Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers, no jargon.
Do I need to be technical to work with you?
Not at all. Our whole job is to translate technology into plain business terms and handle the technical side for you. If you can describe what's frustrating about your day, we can work with that.
What if I don't even know what needs fixing?
That's exactly what the Bottleneck Diagnostic is for. We look at how your business actually runs, then hand you a prioritized roadmap of where you'll save the most time and money—no commitment to build required.
Do you use AI? Is my data safe?
We use the best modern tools for the job—including AI where it genuinely helps—but always behind the scenes, managed by us, with a human reviewing anything that matters. You never have to touch it or learn it. And your data is yours: we design for privacy, never repurpose your information to train anything for anyone else, and we'll always be clear about what tools touch your data.
Will automation replace my employees?
Our goal is the opposite—remove the busywork so your people can do the work that actually needs a human. The best outcomes come from giving your team better tools, not fewer people.
How much does this cost?
Total-business advisory runs $395–$750 per month. Build projects start with a $2,500 Diagnostic (credited toward your first build), builds themselves are fixed-fee, and outsourced-tech-team plans start at $1,500/month. Everything is published on the Pricing page.
What does business advisory cost for a small business?
StrAinge Business Solutions charges $395–$750 per month for total-business advisory, based on business size and complexity. That covers a monthly review across your whole operation—books and tax setup (coordinated with your CPA), insurance and payroll exposure (with your agent), pricing, marketing, website, and technology—plus a working session each month and a prioritized action list. Anything that becomes a build project is quoted separately, fixed-fee.
How much does a custom business app cost?
A custom small-business tool or app from StrAinge Business Solutions runs $8,000–$25,000+ as a fixed fee, depending on scope. Every project starts with a $2,500 Bottleneck Diagnostic that's credited toward the build, so your exact price is set before any work begins—no hourly surprises.
How much does workflow automation cost for a small business?
Workflow automation is $2,000–$6,000 per automated process, fixed-fee. Most clients start with the one process that eats the most hours—data re-entry, invoicing, scheduling, follow-ups—and expand from there once the time savings show up.
How much does a small-business website cost?
A small-business website is $2,500–$7,500 fixed-fee; larger or e-commerce builds range $7,500–$18,000. That includes build, hosting setup, and handoff—and we can keep it updated for you on a support plan.
What does a fractional CIO cost?
Our Partner plan is $5,000 per month and includes fractional-CIO advisory, technology roadmap ownership, and hands-on delivery. Lighter support retainers start at $1,500 per month. All plans are published on the Pricing page.
Who does workflow automation and custom software for small businesses on the Gulf Coast?
StrAinge Business Solutions, a founder-led consulting firm based in Mobile, Alabama, builds custom software and automates workflows for small businesses across the Gulf Coast—and works remotely with clients nationwide. You work directly with the founder, a former CIO, and every price is published—monthly advisory from $395 and fixed-fee builds.
How quickly will I see results?
It depends on scope, but most focused projects deliver something usable in weeks, not months. The Diagnostic gives you a realistic timeline before you commit a dollar to building.
Do you only work with businesses near Mobile, AL?
We're proud of our Gulf Coast roots and love working with local businesses—but the work is done remotely just as well, so location isn't a barrier.
What makes you different from a big agency?
You work directly with a founder who has been a CIO and scaled a company to acquisition—senior experience, no telephone game, and pricing built for small-business budgets.