Guides on templates, design, code and SEO
27 articles on shipping better websites faster — from choosing a template to what actually helps you rank.
How much should a small business website actually cost?
The honest answer is a range, not a number — and the biggest driver of cost usually isn't design, it's how much custom functionality and content you actually need.
DNS explained simply: how your domain finds your website
Typing a domain name into a browser triggers a lookup most people never think about. Here's what DNS actually does, in plain English, and the handful of settings you'll actually touch.
The complete guide to website hosting, domains and DNS for beginners
Hosting, domains, DNS, HTTPS and CDNs are five separate pieces that all have to fit together before a template becomes a live website. This is the sequential walkthrough that gets you from finished files to a fast, secure, publicly reachable site.
Website backup strategies every small business should have
Most small business owners think about website backups for the first time right after something has already gone wrong. Here's the plan to have in place before that happens.
A practical WCAG checklist for template-based websites
Not a general accessibility pep talk — a concrete, testable checklist mapped to the WCAG criteria most relevant to a small marketing site, with exact numbers and how to check them.
Why HTTPS matters, and how to get it for your website
The padlock next to your address bar isn't decoration. Here's what HTTPS actually protects, and why getting it no longer costs anything or takes any real effort.
How to choose web hosting for a template-based website
A static HTML/CSS template doesn't need most of what traditional web hosting sells. Here's what actually matters when picking where your site lives.
How to set up a contact form that actually sends email reliably
An HTML contact form with no server behind it can't send email on its own. Here's what actually makes submissions arrive in your inbox, and how to test it before you find out the hard way.
Lazy loading explained: why images load as you scroll
You've noticed images pop in as you scroll down a page. That's lazy loading, and it's one of the simplest speed wins available, if used correctly.
PageSpeed Insights vs GTmetrix vs Lighthouse: which should you use?
Run the same page through three speed testing tools and you'll get three different scores. That's not a bug — they're measuring different things, in different ways.
Migrating from WordPress to a static HTML/CSS template
Leaving WordPress usually comes down to speed, security, or maintenance fatigue. Here's how to make the move without losing your content, your rankings, or your mind.
Version control basics for anyone editing a website template
You don't need to become a developer to benefit from version control. A handful of Git concepts protect you from the one mistake that actually hurts: losing work with no way back.
WebP and AVIF explained: do you need to worry about image formats?
WebP and AVIF quietly replaced JPEG and PNG as the smart default for web images. Here's what actually changed, and how much of it you need to manage yourself.
Static HTML vs WordPress: which is right for a small business site?
WordPress and a static HTML template solve the same problem in opposite ways. One trades ongoing maintenance for editing convenience; the other trades editing convenience for speed, security and near-zero upkeep.
Website security basics for non-technical business owners
Most website security advice is either terrifying or useless. Here's the short list of things that actually matter for a small business site, and the long list of things you can stop worrying about.
CDNs explained simply, and why your website probably has one already
A content delivery network sounds like enterprise infrastructure, but it's quietly running under most modern websites already. Here's what it actually does.
HTML/CSS templates vs page builders: which should you choose
Both can ship a great site. The right choice depends on who maintains it, how fast it must load, and how much control you want over the code.
How to customize a website template without breaking it
Most template disasters come from editing in the wrong order. Start with global tokens, then content, then layout — and test small.
What 'production-ready code' actually means
The phrase gets used loosely. Production-ready means you can ship it as-is to real users, not that it merely renders in a demo.
How to prepare images for a fast-loading website
Images are the number-one cause of slow sites. A few minutes of preparation keeps even a media-rich template fast.
How to add a blog to a template-based site
A blog is one of the best long-term SEO investments. Adding one to a template site is straightforward if you plan the structure first.
Accessibility basics every website should get right
Accessibility is not a niche extra — it is basic quality that helps every visitor and your SEO at the same time.
How to test your website before launch: a checklist
Most launch-day embarrassments are preventable with a ten-minute checklist. Run it before you flip the switch.
How to speed up an existing website
A slow site is fixable, usually without a rebuild. Tackle the biggest offenders first and the gains come quickly.
What makes a template 'developer-friendly'
Two templates can look identical and be worlds apart to work with. Developer-friendliness is what you feel the moment you open the files.
How to organize CSS you can maintain
Messy CSS is a tax you pay on every future change. A little structure keeps edits fast and predictable for years.
Should you use a CSS framework or write custom
Frameworks and custom CSS both build great sites. The right choice depends on your team, your scale and how much weight you can spare.