Field notes
Honest writing on small-business web design.
No SEO listicles. No platform shilling. Just the honest stuff I tell clients when they ask about pricing or SEO or timelines.
May 25, 2026 · 4 min read
How to Pick a Domain Name for Your Local Business
Spent 3 weeks picking a domain? Don't. Here are the 5 rules that 90 percent of local business domains follow.
Read the postMay 24, 2026 · 6 min read
How to Read Your Google Lighthouse Score (Without Being a Developer)
You ran the grader, saw 'Lighthouse mobile: 31', and panicked. Here's what each Lighthouse number actually means, in language that does not assume you write code.
Read the postMay 23, 2026 · 4 min read
The 3 Photos Your Trades Website Needs (And the 1 to Avoid)
Stock photos of pipes and plumbers signal you're an out-of-town spam operation. Here are the 3 phone-camera shots your site actually needs.
Read the postMay 21, 2026 · 5 min read
Why Your Trades Website Isn't Showing on Google Maps
Plumbers and HVAC techs ask me this every week. Here are the 6 most common reasons your shop isn't on the map, and what to do about each.
Read the postMay 19, 2026 · 6 min read
The Real Cost of NOT Having a Website (For Local Businesses)
If your business has no website, here is the honest math on what that's costing you every month. Spoiler: more than $500.
Read the postMay 17, 2026 · 6 min read
What Does Your Website Score Out of 100?
Drop in your URL, get a score with 32 specific checks, real Lighthouse numbers from Google, and an AI copy critique. Here is what the grader actually checks under the hood.
Read the postMay 10, 2026 · 5 min read
How Long Does It Take to Build a Website? (Real Timelines)
DIY platforms take a weekend. Freelancers take a week or two. Agencies take 8 to 16 weeks. Here's why the spread is so wide and how to pick.
Read the postMay 3, 2026 · 7 min read
What Is Local SEO and Why Your Small Business Needs It
Local SEO is what makes you show up when someone in your city Googles your service. Here's a plain-English explanation and the 5 things you can do today.
Read the postApril 26, 2026 · 5 min read
Should You Use Wix or Hire a Designer for Your Small Business?
Wix and Squarespace will get you online cheap. A freelance designer costs more but gives you a custom site that ranks. Here's a clean framework for picking between them.
Read the postApril 19, 2026 · 6 min read
Why Your Trades Website Isn't Getting Calls (and What to Fix)
Your site is up. Your Google Business Profile is set up. You're not getting calls. Here are the 7 reasons why this happens, ranked by how often they're the actual cause.
Read the postApril 12, 2026 · 7 min read
How Much Does a Website Cost for a Small Business in Pickering?
Most quotes you'll get are between $200 and $8,000 setup, with monthly fees from $17 to $300. Here's why the range is so wide and what fits a small business in Durham.
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