Field notes

The blog.

Notes, observations, and occasional rants about web design, marketing, and what actually works.

Recent posts

How to Improve Your Website's Messaging for Better Conversions

Aug 4, 2025·9 min read

Most business websites fail not because of poor design or slow load times, but because their messaging doesn’t resonate. In this post, a seasoned web designer and "marketing therapist" dives into the overlooked art of conversion-focused messaging—explaining how clarity, specificity, and empathy can turn casual visitors into loyal customers. From above-the-fold headlines to microcopy tweaks and story-driven testimonials, learn how to speak directly to your dream clients and finally make your website work as hard as you do.

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The Ultimate Guide to Using Content Pillars to Grow Your Small Business Online

Aug 4, 2025·9 min read

Feeling overwhelmed by content marketing? Discover how small businesses can simplify their strategy and boost visibility by using content pillars—3 to 5 core themes that shape everything from blog posts to social media. This practical guide walks you through building an ecosystem of focused, SEO-friendly content that resonates with your ideal clients and sets your brand apart, with real-life case studies and step-by-step tips to get started.

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8 Common Website Design Mistakes to Avoid and How to Fix Them

Aug 4, 2025·9 min read

If your website looks great but isn't converting, you might be falling into common design traps that sabotage user experience and business performance. This insightful post breaks down the top website mistakes—from prioritizing beauty over strategy to ignoring mobile optimization—and offers real-world fixes for each. Whether you're on Webflow, WordPress, or Squarespace, learn how to create a website that truly reflects your brand, builds trust, and drives results.

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The Complete Guide to Website Navigation Design for Better UX and SEO

Aug 4, 2025·10 min read

Great website design isn’t just about aesthetics—it starts with strategic navigation. This blog dives deep into how intuitive menu structures, mobile-friendly layouts, and psychology-informed call-to-actions can transform a site from a digital brochure into a trust-building, conversion-driving machine. Learn how smart navigation choices communicate value, guide users effortlessly, and even boost SEO—complete with case studies and practical tips for any platform, from Squarespace to Webflow.

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The Ultimate Guide to Using Content Pillars to Grow Your Small Business Online

Aug 4, 2025·9 min read

Struggling to keep your content consistent and effective? This ultimate guide explores how small businesses can use content pillars to create a scalable, strategic marketing foundation. Learn how to build topical authority, connect with your audience, and repurpose across platforms—all while reducing burnout. Whether you're a local shop or an online service provider, these pillar-based strategies will help you turn chaos into clarity and drive real results.

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9 Effective Ways to Improve Your Website's Load Time for Better SEO and User Experience

Aug 4, 2025·9 min read

Cracking open your website to improve load speed can reveal underlying issues—just like a home remodel uncovers hidden structural flaws. This blog dives into nine actionable strategies to supercharge your site’s speed without sacrificing design or functionality. From savvy image optimization and trimming bloated fonts to refining hosting, scripts, and even your content strategy, you'll learn how to create a faster, more user-friendly experience that boosts SEO, trust, and conversions—all while maintaining your brand’s integrity.

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8 Common Website Design Mistakes to Avoid in 2025 for Better User Experience and SEO

Aug 4, 2025·10 min read

Struggling with a website that looks good but doesn’t perform? This blog post dives into eight of the most common (and costly) web design mistakes—made by beginners and pros alike. From designing with yourself instead of your user in mind, to weak CTAs and slow load times, each section unpacks why these issues happen, real-world examples of their impact, and concrete ways to fix them. Whether you're building from scratch or tweaking an existing site, this is your roadmap to making your website not just beautiful—but useful, persuasive, and genuinely connection-driven.

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How to Build a Website That Aligns with Your Brand, Strategy, and User Psychology for Better SEO and Conversion

Aug 4, 2025·10 min read

A great website isn’t just about sleek design—it’s about building trust, clarity, and connection. This blog dives deep into how strategy, brand voice, and user psychology shape digital experiences that actually convert. From choosing the right platform to making UX decisions backed by behavioral science, learn why design should follow strategy, not replace it—and how your website can become your business’s most insightful marketing partner.

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How Google’s November 2023 Core Update Impacted Small Business SEO and Local Rankings

Aug 4, 2025·9 min read

Discover how Google’s November 2023 Core Update disrupted local SEO and what it means for small business websites. This deep dive explores why authenticity, experience-driven content, and real-world reputation now trump technical tricks—and how thoughtful design, locally rooted stories, and strong user engagement can help small service-based businesses rise in the rankings. Featuring client case studies and actionable tips, it’s a roadmap for anyone looking to build lasting visibility in local search.

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Webflow vs. WordPress: Which Website Platform Is Best for Small Business Owners in 2025?

Aug 4, 2025·11 min read

Struggling to choose between Webflow and WordPress for your small business website? This blog breaks down the real-world pros, cons, and tradeoffs beyond flashy features—focusing on design freedom, ease of use, SEO, ongoing maintenance, and long-term scalability. Whether you're craving creative control, aiming for high performance, or just need something that “just works,” this guide helps you align your website choice with your business goals—not someone else’s template.

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How to Optimize Your Website for the Google Local Pack and Get More Local Customers

Jun 25, 2025·10 min read

If your website isn’t driving local traffic or leads, it might be missing one of the most powerful tools in your digital arsenal: the Google Local Pack. This blog unpacks how local search really works — from relevance and distance, to the often-overlooked role of prominence — and shows business owners how to break into that coveted top-three map listing. You’ll learn how to master your Google Business Profile, craft hyper-local website content, earn impactful reviews, and build citations and backlinks that matter. Whether you’re a realtor, salon owner, or dog trainer, this guide lays out practical, tactical moves to turn your online presence into a magnet for nearby customers.

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Creating Strategic Content That Drives Traffic and Builds Meaningful Engagement

Jun 25, 2025·9 min read

Most businesses create content that looks good on the surface but fails to drive meaningful engagement or conversions. This post dives into what "content that works" actually means—how to craft blog posts, videos, and tools that attract the right audience, build trust, and move users down the funnel. From aligning content with the marketing journey, to using real stories and structure for connection, to striking the balance between SEO and soul, this guide shows how to make content that earns attention—and keeps it.

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Occasional notes on what actually works.

No spam, I promise. Just the occasional note on web design, marketing, and growth when I have something worth saying.