The Journal
Writing
Practical notes on interface design, pragmatic engineering, and the small decisions that add up to work that feels considered.
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What Actually Makes a Website Fast
Speed isn't one setting you switch on. A few concrete things decide whether a page loads instantly or makes people wait - here's what they are.
What Empty Space Does for a Page
The first note we get on a new design is usually 'can we fill that gap?' Almost always the space is doing a job, and filling it makes the page worse.
What Makes a Website Good (Beyond Looking Nice)?
Most people judge a website by how it looks, but looks are the easy part. Here is what actually separates a good website from a merely pretty one.
Dark Mode the Simple Way: One Set of CSS Variables
Dark mode doesn't mean writing your styles twice. Define colors as CSS variables once, flip them under one class, and the whole UI inverts.
WordPress vs. a Custom-Built Website: Which One Do You Actually Need?
WordPress runs much of the web. For some it's the right call; for others a slow, fragile thing they pay for twice. Here's how to tell which camp you're in.
How We Built This Website
A plain tour of what this site actually runs on: the tools we chose, why we chose them, and what each one is doing while you read this.
A Pure-CSS Accordion (No JavaScript Required)
The humble details element gives you an accessible accordion with zero JavaScript and almost no CSS. Here's how to build one and style it well.
Signs It's Time to Redesign Your Website
A redesign costs real money, so you don't do one on a whim. But a site quietly working against you costs more. Here's how to tell which you're in.
A Pure-CSS Carousel (No JavaScript Required)
You don't need a library or a line of JavaScript to build a smooth, swipeable carousel. CSS scroll-snap handles the whole thing - here's how, with the code.
Do I Need a Mobile App or Just a Website?
A lot of businesses ask for an app when a good mobile website would do the job for less. Here is how to tell which one you actually need.
How Much Does a Website Cost in 2026? An Honest Breakdown
The question every business owner asks before hiring, answered straight: what a website costs, what drives the price, and what you're really paying for.
Simple SEO Wins for Small Business Websites
You don’t need to master SEO to start showing up more often. A handful of small, practical changes can make a real difference.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Website?
Realistic timelines for different kinds of websites, where the weeks actually go, and why most delays come down to content, not code.
Why Isn't My Website Showing Up on Google?
You built a site, you search for it, and it is nowhere to be found. Here are the usual reasons a new website does not show up yet, and what actually helps.
The Hidden Cost of Page Builders and Why Your 'Cheap' Template is Bleeding
Heard of WordPress, Wix, Webflow, or Squarespace? Great for getting started - and the place the cheap route quietly starts costing you.
How to Choose a Web Designer (Without Getting Burned)
Hiring someone to build your website is a big decision, and easy to get wrong. Here's what to look at, and the red flags worth walking away from.
Why a Faster Website Is Worth Paying For
A slow website loses visitors and sales quietly, without ever telling you. Here's what speed is worth, and what makes a site fast or slow.
What to Get Ready Before We Build Your Website
A short, practical list of the things that make a website project go faster and cost less back-and-forth - most of which only you can provide.
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