting company in the middle.
Website Redesigns
Already have a site that’s embarrassing you? I rebuild from the ground up or renovate what’s worth keeping. Either way, you end up with something you’re proud to send people to.
SEO Fundamentals
On-page SEO baked in from the start — not bolted on later. Title tags, schema markup, site speed, and Google Search Console setup included.
How it works — start to launch
What working together actually looks like
Discovery call — 30 minutes, no pitch
We talk about your firm, what’s not working about your current site, and what success looks like for you. I ask a lot of questions. You ask me whatever you want.
Proposal with a flat-rate price
You get a written scope of work, a clear timeline, and a single project price. No hourly billing. No surprise invoices. You know exactly what you’re getting and what it costs before we start.
Design, build, and your feedback
I handle every part of the build. You review at key milestones — design mockups, draft content structure, and pre-launch — and give feedback. Most clients are surprised how smooth this part is.
Launch and handoff
Your site goes live. I walk you through how to make basic updates yourself, transfer everything you need, and stay on for hosting and ongoing support. You’re not abandoned the day it launches.
Tips Straight From the Trenches.
Articles & Insights
Jun
12
2026
How Much Does a Website Cost? A Straight Answer.
This is the question everyone has and almost nobody answers directly. Most “web design pricing” articles spend 1,500 words explaining why it’s complicated before...
Jun
10
2026
Freelance Web Designer vs. Agency: An Honest Answer From Someone Who’s Been on the Inside
Ghost Runner Creative Services | 20+ years in web design and development There’s no shortage of articles comparing freelance web designers to agencies. Most of them...
May
22
2026
The Hidden Cost of a Bad Website
What slow, outdated, and broken websites are quietly costing Upstate SC businesses—and most owners have no idea it's happening. 53% of mobile visitors leave if a site...
May
16
2026
Will AI replace web designers?
An honest answer from someone who’s been doing this for over 20 years.
May
25
2025
DIY Website Builders vs. Hiring a Pro: What’s Best for Your Business?
Every week, a business owner asks me some version of this question: “I was looking at Wix or Squarespace — is it worth hiring someone instead?” It’s a fair question....
Apr
20
2025
The 5 Most Common Website Mistakes and How I Fix Them
After 16 years and over 100 websites, I’ve stopped being surprised by what I find when a new client sends me their current site. The same problems show up over and over...
Mar
11
2025
Do I Need a Developer and a Designer? (Spoiler: I’m Both)
Most people asking this question are about to hire someone for their website and they’re not sure what they’re actually buying. Designer, developer, both — the...
Feb
15
2025
What’s Actually Included in Website Hosting—And Why It Matters
When you think about building a website, website hosting is often a topic that gets glossed over. But understanding what's actually included in hosting is crucial for...
May
19
2024
How Often Should I Redesign My Website?
In today's digital age, having a website is essential for any business looking to thrive in the competitive market. Without a solid online presence, your business...
Apr
13
2024
The First Things Your Readers Will Want To See On Your Website
When visitors land on your website, their first impression can make or break their decision to stay and explore further. That's why it's crucial to capture their...
Feb
11
2024
The Importance of Accessibility in Web Design
In the digital realm, where connections are made and information is shared, web design plays a crucial role in shaping our online experiences. And one aspect that...
Jan
18
2024
Your Brand Is More Than Your Logo
In the vast digital landscape, standing out from the crowd is no easy task. It takes more than just a logo or a color scheme; it takes a brand that captures the essence...
Your Brand’s First Impression.
Logos & Branding
A great logo isn’t just something that looks good on a business card — it’s the thing people remember when they can’t remember your name. I design marks that are simple enough to recognize at a glance, strong enough to last a decade, and flexible enough to work everywhere from a billboard to a favicon.
No templates. No clip art. Just a logo built around your brand, your story, and the audience you’re trying to reach.
Ready to have a website that actually works as hard as you do?
Most projects start around $3,500. If that fits your budget and you’re tired of sending people to a site that doesn’t reflect the quality of your work, let’s talk. The discovery call is free, and there’s no obligation to move forward.
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