Articles
The following collection of articles has been curated to give insight as to how I think. I have a strong contrarian streak, but it is not born of pure defiance. I thoroughly read the rule book and then exploit its framework. In other words, my approach is not a grab-bag of ill-advised larks. Indeed, my methods are a tightly woven tapestry aimed at one specific goal. Strive for excellence. I bring a deep-seated moral compass that points toward doing the right thing, just maybe not the way the mainstream paradigm might suggest.
Webmaster, full-stack developer or internet guide?
August 13, 2026
Topics: Client Relationship Management | Process (website development)
Rather than discarding the antiquated titles of webmaster or full-stack developer, I choose to reinvent them as an internet guide. I cut for digital sign as a sovereign scout. I am here to help you navigate the sometimes dangerous territory that is the internet.
Markdown-first development: where vanilla code intersects with AI processing
July 12, 2026
Topics: Web Architecture & Mathematics | Universal Accessibility (WCAG) | Process (website development)
Move beyond mobile-first website development and embrace markdown-first methods. Build better web pages that deliver true universal accessibility by thinking of Markdown as a Minimal Viable Interface (MVI).
The hobo business model
June 20, 2024
Topics: Sales & Marketing | Client Relationship Management
From time to time, folks will inaccurately describe me as a digital nomad. I say, I operate a hobo business model – updated for the 21st century. Learn how I apply depression-era ethics to website development.
Why developers (typically) don’t fix or maintain websites
October 19, 2023
Topics: Process (website development) | Sales & Marketing | Client Relationship Management
There are a host of reasons to not fix or maintain websites. I do fix and maintain websites because all my best clients started with basic website fixes.
Employee, freelance or self-employed?
August 04, 2023
Topics: Workforce Ecosystem
Language is a powerful tool. It can shape others’ perceptions of us, but also our perceptions of ourselves. I am a solopreneur.
Why I avoid low-hanging fruit
October 21, 2021
Topics: Sales & Marketing | Process (high-level)
I avoid low-hanging fruit for one simple reason. When you pick low-hanging fruit, you are condemned to eat it forever. Evolve, work smarter and consider that the iron triangle can be broken.
Exploring website go-live techniques
July 13, 2021
Topics: Process (website development)
Publishing a new or rebuilt website live to the world is a fairly easy task – given you know what you are doing. Remove go live jitters by understanding the fundamental ways the internet works.
Low-tech task and time management
June 25, 2021
Topics: Web Architecture & Mathematics | Universal Accessibility (WCAG) | Process (website development)
A look at how a simple sheet of folded paper can outperform software. Time boxing harmony achieved via tactile techniques. Bonus idea: how origami and string games teach base-12 CSS grids, backend loops, and WCAG empathy.
You can’t do that with WordPress
June 23, 2021
Topics: Process (website development)
WordPress. It is a weird, vague, powerful thing that can do lots of stuff. The primary limit to what WordPress can do – your imagination and understanding of foundational code (HTML, CSS, JS, PHP, and SQL). Explore just how robust WordPress is.
Why I stopped using website analytics
June 16, 2021
Topics: Process (website development)
Using website analytics, in the form of a tracking script or pixel should be a well-considered decision, not an immediate knee-jerk reaction.
Things to discuss when “buying a website”.
June 01, 2021
Topics: Process (website development) | Client Relationship Management
The best way to prevent downstream problems when “buying a website” is to ask a lot of pointed questions. Informed customers make better decisions. Only you can prevent bad internet. Following the best practices will help enable you to do just that.
The four steps to (re)building a website
November 07, 2020
Topics: Process (website development)
There are infinite ways to build a website. Boiled down, and simplified it comes down to 4 simple steps. 1. Answer the why. 2. Determine your approach. 3. Assemble a team. 4. Build according to the plan created in steps 1-3. Easy Peasy!
How I evaluate websites/website developers
October 29, 2020
Topics: Process (website development)
Exploring ways to demystify the process of finding a quality, highly-qualified website developer. Discover effective, low-barrier methods for evaluating website developers the the work the create.
“Wrong” things … I regularly do
April 15, 2020
Topics: Process (high-level) | Client Relationship Management
My approach is not a haphazard patchwork of dysfunction but instead a well-considered system of differentiation that aligns with my strong moral compass. The concepts in this article help to shed light on that approach.
Retainers: the key to financial security or a progress trap?
April 02, 2020
Topics: Sales & Marketing
Common wisdom says that retainers are the gold standard of freelancing stability. Although I do not outright ban retainers, I stay vigilant to ensure they do not become a progress trap.
Ways hiring contractors goes wrong
March 26, 2020
Topics: Workforce Ecosystem
Avoid the risk found of misclassify an employee as a contractor. Be sure to treat your contractors like contractors and not like employees.
Challenging the dogma of deposits
November 21, 2019
Topics: Sales & Marketing
I build immediate trust, leverage and monetize perceived risk, and project stability, by not charging deposits. Explore why reducing project friction is far better than padding your immediate revenue.
Repeat business as recurring revenue
November 05, 2019
Topics: Sales & Marketing | Client Relationship Management
My simple and effective method for creating revenue that is predictable, stable, and highly likely to continue in the future – take care of the client. Repeat business is the best kind of recurring revenue and the only kind of recurring revenue I target.
Types of deals: yes, no, good and bad
October 09, 2018
Topics: Sales & Marketing | Client Relationship Management
A simple matrix to help identify the consequences of agreeing to or avoiding a contract that is good or bad. In short – learn from your mistakes and maximize your successes.
Employee or contractor?
April 11, 2018
Topics: Workforce Ecosystem
Understanding the difference between a contractor and an employee is critical for all parties involved. Contractors must remain independent.
Exploring The Cone of Uncertainty
October 05, 2017
Topics: Sales & Marketing | Client Relationship Management | Process (high-level)
I like unusual pricing strategies. This article explores a basic description of the Cone of Uncertainty in standard terms and then how it can be applied to pricing and profitability.
Websites – live, dev, and test
September 27, 2017
Topics: Process (website development) | Universal Accessibility (WCAG) | Web Architecture & Mathematics
Maintaining 3 copies of a website – live, dev, and test -provides a rock-solid workflow for website maintenance, repair, and enhancement. Bonus idea: the other side of the coin – laboratory, best-case scenario and real-world environments – provide a bulletproof ecosystem for website optimization
Website de-bugging process and tips
July 08, 2016
Topics: Process (website development)
The ultimate companion technique for root cause analysis. The 4 C’s Method allows us to trouble shoot websites, code, bugs or anything else. By performing four simple steps: Complaint, Cause, Correction and Confirm – we can guarantee we fix an issue.
Preserving SEO During a Website Refresh
March 14, 2016
Topics: Process (website development)
Preserving search engine optimization is all about the preparations you make long before go-live. A stitch in time saves nine. Preserve SEO rather try to rebuild it.
The best content management system
March 13, 2016
Topics: Process (website development)
Despite frequent proclamations, there is no best or worst CMS. There is only the CMS we prefer, and those we have not yet mastered. Learn how remaining agnostic about all things impacts my CMS recommendations.
Genuine collaboration
March 07, 2016
Topics: Process (high-level) | Client Relationship Management
Discussing my approach to projects. The client is not my enemy. Rather, it is us vs. the problem. We never place blame or dismiss each other’s input. Working collaboratively increases productivity, efficiency and overall client / service provider happiness.