About Mike Ferguson

Mike Ferguson has been tinkering with websites full time since 1999 after leaving a perfectly good, well paying civil servants job with benefits. He can't help himself.

Attract Your Target Audience in Denver

Attracting Your Target Audience In DenverGetting noticed in Denver’s busy market can feel like trying to talk in a crowded room—everyone’s speaking, but only some voices carry. The good news? Your business can be one of those voices that stands out, without shouting. A smart, small business website strategy can help you reach the right people and turn visitors into customers.Start with one element today. Then gradually build your personality-driven brand. Your Denver business will stand out naturally. Reach out today and let's chat about website design options for your small business.Speak to the People Who Actually Need YouA beautiful website isn’t enough. If the right people aren’t finding you, it’s just a nice digital brochure collecting dust. Instead, your site should clearly connect with the audience most likely to need your services. That means using language they understand, showing them you’re local, and making it obvious how to take the next step with you.When your site is built with a WordPress-powered local SEO strategy, it can help Google understand exactly who you want to reach. Over time, that makes it easier for your business to show up when those customers search online. If you’re ready to get more eyes on your business, The Affordable Web Guy can help make it happen.Local Signals Make a DifferenceSearch engines want to match people with businesses that are close and relevant to them. That’s why your website should highlight details like:Your service areasYour business categoryThe specific services you offerLocal references and landmarks your customers recognizeThese signals help search engines connect your site to people searching nearby. At the same time, they tell your visitors you’re part of their community—not just another faceless company.If you’re not sure whether your site is sending the right local signals, you can learn more about local website SEO [...]

10 Website Security Best Practices That Actually Matter

Don't Ask Yourself: Is My Website Safe From Hackers? Be Proactive And Know The Answer! Running a small business is tough enough without worrying about hackers trying to break into your website. But here's the reality: 46% of all cyber breaches impact businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees, and 60% of small businesses shut down within six months of a cyberattack. That's not meant to scare you (well, maybe a little). The good news is that most attacks succeed because businesses skip basic security steps. Not because the attacks are sophisticated, but because the defenses are practically non-existent. Ready to strengthen your website's security? Contact us for a consultation about professional website security management and maintenance services. Your website isn't just a digital brochure anymore - it's where customers find you, contact you, and decide whether to trust you. When security fails, everything else falls apart too. Search engines blacklist compromised sites, customers lose trust, and recovery costs pile up fast. This guide covers the security measures that actually make a difference. No tech jargon, no selling you expensive software you don't need. Just the practical steps that keep your site safe while you focus on running your business. Why HTTPS Isn't Optional Anymore Remember when you had to specifically look for "https" websites? Those days are over. Now, browsers actively warn visitors when a site doesn't have SSL encryption. That little padlock icon has become as expected as having business hours posted on your door. SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificates encrypt data between your visitor's browser and your website. Without this protection, everything travels in plain text - contact forms, login attempts, even basic page visits. 17% of cyber attacks target vulnerabilities in web applications, and unencrypted sites make easy targets. Beyond security, HTTPS affects your search rankings. [...]