Writing
Notes on building software that lasts
Straight answers to the questions we get asked most: what things cost, what is worth building, and when the honest advice is to not build anything at all.
Subscribe by RSS- Web Apps
Should you build custom software or buy off the shelf?
A practical framework for deciding between off-the-shelf software and a custom build, including the costs both options tend to hide.
Read - Web Development
How much does a website cost in Alberta?
Real price ranges for business websites in Alberta in 2026, what drives the cost up or down, and the questions to ask before you sign anything.
Read - DB Tools
Five signs your database is the bottleneck
How to tell whether your database is what is slowing your business down, and the cheapest fixes to try before paying for a bigger server.
Read - Web Development
Static sites versus WordPress for a small business
An honest comparison of static site builders and WordPress for small business websites, including running costs, security and when each one wins.
Read - Web Development
Website funding and discounts for Canadian charities
Where registered charities and non-profits in Canada can find grants, free software and reduced rates for websites and internal tools.
Read - Tool Creation
What to automate first in a small business
How to find the manual process that is actually costing you money, and a simple way to rank automation ideas before you spend anything.
Read - AI Tools
When does your business actually need AI?
A practical test for whether an AI feature is worth building, the four cases where it genuinely pays, and the ones where it quietly wastes money.
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Have something you need built?
Tell us what the problem is. You will get an honest read on whether it is worth building, what it would take, and roughly what it would cost. No pitch deck, no pressure.
Replies within one business day. Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm MT.