Blog

Notes on Building for the Web

Practical guides, honest comparisons, and tutorials on WordPress, custom-coded websites, WooCommerce, and building a real online presence as a small business.

AI & Automation7 min read

The 3 questions to ask before buying any AI tool

A short framework for evaluating AI tools before you pay for one — what to ask, what to ignore, and how to know if a tool is actually worth it.

Nov 8, 2026Read

Freelancing8 min read

How to write a brief that gets you a better website

A practical guide to writing a project brief that helps your developer build the right website — not just the one you thought you wanted.

Nov 7, 2026Read

Comparison9 min read

WordPress vs Shopify for small businesses

An honest comparison of WordPress and Shopify as full website platforms — not just stores. Cost, flexibility, ownership, and which one fits your business.

Nov 1, 2026Read

AI & Automation10 min read

When to build a custom AI tool vs use an existing one

A practical framework for deciding whether to build your own AI tool or use an existing one — with real cost, time, and tradeoff considerations.

Oct 31, 2026Read

Freelancing7 min read

Why your website doesn't need a redesign (yet)

Before you spend thousands on a new website, read this. An honest look at when a redesign actually solves a problem — and when it's expensive theater.

Oct 25, 2026Read

AI & Automation8 min read

AI writing tools vs AI writing assistants: there's a difference

Most AI writing tools produce content. Few help you write better. An honest look at the difference — and how to spot which one you're actually using.

Oct 24, 2026Read

AI & Automation9 min read

What AI can't do for your business (and why that's good news)

An honest look at the limits of AI for small business owners — and why understanding what it can't do is more useful than chasing what it can.

Oct 18, 2026Read

Freelancing8 min read

What to do when your web developer disappears

A practical recovery guide for when your web developer stops responding — how to secure your site, regain access, and hire someone new without starting over.

Oct 17, 2026Read

AI & Automation7 min read

What small businesses should actually automate first (and what to skip)

A practical framework for deciding what's worth automating in a small business — what to automate first, second, third, and what to leave alone.

Oct 11, 2026Read

Freelancing8 min read

Should you hire a freelancer or an agency?

An honest comparison of hiring a freelancer vs an agency for your website — real differences in cost, speed, communication, and when each one actually makes sense.

Oct 10, 2026Read

Comparison8 min read

Webflow vs WordPress: which is right for your business

An honest comparison of Webflow and WordPress for small businesses — pricing, ease of use, design flexibility, and which one actually fits your project.

Oct 4, 2026Read

Comparison7 min read

Best email tools for small business owners (free and paid)

An honest comparison of the best email marketing tools for small businesses — Kit, Brevo, Mailchimp, and more. What each one costs and who it's actually for.

Oct 4, 2026Read

Freelancing10 min read

What to expect when you hire a web developer

A client's guide to working with a web developer — the full process, from first contact to launch. What happens at each stage, and what you need to do.

Oct 3, 2026Read

AI & Automation7 min read

AI tools for small business owners (that actually help)

The AI tools that genuinely save small business owners time and money — and the ones that aren't worth it. Practical guide, no hype.

Oct 2, 2026Read

AI & Automation5 min read

5 automations every freelancer should set up

Five practical automations that save freelancers hours every week — with tools and setups you can implement in a day. No enterprise software required.

Oct 1, 2026Read

Freelancing8 min read

How long a website really takes (realistic timeline)

A realistic breakdown of how long websites actually take to build — from a simple landing page to a full e-commerce store. No marketing hype, just real timelines.

Sep 30, 2026Read

Freelancing8 min read

10 questions to ask before hiring a web developer

The exact questions to ask a web developer before you hire them — from pricing and timelines to code ownership and post-launch support. Protect yourself before you pay.

Sep 29, 2026Read

Comparison8 min read

Hostinger vs SiteGround: which to start with

An honest comparison of Hostinger and SiteGround for beginners and small businesses — pricing, performance, support, and which one actually makes sense.

Sep 28, 2026Read

Comparison8 min read

Wix vs WordPress: which is right for you

An honest comparison of Wix and WordPress — pricing, ease of use, flexibility, and which one actually fits your project. No bias, just what matters.

Sep 27, 2026Read

Comparison8 min read

Squarespace vs WordPress: honest breakdown

An honest comparison of Squarespace and WordPress — pricing, ease of use, flexibility, and which one actually fits your business or project.

Sep 26, 2026Read

Comparison7 min read

WooCommerce vs Shopify for a small brand

An honest comparison of WooCommerce and Shopify for small brands — pricing, ownership, flexibility, and which one actually fits your business.

Sep 25, 2026Read

AI & Automation8 min read

How to build an AI Gmail Assistant that runs for free

A fully automated Gmail assistant that reads unread emails, classifies them with AI, applies labels, and drafts replies — using GitHub Actions. No VPS, no paid automation platform.

Sep 24, 2026Read

Freelancing7 min read

What a website actually costs in 2026 (real numbers)

A no-nonsense breakdown of what websites really cost — from budget templates to custom builds — and why the cheapest option is often the most expensive.

Sep 23, 2026Read

Comparison7 min read

WordPress vs custom-coded websites: how to choose

An honest breakdown of when WordPress wins, when custom code wins, and how to decide for your business — without the marketing spin.

Sep 22, 2026Read