When people think about what a website designer in Missoula, MT does all day, they probably picture someone hunched over a computer screen for 8 hours straight, debugging code and pushing pixels. And sure, that’s part of it—but the reality of running a web design business in Missoula is so much more dynamic than that.
I’m Josh, and I’ve been building websites and running digital marketing campaigns for Montana businesses for over 15 years through my family’s company, CI Design, LLC. My dad started this business back in 1998, and we’ve been helping local Missoula businesses establish their online presence ever since. But my life isn’t just about web design—it’s about balancing the demands of running a business with being a husband, a new dad, a dog owner (times three), and an active member of our Missoula community.
Let me walk you through what a typical day actually looks like.
Morning: The Husky Alarm Clock
My day doesn’t start with an alarm—it starts with two Siberian Huskies who have zero concept of sleeping in. Around 6:00 AM, they’re ready to go, whether I am or not. Our third dog is a bit more reasonable, but once the huskies are up, everyone’s up.
Before I can even think about client projects or SEO strategies for Missoula businesses, I’m loading the huskies onto my bike for their morning exercise run. If you’ve never seen a website designer being pulled down the Bitterroot Trail at sunrise by two huskies, you’re missing out. It’s actually a great time to think through design problems or mentally plan out the day’s campaigns—assuming I’m not too focused on staying upright.
By the time we get back, my one-year-old daughter is usually awake, which means the next hour is all about breakfast, playtime, and those precious moments of watching her discover the world. Some mornings she’s fascinated by blocks; other mornings it’s the dog bowls. Parenting keeps you humble.
Mid-Morning: The Work Day Begins
Once my wife and I tag-team the morning routine, I head into my home office around 8:30 or 9:00 AM to dive into client work. This is when the actual Missoula web design happens.
This morning, I’m working on a WordPress site for a local contractor who needs to modernize their online presence. Their old site wasn’t mobile-responsive (a cardinal sin in 2025), and they were getting buried in Google searches by competitors with better SEO. We’re building them something clean, fast, and optimized for local search terms that actually matter to their business.
I spend a couple hours implementing the design using Elementor, making sure every element is optimized for both user experience and search engines. Website design in Missoula means understanding that your clients’ customers are often searching on their phones while they’re out and about—maybe hiking the M Trail or grabbing coffee at downtown spots—so mobile optimization isn’t optional.
Around 11:00 AM, I hop on a Zoom call with a church ministry client from out of state to review their Google Ads campaign performance. We’ve been running targeted campaigns for their events, and the metrics are looking good. Conversion rates are up, cost-per-click is down, and they’re reaching the right audience.
Lunch and Midday: Community Connection
One of the things I value most about being a web designer in Missoula, Montana is the community aspect. I’m on the committee for Missoula Young Professionals, which is a networking group through the Missoula Chamber of Commerce for young professionals in our area.
Today, I have a lunch meeting with a few MYP committee members to plan our next networking event. These connections have been invaluable—not just for business development, but for understanding what challenges other Missoula entrepreneurs are facing. When I hear about a local business struggling with their online marketing or frustrated with a DIY website builder that promised easy results but delivered a mess, it reminds me why professional web design and digital marketing services in Missoula still matter.
Afternoon: Content, Code, and Creativity
After lunch, I shift gears to content creation and SEO work. For a local retail client, I’m writing blog posts optimized for Missoula SEO that will help them rank for location-specific searches. It’s not just about keywords—it’s about creating genuinely useful content that answers questions Missoula residents are actually asking.
Around 3:00 PM, I take a break to work on a home project. Right now, I’m in the middle of remodeling our bathroom—tearing out old tile, updating fixtures, making our space more functional. There’s something satisfying about working with your hands after hours of digital work. Plus, these projects give me empathy for my contractor clients who are juggling job sites, customer calls, and the need for a website that actually brings in leads.
I’ve also been slowly building a deck in the backyard. It’s been a multi-month project done in small chunks, but that’s the reality of life when you’re running a business and raising a family. You chip away at things when you can.
Late Afternoon: Fitness and Focus
Three to four days a week, I make it to Fuel Fitness here in Missoula for a lifting session. It’s become non-negotiable for me—not just for physical health, but for mental clarity. Some of my best solutions to complex website design challenges come to me while I’m between sets.
Today’s a lifting day, so I wrap up client work around 4:00 PM and head to the gym for an hour. When you work from home and spend most of your day at a desk analyzing Google Analytics or perfecting WordPress layouts, you need that physical outlet.
Evening: Family Time and Football
Evenings are sacred family time. My daughter is at that magical age where everything is an adventure, so we spend time playing, reading, and just being present. The dogs are usually sprawled out after their morning run, but they’re always up for some backyard time.
When football season is on, you might find me catching a game in the evening after my daughter goes to bed. It’s a chance to unwind, turn off the strategic marketing brain, and just be a fan.
The Balance of It All
Being a Missoula website designer and digital marketer isn’t a 9-to-5 job—it’s a lifestyle that weaves together professional expertise, community involvement, family life, and personal interests. Some days I’m deep in the technical weeds of WordPress customization. Other days I’m explaining to a client why their DIY website builder isn’t cutting it and how professional design can actually drive business results.
The outdoor lifestyle here in Missoula—the hiking, biking, and access to trails—keeps me grounded. The community connections through groups like Missoula Young Professionals remind me that business is ultimately about relationships. And the family time, dog walks, and gym sessions keep me balanced enough to bring my best to client projects.
If you’re a Missoula business owner reading this and thinking about your own website and digital marketing, know that when you work with a local web design company in Missoula, you’re getting more than just technical skills. You’re getting someone who understands this community, who’s invested in local business success, and who knows that behind every website is a person trying to balance their own version of this complex, rewarding life.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I hear the huskies stirring. Time for an evening walk.
CI Design, LLC has been providing professional web design and digital marketing services to Missoula and Montana businesses since 1998. If you’d like to talk about how we can help your business grow online, get in touch.
