DIY Website Builder or Hire a Developer? How to Decide Without the Hype
A comparison between DIY builders and custom development, explaining cost, flexibility, constraints, long-term growth and brand alignment. Helps businesses evaluate whether self-build or professional development is a better strategic fit.
What Kind of Website Do You Actually Need?
A breakdown of website categories — brochure, CMS, e-commerce, web apps — and guidance on selecting the right type based on business needs. Explains core differences, functionality, scalability and where each option fits best.
When a Custom Database or CRM Integration Is Actually Worth It
Outlines scenarios where custom database or CRM development is justified — automation, workflow improvement, reporting, multi-step processes. Clarifies when simple off-the-shelf tools fail and custom architecture delivers business gains.
Laravel in Plain English: Why Your Developer Keeps Mentioning It
A plain-language introduction to Laravel, describing routing, structure, speed of development and why modern developers prefer it. The article outlines how the framework supports maintainability, testing and scalable application builds.
Shopify vs Custom Build: Which Way Should Your Online Store Go?
Explanation of the differences between Shopify’s hosted model and fully custom-built solutions. Considers cost, control, integrations, scalability and when each approach best fits operational or branding requirements.
Five Things Every E-Commerce Website Should Get Right
Highlights key e-commerce fundamentals including mobile usability, clear product presentation, smooth checkout and structured navigation. Provides simple guidance to improve the online shopping experience and reduce friction.
How Programmable Soda Enhanced the Inglis Yearling Sale Experience
A look at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and how digital systems improved catalog management, presentation and purchasing processes during the high-value event, where presentation and preparation significantly influence buyer decision-making.
Capturing Elegance: A Fresh Look at The Rusty Nail's Signature Wines
Photography work showcasing wine bottles at The Rusty Nail, focusing on lighting, colour control and brand expression. The shoot contrasts backgrounds and uses gels to emphasise label colour, resulting in versatile imagery for social and promotions.
Capturing Sweet Success: A Cakemakers Photographic Journey
Behind-the-scenes coverage of a cake photography session, highlighting attention to detail, colours, textures and the creative process. The images help convey quality, craft and personality through styled product imagery suitable for marketing use.
SEO Deceit: Is Your Web Developer's Trickery Risking Your Rank?
An explanation of misleading SEO practices where developers create fake linked microsites to boost ranking. The article outlines why the tactic fails, how search engines penalise it, and what ethical SEO strategies achieve better long-term results.
Fresh from the Oven: Irrewarra Sourdough Bakery's Digital Transformation
Overview of a website refresh for Irrewarra Sourdough, focusing on improved navigation, better product presentation and a clean, functional design. The article outlines how updated digital presence supports online sales and brand storytelling.
Exciting News: Cathedral Invitational’s New Website Launch
Announcement of the Cathedral Invitational golf event website. The article highlights navigation, ticketing via Ticketek, live stream access, schedules, standings, news and security measures. It introduces the platform as a hub for players, spectators and event followers.
Our unique approach to web design for new businesses
A walkthrough of Programmable Soda’s web design workflow — discovery, functional planning, Laravel-based development, security measures, UI collaboration, SEO implementation and feedback review. It emphasises custom builds tailored to business goals rather than generic templates.
The Hidden Costs of Off-Site Redirections
This article explains how redirecting users to third-party platforms disrupts experience, affects trust and weakens brand connection. It advocates API integration to keep processes on-site, such as scheduling, payments, email signups and ecommerce flow, improving consistency and conversion.
Revolutionizing Desktop Experience: The Power of Web Apps for Businesses
Discussion of Apple APIs enabling desktop-installable web apps through Safari. It compares capabilities with mobile web apps, covers file access, OS integration and cross-platform benefits. Examples include retail ordering, restaurant booking, fitness content delivery and local news applications.
Love Wins in Ipswich
Coverage of the inaugural Queerswich LGBTQI+ event with community turnout, performers, food vendors, drag shows, local musicians and a Pride Puppy Pageant. The post highlights inclusivity, celebration and support from local businesses at Tulmur Place.
Apple's WWDC: The Five-Year Journey Revolutionizing Small Business Websites and Capabilities
Over the past five WWDC events, Apple has rolled out tools that reshape how small businesses work online – from Universal Control and Wallet updates to privacy features, App Clips, Widgets, SwiftUI, Sign in with Apple, Group FaceTime and ARKit, all boosting productivity, security and customer engagement.
Embracing the Future: Tap-to-Pay on iPhone Now Available in Australia
Tap-to-Pay on iPhone lets Australian businesses accept contactless payments directly on an iPhone, with no extra terminals. Using NFC and partner apps from providers like Westpac and Tyro, it delivers mobile, low-cost, secure transactions that improve onboarding, customer convenience and day-to-day operations.
A Journey Through Stellar Web Design & Fabulous Features
This case study follows the creation of MelinaJBW’s website, built on a $4800+GST base package. It covers clean design, engaging content, a real-time booking system tied to Google Calendar, strong Lighthouse and SEO scores, reliable AWS hosting and ongoing support that together lift her online presence.
A Fun and Easy Guide to Awesome Image Formats for Your Website
A beginner-friendly guide for new website owners explaining why modern formats like SVG, WebP, AVIF and HEIF beat old JPG and PNG for speed and quality. It outlines when to use each format and shows how to serve them with responsive <picture> tags so visitors always see fast, optimised images.
Mastering Website Strategies for Revenue Growth
A structured guide to turning a website into a revenue driver: define clear goals, understand your target audience, refine your unique selling proposition, set measurable revenue targets, choose relevant KPIs, plan a content strategy and apply SEO best practices so your site attracts, converts and retains customers.
Attracting Local Customers in a Competitive Market
This article explains how SMEs, especially in Ipswich and Brisbane, can use local SEO to win nearby customers. It covers mobile-friendly web design, localized content, technical SEO, Google My Business optimisation, and building local citations and backlinks to improve visibility, targeted traffic and conversions.
Enhance Your Online Service Offering with Microsoft Copilot
An overview of how Microsoft Copilot can support better online service for businesses in Ipswich and Brisbane. It explores personalised experiences, smarter support via chatbots, improved accessibility and performance, proactive issue fixing, plus how a web development team can integrate Copilot and provide training and ongoing digital strategy support.
Introducing Our New Online Appointment Booking Feature for Web Development Services
A walkthrough of the new online appointment booking tool, highlighting real-time scheduling, confirmation emails, reminder flow and the benefit of avoiding third-party services like Calendly. It explains the simplified process and how clients can book directly through the website.
Programmable Soda Implements Secure Online Messaging System for Improved Communication with Advisors
Overview of an encrypted messaging system designed for advisors and clients, focusing on improved privacy, document exchange, structured conversations and a streamlined portal for communication. The post explains the move toward secure digital interaction.
The Ultimate Guide to Boosting Your Website's User Experience
A comprehensive guide outlining six factors that shape strong website UX — first impressions, loading speed, navigation, responsive design, scannable text and original imagery. The article explains why each element influences engagement, satisfaction and conversion outcomes.
Uncovering the Pitfalls of WordPress Websites: Is It the Right Choice for Your Small Business?
The article explores why WordPress may not be the best choice for some small businesses. It highlights security risks, slow performance, plugin issues, frequent maintenance, hidden costs, scalability concerns and the learning curve required to manage and optimise a site long-term.
Mapping Is The Key to a High-Performing Website
This article explains the importance of mapping a customer journey before building a website. It covers awareness, consideration, decision and retention stages, showing how design, messaging and navigation aligned to user intent increase conversions, trust, satisfaction and long-term loyalty.
A Tale of Business Growth in the Digital Age
A narrative following Jack, a business owner who learns that a website must offer more than appearance. By embracing content, SEO, blog posts, interactive tools and user-focused improvements, traffic and leads grow, demonstrating the value of a strategic and engaging online presence.
To Verify or Not to Verify? The Pros and Cons of Paying for Meta Verification
An examination of Meta verification for business pages. It explains what the blue badge means, benefits like credibility and visibility, subscription costs, exclusive features and why businesses must weigh value against audience behaviour, goals and ongoing content strategy.
Streamlining Your Personal Training Business with a Custom CRM System
This article describes how a CRM improves scheduling, payments, communication, client progress tracking and marketing automation for personal trainers. Features include group booking, Passbook check-ins, recurring charges, measurement logging and a web portal for shared plans.
The Power of Regular Email Newsletters: How My Bookshop Grew Their Email List to 6000
A case study showing how consistent, personalised newsletters increased a bookshop’s list from 1200 to nearly 6000. The article outlines content planning, segmentation, schedule consistency, recommendations, event highlights and branding, with practical tips for newsletter success.
Creating Content That Resonates: How We Generate Customized Content for Diverse Businesses
An overview of how tailored content is developed for diverse industries — from stockbroking to cabinet makers and trainers. It explains researching a business, defining value, designing relevant topics, aligning voice to audience needs, and building engagement through targeted writing.
Unlocking the Power of Google Analytics: How to Use Data to Improve Your Online Performance
This post explains how Google Analytics helps businesses understand traffic and user behaviour. It introduces bounce rate, conversions, goal setup, tracking user actions, and using insights to refine usability, content and performance for better decision-making and visibility.
5 Social Media Strategies to Help You Generate New Business
A practical guide for attracting customers through social media. It covers defining target audiences, producing engaging content, using ads, responding to followers, and partnering with influencers to increase reach, build credibility and drive new business opportunities.
Unlocking Website Success: The Factors That Make or Break Your Online Presence
The article breaks down why some websites perform while others fail. Success factors include strong value propositions, SEO, speed, navigation, mobile performance and ongoing promotion. It stresses improving UX, visibility and engagement to grow traffic and revenue.
The Remarkable Power of Remarketing: How to Drive Conversions and Boost ROI
An explanation of remarketing and how retargeted ads improve conversions and ROI. It outlines tracking user behaviour, ad frequency, personalised creative, cart-abandonment recovery and cost efficiency. The article emphasises relevance, optimisation and ongoing campaign refinement.
The Benefits of a Website and Custom Booking System for Your Restaurant or Bar
A breakdown of how websites and in-house booking systems improve revenue and reduce third-party fees for hospitality venues. It covers menu presentation, SEO, promotions, reservations, operational efficiency, data insights and how direct bookings boost profitability.
How a website can improve your customer service and support
This article shows how websites enhance support through availability, consistent messaging, self-service knowledge bases, multiple contact channels, analytics, efficiency and reduced costs. It highlights improved satisfaction, faster resolution and better long-term retention.
