The studio journal
Writing
Notes on design process, client work, and building for the web.
How to Read a Web Performance Report Without a CS Degree
A plain-English guide to Core Web Vitals, Lighthouse scores, and TTFB, so a non-technical founder can act or brief a developer with real direction.
Sam Blake·July 11, 2026·7 min read
Custom Website vs Template: When Each Is the Right Call
When a website template is the right call and when custom is worth the spend. Real 2026 costs, a comparison table, and a five-question test for small business owners.
Sam Blake·June 15, 2026·7 min read
What Makes Working With a Web Developer Work Long-Term
Working with a web developer for the long haul comes down to clear briefs, fast feedback, and shared scope. Here's what keeps the relationship working.
Sam Blake·June 11, 2026·7 min read
How to Give Client Feedback on Web Design
What a feedback round actually is, how many you get, and how to give notes a designer can act on without wasting a revision.
Sam Blake·June 8, 2026·7 min read
Staging Site vs Live Site: What's the Difference?
A staging site is a private copy of your website for testing changes before they go live. Here is how it differs from your live site, and why it matters.
Sam Blake·June 4, 2026·6 min read
Why Your Website Redesign Failed and What to Do Now
The most common website redesign mistakes, why a new site can lose traffic and leads, and a practical plan to fix a redesign that underperformed.
Sam Blake·June 1, 2026·7 min read
How to Pick the Best CMS for a Small Business Website
A plain guide to choosing a CMS for a small business website: what WordPress, Squarespace, Webflow, and Shopify cost, and how to avoid lock-in.
Sam Blake·May 28, 2026·7 min read
The Scope Creep Patterns That Add Weeks to a Web Project
A field guide to the small requests that quietly double a website timeline. For small business owners and junior designers who want to spot scope creep before it costs a month, and the simple paperwork that stops it.
Sam Blake·May 26, 2026·6 min read
What I Need Before I Can Quote Your Website
Before I can put a real number on a website build, I need six things from you. Here's what goes in a web design brief, why content readiness matters more than budget, and what a small business site actually costs in 2026.
Sam Blake·May 22, 2026·6 min read