Straight talk on websites and growth.
Honest guides on what a site should cost, what actually brings in customers, and how to grow your business online.
October 12, 2026
Do Hair Salons Need a Website? A Straight Answer From an Austin Web Designer
Most Austin salons run on Instagram and a booking link. That works until a new client searches Google and finds a competitor instead. Here is when a salon website pays for itself and when you can skip it.
Read itOctober 9, 2026
64% of Businesses Using Chatbots Got More Leads in 2026
AI chatbots went from nice-to-have to table stakes this year. Here's what small businesses are actually using them for and what it costs.
Read itOctober 9, 2026
64% of Businesses Using Chatbots Got More Leads in 2026
AI chatbots went from nice-to-have to table stakes this year. Here's what small businesses are actually using them for and what it costs.
Read itOctober 9, 2026
64% of Businesses Using Chatbots Got More Leads in 2026
AI chatbots went from nice-to-have to table stakes this year. Here's what small businesses are actually using them for and what it costs.
Read itOctober 9, 2026
64% of Businesses Using Chatbots Got More Leads in 2026
AI chatbots went from nice-to-have to table stakes this year. Here's what small businesses are actually using them for and what it costs.
Read itOctober 9, 2026
64% of Businesses Using Chatbots Got More Leads in 2026
AI chatbots went from nice-to-have to table stakes this year. Here's what small businesses are actually using them for and what it costs.
Read itOctober 9, 2026
64% of Businesses Using Chatbots Got More Leads in 2026
AI chatbots went from nice-to-have to table stakes this year. Here's what small businesses are actually using them for and what it costs.
Read itOctober 9, 2026
64% of Businesses Using Chatbots Got More Leads in 2026
AI chatbots went from nice-to-have to table stakes this year. Here's what small businesses are actually using them for and what it costs.
Read itOctober 5, 2026
Is a Google Business Profile Enough for Your Small Business?
A free Google Business Profile gets you on the map, but it is rented land and it cannot close the deal on its own. Here is what it does well and where you still need a real website.
Read itOctober 1, 2026
Squarespace's Basic Plan Has a 2% Transaction Fee (Wix Doesn't)
Squarespace charges 2% per sale on its cheapest plan. Wix charges zero. Here's what that actually costs you and why owning your site matters more than the sticker price.
Read itOctober 1, 2026
Squarespace's Basic Plan Has a 2% Transaction Fee (Wix Doesn't)
Squarespace charges 2% per sale on its cheapest plan. Wix charges zero. Here's what that actually costs you and why owning your site matters more than the sticker price.
Read itOctober 1, 2026
Squarespace's Basic Plan Has a 2% Transaction Fee (Wix Doesn't)
Squarespace charges 2% per sale on its cheapest plan. Wix charges zero. Here's what that actually costs you and why owning your site matters more than the sticker price.
Read itSeptember 28, 2026
Google Favors Active Profiles Over Old Ones in 2026
Google's 2026 local updates reward businesses that post, respond, and engage regularly. Your five-year-old profile with no activity is losing ground to newer competitors who update weekly.
Read itSeptember 28, 2026
Google Favors Active Profiles Over Old Ones in 2026
Google's 2026 local updates reward businesses that post, respond, and engage regularly. Your five-year-old profile with no activity is losing ground to newer competitors who update weekly.
Read itSeptember 26, 2026
67% of Small Businesses Using AI Saw 20%+ Revenue Growth
AI automation isn't a tech fad anymore. McKinsey's data shows two-thirds of small businesses using it grew revenue by 20% or more in 2025. Here's what they're automating and why your website should be part of it.
Read itSeptember 26, 2026
67% of Small Businesses Using AI Saw 20%+ Revenue Growth
AI automation isn't a tech fad anymore. McKinsey's data shows two-thirds of small businesses using it grew revenue by 20% or more in 2025. Here's what they're automating and why your website should be part of it.
Read itSeptember 26, 2026
67% of Small Businesses Using AI Saw 20%+ Revenue Growth
AI automation isn't a tech fad anymore. McKinsey's data shows two-thirds of small businesses using it grew revenue by 20% or more in 2025. Here's what they're automating and why your website should be part of it.
Read itSeptember 26, 2026
67% of Small Businesses Using AI Saw 20%+ Revenue Growth
AI automation isn't a tech fad anymore. McKinsey's data shows two-thirds of small businesses using it grew revenue by 20% or more in 2025. Here's what they're automating and why your website should be part of it.
Read itSeptember 26, 2026
67% of Small Businesses Using AI Saw 20%+ Revenue Growth
AI automation isn't a tech fad anymore. McKinsey's data shows two-thirds of small businesses using it grew revenue by 20% or more in 2025. Here's what they're automating and why your website should be part of it.
Read itSeptember 21, 2026
Google Changed How Local Rankings Work in 2026 (Activity Wins Now)
Google shifted from rewarding history to rewarding activity. A new business with fresh posts can now outrank an established one that's been quiet.
Read itSeptember 20, 2026
Squarespace Just Raised Prices Up to 26% (And Here's the Math)
Squarespace hiked prices by up to 26% in July 2026. If you're on Core or Plus, your renewal just got more expensive. Here's what changed and what it means if you're renting your site.
Read itSeptember 19, 2026
Why Your Site Converts at 2% and Top Performers Hit 11%
The average small business website converts 2.35% of visitors in 2026. Top performers convert at 11.45%. The gap isn't traffic quality. It's these five things.
Read itSeptember 16, 2026
Google's Algorithm Now Updates Continuously (What That Means for Local Businesses)
On July 9, 2026, Google confirmed that core updates now roll continuously without announcements. If your traffic dropped last week and you didn't see a warning, this is why.
Read itSeptember 14, 2026
The 3-Second Test: What Customers Decide Before They Read a Word
Visitors judge your business in about three seconds — before reading anything. Here is what they see first, and how to win that moment.
Read itSeptember 14, 2026
The 3-Second Test: What Customers Decide Before They Read a Word
Visitors judge your business in about three seconds — before reading anything. Here is what they see first, and how to win that moment.
Read itSeptember 14, 2026
The 3-Second Test: What Customers Decide Before They Read a Word
Visitors judge your business in about three seconds — before reading anything. Here is what they see first, and how to win that moment.
Read itSeptember 14, 2026
The 3-Second Test: What Customers Decide Before They Read a Word
Visitors judge your business in about three seconds — before reading anything. Here is what they see first, and how to win that moment.
Read itSeptember 14, 2026
The 3-Second Test: What Customers Decide Before They Read a Word
Visitors judge your business in about three seconds — before reading anything. Here is what they see first, and how to win that moment.
Read itSeptember 14, 2026
5 Website Mistakes That Cost Austin Small Businesses Customers
I look at small business websites every week and the same five mistakes keep showing up. Here is what each one costs you and how to fix it.
Read itSeptember 9, 2026
Google's June 2026 Spam Update Rolled Out (And What It Means for Your Local Business)
Google finished rolling out its second spam update of 2026 on June 26. If your local business saw ranking changes, here's what happened and what to do about it.
Read itSeptember 8, 2026
82% of Small Businesses Use AI Tools Now (But Most Still Don't Have a Real Website)
A March 2026 survey found 82% of small businesses have invested in AI tools. The irony? Many are automating marketing for a website that barely works.
Read itSeptember 8, 2026
17% of Small Businesses Still Have No Website in 2026
Website adoption hit 83%, but one in six businesses still operates with no site at all. Here's what they're losing every month.
Read itSeptember 8, 2026
11% of Small Businesses Still Have No Website in 2026
89% of small businesses now have a website, up from 83% last year. But the 11% without one are leaving thousands on the table every month. Here's the math.
Read itSeptember 8, 2026
53% of Mobile Users Leave If Your Site Takes 3 Seconds
New 2026 data shows 47% of users expect sites to load in under 2 seconds, but the average is 8.6 seconds on mobile. Here's what that's costing you.
Read itSeptember 8, 2026
Squarespace Still Doesn't Autosave in 2026 (And Why That Matters More Than You Think)
Multiple July 2026 platform reviews confirm Squarespace still doesn't autosave your work as you edit. That's not the only thing you give up when you rent instead of own.
Read itSeptember 8, 2026
Squarespace Still Doesn't Autosave in 2026 (And Why That Matters More Than You Think)
Multiple July 2026 platform reviews confirm Squarespace still doesn't autosave your work as you edit. That's not the only thing you give up when you rent instead of own.
Read itSeptember 7, 2026
Do Barbers Need a Website? A Straight Answer From an Austin Web Designer
Most barbers lean on Instagram and walk-ins. Here is when that is enough, when it quietly costs you clients, and what a barber website actually needs.
Read itSeptember 5, 2026
Your Google Business Reviews Just Vanished (July 2026 Bug)
Some Google Business Profile dashboards show 'no reviews yet' even though your reviews are still public. Here's what's happening and what to do if you're affected.
Read itSeptember 4, 2026
Mobile Traffic Is 65% But Converts 42% Worse in 2026
Your mobile site gets most of your traffic but half the conversions of desktop. The gap just got worse, and it's costing you real money every single day.
Read itAugust 31, 2026
Do Mobile Detailers Need a Website?
Instagram shows off your work, but the customers ready to pay right now are typing "mobile detailing near me" into Google. Here is what a detailing website actually needs and what it should cost.
Read itAugust 24, 2026
Do Landscapers Need a Website? A Straight Answer From an Austin Web Designer
Referrals start the sale, but Google finishes it. Here is what a landscaping website actually needs, what you can skip, and what it should cost.
Read itAugust 19, 2026
Does Your Austin Food Truck Need a Website?
Travis County has about 2,000 licensed food trucks, and most are invisible on Google. Here is what a food truck website actually needs, and what it should cost.
Read itJuly 27, 2026
Is a Facebook Page Enough for Your Small Business? Honest Answer From a Web Designer
Half the small businesses I talk to run on a Facebook page alone. Here is what that is really costing you, and when a page honestly is enough.
Read itJuly 27, 2026
How Much Does a Website Cost in Austin? Real Numbers From a Local Builder
Austin agencies quote anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000 for a small business website. Here is what it actually costs, what you should get for your money, and how to avoid renting a site forever.
Read itJuly 23, 2026
Your Website Gets 65% Mobile Traffic But Converts 42% Worse (Here's Why)
Mobile drives nearly two-thirds of all website traffic in 2026, but converts at 1.82% vs desktop's 3.14%. For most small businesses, that gap is costing real money every single day.
Read itJuly 23, 2026
Google Just Changed Local Rankings to Reward Activity Over History
Google's 2026 algorithm update shifted local rankings from prominence to popularity. A newer business with active engagement can now outrank an established one. Here's what that means.
Read itJuly 22, 2026
Own It or Rent It: The Question Nobody Asks Before Buying a Website
Monthly website builders feel cheap until you do the math — and realize you never actually own the thing you are paying for.
Read itJuly 22, 2026
Squarespace Just Raised Prices 26% (And What It Means If You're Renting Your Site)
Squarespace increased Core plan prices from $23 to $29 a month this week, a 26% jump. Photographers and small business owners are leaving in droves. Here's why owning your site matters more than ever.
Read itJuly 16, 2026
Squarespace's $19 Plan Has a 2% Transaction Fee (Wix Doesn't)
Squarespace Basic looks cheap at $19 a month, but if you sell anything online, that 2% transaction fee adds up faster than the monthly subscription. Here's the real math.
Read itJuly 12, 2026
Why a Small Web Design Studio Beats a Big Agency for Your Business
Big agencies quote five figures and six weeks. Here's why a small web design studio usually gets small businesses a better site, faster, for a fraction of the price.
Read itJuly 12, 2026
How Long Does It Take to Build a Website?
Most agencies take six weeks. Here is why a great small-business site can be live in days, and what actually affects the timeline.
Read itMay 24, 2026
Do You Really Need a Website If You Have Instagram?
Social media is powerful, but it is not a substitute for a website. Here is why you need both, and what each one is actually for.
Read itMay 24, 2026
Squarespace vs a Custom Website: Which Is Right for You?
An honest look at when a website builder is enough, and when a custom site will actually make you more money.
Read itMay 23, 2026
How to Choose a Web Designer for Your Small Business
The questions to ask, the red flags to avoid, and how to make sure you end up with a site that works and is actually yours.
Read itMay 22, 2026
Do You Actually Own Your Website? (And Why It Matters)
Many businesses do not actually own their own website. Here is how to tell, and why it can cost you badly down the road.
Read itMay 20, 2026
How Much Should a Small Business Website Cost in 2026?
Straight answer on what a real small-business website costs, what drives the price, and how to avoid overpaying an agency.
Read it