Cornell Unlimited in Chattanooga: Custom Web Design for Local Businesses
Cornell Unlimited is a web design and development firm serving Chattanooga businesses that need more than template solutions. The company specializes in custom-built websites, e-commerce platforms, and site redesigns for manufacturers, professional services, nonprofits, and retailers across Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia.
What Cornell Unlimited actually does
Cornell Unlimited operates as a full-service web design agency rather than a template provider or freelance contractor. The firm handles strategy, design, development, and ongoing support in-house, which means clients work with the same team from initial concept through launch and maintenance. The company's focus is businesses with revenue of roughly $2 million to $50 million—established enough to need a professional digital presence but not yet large enough to have internal web teams. They also work with nonprofits and municipal organizations. Cornell Unlimited is not a marketplace platform where you browse pre-made designs; every project is built to specification.
Services and pricing
Cornell Unlimited offers three main service categories: custom website design and development, e-commerce solutions, and website maintenance and optimization.
Custom design projects typically range from $8,000 to $35,000 depending on complexity, number of pages, and integrations required. A 10-to-15-page business website with custom design and basic backend functionality falls in the $12,000 to $18,000 range. E-commerce builds start around $15,000 and scale upward based on product catalog size and payment gateway integration needs. Maintenance packages run $300 to $800 per month and usually include hosting, security updates, content changes, and performance monitoring.
The firm estimates a typical project takes 8 to 12 weeks from kickoff to launch, though that timeline can stretch if a client requires multiple stakeholder approvals or significant backend integration work.
How Cornell Unlimited compares to other Chattanooga web design options
Chattanooga has three broad categories of web design services: freelancers, small agencies, and larger corporate firms.
Freelancers and solo contractors typically charge $50 to $150 per hour or quote fixed projects at $3,000 to $8,000. They offer flexibility and lower upfront cost but usually lack formal project management, handle support inconsistently, and often juggle multiple clients simultaneously. This approach suits a startup with a tight budget and simple requirements.
Larger corporate digital agencies in the Southeast (Atlanta-based firms that serve Chattanooga) charge $20,000 to $80,000+ for custom work and expect ongoing retainer relationships. They provide account management and integrated marketing services but add layers of process and overhead cost. Choose this route if you need simultaneous web and paid advertising strategy.
Cornell Unlimited occupies the middle ground: more structured than a freelancer but more accessible than an Atlanta corporate agency. You get dedicated project management and a stable team without the premium markup of a larger firm. This makes sense for an established Chattanooga business that has outgrown a simple template but doesn't need full marketing agency services.
Who Cornell Unlimited suits and who it does not
Cornell Unlimited is the right fit for Chattanooga businesses with an established customer base and revenue, plus a website that either doesn't exist or needs a complete overhaul. It works well for manufacturers showcasing complex products, law firms and accounting practices building credibility online, nonprofits managing donations and event registration, and retailers moving toward e-commerce.
The firm is not a fit for one-person startups on a shoestring budget (use a freelancer or Wix instead), established large companies with dedicated IT staff (hire in-house or contract with a national firm), or anyone who needs a site launched within two weeks (Cornell's typical timeline is 8 to 12 weeks).
What the first visit involves
Cornell Unlimited typically begins with a discovery meeting where the team asks about your business model, current web presence, competitor sites you admire, and specific features you need. This is not a sales pitch; the firm uses this to scope the project and estimate cost. If you move forward, you'll sign a statement of work that details deliverables, timeline, and payment schedule (usually 50% upfront and 50% on launch).
During development, you'll have scheduled check-in calls and receive prototypes for feedback at defined milestones. The firm handles hosting setup and domain configuration; you don't need technical knowledge to work with them.
Hours, location, and how to contact
Cornell Unlimited operates Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. The firm works with clients throughout Chattanooga and surrounding areas via phone, video call, and email; you don't need to visit an office. To inquire about your project, call or email through their website to request a discovery conversation and initial estimate.
Cornell Unlimited has earned its place in Chattanooga's professional services landscape because it closes the gap between DIY web builders and out-of-market agencies, offering the accountability and quality of a true custom build at a price point realistic for mid-market local businesses.
