Articles

What I'm thinking about

Frameworks, lessons, and perspectives on digital agencies, acquisitions, and online growth.

5 min read

The First 100 Days of an Acquisition

The first 100 days of any acquisition are critical. They set the tone, determine whether the team stays or leaves, and decide whether clients panic or stay loyal. Here is the exact playbook we use.

Beautiful Vs. Functional Websites

Your creative website might be killing conversions. Learn why function beats flash.

The MOG Content Strategy

Stop writing generic content. Learn the MOG strategy to get ranked.

5 Pitfalls of Current AI Website Builders

AI website builders are fast, but have hidden flaws. Here's what to watch for.

Website Authority: Does It Matter in the Age of AI?

Your website's 'credit score' is changing. Here's what matters for AI engines.

The Death of the SEO Production Line

Generic SEO content is failing. It's time to focus on unique, expert insights.

10 Lessons Learned from Buying Agencies

Ten hard-earned lessons from buying and integrating agencies.

How Much Is Your Agency Worth?

Valuation benchmarks based on recurring revenue, profit, and scalability.

How to Sell Your WordPress Agency

A five-step guide to the agency sales and closing process.

3 Critical Steps to Get into the Google Local Map Pack

Learn 3 critical steps to rank your business in the Google Local Map Pack.

3 Ways You Need to Be Using Social Proof

Social proof is the best marketing you'll ever have. Learn 3 key placement strategies.

4 Big Lessons from a Decade Away

In 2014, I left Australia for a decade in the US and Canada. Here is what I learned.

About Us Mistakes to Avoid

Transform your About Us page from a boring bio into a trust-building asset.

6 Google Ads Metrics That Show Where You're Wasting Money

Most Google Ads accounts leak money in the same 6 places. Here are the metrics that show where your spend is going, and how to fix each one this week.

Feeling Behind in Life? Read This.

Ever felt down after doomscrolling social media? Me too.

How to Stop Attacks on Your WordPress Website

Hackers target small businesses. Secure your WordPress site with these 3 tips.

3 Career Traps Nobody Warns You About

Lessons from delivering pizzas for $5 an hour

3 Lessons from 2025: Uninvited, Unannounced, Unexpected

What I learned from a bad taco, a third baby and a forgotten conversation.

How to Multiply Your Money

Most people think the best path to financial freedom is to earn more. But that’s not enough.

The Hardest Move You Can Make

In a world where most things are a commodity, standing out is everything.

AI Website Builders: the Truth Behind the Hype

AI website builders promise speed but often lack a strategy for long-term success.

Payment Gateway Under Attack? 3 Steps to Secure It Fast

A BIN attack took down our client's site. Here's how we secured it.

Who Owns Your Digital Assets? A Business Owner's Guide

Learn why you must own your key digital marketing and website accounts.

Your SEO Gold Mine: Find Easy Ranking Wins

Use Google Search Console to find and optimize existing content for fast SEO wins.

New Service? Why a New Website Can Kill Your Growth

Launching a new service? Learn why a new website can hurt your SEO momentum.

Should You Add a Chatbot to Your Website?

Thinking about a website chatbot? Learn why it often fails for small businesses.

Are Domain Names Going to Matter in the Era of AI?

Your domain is no longer just a URL; it's your business's trust anchor for AI.

Google Business Profile Suspended?

Our Google Business Profile was suspended after an acquisition. Here's how we fixed it.

Marketing Guarantees: 3 Hidden Dangers to Avoid

Performance guarantees sound great, but they can hide serious business risks.

Why You Need Dedicated Location Pages

Discover how dedicated location pages can help your business dominate local search.

3 Simple Fixes for Your Bounce Rate

Learn 3 simple ways to lower your website's bounce rate and win more business.

Why Your URL Structure Is Costing You Sales

Organize your site's URL structure to improve its SEO and authority.

Why Google Loves ‘slow’ Visitors

Time on Page is a key ranking factor. Here's how to improve it.

Why Custom Software Is Suddenly Affordable

AI has dramatically lowered the cost and time to build custom software.

3 Rules Before Hiring a Freelancer

3 non-negotiables for safely hiring and working with website freelancers.

Competing on Price Vs Certainty...

A strong online presence builds trust and lets you charge a premium.

Are Your Reviews Holding Back Your AI Visibility?

How to leverage online reviews to win in the new era of AI search.

How to Deal with Rising Ad Costs?

Combat rising ad costs by improving conversions and customer lifetime value.

How Much Should You Spend on Google Ads?

Discover an effective formula for Google Ads budgeting.

Is Your Local SEO Actually Working?

Don't just track traffic. Here are the 4 local SEO metrics that matter.

The Gotcha of Cheap Website Hosting...

The hidden fees to uncover in cheap website hosting deals.

The Hidden Tax of a Slow Website

Why you need a fast website to win online.

The Most Powerful Realisation You'll Ever Have

My girlfriend moved across the world for me. It turned out I was someone else.

The Problem with an Okay Website

How an outdated website can actively repel people from your business.

12 Books That Changed My Life

Recommendations are hard, but these 12 had a major impact on me.

4 Biggest Myths on Making More Money

The four biggest myths about making more money: hard work alone, owning a business, focusing on income, and expecting fair pay.

4 Lessons from 2024

2024 was a year that brought massive change.

6 Lessons from 30 Startup Investments

I’m no expert, but I have picked up some lessons along the way.

I Met a Billionaire - Here Are 5 Things I Learned

In 2017, I was raising money for my startup. Here is what happened.

How to Change Careers

A chicken bus ride in Guatemala helped show me the way.

How to Deal with Failure

Telling my dad I had failed really hurt my ego. I wish I had found these tools earlier.

7 Fatal Mistakes Founders Make When Issuing Equity to Early Employees

Sharing equity can be a game-changer for a startup, but it can be fraught with risk.

I Should’ve Been Fired

How a team emergency at my work pushed me into the valley of despair.

How to Double Conversions on Your Demo Page

Your website is your #1 marketing asset. Here are 4 steps to get your demo page right.

How to Get Investors to Give You More Money

One of the most important things a founder can do is keep investors in the loop.

How to Get Your First 10 Customers for Your Software Product

Landing your first 10 customers is tough. This is a repeatable process to make it happen.

How to Make Your Stories Work…

How a botched anniversary speech led me to discover a storytelling framework that changed everything.

How to Manage Your Boss

Managing your boss is about making their job easier. 4 uncommon tactics to accelerate your career.

How to Start a Side Hustle (while Doing Your 9 to 5)

I’ve done side hustles myself and learned some valuable lessons. My view on them has completely changed.

How to Think Better…

If we want to win in life, we need the ability to solve problems.

How to Become Luckier

How an unexpected encounter in a Portugal dorm room changed my life.

How to Sell Your Company

I've sold four companies. Here is the playbook I'd recommend.

Sleep, Creep, Then Leap

How the "sleep, creep, then leap" pattern shapes the success of startups.

The 4 Regrets of My Twenties

My 20s were chaotic, filled with mistakes and regrets. Here are the four things I wish I had done differently.

The Day When Everything Changes…

In 2017, my wife and I faced a $10k vet bill for our rescue Chihuahua. This experience sparked my pursuit to "escape velocity."

The One Document That Every Business Needs

Businesses are chaotic, but a One-Page Plan (OPP) can simplify it.

The Worst Advice for Founders Launching a New Product

There’s no shortage of advice out there. Some of it's misguided.