The Journal

Plain talk on platforms.

Notes from the engine room — WordPress, performance, automation, and running a business platform that doesn't fall over. No fluff, no jargon, no "10 hacks."

Running a business

5 signs you've become your business's accidental IT manager

If three of these sound familiar, your tech is running you — not the other way around. This is placeholder body copy for the…

Jun 2, 2026
WordPress

Stop treating updates like a chore

A boring update routine is the cheapest insurance your platform will ever buy.

May 28, 2026
Running a business

Flat-rate vs hourly: what website care should actually cost

The hourly meter is the most expensive part of most support. Here’s the math. This is placeholder body copy for the article. Replace with…

May 24, 2026
Automation

The CRM you already have is probably enough

Before you buy another tool, here's how to make ActiveCampaign earn its seat.

May 14, 2026
Performance

The real cost of downtime (and how to never pay it again)

What an outage actually costs a small business — and the cheap way to avoid it. This is placeholder body copy for the article.…

May 12, 2026
Running a business

When to fire your website

A redesign isn't always the answer. A few honest signals it's actually time.

Apr 30, 2026
WordPress

WordPress or Shopify for your store? An honest take

No dogma — just where each one actually wins, from people who build both. This is placeholder body copy for the article. Replace with…

Apr 30, 2026
Performance

What "proactive monitoring" actually means

The unglamorous work that catches problems before you ever see them. This is placeholder body copy for the article. Replace with the full piece…

Apr 18, 2026
Performance

Core Web Vitals, minus the panic

What those scores really mean, and which ones are worth losing sleep over.

Apr 16, 2026
Automation

How we got Urban Southern a 900% sales lift

A rebuild, smarter automation, and the unsexy fixes that moved the number. This is placeholder body copy for the article. Replace with the full…

Apr 3, 2026
WordPress

Block themes, one year in

Where full-site editing finally clicked for us — and where it still bites.

Apr 2, 2026
Running a business

Why we quote fixed fees

The case for owning the number, and why hourly billing hurts everyone.

Mar 19, 2026
Performance

The five-minute performance audit anyone can run

You don't need fancy tools to spot the worst offenders. Start here.

Mar 5, 2026
Automation

Automations that quietly save us a day a week

Small, unsexy workflows beat one big 'AI strategy' every time.

Feb 19, 2026
Journal

Using AI and Automation to Transform Membership Engagement

When our client Aurras approached us about revamping their membership model, we knew we had a lot of pre-work. We knew we needed real,…

Nov 11, 2024
Journal

Getting Started with Bricks Builder: An In-Depth Guide.

Bricks Builder has been getting much more attention in recent months, and I think it’s good. I’ve gathered some thoughts on new users coming…

Jan 15, 2024
Journal

Breakdance Page Builder Review: Is it Any Good?

Recently, I provided my thoughts on several WP-focused page builders that are currently available. Breakdance is one of them from that current crop that has my…

Jun 27, 2023
Journal

Building a Membership Website

Membership websites are all the rage. You’ve seen people run Patreons and Only Fans pages and similar. These websites offer a path to creating…

Jun 20, 2023
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