Web design & conversion journal
THINKING OUT LOUD
Notes on strategy, conversion, brand, motion and the web — written for people who run businesses, not for other designers.
Why most agency websites fail at the only thing that matters
The problem isn't the design. It's that the site is trying to impress instead of sell. Here's what that means structurally.
Read →Conversion 1 min readSix conversion design principles that hold up under pressure
These are the only rules we've never found a reason to break.
Read →Brand 1 min readThe difference between a brand system and a logo
Logos are the last thing we design. Here's why that order matters and what comes before it.
Read →Motion 1 min readMotion design for B2B: how to use animation without looking like a startup
Most B2B sites are either inert or embarrassing. There's a version that's neither.
Read →Web 1 min readThe commercial case for custom web design
Templates have gotten dramatically better. Here's why custom still wins — and when it doesn't.
Read →Web 4 min readIs your website costing you enquiries? Seven checks you can do in 10 minutes
Seven checks you can run in ten minutes to find out whether your website is losing enquiries, and which fix to make first.
Read →Strategy 3 min readWhat to put on a professional services homepage so visitors get in touch
Law firms, consultancies and advisers share one homepage problem. Here are the six blocks that earn a first conversation.
Read →Business 3 min readThe five website numbers a business owner should check every month
Ignore the dashboard clutter. These five numbers tell you whether your website is bringing in work, and take ten minutes a month.
Read →Web 3 min readThe European Accessibility Act and your website: what small businesses should check
The European Accessibility Act has applied since June 2025. Here is who it covers, which standard to aim for and seven checks you can run yourself.
Read →Strategy 3 min readHow to write web pages that AI assistants quote
Customers now ask AI assistants before they search. These writing habits make your pages easier to quote, and no one can promise a citation.
Read →Business 3 min readHow a website project works: what happens from first call to launch
Four stages, who does what, and what we need from you. A plain walk-through for anyone about to commission a website for the first time.
Read →Business 3 min readHow to give website design feedback that gets you the result you want
Good feedback shortens a project and improves the result. Here is how to review a design, who should speak, and how to use your revision rounds.
Read →Brand 3 min readThe psychology of color in web design: what the research supports and what it does not
Does blue build trust and red drive sales? A realistic look at color associations, and the choices that measurably help a business website.
Read →Brand 3 min readChoosing fonts for your website: readability, personality and page speed
A font shapes how your business sounds before anyone reads a word. How to pick one that is readable, fits your brand and does not slow the page.
Read →Web 3 min readWebsite images that help SEO: real photos, alt text and file size
Real photos, descriptive alt text and sensible file sizes help visitors and search. A practical guide to images for small business sites.
Read →Why most agency websites fail at the only thing that matters
The problem isn't the design. It's that the site is trying to impress instead of sell. Here's what that means structurally.
Read →Conversion 1 min readSix conversion design principles that hold up under pressure
These are the only rules we've never found a reason to break.
Read →Brand 1 min readThe difference between a brand system and a logo
Logos are the last thing we design. Here's why that order matters and what comes before it.
Read →Motion 1 min readMotion design for B2B: how to use animation without looking like a startup
Most B2B sites are either inert or embarrassing. There's a version that's neither.
Read →Web 1 min readThe commercial case for custom web design
Templates have gotten dramatically better. Here's why custom still wins — and when it doesn't.
Read →Web 4 min readIs your website costing you enquiries? Seven checks you can do in 10 minutes
Seven checks you can run in ten minutes to find out whether your website is losing enquiries, and which fix to make first.
Read →Strategy 3 min readWhat to put on a professional services homepage so visitors get in touch
Law firms, consultancies and advisers share one homepage problem. Here are the six blocks that earn a first conversation.
Read →Business 3 min readThe five website numbers a business owner should check every month
Ignore the dashboard clutter. These five numbers tell you whether your website is bringing in work, and take ten minutes a month.
Read →Web 3 min readThe European Accessibility Act and your website: what small businesses should check
The European Accessibility Act has applied since June 2025. Here is who it covers, which standard to aim for and seven checks you can run yourself.
Read →Strategy 3 min readHow to write web pages that AI assistants quote
Customers now ask AI assistants before they search. These writing habits make your pages easier to quote, and no one can promise a citation.
Read →Business 3 min readHow a website project works: what happens from first call to launch
Four stages, who does what, and what we need from you. A plain walk-through for anyone about to commission a website for the first time.
Read →Business 3 min readHow to give website design feedback that gets you the result you want
Good feedback shortens a project and improves the result. Here is how to review a design, who should speak, and how to use your revision rounds.
Read →Brand 3 min readThe psychology of color in web design: what the research supports and what it does not
Does blue build trust and red drive sales? A realistic look at color associations, and the choices that measurably help a business website.
Read →Brand 3 min readChoosing fonts for your website: readability, personality and page speed
A font shapes how your business sounds before anyone reads a word. How to pick one that is readable, fits your brand and does not slow the page.
Read →Web 3 min readWebsite images that help SEO: real photos, alt text and file size
Real photos, descriptive alt text and sensible file sizes help visitors and search. A practical guide to images for small business sites.
Read →READY TO START?
Tell us what you're building. We'll tell you honestly if we're the right studio for it — and if we're not, we'll point you somewhere better.