The Spacious Blog
I got my 35th website care plan client signed on this month! These care plans started off as a tiny source of revenue for clients who needed ongoing help after launching their sites. Over the years they’ve become a foundational aspect of my business. I believe in the value of maintenance, not just build cool […]
How To Unlearn Boring
We internalize this belief that in order to be successful in business, in running an organization, or in our careers we need to be professional. In this case, “professional” is really just another way of saying boring. It’s the opposite of having a personality, of being unique, of being memorable. Not only is this advice […]
Think About Your Audience’s Needs, Then Your Own.
When it comes to communicating with your audience, the first thing that you should worry about is what your customer needs, and how you can help them with it. If your sole message is always “buy from me” without providing any value, it’s going to do more harm than good. The fact that you need […]
How to Pick the Right Image Type + Size For Your Website
One of the most common questions people ask me as a web designer is: “How do I choose the right image type for my website?” This is a great question because the size and file type of images can greatly affect a website’s speed and overall appearance. There are many different options to choose from […]
A Little TLC: Why Your Website Needs Maintenance
Just like phones and computers, websites need to be updated every once in a while in order to maintain performance. With every update missed, phones and computers gradually get slower performing basic tasks and running programs. The same goes for websites. When websites are not regularly updated and maintained, performance gradually degrades and it becomes […]
It’s time to redesign your nonprofit’s website, but you don’t know where to start. Here’s my best advice for planning and executing a project that saves you money, avoids common pitfalls, and results in a website you love. Step 1. Define your nonprofit’s goals This is where you get your big picture goals in order. […]
The Most Important Skill in Business is Understanding Humans
I’m a sensitive introvert by nature, which means I’ve spent my life being (overly) attentive to what other people are thinking and feeling. This orientation towards the world has hindered my career in many moments, but I’ve realized recently that it’s been one of the traits that made my business work, even before I really […]
How To Consistently Come Up With New Ideas For Your Blog
We’ve all been there before, staring at a blank Word doc and not knowing where to start. When it comes to writing blog posts, it doesn’t have to be a chore. A good process makes it much easier. Here’s my approach.
It’s Not Just a Matter of Open vs. Closed for Small Businesses
I got a phone call from a plant nursery owner a couple weeks ago. He’s not a client of mine but he wanted some ideas about what to do during this hard time. I mentioned some ideas like curbside pickups, but he’s committed to remaining closed until it’s safe to re-open. The reason? For the […]
How Much of a Runway Do You Need to Start a Business?
How much of a runway do you need to start a business? It would be ideal to do so when: You’re sitting on enough cash to carry you through 6 months You have a long list of customers demanding your services In the middle of a booming economy Well that’s the ideal, but welcome to […]
How To Write a Good About Page For Your Small Business
The most common mistake I see on About pages is believing it’s all about you, the business. It’s not. Even if it’s literally titled “About Us,” it’s really all about your customers—specifically making a genuine connection and making them feel good about being the kind of person who purchases from your business.
Lockdown Website Revamp Part 3: How to Build an Audience Through Timely, Original Content
Now is a great time to build an audience through creating timely, original content that your audience will find useful and valuable at any time, not just during the lockdown.