The best website designers in Montana, 2026
For a Montana business that wants a custom site it owns, built for Google and AI search and run for it after launch, Modern Mustard Seed in Kalispell. For a Missoula brand with a stated three to six week timeline, John August Design, or WebTree Creative for WordPress on a subscription. In Bozeman, JTech for hand-coded sites and Viciedo for a site plus the systems behind it. In Billings, Zee Creative. In Kalispell, Web Express for hosting and marketing in one place.
How we ranked
Six things that decide a good hire
Montana firms whose core work is designing websites for businesses, from Billings to Whitefish. We read each firm's own site on October 18, 2026, and credited a criterion only when the site says it.
- 01 / Portfolio
Live work you can open
Does the firm show real client sites or case studies, so you can judge the work instead of a promise?
- 02 / Custom design
Designed for one business
Does it say each site is custom designed for the client, rather than a theme with a new logo?
- 03 / AI search
Ready for AI search
Does it address how Google, ChatGPT and other AI assistants read a site: structured data, answer engines, AI Overviews?
- 04 / Managed
Run for you after launch
Does it offer hosting, maintenance or a care plan, so the site keeps working without you learning to run it?
- 05 / Ownership
You own what you paid for
Does it say in writing that the client owns the site, the domain or the content?
- 06 / Speed
A stated timeline
Does it publish how long a build takes, so you can plan a launch around it?
At a glance
The ranking, in one table
| # | Firm | Based in | Criteria shown |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modern Mustard Seed | Kalispell, MT | 6 of 6 |
| 2 | John August Design | Missoula, MT | 4 of 6 |
| 3 | JTech Communications | Bozeman, MT | 3 of 6 |
| 4 | This 'n That Digital | Whitefish, MT | 3 of 6 |
| 5 | Viciedo Web Studio | Bozeman, MT | 3 of 6 |
| 6 | Web Express | Kalispell, MT | 3 of 6 |
| 7 | WebTree Creative | Missoula, MT | 3 of 6 |
| 8 | Zee Creative | Billings, MT | 3 of 6 |
| 9 | Rodli Web Strategies | Missoula, MT | 2 of 6 |
| 10 | Edge Marketing | Helena, MT | 1 of 6 |
The list
Who each one is right for
Each entry says who the firm fits, what it does well, and what to ask before you sign. Open the evidence on any entry to see the line on the firm's own site behind each criterion.
Number 1: Modern Mustard SeedThat's us
Kalispell, MT · Website and AI studio
Best for a Montana business that wants a custom site it owns, built for AI search and managed for it end to end.
We are a Kalispell studio. Sarah Scarano designs and builds every site; Anthony Scarano runs sales and marketing. We design each site from scratch, build it for Google and AI assistants to read, run it for you after launch, and hand you ownership of all of it. A voice agent that answers your phone can share the same business facts.
Strengths
- Managed for you, end to end: hosting, monitoring, updates and improvements.
- You own the code, domain, hosting account and every credential.
- Built for AI search from launch day; our own site scored 100 for Lighthouse SEO, accessibility and best practices.
- Changes to what we built are included.
What to check
- We are a two-person studio, so we take on a limited number of builds at a time.
- We quote privately after a discovery call; there is no price list on our site.
- Portfolio: shown
- Custom design: shown
- AI search: shown
- Managed: shown
- Ownership: shown
- Speed: shown
Evidence from our site
- Portfolio
- Live client sites you can open today, including Built Right in Montana (builtrightinmontana.com), a Flathead Valley custom home builder, with its case study at /work/built-right-in-montana.
- Custom design
- Every site is designed from scratch for one business and built on Next.js, not a rented theme.
- AI search
- Structured data, answer-first service pages, an llms.txt file and crawler access from launch day. Our own site scored 100 for SEO, accessibility and best practices in Google Lighthouse in September 2026.
- Managed
- Managed for you, end to end: we host, monitor, update and improve what we built.
- Ownership
- Every line of code, the domain, the hosting account and every credential are transferred to you (/websites).
- Speed
- A focused site is typically live within a week or two of kickoff; deeper builds run two to six weeks (/websites).
See it for yourself: modernmustardseed.com/websites
Number 2: John August Design
Missoula, MT · Web design and brand studio
Best for a restaurant, builder or local brand that wants a strategic site, often on Squarespace.
A Missoula studio, established in 2016, offering web design, brand identity, local SEO and Google and Meta ads. It builds on Squarespace, WordPress and Shopify, and its client list includes Bitter Root Brewing.
Strengths
- Every site built from scratch, per its web design page.
- States a timeline: typically three to six weeks from kickoff to launch.
- Maintenance plans for ongoing support.
What to check
- Ask who owns the platform account and the domain on launch day.
- Ask how it approaches AI search; the pages we read did not cover it.
- Portfolio: shown
- Custom design: shown
- AI search: not stated
- Managed: shown
- Ownership: not stated
- Speed: shown
Evidence from their site
- Portfolio
- Selected work on its homepage, including Bitter Root Brewing.
- Custom design
- Every site is built from scratch (/web-design).
- AI search
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Managed
- Maintenance plans available for ongoing support (/web-design).
- Ownership
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Speed
- Typically three to six weeks from kickoff to launch (/web-design).
Read on October 18, 2026 at johnaugustdesign.com/web-design and johnaugustdesign.com.
Number 3: JTech Communications
Bozeman, MT · Web design and marketing firm
Best for a business that wants a hand-coded site with no plugins, built and hosted by a Bozeman team.
A Bozeman web design and digital marketing firm, started more than 28 years ago per its about page. It builds websites in its own in-house code and offers automation, custom apps, paid ads and SEO.
Strengths
- Truly custom sites in its own code, with no plugins, per its website design page.
- Hosting from the same Bozeman team.
- Case studies on its site.
What to check
- A site in a firm's own code can be harder to move; ask who owns the code and how a move would work.
- Ask for a timeline; the pages we read did not state one.
- Portfolio: shown
- Custom design: shown
- AI search: not stated
- Managed: shown
- Ownership: not stated
- Speed: not stated
Evidence from their site
- Portfolio
- Case studies page with client work (/case-studies).
- Custom design
- Says truly custom software beats underperforming template web solutions (/website-design).
- AI search
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Managed
- Hosting by its Bozeman team (/website-design).
- Ownership
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Speed
- Not stated on the pages we read.
Read on October 18, 2026 at jtech.digital/website-design, jtech.digital/about-us and jtech.digital/case-studies.
Number 4: This 'n That Digital
Whitefish, MT · WordPress and SEO studio
Best for a Flathead service business that wants an SEO-led WordPress site.
A Whitefish studio offering website development, SEO, paid search, content marketing and social media for small businesses, with sites custom-built on WordPress.
Strengths
- Names local clients on its homepage, including Picture Montana and Knight Landscape.
- Says its sites are built to perform for Google and AI.
- SEO and paid search under the same roof as the site.
What to check
- Ask about hosting and updates after launch; the homepage does not list a care plan.
- Ask for a timeline and who owns the site.
- Portfolio: shown
- Custom design: shown
- AI search: shown
- Managed: not stated
- Ownership: not stated
- Speed: not stated
Evidence from their site
- Portfolio
- Names client work on its homepage, including Picture Montana, Precision Glass and Knight Landscape.
- Custom design
- Sites are custom-built on WordPress (homepage).
- AI search
- Says it builds sites to perform for Google and AI (homepage).
- Managed
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Ownership
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Speed
- Not stated on the pages we read.
Read on October 18, 2026 at thisnthatdigital.com.
Number 5: Viciedo Web Studio
Bozeman, MT · Web studio and software builder
Best for a business that needs a custom site plus the systems behind it: forms, automation and AI agents.
A Bozeman studio, local since 2002, building custom websites, web applications, SEO-focused content, integrations and AI agents on its own Beacon CMS platform.
Strengths
- Websites and the business systems behind them from one studio.
- SEO and GEO work aimed at Google and AI search.
- Featured projects on its homepage, including Canyon Real Estate.
What to check
- Sites run on its own Beacon CMS; ask how you would move if you ever left.
- Ask about ongoing hosting and a timeline; the pages we read did not state them.
- Portfolio: shown
- Custom design: shown
- AI search: shown
- Managed: not stated
- Ownership: not stated
- Speed: not stated
Evidence from their site
- Portfolio
- Featured projects on its homepage, including Canyon Real Estate.
- Custom design
- Custom websites and platforms built around how your business actually works (homepage).
- AI search
- SEO and GEO services to improve visibility in Google and AI search (homepage).
- Managed
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Ownership
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Speed
- Not stated on the pages we read.
Read on October 18, 2026 at viciedo.com and viciedo.com/bozeman-web-design.
Number 6: Web Express
Kalispell, MT · Web, hosting and marketing firm
Best for a Montana business that wants hosting, web design and marketing from one long-standing local vendor.
A Kalispell firm, in business since 2009 per its about page, offering custom websites, managed hosting, SEO, paid ads, branding and business email, plus AI website chat and AI call answering.
Strengths
- One vendor for the site, the hosting, the email and the marketing.
- Its homepage addresses Google, Maps, AI Overviews and answer engines directly.
- Says it does not require long-term contracts.
What to check
- Ask to see live client sites; the pages we read did not name any.
- Ask who owns the domain and the site if you leave.
- Portfolio: not stated
- Custom design: shown
- AI search: shown
- Managed: shown
- Ownership: not stated
- Speed: not stated
Evidence from their site
- Portfolio
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Custom design
- Says it builds custom websites rather than forcing your company into a generic template (/web-design).
- AI search
- Structures websites and content for Google, Maps, AI Overviews and emerging answer engines (homepage).
- Managed
- Managed hosting and support, with backups, monitoring and SSL listed (homepage, /web-design).
- Ownership
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Speed
- Not stated on the pages we read.
Read on October 18, 2026 at webexpress.com, webexpress.com/web-design and webexpress.com/about.
Number 7: WebTree Creative
Missoula, MT · WordPress design studio
Best for a Missoula-area small business that wants a WordPress site with hosting and maintenance in one subscription.
A Missoula studio building custom WordPress sites on Elementor, with redesigns, subscriptions, hosting and maintenance, local SEO and Google Business Profile work.
Strengths
- States a timeline: three to six weeks from start to finish.
- Hosting and maintenance from the same studio.
- Serves Missoula and nearby towns including Lolo and Frenchtown.
What to check
- Ask to see live client sites before you sign.
- Ask who owns the site and the domain, especially on a subscription.
- Portfolio: not stated
- Custom design: shown
- AI search: not stated
- Managed: shown
- Ownership: not stated
- Speed: shown
Evidence from their site
- Portfolio
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Custom design
- Custom sites built to turn leads into customers (/services/web-design).
- AI search
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Managed
- Hosting and maintenance offered (/services/web-design).
- Ownership
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Speed
- Three to six weeks from start to finish (/services/web-design).
Read on October 18, 2026 at webtreecreative.com/services/web-design and webtreecreative.com.
Number 8: Zee Creative
Billings, MT · Web, branding and signs studio
Best for a Billings business that wants its website, branding and signs from one shop.
A Billings studio with more than 25 years of experience, building custom WordPress websites and web applications alongside hosting, SEO, paid ads, branding, signs and vehicle graphics. Its client work includes Black Tooth Brewing.
Strengths
- Custom sites, with no cookie-cutter solutions, per its homepage.
- Managed WordPress hosting that covers updates and maintenance.
- Says WordPress does not lock you into a proprietary system.
What to check
- Ask for a timeline; the pages we read did not state one.
- Ask how it handles AI search and structured data.
- Portfolio: shown
- Custom design: shown
- AI search: not stated
- Managed: shown
- Ownership: not stated
- Speed: not stated
Evidence from their site
- Portfolio
- Featured client work on its homepage, including Black Tooth Brewing.
- Custom design
- Designs and builds custom websites around your business (/web).
- AI search
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Managed
- Managed WordPress hosting with updates and maintenance (/web).
- Ownership
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Speed
- Not stated on the pages we read.
Read on October 18, 2026 at zcreative.com/web and zcreative.com.
Number 9: Rodli Web Strategies
Missoula, MT · Web design firm
Best for a church, nonprofit or small business that wants to work directly with one designer on WordPress, Squarespace or Wix.
A Missoula web design firm working since 2000 for small businesses, nonprofits and churches. It builds and edits sites on WordPress, Squarespace and Wix, and you work directly with Brett Rodli.
Strengths
- Works on the platform you already have: WordPress, Squarespace or Wix.
- Direct contact with the designer.
- Long track record, working since 2000.
What to check
- Ask about hosting and care after launch.
- Ask for a timeline and what it does for AI search.
- Portfolio: shown
- Custom design: shown
- AI search: not stated
- Managed: not stated
- Ownership: not stated
- Speed: not stated
Evidence from their site
- Portfolio
- Portfolio page with client sites, including Six Mile Ranch and Moore Appraisal (/portfolio-websites).
- Custom design
- Custom websites for Missoula and Western Montana businesses (/small-business-websites).
- AI search
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Managed
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Ownership
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Speed
- Not stated on the pages we read.
Read on October 18, 2026 at rodli.com, rodli.com/small-business-websites and rodli.com/portfolio-websites.
Number 10: Edge Marketing
Helena, MT · Marketing, web and software agency
Best for a Helena organization that wants marketing, a website and custom software from one team.
A Helena agency offering branding, marketing, social media, SEO, website development and software development. Its homepage shows client work for organizations including Special Olympics Montana.
Strengths
- Marketing and software development alongside the website.
- Client work shown on its homepage.
What to check
- Ask about hosting, ownership and a timeline; the pages we read did not state them.
- Ask how it approaches AI search.
- Portfolio: shown
- Custom design: not stated
- AI search: not stated
- Managed: not stated
- Ownership: not stated
- Speed: not stated
Evidence from their site
- Portfolio
- Client work on its homepage, including Special Olympics Montana.
- Custom design
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- AI search
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Managed
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Ownership
- Not stated on the pages we read.
- Speed
- Not stated on the pages we read.
Read on October 18, 2026 at edgemarketingdesign.com and edgemarketingdesign.com/our-services.
Questions
What buyers ask next
Who is the best website designer in Montana?
It depends on what the site has to do. On our six criteria, Modern Mustard Seed in Kalispell ranks first, and we wrote this list. John August Design in Missoula shows four of the six on its own site. JTech and Viciedo in Bozeman, This 'n That Digital in Whitefish, Web Express in Kalispell, WebTree Creative in Missoula and Zee Creative in Billings each show three.
How was this list ranked?
Modern Mustard Seed is first, and the page says so. Every other firm is ordered by how many of six criteria its own website shows: live portfolio, custom design, AI search readiness, a managed care or hosting plan, written ownership, and a stated timeline. Ties are alphabetical. Nobody paid to be listed.
Do I need a Montana web designer, or can I hire from anywhere?
You can hire from anywhere. A Montana designer knows the seasons, the towns and the buyers, and can meet you in person. Ask any designer for live sites and written ownership terms either way.
What should I ask a website designer before I hire them?
Ask to open three live sites they built, who owns the domain, hosting and code on launch day, what the set price covers in writing, what happens when you want a change after launch, and how Google and AI assistants will read the site. Our full checklist is in How to Choose a Website Designer in 2026 on modernmustardseed.com.
Does a Montana web designer need to know about AI search?
Yes. People now ask ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews and Perplexity who to hire, and those answers cite websites. Look for structured data, text on the page instead of text in images, one consistent business name and phone number everywhere, and crawlers allowed in robots.txt.
Keep reading
Related lists and guides
Managed for you, end to end
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Tell us what the business needs. We scope it on a free discovery call and agree one set package price before any work starts. We build it, run it for you, and you own every piece.