FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers before you reach out
Straight answers to the questions small-business owners ask us most — about how MEI works, what it costs, and what to expect.
GETTING STARTED
Getting started
What does MEI actually do?
MEI repairs, builds, and manages the technology small businesses run on — websites, email, hosting, security, backups, automation, AI tools, custom software, and private infrastructure. In plain terms: we fix what is broken, build what is missing, and keep it running.
I do not know what is actually wrong — can you still help?
Yes, and that is the whole point. Most owners feel a symptom — a slow site, lost inquiries, email in spam — without knowing the cause. Finding the true cause is exactly what we do; you do not need a diagnosis to begin.
Do you work remotely, or only locally?
Both. MEI serves clients across the United States remotely, with on-site service in Northern and Central New Jersey.
How do I get started?
Two ways: request a Business Tech Rescue Audit for a full diagnosis, or book a free 15-minute call if you would rather talk it through first.
Is the first conversation free?
Yes. The 15-minute triage call is free — a focused conversation to understand the symptom and decide the sensible next step, not unlimited free troubleshooting.
THE TECH RESCUE AUDIT
The Business Tech Rescue Audit
What is a Business Tech Rescue Audit?
A paid, practical diagnostic that examines your website, email, forms, hosting, security, backups, and workflows together — then hands you a plain-English report ranked by urgency and business impact.
What does it cost, and what do I get?
It starts at $497. You receive a 5–10 page action report, findings grouped by risk and effort, a prioritized “fix first” roadmap, and a 30-minute review call.
Why charge for an audit when others offer them free?
A “free audit” is usually a sales pitch. A paid audit buys you an honest, thorough diagnosis you own outright — including the parts a vendor selling you something would rather not mention. You can take the report anywhere.
What if the audit finds nothing serious?
Then you get a clean bill of health in writing, which is a legitimate and valuable outcome. We will not invent problems to justify work.
Do I have to hire MEI for the fixes?
No. The report is yours. We will quote anything you would like us to handle, but you are free to fix it in-house or take it to anyone else.
SERVICES & SCOPE
Services and scope
What kinds of problems do you solve?
Slow or broken websites, lost form submissions, email landing in spam, fragile hosting, weak security, untested backups, disconnected tools, and manual work that eats hours. If it is technology and it is holding your business back, it is in scope.
Can you work with my current website, host, or provider?
Yes, when the existing foundation is worth keeping. When it is not, we tell you plainly why and what we would recommend instead.
Can you build custom software or plugins?
Yes. Custom software, WordPress plugins, integrations, and automation are core MEI capabilities — we build and ship our own.
Can you fix email that lands in spam?
Yes. Email deliverability — SPF, DKIM, DMARC, DNS, and sending reputation — is a specialty. Most delivery problems trace to a handful of fixable causes.
Can you help with security and backups?
Yes. We harden systems, set up secure access, and build backups that are actually tested — because a backup you have never restored is a hope, not a plan.
PRICING & PLANS
Pricing and plans
How much do your services cost?
It depends on scope, but every service lists a clear “starting at” price — from $497 for an audit to $2,500+ for a website rebuild. You always get a written scope and price before work begins.
Do you offer monthly or managed plans?
Yes. Managed Website & IT Care starts at $149/month, with tiers based on what you need watched, updated, and supported.
Are your prices fixed or hourly?
Both are available. Most project work is fixed-scope so you know the cost up front; hourly consulting is available when that fits better.
Why is pricing “starting at”?
Because honest pricing depends on your actual situation. The starting price is the floor; the final scope and cost are agreed in writing after a short discovery — no surprises.
WORKING TOGETHER
Working together
What does the process look like?
Discovery to understand the real problem, a written scope and price, the work itself with clear communication, then testing, handoff, and documentation. No black boxes.
Who will I actually be working with?
Michael Ward directly, and the MEI team — not a call center. You work with the person who can follow a problem across every layer and take responsibility for the result.
How long do projects take?
It varies by scope. A focused repair can take days; a full website rebuild is typically a few weeks. You get a realistic timeline in the proposal, not a guess.
Do I own what you build?
Yes. You own your website, your code, your accounts, and your data, with documentation and access. We build things to be owned and understood — never to lock you in.
What if something breaks after the project ends?
Managed-care clients are already covered. For project clients, we stand behind our work and offer support plans if you would like ongoing coverage.
ABOUT MEI
About MEI
What makes MEI different from a web designer or an IT company?
Most web designers cannot fix the server; most IT providers cannot write conversion copy. MEI connects the whole chain — the page, the form, the DNS, the server, the inbox, and the workflow — and fixes the root cause instead of the symptom.
Who is behind MEI?
Michael Ward — founder and CEO, and Chief Technology Officer of Electronic Enterprises, Inc. (EECONS). A former ASE- and GM Master-Certified technician who applies the same root-cause discipline to technology. Meet Michael or read his story.
Do you handle sensitive information carefully?
Yes. We follow least-privilege access, never ask for credentials through insecure channels, and can work under an NDA. Please do not send passwords or sensitive data through website forms — we will set up a secure method.
Where are you located?
MPWard Enterprises is based in Linden, New Jersey, serving Northern and Central New Jersey on-site and the rest of the country remotely.
Still have a question?
Ask it directly — a real person answers, usually within one business day.