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.

Website Designer Helping Small Businesses Stand Out Online

We’re a website designer and SEO team that helps small businesses grow online. We don’t make it fancy. We make it work. Whether you're in Denver, Boulder, Westminster, or somewhere in between — our websites get you found. Website Hosting That’s Fast and Easy Nobody likes a slow website. If it takes more than a few seconds to load, people leave. We keep your website fast and safe with simple hosting plans. You don’t have to do anything — we set it up, manage updates, and keep everything backed up. If anything breaks, we fix it. Fast. Hosting with us means your site stays online, stays fast, and doesn’t leave you guessing. Website Maintenance That Doesn’t Fall Through the Cracks Think of your website like a car. You wouldn’t drive it for years without changing the oil, right? We take care of updates, plugins, security checks, and everything else your website needs to stay running smooth. No weird error messages. No broken contact forms. No panicked calls when your homepage disappears. We’ve worked with businesses from Capitol Hill to Golden that had broken sites and didn’t even know it. Our maintenance plans catch that stuff before it becomes a problem. Complete Website Services (Without the Jargon) A lot of agencies throw big words around. We don’t. We build websites that bring customers to you. That’s it. We handle the design, the words, the SEO, the photos — whatever you need. One point of contact. One monthly plan. No surprises. Whether you're starting from scratch or fixing something old, our complete website service takes care of everything. Just tell us what your business does, and we’ll handle the rest. Custom Web Design That Feels Like You Every business is different. A chiropractor in Lakewood doesn’t need the same site as a landscaping [...]

Why Online Marketing Matters for Small Businesses

Your Business Needs to Be Found Online Small business owners face a simple reality: customers search online before they buy. Whether someone needs a plumber, wants fresh coffee, or looks for accounting help, they start with their phone or computer. When your business doesn't appear in those searches, potential customers can't find you. This shift happened gradually, then suddenly became the norm. Now, having a strong online presence isn't optional anymore—it's how businesses survive and grow. The good news? Getting found online doesn't require a marketing degree or massive budget. What Online Marketing Actually Does Think of online marketing as your business working around the clock. While you sleep, your website attracts visitors. Meanwhile, your social media posts reach people scrolling through their feeds. Also, your Google My Business profile shows up when locals search for services like yours. This constant visibility creates opportunities traditional advertising can't match. Instead of hoping the right person sees your newspaper ad, you can target people actively searching for what you offer. Plus, online marketing gives you data about what works and what doesn't. Small Budgets Can Still Make Big Impact Many business owners assume online marketing costs too much. However, some of the most effective strategies require more time than money. For instance, writing helpful blog posts costs nothing but can bring in customers for months. Social media marketing works similarly. Creating posts, responding to comments, and sharing behind-the-scenes content builds relationships without breaking the bank. Even paid advertising can be affordable when you target the right audience with the right message. Building Trust Through Digital Connections Modern customers want to know who they're buying from. Online marketing lets you show your personality and expertise. When you share helpful tips on Facebook or answer questions in Google reviews, people start trusting your [...]

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Why Your Family-Owned Business Needs a Website

Your family's story deserves a stage that never sleeps. Every family business has something that sets it apart—heritage, values, and a personal touch that big corporations can't replicate. But without a website, you're keeping that story to yourself when potential customers are actively looking for businesses just like yours. What's stopping your family business from having the always-open, always-professional online presence that your competitors are already using to win over your potential customers? The Reality Check: Where Your Customers Are Looking Here's what's happening right now: 76% of consumers research a company's online presence before visiting in person. Even if they plan to visit your physical location, they're checking you out online first. Think about your own behavior. When you need something fixed, a service performed, or want to try a new restaurant, where do you look first? Exactly. Your family business needs to be where your customers are searching—and that's online, 24 hours a day. Why Family Businesses Have a Unique Advantage Online Family businesses account for 54% of U.S. gross domestic product and generate 59% of the country's employment. You're not just competing with other local businesses—you're part of the backbone of the American economy. But here's your secret weapon: authenticity. While big corporations spend millions trying to seem "family-friendly," you actually are family-owned. A website lets you showcase what makes you irreplaceable: Your heritage: The story of how your business started and evolved Your values: What you stand for beyond making a sale Your community roots: How you're woven into your neighborhood's fabric Your personal service: The kind of attention customers can't get from a chain Your Website: The Employee Who Never Calls in Sick Your website works when you're sleeping, serving other customers, or taking a well-deserved day off. It answers questions, provides information, and [...]

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Mom & Pop Need To Be Online Too

Why Local Businesses Can't Afford to Skip Online Your corner bakery has been serving the neighborhood for thirty years. However, when someone searches "fresh bread near me" at 9 PM, they might never find you. That's the reality facing family-owned businesses today. Local businesses often think websites are just for big corporations. Actually, small family-run shops need online presence more than anyone else. When customers can't find you online, they assume you don't exist. Your Customers Are Already Looking Online People search for local businesses on their phones constantly. Whether they need a plumber, want pizza, or need auto repair, their first stop is Google. If your business doesn't show up in those searches, potential customers will call your competitors instead. Small businesses compete against chains with massive marketing budgets. Nevertheless, a well-designed website levels the playing field. Your family restaurant can rank higher than McDonald's for "best Italian food downtown" with the right approach. Building Trust Before the First Handshake Customers research businesses before visiting. They want to see your menu, read reviews, and check your hours. Without a website, potential customers have no way to learn about your business beforehand. Professional websites make small businesses look established and trustworthy. When someone finds your plumbing company online with clear contact information and customer testimonials, they're more likely to call you than a competitor without web presence. WordPress Websites Work Best for Small Business WordPress powers over 40% of all websites worldwide. Small businesses choose WordPress because it's flexible, affordable, and easy to update. Unlike other website builders, WordPress gives you complete control over your online presence. The platform handles everything from simple business cards websites to complex service booking systems. Plus, WordPress websites rank better in Google searches than most other website types. What Your Small Business Website [...]

Ranking: The Very Best Ways To Boost Website Position Traffic

When people search for products or services online, they typically click on the first few results they see. Therefore, where your business shows up on Google matters significantly. If your business is buried on page two or three, then most customers will never find you. Your Google Position Affects Your Business First, consider Google like a busy street. Businesses at the front get the most foot traffic, while those hidden in the back rarely get noticed. Similarly, your Google ranking works the same way. As a result, higher rankings mean more people see your business, visit your website, and become customers. Furthermore, Google looks at more than 200 different signals to decide which websites deserve the top spots. However, you can control many of these factors to help your business climb higher. What Makes Google Notice Your Business Initially, Google wants to show people the best, most helpful results. Consequently, your website needs to prove it deserves a top spot by having useful content that answers what people are searching for. Therefore, write clear, honest information about your products and services. Additionally, website speed matters. People expect pages to load quickly, especially on their phones. If your site takes too long to load, then visitors will leave and Google will notice. Moreover, when other businesses link to your website, it tells Google that you're trustworthy. When a respected company or organization mentions your business online, it's essentially like getting a recommendation. Simple Steps to Improve Your Rankings First, make sure your website clearly explains what you do and who you serve. Next, use the same words your customers use when talking about your business. For example, if you sell pizza, don't call it "artisanal flatbread" unless that's what people actually search for. Additionally, keep your content fresh by regularly [...]

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SEO: Compelling Solutions For A Critical Issue!

Running a small business feels like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle sometimes. Between fierce competition and limited resources, business owners face obstacles that would make anyone's head spin. The good news? Today's challenges have today's solutions, and many of them start with having the right online presence. The Competition Problem Gets Real Large corporations throw massive budgets at marketing campaigns while small businesses count every penny. Local shops compete against national chains that can afford prime locations and flashy advertisements. Meanwhile, online giants dominate search results with their deep pockets and endless resources. This David versus Goliath scenario plays out daily in every industry. Small businesses need smart strategies rather than big budgets to level the playing field. A professional website becomes that slingshot that helps smaller operations compete effectively against larger competitors. Marketing Budget Blues Small business owners know the struggle of stretching marketing dollars. Traditional advertising costs pile up quickly, and results often feel uncertain. Radio spots, print ads, and billboard space drain budgets without guaranteeing customers will walk through the door. Digital marketing offers better bang for the buck, but only when done right. A well-designed website serves as the foundation for all online marketing efforts. Social media posts, email campaigns, and local search optimization all work better when they drive traffic to a professional website that converts visitors into customers. The Jack-and-Jill-of-All-Trades Dilemma Small business owners wear every hat in the company. Monday morning finds them handling customer service calls. Tuesday afternoon has them balancing books. Wednesday brings inventory management duties. Thursday means playing HR manager, and Friday? Time to become the marketing department. This constant role-switching creates burnout and prevents owners from focusing on growing their business. A smart website can automate many of these tasks. Contact forms handle initial customer inquiries. [...]

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The Critical Value Of An Internet Presence

Why Having a Website Matters for Smart Business Owners Most consumers—about 81%—expect small businesses to have a website, and their buying decisions often depend on it. Even when a purchase happens in person, 87% of people begin their search online. A simple website isn’t just nice; it gives your business credibility right when customers need it. What a Solid WordPress Site Does for You A well-managed WordPress site handled by The Affordable Web Guy helps your business-ready presence without getting technical. Rather than coding or hosting drama, the site works for you in ways that matter: Makes your contact and service details easy to find Boosts confidence that your business is real and reliable Lets your voice and message stand out clearly From Searches to Storefront Statistics show that many customers who search on mobile for nearby businesses visit within 24 hours  . With the right site, powered by context-rich content, local SEO, and clear calls to act, you show up when customers are ready to step through your door. How to Make That Happen (Without the Stress) Here’s what fits small business owners who want presence—not platform headaches: Use a friendly WordPress‑based site maintained by The Affordable Web Guy Include local details—like your area of service—and keyword-rich, simple content Keep essential info easy to spot (hours, contact, brief overview) Let the site quietly do its job while you run the business Ready for a Better Internet Presence? A smart site doesn’t promise SEO miracles. Instead, it quietly boosts your visibility and trust. If curiosity strikes, check out the Small Business Website Rates page on this site to explore how working with The Affordable Web Guy can make your online presence work harder while you focus on business.

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The Power Of Video For Your Small Business

Small business owners know that grabbing attention online gets harder every year. Video content has become the secret weapon that levels the playing field between tiny startups and giant corporations. When customers see your business through video, they connect with your brand in ways that photos and text simply can't match. YouTube stands as the world's second-largest search engine, giving smart business owners a chance to reach millions of potential customers. However, creating effective video content requires more than just pointing a camera and hitting record. Video Content Builds Real Connections People trust what they can see and hear. When potential customers watch your videos, they get a feel for your personality and business values. This connection happens faster than reading a dozen blog posts or scrolling through static images. Small businesses that use video marketing see higher engagement rates across all their online platforms. Videos show your products in action, demonstrate your expertise, and give viewers a behind-the-scenes peek at how your business operates. This transparency builds the trust that converts browsers into buyers. Professional video content also helps establish your business as an authority in your field. When customers see polished, informative videos, they assume your business provides equally professional products or services. Search Engines Love Video Content Google owns YouTube, which means videos get special treatment in search results. Small businesses that add video content to their marketing strategy often see their overall online visibility improve dramatically. Search engines can't watch videos, but they read video titles, descriptions, and transcripts. This gives you multiple opportunities to include keywords that help your target audience find your business. Videos also keep visitors on your website longer, which tells search engines that your site provides valuable content. Adding video content to your business website creates a powerful combination. Visitors [...]