Web design & development · Ruby, Michigan

Websites for Michigan churches & small businesses, crafted with quiet confidence.

I design and build clear, welcoming websites for churches, ministries, communities and local businesses — sites that are easy to visit, easy to update, and built to last.

Selected work

Your website, built around the people you serve.

holyredeemerph.com
Homepage of Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church (opens in a new tab)

Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church

Port Huron, Michigan · Church

A warm, welcoming home online for a WELS congregation — service times up front, sermon videos, ministries, daily devotions and simple online giving, wrapped in a refined burgundy-and-gold identity.

  • Design
  • Development
  • Video integration
Visit site
mimissions.org
Homepage of the Michigan District Mission Board (opens in a new tab)

Michigan District Mission Board

Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia & Western Pennsylvania · Ministry

A confident, mission-forward site for a multi-state WELS mission board: areas served, current missions, news, donations, and a way for members to suggest new mission fields.

  • Design
  • Development
  • Content structure
Visit site
northernmichigantrimlight.com
Homepage of Northern Michigan Trimlight (opens in a new tab)

Northern Michigan Trimlight

Grayling, Michigan · Local business

A bold, conversion-focused site for a permanent LED lighting installer. Dramatic night imagery, clear benefits, FAQs and pricing, a photo gallery, and a quote request always one click away.

  • Design
  • Development
  • Lead generation
Visit site
emanuelredeemer.org
Homepage of Emanuel Redeemer Lutheran Church (opens in a new tab)

Emanuel Redeemer Lutheran Church

Yale, Michigan · Church

A calm, classic site that keeps members connected through the week — worship and Bible class times, an online calendar, livestreamed sermons, giving and daily devotions.

  • Design
  • Development
  • Livestream
Visit site
stpls.org
Homepage of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and School (opens in a new tab)

St. Paul's Lutheran Church & School

Saginaw, Michigan · Church & school

One site serving two audiences: a historic congregation and its school. Worship times, sermons, bulletins and service videos sit alongside school information, newsletters and a shared calendar.

  • Design
  • Development
  • Information architecture
Visit site
warblershideaway.com
Homepage of Warbler's Hideaway (opens in a new tab)

Warbler's Hideaway

Grayling, Michigan · Private community

A full redesign for a 920-acre northern Michigan recreational community along Big Creek. Rich forest greens and river photography set the tone, while campground details, board and meeting information, newsletters, forms and bylaws stay one click away for members.

  • Design
  • Development
  • Member resources
Visit site

Kind words

What clients say

[Blue Water Web Studio] does awesome work. Everything looks very professional and is very functional.

Pastor Aaron Duve Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church · Chairman, Michigan District Mission Board

Great product with awesome communication, service and creativity. Highly recommended as he’s done multiple businesses for me.

Matthew Moeller Owner, Northern Michigan Trimlight · President, Warbler’s Hideaway Association

Professional work and easy to work with! Did our church website on WordPress and did a great job

Pastor Julius Buelow Former pastor, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Saginaw · Now pastor, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Lincoln, NE

Services

Everything your website needs, from first sketch to launch day — and after.

From church website design to sites for small businesses, nonprofits and community groups, I handle every step personally, so you always work with the same person.

Website design

Custom layouts that reflect who you are — refined typography, considered color, and pages that guide visitors to what matters.

Development

Fast, mobile-friendly, accessible sites built with clean code that looks sharp on every phone, tablet and desktop.

Redesigns

Give a dated site a fresh start. I'll keep what works, reorganize what doesn't, and carry your content safely across.

Care & updates

Service times change, events come and go. Ongoing support keeps your site accurate, secure and current.

Process

A simple, personal way of working.

No jargon, no surprises. You'll work directly with me from the first conversation to the day your site goes live.

  1. Conversation

    We talk about your goals, your audience, and what your current site does — or doesn't — do well.

  2. Design

    I shape a look and structure that fits your organization, and refine it with your feedback.

  3. Build

    Your site is built, filled with your content, and tested carefully on phones and computers.

  4. Launch & care

    We go live together, and I stay available for updates and support whenever you need them.

“A good website feels like a well-kept front door — clear, warm, and easy to walk through.”

About

I'm Fred Lorf, the web designer behind Blue Water Web Studio in Ruby, Michigan, near Port Huron. I work with churches and businesses throughout St. Clair County and the Thumb, and with clients across the state. I've been designing websites since 2009, and what I enjoy most is taking a client's ideas — sometimes just a few notes and a feeling — and shaping them into an attractive website that helps them reach the people they're trying to serve.

Many of the churches, ministries, communities and small businesses I work with are run by volunteers and small teams, so I design sites that are welcoming for visitors and painless to keep up to date. Every project gets the same care: thoughtful design, honest communication, and a finished site you're proud to share.

6
Live client sites
2009
Designing since
1:1
Personal service

FAQ

Questions people often ask.

Don't see your question here? Just ask. I'm always glad to talk through your project.

How much does a website cost?

Every project is different, so I price each one after we talk about what you need: the number of pages, features like online giving or event calendars, and how much help you want with content. I'm happy to give you a free estimate with no obligation.

How long does it take to build a new website?

It depends on the size of the site and how quickly content like text, photos and logos comes together, which is usually the biggest factor. I'll give you a clear timeline before we start, and I'll help you pull the content together along the way.

Can our staff or volunteers update the website themselves?

Yes, if you'd like. I can build your site so your team can easily update things like service times, events and news. If you'd rather not deal with it, I can handle updates for you. Many of my clients choose that option.

Do you only work with churches?

No. Churches and ministries are a big part of my work, but I also build websites for small businesses, nonprofits and community organizations, from a lighting installer to a 920-acre recreational community.

Can you help with hosting, domain names and email?

Yes. I can set up or move your domain name, help you find hosting, and connect a professional email address that matches your domain (like info@yourchurch.org). I'll explain each step in plain language, and you'll keep full ownership of your domain and accounts.

We already have a website. Can you redesign it?

Absolutely. Redesigns are some of my favorite projects. I'll keep what's working, reorganize what isn't, give the site a fresh, modern look, and carry your existing content over so nothing important gets lost.

Do you work with clients outside the Blue Water Area?

Yes. I'm based in Ruby, Michigan, and work with clients throughout the state. We can work together by phone, text, or email, which works great.

Will people be able to find our website on Google?

Yes. Every site I build is set up for search engines from the start: clear titles and descriptions, fast mobile-friendly pages, and the behind-the-scenes information Google uses to understand who you are and where you are. I can also help set up your Google Business Profile so you show up in map searches.

What do I need to get started?

Just a conversation. Send me a message using the form below, or email hello@bwwebstudio.com, and tell me a little about your organization and what you have in mind. We'll go from there.

Contact

Let's build something you'll be proud of.

Tell me a little about your organization and what you have in mind. I'll get back to you within a couple of business days.

hello@bwwebstudio.com

Based in Ruby, Michigan, near Port Huron · Serving St. Clair County and all of Michigan

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM