2019 Review of CPAsites

From the 2019 reviews of website building systems for accounting firms.

CPAsites offers custom website design and setup. A good fit for accounting firms of any size, CPAsites offers four subscription levels: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, making it affordable for just about any firm.  All CPAsites websites are created from scratch. Interested firms sign up with CPAsites and then provide firm information including branding materials, a current firm logo, and any other information that should be on the website.  

The Platinum level subscription offers seven options including the following:

• A newsletter written by CPAs
• A resource section that contains useful links and tax rates
• Financial calculators
• Search engine optimization (SEO)
• A secure client portal
• One hour of website editing each month
• A newsletter exclusive to a particular geographic area

The Gold level subscription plan includes numbers 1-5 listed above, the Silver level includes numbers 1-4 above, and the Bronze level subscription offers a choice of one of the options listed above. 

Along with providing CPAsites information about their firm, it’s suggested that firms send marketing materials, partner information, key staff bios, and company brochures to CPAsites to use during the website design process. Users can also make suggestions to help CPAsites staff with the design process.

Once all of the necessary information has been forwarded, CPAsites designers will begin to create a custom homepage. This usually takes between 5-10 days, depending on the complexity of the site desired. Once this initial page is completed, it’s forwarded to the firm for review and suggestions. When the homepage design has been approved, CPAsites will continue constructing the site, which is typically completed within a week after the initial edits. At that time, firms have the option to accept the completed design, or they can choose to have a different site created.

CPAsites handles all website changes, with users able to only make minor changes on the site once it’s complete. It’s also important to note that while most changes requested can be completed by CPAsites within an hour, any change that requires more than one hour of work will be billed at $50 per hour.

For firms that would like to take advantage of the benefits that CPAsites offers, but like their current website, they can opt to have their current website hosted by CPAsites, which provide the firm with access to the features offered without the need to have a new website created.

Because the sites are created from scratch, users will need to sign a one-year contract with CPAsites. After that year, the website becomes the property of the firm, though any content supplied by CPAsites remains their property.

CPAsites includes a newsletter which is written entirely by CPAs, and the financial calculators available are all stored directly on the website, so clients can use the calculators while remaining on the site. In addition to the newsletter, financial calculators, and a links section, CPAsites also includes a secure client portal that allows users to share files with clients. Clients can sign up for portal access directly from the website, and can later upload and download documents as needed.  All documents stored in the portal are encrypted for additional privacy. 

CPAsites websites can link to popular social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and all sites include Search Engine Optimization (SEO) capability as well.

CPAsites is a good option for firms of any size that want a custom designed website without having to be involved in the creation process.  Along with a built-from-scratch website, CPAsites also does all subsequent edits, so you’ll never have to worry about finding the time to make edits. In addition, CPAsites changes web content on a regular basis, so the site will not appear stagnant in any way.

CPAsites’ four subscription options are priced as follows: Platinum, $150 per month; Gold, $85 per month; Silver, $50 per month; and Bronze, $300 per year. All custom website design and setup is free. After the required contract period of one year, firms will own the website outright, although any content provided by the vendor will revert back to CPAsites if the service is cancelled.

2019 Overall Rating: 5 Stars