About Garrett Walker | Waukegan Web Designer & IT Pro

About Us

About Garrett Walker Designs

Garrett Walker Designs is a web design studio based in Waukegan, Illinois, serving small businesses across Lake County and southeast Wisconsin.

Most small-business websites have the same problem: they look like everyone else's. Same stock photos, same template layouts, same generic copy. Customers can't tell one business from the next, so they call whoever shows up first on Google.

I fix that in three ways:

Design that stands out. Every project starts with a free Sameness Audit comparing your site and marketing to your local competitors.
Built to be found. Local SEO, schema markup, FAQs, and Google Business Profile setup help Google and AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini recommend you.
Run like real IT. SSL, backups, business email, domains, and updates handled by a 20-year IT and security professional.

Pricing is straightforward: a one-time setup fee and a monthly service plan. No long-term contracts, and you see a free demo before you pay anything.

How Every Site Gets Built

Every project moves through the same nine-step process: research on your business and competitors, an honest audit of your current site, a custom build, on-brand graphics, a quality check at four screen sizes, Google setup, and ongoing content. Nothing goes live with made-up reviews or stats, and nothing is sent or published without my sign-off.

Learn More

Hi, I'm Garrett Walker

I've spent more than 20 years in enterprise IT support and security. Most recently, I was the internal IT and security operations specialist for a multi-site pharmaceutical packaging manufacturer with 500+ users, managing everything from SaaS platforms and user accounts to security and vendor relationships.

Along the way, I saw how many small businesses get stuck with websites that look like their competitors', aren't secured properly, and quietly lose customers. So in 2026 I founded Garrett Walker Designs, a sole proprietorship, to give local businesses something better: a website that actually represents them, backed by someone who understands the technology underneath it.

When you work with me, you get one point of contact who answers the phone, explains things in plain English, and treats your website like the business system it is.

Call or text me at (224) 688-2364 or request your free Sameness Audit below.

FAQ
Commonly asked questions and answers.

What is a Sameness Audit?

A free review of your website, Google Business Profile, and marketing compared to your local competitors. I show you where your business blends in, what's costing you calls, and exactly what to fix. Plain English, no obligation.

Will you really build my demo site for free?

Yes. Every project starts with a free custom demo so you can see exactly what you're getting before you pay anything. If you don't love it, you walk away.

How is Garrett Walker Designs different from other web designers?

You work directly with me, a 20-year enterprise IT and security professional, not a call center or overseas team. Your site is designed to look like your business, not a reused template, and it's built and secured the way I secured business systems for 500+ users.

Will my website show up on Google and in AI search tools like ChatGPT?

Every site is built with local SEO, schema markup (structured data search engines and AI tools read), clear service and FAQ content, and a properly set up Google Business Profile. That gives Google, ChatGPT, and Gemini the information they need to find and recommend you. No one can guarantee rankings, but these are the foundations most small-business sites are missing.

What areas do you serve?

I'm based in Waukegan, IL and work with businesses throughout Lake County, including Gurnee, Zion, Libertyville, Mundelein, Grayslake, North Chicago, and Lake Forest, plus Kenosha, Racine, and southeast Wisconsin. I can also work remotely with businesses anywhere in the U.S.

How long does it take to launch?

Most sites go live in about 1 to 2 weeks after you approve your demo, depending on how quickly content and feedback come in.

Do I have to sign a long-term contract?

No. There's a one-time setup fee and a monthly service plan for hosting, security, and updates. No long-term contracts.

Can you help with business email, domains, and other tech?

Yes. That's my background. I can set up your domain, business email, DNS, and Google Business Profile, and help with the tech that usually falls through the cracks for small businesses.

GET YOUR FREE SAMENESS AUDIT + DEMO SITE

Find out how your business stacks up against local competitors, then see a custom demo of your new website. Free, no obligation.

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