Author: David Martin Design
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What Does AI Say About Your Business? Run This 20-Minute Check
AI assistants are already describing your business to potential customers, and they are not always getting it right. Here is a simple twenty-minute check you can run yourself to see what they say and trace any errors back to the source.
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Visible Wireless, Seven Years Later: Why I'm Still Paying $25 a Month
Quick disclosure up front: the Visible link below is my referral link. If you sign up through it, we both get a credit toward our bill. That's the only reason it's a "referral" link instead of just a link. Everything else in this post is the same experience I'd describe either way. Today, while enjoying…
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Google Analytics, Google Search Console, & Google Business: Three Different Jobs, One Full Picture
Google Analytics, Search Console, and Business Profile all report on your website, but they answer different questions. Here's what each one actually tells you, and how to check them without drowning in dashboards.
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Digital Ownership for Small Businesses: What Do You Control?
I keep thinking about what happens when a business spends years building an audience on a platform it does not control. That got me thinking more broadly about digital ownership for small businesses. Who actually owns the relationship? A business might have thousands of social media followers, hundreds of Google reviews, years of customer conversations,…
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Is Your Website Actually Usable by Everyone? A Practical Accessibility Check for Bloomington Businesses
There is a version of your website you have never seen. When we talk about web accessibility, we are talking about the site a person hears instead of reads, or moves through with a keyboard instead of a mouse. It is the version someone gives up on because light gray text on a white background…
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Search Is Changing: How Small Businesses Can Stay Visible in an AI-Driven World
You've invested in a website. Maybe you've done some SEO work over the years. You keep your Google Business Profile updated and ask happy customers for reviews. Things have been working reasonably well. But lately, you keep hearing that AI is changing how people find businesses online. And you're not entirely sure what to make…
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Your Google Business Profile: A Practical Guide for Local Businesses
If someone searches for your type of business in Bloomington right now, the first thing they'll likely see isn't your website. It's your Google Business Profile: the panel that appears in Google Maps and in the results sidebar with your name, hours, photos, reviews, and a button to call or get directions. That listing is…
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How Much Does a WordPress Website Actually Cost?
If you've ever searched for website pricing online, you already know the frustration. Most answers are some version of "it depends" -- followed by a range so wide it tells you almost nothing. The truth is, cost does vary. But the reasons why are pretty straightforward, and once you understand them, you can walk into…
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What Is an llms.txt File - and Does Your Small Business Website Need One?
AI search tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google's AI Overviews are changing how people find local businesses. A new file called llms.txt gives you a simple, low-effort way to help those tools understand your website -- and describe your business accurately. This post explains what it is, why it matters, and gives you a free…
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When SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Don’t Align: Fixing a Gmail Warning for the Bloomington Chamber
Why Gmail Sometimes Shows a Red Warning Banner A Real-World Email Authentication Fix for the Bloomington Chamber Email feels simple when it works. You write a message, hit send, and it arrives in someone's inbox a moment later. But behind the scenes, email relies on a system of verification checks. These checks protect people from…
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Eight Years, One Shop, and a Website That Grew With the Business
Case Study | David Martin Design | Client Work How Bloomington Window Tint went from a placeholder page and a quiet phone to a professionally managed digital presence built on trust and consistency. At a Glance Client: Andrew Felt, Bloomington Window Tint LLCIndustry: Automotive and commercial window tinting, paint protection film, solar shadesLocation: Bloomington, IndianaRelationship:…
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Ava's Waste Removal: 7 Years of Website Support for a Growing Local Business
Project Overview Ava's Waste Removal has been a client since February 2019 - one of our longest-running partnerships. What started as a custom website build for a small trash hauler in Ellettsville has turned into seven years of steady, practical support: newsletters, holiday announcements, recycling schedule updates, award graphics, form troubleshooting, and most recently, a…
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My CVS Adventure
Jeffrey Zeldman wrote a relatable post today about waiting at CVS while his prescription got sorted out. It reminded me of my own recent CVS experience, which had a few more moving parts. I placed a free 8x10 photo order and somehow routed the pickup to a store in Haleiwa, Hawaii. I have friends there…
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A Simple Mac Tool I Use to Resize Images Before Uploading to WordPress
If you’ve ever uploaded a photo straight from your phone into WordPress, you’re not alone. That 6MB image looks harmless. WordPress even creates multiple sizes automatically. Everything seems fine. But here’s what’s actually happening behind the scenes: That full-size original file still lives on your server. And if it’s oversized, every upload adds weight to…
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Windows PowerToys Is the Productivity Upgrade Windows Should Have Shipped With
If you use Windows every day, you've probably felt it: the OS is powerful, but a handful of small things slow you down more than they should. That's where Microsoft PowerToys comes in. PowerToys is a free, Microsoft-supported utility suite that adds practical, no-nonsense features to Windows. These aren't gimmicks - they're tools that shave…
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Economy Fireplace: Website Redesign, Google Business Updates & Workspace Setup
Project Overview Economy Fireplace serves homeowners across the Bloomington area with fireplaces, stoves, and accessories. Ahead of the busy season, they needed a modern website, a clearer path to request quotes, and better alignment across Google tools. We delivered a clean WordPress build, a simple content workflow, and brand updates that make day-to-day operations simpler.…
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Why I’m Proud to Be a Chamber Member (Since Way Back When)
I’ve officially been a Chamber member through David Martin Design since at least 2021, but my ties go back even further. I still have emails from 2009, when I was part of the Young Professionals group, soaking up all the networking and learning opportunities I could. Fast forward to today, and I’m still grateful for…
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Client Spotlight: Making Tech Simple for Ellen & Mark
At David Martin Design, one of our greatest rewards is seeing the confidence and peace of mind that comes when technology becomes approachable again. Recently, I had the privilege of working with Ellen and Mark - two thoughtful and gracious clients who wanted to bring their home computing setup up to speed. They reached out…
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From Classroom to Client: How Shawn Haymaker Counseling Earned a Perfect 100 Website Score
Back in June 2024, I had the honor of presenting a digital marketing workshop for the Ivy Tech Entrepreneurship Program led by Steve Thrash. I spoke with a cohort of small business owners, creatives, and students working through the final course in their Entrepreneurship Certificate. That Zoom call planted a seed. One of the students,…
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How I’m Using AI to Build Better Systems for Business and Life
At David Martin Design, I have always believed the best solutions are not just creative: they are structured, strategic, and built to work in real life. Today, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the most powerful tools I use to deliver on that vision (both for my business and personal workflows). But here is…
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Behind the Lens: Capturing Trashion Refashion 2025 for The B-Square Bulletin
Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of photographing one of Bloomington’s most creative and community-driven events - Trashion Refashion 2025 - on assignment for The B-Square Bulletin. Held at the historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater, Trashion Refashion is an annual runway show where models strut in outfits made from repurposed or recycled materials. Organized by Discardia, a…
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From Roots to Results: The Story of Indiana Greenscape Solutions
The Seed of an Idea The story of Indiana Greenscape Solutions begins with Kelly and Beth Fort - partners in both family and business - who, along with their four daughters, Rayne, Autumn, Bree, and Eden, had a vision. As lifelong plant science enthusiasts with deep agricultural roots, they wanted to bring high-quality, personalized lawn…
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Welcoming Raymond Labban to the David Martin Design Team
We are thrilled to officially welcome Raymond Labban to the David Martin Design team as a part-time Digital Marketing & SEO Specialist! Raymond brings a fresh perspective and a strong passion for helping businesses thrive online. His skills and dedication are already making an impact, and we’re excited to highlight how he’ll support our growing…
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Transferring Your Website to a New Web Designer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Switching to a new web designer can be a significant step in ensuring your website remains up-to-date, user-friendly, and aligned with your evolving business goals. However, the process of transferring a website is more complex than simply handing over a login. It involves careful coordination, clear communication, and understanding what to expect throughout the process.…
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WordCamp US 2024: A Celebration of Community, Collaboration, and Creativity in Portland
There’s something magical about visiting a new city for an event like WordCamp US - the excitement of a vibrant WordPress community coming together combined with the chance to explore the local flavor of the host city. This year’s WordCamp US took place in Portland, Oregon, a city known for its creative energy, lush green…
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From Donuts to Data Protection: How BackBlaze Became My Go-To Backup Solution
Earlier this year, I attended one of my favorite local networking events - Design & Donuts - held at The Mill in Bloomington, Indiana. For those unfamiliar, The Mill is more than just a coworking space; it’s the heartbeat of our entrepreneurial community. It's a place where creators, innovators, and tech enthusiasts collide to share…
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My Custom GPTs: Elevating Workflows & Creativity
Welcome to a showcase of my custom-built GPTs! Each of these tools is designed to solve specific challenges, enhance productivity, and support creativity in web development, digital marketing, and beyond. Click on each link to explore further and see how these unique GPTs can help you or your business. Custom GPT Tools by David Martin…
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Navigating Uncharted Waters: Mitzi's Quest for a Unified Digital Presence
This project revolved around enhancing the online presence of Mitzi Alexander, a Travel Agent, & Magical Vacation Planner. Initially facing challenges in growing web interactions and bookings, Mitzi sought to create a more engaging online platform. Her target audience included families, couples, newlyweds, friends, and groups interested in honeymoons, cruises, theme parks, and all-inclusive resorts.…
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Brightside Café: Your Go-To Breakfast Spot and Study Haven in Bloomington!
Big shoutout to Brightside Café! We just wrapped up an incredible consultation with them today. With the influx of Indiana University students coming into town, Brightside Café is ready to welcome everyone with open arms. Whether you're looking for the best breakfast in town, a delicious espresso drink made just the way you like it,…
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WordPress SEO for the Busy Entrepreneur: Image Optimization
Are you trying to DIY your online presence but are struggling to understand all the search engine optimization (SEO) terms? Are you worried about causing more damage or harm than good, or overwhelmed with deciphering what practices are essential and what could be saved for a rainy day? Hello and welcome to the first chapter…
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Building 67 Storage: A Branding Case Study
Transforming Ideas into Virtual Reality: The Genesis of 67storage.com The creation of 67 Storage was a branding project that challenged our creativity and technical expertise but also strengthened our belief in the power of one-on-one collaboration. Our partnership with Roman, the business owner behind 67 Storage, started with a mission to craft a digital web…
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The Bridge Between Real & Digital: How To Utilize QR Codes
In the past, people used to jot down the website address if they found it on a poster in a business storefront. While one could look up a business or event, this approach leaves much to be desired; It’s a process to search online. Think about the number of steps involved in an average search:…
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800 7th Graders Learning About Web Development, AI, Entrepreneurship, & More at The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Career Cruise
David Martin Design recently had the privilege of spending an extraordinary day with nearly 800 eager 7th graders at the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce's Success School Career Cruise. This event was an unparalleled opportunity for these young minds to quench their curiosity and widen their horizons in various fields including web development, artificial intelligence…
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Web Development Resources for Setting Up Your First Website
The ability to create and maintain your own website is a skill that can bring tremendous value. While there are numerous resources available for creating and maintaining your own website, it's always best to work with a local web designer whenever possible. Local designers are not only easily accessible, but they also understand the local…
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The Magic of Local Connections: How a QR Code Saved the Wizard Pants Party Band's Website
Local Bloomington musician Andy Cobine had been working with GoDaddy's marketing experts to build a new website for Wizard Pants Party Band since November 2022. After numerous parleys with GoDaddy and bestowing several hundred gold coins for marketing aid, he began to question if his endeavor would ever take flight. Linking the Physical and Digital…
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The 3 R’s - Every Business Wants to Be Remembered, Respected, & Referred
Being remembered, respected, and referred will have a significant impact on the success of your business. It is important for business owners to create an impression that lasts and is remembered by their customers and clients.
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The Power of Responding to Negative Reviews on Google Business: Why It's Vital and How to Do It Right
Bryan Meadows, Owner of Bloomington Creative Solutions (this is a fake name) had been running his small business for 10 years, proudly providing services to his loyal customers. He often heard compliments from them, but one day he received a shock - someone had left a scathing one-star review on his Google Business page. Bryan…
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When did you decide that web design was the career for you?
In 1998, in my junior year of high school @ Bloomington High School North, I took an Advanced Social Studies course taught by Joann Frye and Pat Wilson. I participated in a group project in which we had to present important historical events from the 1960s. As part of the class presentation, I decided to teach myself…
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5 Informative (And Free!) Web Design Tools That Can Teach You More About Your Site
Above all, websites are vehicles designed to help you achieve larger goals. For example, a restaurant’s site might be created to increase awareness and encourage patrons to visit (or order takeout). An entrepreneur might rely on a website to inform potential clients about his or her services. While a website is an ideal tool for…
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What's Microsoft Clarity and How Can It Help Improve Your Website?
Picture this: You build an amazing site for your business and set it live. A few weeks pass by, and you eagerly check to see how many people visited your site. Despite receiving some decent traffic, you want to take immediate steps to improve these numbers but...you have no idea how to do it. Many…
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A New WordPress Website for Artist & Musician Henry Leck
David Martin Design has launched a new WordPress website for Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington member, Henry Leck at https://henryleck.com. It was a challenge at first to figure out how to best work together due to the Covid-19 pandemic and technology restrictions. We began with a Google Meet and it was great to meet online.…
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What is an SSL Certificate & Why Is It Important For Your Website Success?
Even if you don't sell products via your website having an SSL certificate in place will increase customer confidence, improve SEO ranking, & protect your data.
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The Top Plugins To Enhance Your WordPress Website
These are the top FREE plugins for WordPress according to WordPress.com. This data is from September 2019. Akismet Anti-Spam - Used by millions of websites, Akismet filters out hundreds of millions of spam comments from the Web every day. Add Akismet to your site so you don't have to worry about spam again. All in…
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How To Setup A Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, & Disclaimer For Your Website
I met Hans & Donata at WordCamp in St. Louis recently and we immediately hit it off. They run an awesome web service that helps businesses with websites comply with data privacy laws.
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How to set up a secure spam-free email contact form using Google forms
Yesterday, I had a client tell me that he had a little over 115 submissions on his website contact form. He was very happy with the results and I asked him how many of those contact form submissions were spam? His answer was, "None of them." Out of all of the submissions that he had…
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New Custom Website Kicked Off for Ava's Waste Removal
David Martin Design worked with Steve & Ava at Ava's Waste Removal to help them build a beautiful website and online presence.