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App builders versus real builds in real life, not in theory
There is a cheap way, a fast way and a good way to handle app builders versus real builds. Here is how we pick.
Nov 23, 2025 · 3 min read
The journal
Notes on building, selling and shipping
A curated archive on websites, apps, marketing, competitors — plus food, travel and the rest of life. 500 articles, all published and ready to read.
500 articles published
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How long Shopify versus a custom store really takes
Shopify versus a custom store sounds like a big project until you break it into the three decisions that actually matter.
Nov 18, 2025 · 3 min read
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Quote comparisons, line by line and the customer's point of view
Most of the advice on quote comparisons, line by line is written for companies with a marketing department. This one is written for the rest of us.
Nov 1, 2025 · 3 min read
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Freelance marketplaces, honestly without hiring a big team
Every month a client asks us about freelance marketplaces, honestly. The short answer is: start smaller than you think.
Oct 27, 2025 · 3 min read
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From idea to launch with web studios versus DIY builders
Every month a client asks us about web studios versus DIY builders. The short answer is: start smaller than you think.
Oct 22, 2025 · 3 min read
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No-code tools and their ceilings and why timing matters
We keep answering the same questions about no-code tools and their ceilings, so we wrote the long version down once.
Oct 5, 2025 · 3 min read
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WordPress maintenance costs for people who hate jargon
Most of the advice on WordPress maintenance costs is written for companies with a marketing department. This one is written for the rest of us.
Sep 30, 2025 · 3 min read
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What nobody tells you about cheap hosting resellers
There is a cheap way, a fast way and a good way to handle cheap hosting resellers. Here is how we pick.
Sep 13, 2025 · 3 min read
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Is hiring an agency versus a studio worth it in 2026?
Every month a client asks us about hiring an agency versus a studio. The short answer is: start smaller than you think.
Sep 8, 2025 · 3 min read
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Before and after: what 'all-inclusive' should mean
Most of the advice on what 'all-inclusive' should mean is written for companies with a marketing department. This one is written for the rest of us.
Aug 22, 2025 · 3 min read
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A simple checklist for template packs versus custom design
Most of the advice on template packs versus custom design is written for companies with a marketing department. This one is written for the rest of us.
Aug 17, 2025 · 3 min read
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Wix, Squarespace and the trade-offs: a short, practical primer
Wix, Squarespace and the trade-offs sounds like a big project until you break it into the three decisions that actually matter.
Aug 12, 2025 · 3 min read
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Where app builders versus real builds is heading next
Most of the advice on app builders versus real builds is written for companies with a marketing department. This one is written for the rest of us.
Jul 26, 2025 · 3 min read
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Shopify versus a custom store for a first-time owner
We keep answering the same questions about Shopify versus a custom store, so we wrote the long version down once.
Jul 21, 2025 · 3 min read
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How long quote comparisons, line by line really takes
Every month a client asks us about quote comparisons, line by line. The short answer is: start smaller than you think.
Jul 4, 2025 · 3 min read
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Why freelance marketplaces, honestly keeps coming up in client calls
We keep answering the same questions about freelance marketplaces, honestly, so we wrote the long version down once.
Jun 29, 2025 · 3 min read
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Small wins that add up in web studios versus DIY builders
There is a cheap way, a fast way and a good way to handle web studios versus DIY builders. Here is how we pick.
Jun 24, 2025 · 3 min read
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From idea to launch with no-code tools and their ceilings
There is a cheap way, a fast way and a good way to handle no-code tools and their ceilings. Here is how we pick.
Jun 7, 2025 · 3 min read
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Questions to ask before starting WordPress maintenance costs
Every month a client asks us about WordPress maintenance costs. The short answer is: start smaller than you think.
Jun 2, 2025 · 3 min read
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Cheap hosting resellers for people who hate jargon
Most of the advice on cheap hosting resellers is written for companies with a marketing department. This one is written for the rest of us.
May 16, 2025 · 3 min read
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Hiring an agency versus a studio, explained for non-technical owners
There is a cheap way, a fast way and a good way to handle hiring an agency versus a studio. Here is how we pick.
May 11, 2025 · 3 min read
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Is what 'all-inclusive' should mean worth it in 2026?
Every month a client asks us about what 'all-inclusive' should mean. The short answer is: start smaller than you think.
Apr 24, 2025 · 3 min read
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9 lessons we learned about template packs versus custom design
There is a cheap way, a fast way and a good way to handle template packs versus custom design. Here is how we pick.
Apr 19, 2025 · 3 min read
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Fixing Wix, Squarespace and the trade-offs when it goes wrong
Most of the advice on Wix, Squarespace and the trade-offs is written for companies with a marketing department. This one is written for the rest of us.
Apr 14, 2025 · 3 min read
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