by Nick Throlson | Jul 23, 2026 | Business, Web Design
Score your site: 1 point for each yes. Under 7 means your website is costing you customers. I have been building and fixing WordPress sites since 2007, and these are the same 10 checks I run on every client site.
The 10-Point Website Checkup
- Speed: Does your homepage load in under 3 seconds on your phone? Test free at PageSpeed Insights.
- Mobile: Can you tap every button and read every word on a phone without zooming?
- One clear action: Within 5 seconds, is it obvious what you want a visitor to do (call, book, buy)?
- Contact friction: Is your phone number or contact button visible without scrolling?
- Security: Does your address bar show the padlock (https) on every page?
- Freshness: Has anything on your site changed in the last 90 days?
- Proof: Are there at least 3 real reviews or testimonials visible?
- Local presence: Does your Google Business Profile match your website name, address, and phone exactly?
- Backups: If your site vanished today, could you restore it by tomorrow?
- Findability: When you search your business type plus your city, do you show up in the first 10 results?
Scored under 7?
Most of these take under an hour each to fix, and I can handle all of them for you. Contact me and tell me your score. I will tell you the 2 fixes that will make the biggest difference for your site, free, no strings.
Nick Throlson
Web Guy Nick LLC, Rialto CA
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by Nick Throlson | Jul 23, 2026 | Artificial Intelligence, Business
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Every week a client asks me which AI tools are worth it. Most lists online are written by people who never ran a small business. I use these tools on real client projects, and this is what actually earns its subscription in 2026.
Website and customer service
Chatbase
Build a support chatbot trained on your own website content, no coding. Free plan to start, paid from about $32/month. This is the fastest way to stop answering the same 10 questions by email.
Tidio
Live chat plus AI chatbot in one widget. Good free plan. Best for stores that want a human option during business hours and AI after hours.
Content and marketing
Grammarly
Not glamorous, but every client-facing email and blog post goes through it. Free plan covers most needs.
Marky
Generates and schedules on-brand social posts for your business. Good for owners who know they should post but never do.
Creative and video
Higgsfield AI
An AI-native creative suite for generating images and video. I use it for client visuals and social content when there is no budget for a photo shoot.
AutoShorts.ai
Creates faceless short videos for TikTok and YouTube on autopilot. Good for businesses that want video presence without being on camera.
Automation
Zapier
Connects your forms, email, CRM, and invoicing so leads never fall through cracks. Free tier covers 100 tasks/month, paid from about $20/month. Start with one zap: new contact form entry creates a follow-up task.
HubSpot Free CRM
Free CRM with AI features layered in. If you are still tracking leads in a notebook, start here today.
For WordPress specifically
Rank Math
AI-assisted SEO plugin. The free version is better than most paid tools were five years ago.
ShortPixel
Compresses images automatically so your site stays fast. Cheap and set-and-forget.
WP Rocket
Caching that just works. The single biggest speed jump most WordPress sites can buy for under $60.
What to skip
Skip any tool that promises to run your whole business with AI. Skip AI website builders if you plan to grow, you will rebuild later. Buy tools that remove one specific chore each.
FAQ
What should a small business try first?
A chatbot trained on your own FAQ content. It pays for itself in saved time within a month.
Is AI content bad for SEO?
Lazy AI content is. Google ranks helpful content regardless of who typed it, so use AI for drafts and add your real experience on top.
Can you set these up for me?
Yes, AI setup for small businesses is part of what I do at Web Guy Nick LLC. Get in touch here.
Want this stack installed and configured on your site without the trial and error? That is literally my job. Contact me.
Related reading: WordPress vs AI Website Builders: What Small Businesses Should Actually Pick
by Nick Throlson | Jul 23, 2026 | Web Hosting, WordPress
The host I actually use
Short and honest: this is the host I use for client sites. It is fast, support is solid, and it keeps care plans simple to run. Affiliate disclosure: if you buy through my link I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
See Hostinger on my link
If you want me to run hosting and care for you, that is a Web Guy Nick care plan: webguynick.com
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
I have been building WordPress sites since 2007, and hosting is the number one thing my clients get wrong before they come to me. Slow, oversold hosting kills your Google rankings and your patience. These are the hosts I actually put client sites on in 2026, in order of who should use them.
Quick picks
SiteGround: best overall for small business sites
SiteGround is my default recommendation for most small business sites. Speed is solid, their WordPress tools handle caching and updates for you, and support responds fast when something breaks.
Pros: fast managed WordPress setup, excellent support, free email hosting included
Cons: renewal prices are higher than the intro rate
Pricing: intro plans start around $3 to $8/month
Try SiteGround here
Hostinger: best if you are just starting
If your budget is tight, Hostinger gets you online for a few dollars a month with decent speed. This very site runs on Hostinger. Just know you will likely upgrade within a couple of years as traffic grows.
Pros: cheapest way to start properly, decent performance for the price
Cons: support is slower, renewal prices jump
Pricing: starts under $5/month
Try Hostinger here
WP Engine: best for growing sites and agencies
WP Engine is what I use when a client has outgrown budget hosting. Built-in staging, daily backups, and their support team knows WordPress specifically, not just servers.
Pros: WordPress-specific support, great developer tools, includes premium themes
Cons: overkill for a brand new site
Pricing: starts around $20 to $30/month
Kinsta: best premium option when downtime is not acceptable
I recommend Kinsta when a business cannot afford downtime. Google Cloud infrastructure, free migrations, and support that actually answers.
Pros: fast out of the box, excellent dashboard, free staging
Cons: no email hosting included, premium price
Pricing: starts around $35/month
How I actually choose for clients
- Under 5,000 visits/month and tight budget: Hostinger
- A business site that produces revenue: SiteGround
- Ecommerce or multiple sites: WP Engine or Kinsta
FAQ
Is cheap hosting really that bad?
For a hobby site, no. For a business, yes. A one second delay in load time measurably drops conversions, and budget hosts get slow at exactly the moment your site gets popular.
Should I use hosting resold by my web designer?
Only if they are transparent about which company is behind it. I set clients up on their own accounts so they always own their site.
Can you migrate my site for me?
Yes. I do migrations and full site builds. Get in touch here.
Need help picking or migrating? I have done this hundreds of times. Contact me and I will point you the right way even if you do not hire me.
Related reading: How Much Does a Small Business Website Cost in 2026?
Get the host and setup notes
Short and honest: this is the host I use for client sites. It is fast, support is solid, and it keeps care plans simple to run. Affiliate disclosure: if you buy through my link I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
See Hostinger on my link
If you want me to run hosting and care for you, that is a Web Guy Nick care plan: webguynick.com
by Nick Throlson | Jun 5, 2026 | Off Topic
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
Fundrise Review 2026: How Entrepreneurs Build Passive Wealth
As an entrepreneur, your primary business is often your biggest asset — but it’s also your biggest risk. Smart business owners know the importance of diversifying their income into assets that don’t require active management. In 2026, Fundrise remains the premier platform for passive real estate investing.
I’m Nick — a web developer and digital strategist. I use Fundrise to build long-term wealth while I focus on running my business. Here’s why I recommend it.
What is Fundrise?
Fundrise is a fintech platform that allows individual investors to buy into multi-million dollar real estate portfolios. Traditionally, commercial real estate was reserved for institutional investors or the ultra-wealthy. Fundrise democratized this, allowing you to start with as little as $10.
Key Features for Entrepreneurs
- Truly Passive: Unlike being a landlord, there are no tenants to manage, no toilets to fix, and no late-night calls. You invest capital, and their professional team manages the properties.
- Diversification: Your investment is spread across a variety of residential and commercial properties, reducing the risk compared to buying a single rental property.
- Low Minimums: You can start small and set up automated monthly investments to grow your portfolio over time.
- Transparent Reporting: The dashboard gives you clear insights into which properties you own and how they are performing.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Excellent diversification, user-friendly interface, low entry barrier, and a proven track record of dividends.
Cons: Real estate is an illiquid asset. You should view this as a 5+ year investment. It is not for capital you might need next month.
Final Verdict: Is Fundrise Worth It?
If you’re an entrepreneur looking to build a "safety net" and diversify your wealth beyond your primary business, Fundrise is an essential tool. It’s the easiest way to gain exposure to the real estate market without the headaches of active management.
Get Started with Fundrise Today
Questions about diversifying your entrepreneur income? Email me: nick@webguynick.com
by Nick Throlson | Jun 5, 2026 | Off Topic
If you're looking to invest in real estate without buying property, managing tenants, or needing a ton of capital, Fundrise is one of the best platforms to start with in 2026. This is my honest Fundrise review after using the platform and researching it thoroughly.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you sign up through my link at no extra cost to you.
👉 Start Investing with Fundrise →
What Is Fundrise?
Fundrise is a real estate crowdfunding platform that lets everyday investors access private real estate deals — the kind normally reserved for institutional investors and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. You can start with as little as $10 and invest in a diversified portfolio of residential and commercial real estate across the U.S.
Founded in 2012, Fundrise has processed over $7 billion in total real estate transactions and serves hundreds of thousands of investors. It's one of the most established platforms in the private real estate investing space.
How Fundrise Works
Fundrise pools money from thousands of small investors to purchase, develop, and manage real estate projects. As an investor, you earn returns through:
- Dividends — Quarterly income from rental properties and loan interest
- Appreciation — Value growth in the underlying real estate assets
- eREITs and eFunds — Diversified vehicles that combine multiple properties
Your money is invested in real assets — apartment buildings, single-family rentals, industrial properties, and more. Fundrise handles everything: acquisition, management, and eventual sale.
Fundrise Investment Plans
- Starter ($10): Diversified portfolio of eREITs. Great entry point.
- Basic ($1,000): Access to IRA investing and additional account features
- Core ($5,000): Choose from Supplemental Income, Balanced, or Long-Term Growth strategies
- Advanced ($10,000): Access to individual deals and plus plans
- Premium ($100,000): Access to Fundrise's private credit and venture capital funds
Key Features of Fundrise
- Low Minimum: Start investing with just $10
- Passive Income: Earn quarterly dividends without active management
- Diversification: Invest across dozens of properties automatically
- Private Real Estate Access: Institutional-grade deals not available on public markets
- Innovation Fund: Fundrise also offers a venture capital fund for tech/AI startups
- Mobile App: Clean, easy-to-use dashboard to track performance
- Auto-Invest: Set it and forget it recurring investments
Fundrise Fees
Fundrise charges a 0.15% annual advisory fee and a 0.85% annual management fee, totaling about 1% per year on your invested assets. This is lower than most actively managed real estate funds and typical REIT ETF expense ratios when you factor in the private market access.
Fundrise Historical Returns
Fundrise has historically averaged returns in the 8–12% range annually, though past performance doesn't guarantee future results. During periods of market volatility, Fundrise's private real estate has often held its value better than public REITs, which are correlated to the stock market.
Fundrise Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- Extremely low minimum investment ($10 to start)
- Access to private real estate not available on public markets
- Passive income via quarterly dividends
- Strong historical performance (8–12% average annually)
- Clean, easy-to-use app and dashboard
- Innovation Fund adds tech/AI startup exposure
- Auto-invest feature for truly passive wealth building
❌ Cons
- Investments are illiquid — not ideal for short-term money
- Early redemption may incur penalties (within 5 years)
- Returns not guaranteed — real estate can underperform
- Not available in all countries — US investors only
Who Is Fundrise Best For?
- Beginners who want to start investing with very little money
- Passive income seekers looking for quarterly dividends
- Entrepreneurs and freelancers building long-term wealth
- People who want real estate exposure without the hassle of being a landlord
- Investors looking to diversify beyond stocks and crypto
Is Fundrise Worth It? Final Verdict
Yes — Fundrise is one of the best passive income vehicles for regular investors in 2026. The combination of low minimums, diversified real estate exposure, quarterly dividends, and hands-off management makes it a legitimate wealth-building tool.
As a digital entrepreneur, I use Fundrise as part of my passive income strategy alongside my web design business and affiliate income streams. It's not a get-rich-quick play — it's a steady, compounding wealth builder.
👉 Start Investing with Fundrise →
Questions about passive income or investing? Email me: nick@webguynick.com
