Articles
Plain answers to website questions. No gated download, no email wall, no proprietary framework with a name. The answer is in the article.
October 15, 2026
How do I set up a Google Business Profile for my small business?
Search your business name, claim or create the profile, pick one primary category, verify it, then fill in hours, services, and photos. Here are the steps and the mistakes that get a profile suspended.
October 14, 2026
How do I set up business email with my own domain name?
Pick a mailbox service, add its MX records at your domain, then add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Here are the steps, the three places to host email, and the mistakes that lose mail.
October 13, 2026
Why does my website say 'Not secure'?
The warning means your site loads without a working HTTPS certificate. Here are the four usual causes and how to fix each one.
September 22, 2026
How long does it take to build a website?
A small business website can be live in two to three weeks, or in one week on a rush timeline. Here is what sets the pace.
September 22, 2026
How to fire your web designer without losing your website
Sort out your domain, files, and logins before you give notice. Follow these steps to keep your website and email online during the handover.
September 22, 2026
What is website hosting, and why do I pay for it every year?
Website hosting keeps your site online. Here is what the bill pays for, how hosting differs from a domain, and what to check before you renew.
September 22, 2026
What should a small business website include?
Five core pages, the details that build trust, and a few things to leave out. The practical checklist we use for small business websites.
August 17, 2026
Who owns your website?
Many business owners do not own their domain, their content, or their site. Here is how to check, and how to fix it.
August 17, 2026
Will a website redesign hurt my SEO?
A redesign only hurts your rankings when the migration is careless. Here is what actually protects them, step by step.
August 14, 2026
How to ask your ad management agency for a clear bill
Ad spend can mean several different things. What a clear ad management invoice separates, what to ask before you sign, and what to review once a year.
March 18, 2026
.com vs .ca for a domain name
.ca signals Canadian. .com signals global. Here is how to pick your primary domain, and why many businesses register both.
March 12, 2026
Monthly SEO maintenance checklist
The monthly routine that keeps a website visible: technical checks, content updates, keyword tracking, backlinks, local SEO, and reporting.
February 28, 2026
I was invited to the Google Canada Business Summit. Here’s what it means for business websites.
What I learned at the first Google Canada Business Summit in Toronto, and what it means for small business websites, AI, and search.
February 4, 2026
How much does a website cost?
What local businesses pay for websites in 2026, what drives the price, and how much to budget as a share of revenue.
February 4, 2026
What is a domain for a website?
A domain name is the address people type to find your website. Here is how domains work, what they cost, and the mistakes to avoid.
December 29, 2025
Digital visibility optimization
Digital visibility optimization makes your website clear to search engines and AI systems. Here is what it is and why it comes before SEO.
December 28, 2025
Your annual DIY website check-up
Seven questions to ask about your website once a year. Find the friction that is quietly costing you opportunities.
January 25, 2025
Common website problems
Twenty common website problems, from slow loading and broken links to spam and missing accessibility features, and how to fix each one.
November 4, 2024
Enchanted Tails: 2025 calendar celebrates patients and therapy pets from BC Children’s & Women’s Hospitals
The Enchanted Tails 2025 charity calendar features patients and therapy pets from BC Children’s and BC Women’s hospitals. Proceeds support Pet Therapy.
October 23, 2024
Vancouver photographer’s charity portrait for Children’s Hospital wins international award
Vancouver photographer Jane Thomson won 1st place at the Dog Photography Awards for a portrait made for the BC Children’s Hospital Pet Therapy calendar.
July 22, 2024
Website analytics options
Ten popular website analytics tools compared, from Google Analytics and Matomo to Plausible, Hotjar, and Heap.
June 4, 2024
Does your website need a business address?
Yes, in the footer and on the contact page, even with no storefront. Here is what an address does for trust, for local search, and for the customer trying to reach you.
October 16, 2022
Choosing a content management system (CMS)
Compare 12 popular content management systems, including WordPress, Squarespace, Shopify, Webflow, and Ghost, and learn how to pick the right one.
April 27, 2022
How to start a new website
Start a new website in ten practical steps, from the page plan and domain to ownership, analytics, testing, and launch.
January 5, 2022
Should I use Wix or Squarespace or hire a web designer?
Use Wix or Squarespace for a simple DIY site. Hire a web designer when the site needs to earn trust, leads, or sales. Here is how to decide.
Ready to talk?
A 20 minute call. No pitch. What you need and what it costs.
Or text 778-692-5555 or email hello@acornwebsites.com. We reply within two business days.