Field Notes
Straight-talking guides on websites, SEO, pricing, and getting found online - written for small business owners, not other web designers. No jargon, no fluff.
7 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Web Designer in Hawaii
Most people hire a web designer once every five or ten years, so nobody feels like an expert going in. The seven questions I'd ask, including the one that tells you the most and that a lot of shops would rather you skipped.
Read the guide7 Signs Your Website Is Quietly Costing You Business
When a website is losing you customers, nothing breaks - the person just closes the tab and calls the next shop. Here are the seven red flags I check first, and a plain way to test each one on your own site.
Read the guideWhy Your Business Isn't Showing Up on Google Maps
Someone nearby searches for exactly what you sell, and three businesses pop up on a little map. You’re not one of them. Here’s why that happens, and the plain-English steps to get into the map pack - no agency retainer required.
Read the guideHow to Spot a Template Website in 10 Seconds
People can’t always say why a website feels mass-produced. They just feel it and leave. The exact tells - the sparkle badges, the purple gradients, the copy that says nothing - plus a live side-by-side so you can test your eye.
Read the guideWhat a Frontline AI Assistant Actually Does for Your Business
“An AI chatbot” sounds like a gimmick - until you watch one book a job at 11pm. Here’s what a website assistant really does: answer questions, capture leads, and book appointments while you’re off the clock.
Read the guideSocial, Ads, or SEO: Where Should a Small Business Start?
You can’t do everything at once - and you shouldn’t. Here’s how to pick the one marketing channel that will move the needle first for your business, and what each one is actually good at.
Read the guideHow Much Does a Small Business Website Cost in Hawaii?
Ask three web designers what a website costs and you'll get three different answers - usually followed by "it depends." Here are real numbers: what a small business site actually runs, what drives the price, and how to avoid overpaying.
Read the guideDIY Site Builders vs. a Custom Website: What It Really Costs You
Wix and Squarespace look cheap up front. Here's the real math - the ongoing fees, the hidden costs, and where a custom site actually wins.
Read the guideDo You Really Need a Website for Your Maui Business?
“Can't I just use Instagram?” It's the most common question we get - here's the honest answer, and the cases where you might not need one yet.
Read the guideWant to see what your website could look like?
Get a free sample homepage concept for your business - see what a cleaner, more professional site could look like. No pressure, no obligation.