// Blog

Notes from the terminal

Occasional writing on freelancing, full-stack development, shipping code for real clients, and the lessons between.

article
Apr 22, 2026 · 11 min read

Monthly Maintenance vs One-Time Build: What Do You Actually Need?

Some developers charge a one-time fee. Others push monthly retainers. Both are legitimate — but one is right for your specific business. Here is how to choose w…

pricing maintenance business
article
Apr 22, 2026 · 10 min read

How Long Should It Take to Build a Website? (Realistic Timelines)

If a developer says "2 weeks" and you are still waiting 3 months later, something went wrong. Here are honest timelines for every type of project — and what act…

timeline project-management business
article
Apr 22, 2026 · 10 min read

Shopify vs WooCommerce for Small Businesses in 2026

Which platform should you actually pick for your online store? An honest comparison from someone who has launched both for real paying clients — and seen the re…

shopify woocommerce ecommerce
article
Apr 22, 2026 · 9 min read

Landing Page vs Full Website: What Does Your Business Actually Need?

You do not always need a 10-page website. Sometimes a single-page landing site converts better and costs less. Here is how to decide which fits your business ri…

landing-page website business
article
Apr 22, 2026 · 10 min read

What to Prepare Before Hiring a Web Developer (Save Weeks of Back-and-Forth)

The biggest reason website projects take longer than expected: the client was not ready when they hired the developer. Here is the exact checklist to have ready…

hiring business preparation
article
Apr 22, 2026 · 11 min read

How to Hire a Freelance Web Developer (Without Getting Burned)

Five years of freelancing taught me what separates good clients from nightmare projects. Here is how to pick a developer who will actually ship — and not ghost …

freelance hiring business
article
Apr 22, 2026 · 8 min read

7 Signs It Is Time to Redesign Your Website

Your website feels tired but you are not sure if that is just in your head. Here are 7 concrete signs your site needs a refresh — and 3 signs it does not.

redesign business website-audit
article
Apr 22, 2026 · 10 min read

Why Your Website Is Losing Customers (5 Fixable Mistakes)

Your site has traffic but nobody converts. Here are the 5 most common reasons I see — and how to fix them without rebuilding from scratch.

conversion business website-audit
article
Apr 22, 2026 · 8 min read

WordPress vs Shopify: Which Platform Should Your Business Use?

Stop asking Google and start thinking about what your business actually needs. An honest side-by-side from a developer who builds both every week.

wordpress shopify ecommerce
article
Apr 22, 2026 · 9 min read

How Much Does a Custom Website Actually Cost in 2026?

Honest pricing breakdown from a developer who has shipped 280+ websites. No hidden fees, no "it depends" answers — real numbers for real business needs.

pricing business small-business