Blog

Welcome to my web design blog, where I share tips, trends, and insights for small businesses looking to grow their online presence.

Whether you're building a new website, thinking about a redesign, or just trying to keep up with the latest in mobile-friendly and user-focused design, you'll find practical advice and inspiration here. I specialize in custom WordPress and Shopify websites for clients in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and beyond—so if you're a local business owner or part of a growing brand, this blog is for you.

website color scheme Color Matters: Choosing a Website Scheme That Drives Engagement and Conversions April 18, 2025 - When you land on a website, what's one of the very first things you notice? Beyond the layout and the images, it's the colors. The palette a website employs isn't just a matter of aesthetic preference; it's a powerful, often subconscious force that can significantly influence how visitors perceive your brand, how they feel while […]
woman at laptop Stay Ahead of the Curve: Web Design Trends That Can Boost Your Local Business April 14, 2025 - The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and that includes the world of web design. What looked cutting-edge just a few years ago can now feel dated. For local businesses, having a modern and user-friendly website is more critical than ever to attract and retain customers in an increasingly online world. But keeping up with the […]
5 Wordpress Plugins Top 5 Essential WordPress Plugins for Small Business Websites April 13, 2025 - So, you've chosen WordPress as the engine for your small business website – smart move! Its flexibility and vast ecosystem of themes and plugins make it a powerful platform to showcase your brand, connect with customers, and even drive sales. But with thousands upon thousands of plugins available, navigating the WordPress plugin directory can feel […]
woman with phone shopping Building with SEO in Mind: How to Use Yoast to Optimize Your WordPress Website April 10, 2025 - 3. Guiding Search Engines: The Power of Headings (Yoast's Analysis): Think of headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) as the table of contents for your web pages. They break down your content and signal the importance of different sections to search engines. Yoast SEO analyzes your use of headings, ensuring you're using them in a logical […]
top 5 website mistakes Top 5 Website Mistakes That Are Costing You Clients April 7, 2025 - 2. Slow Load Times Page speed matters. If your site takes more than a few seconds to load, visitors will bounce before they even see your content. Optimize your images and consider using a caching plugin to speed things up. 3. Cluttered Layout Less is more. A clean layout with plenty of white space helps […]
web design blog Why Every Small Business Needs a Mobile-First Website April 3, 2025 - If you're a small business owner, having a website that works flawlessly on mobile devices isn't optional—it’s essential. With most internet traffic coming from smartphones and tablets, your website needs to make a strong first impression no matter what screen it's viewed on. That’s where a mobile-first website comes in. Download a Mobile-Friendly Checklist What […]
group looking at laptop How to Prep for a Website Redesign (Without the Stress) March 27, 2025 - Thinking about giving your website a facelift? Whether you're rebranding, launching something new, or just updating an outdated design, a little prep work can go a long way toward making your redesign process smooth—and even fun. Here’s a simple checklist to help you get started: Clarify Your Goals Before diving in, ask yourself: What’s not […]