Barefoot Build

I’ve always believed there’s value in caring deeply about the work you do (to a certain point of course). Boundaries matter and business is still business, but I don’t think professionalism has to mean removing all of the emotion from your work.

One of my favorite parts of Barefoot Build is the people we get to meet behind the businesses, websites, partnerships, etc.

Then get to hear why someone started their business in the first place. We purposely dive into the big goals, the scary leaps, and bad experiences that maybe made them nervous to trust someone again, and the things they’re hoping this next chapter will make possible.

And then, when we're lucky, we get to stick around long enough to watch it happen!

I know you’re not *supposed* to get emotionally invested in every project, and there absolutely has to be a line somewhere I agree. But I also think caring about people is part of what makes me good at what I do.

I don’t want Barefoot Build to ever become a business where a client is just another website or partnership in the queue. These are real people building something that matters to them, often because they’re trying to build a better life for themselves and their families.

Getting to play even a small part in someone else’s success story is something I will never take for granted 😄

Send a message to learn more

Friday night thought for the small business crowd?

More website traffic sounds like what you should be working towards, but I'm here to tell you why it's not. What matters more than traffic is whether the people finding your site are actually looking for what you offer.

Imagine someone walks into a bakery looking for a wedding cake, but the only thing on the shelves is sandwich bread. You technically got foot traffic, but it was never the right customer for what you were offering.

Search traffic works the same way. More visitors does not automatically mean more leads if those visitors are searching for something different than what your business actually provides.

Our latest blog breaks down the difference between search intent and website traffic, why local searches can be so valuable, and how attracting the right visitors can matter more than simply getting more clicks.

Search Intent vs. Website Traffic: What Matters for SEO? Learn how search intent differs from website traffic, why the right visitors matter more than traffic, and how businesses can use intent to improve SEO.

Google Business Profile video verification sounds more complicated than it actually is. We put together a simple walkthrough showing exactly what Google wants to see, how to prepare and what to do if your first video is rejected.

How to Verify Your Google Business Profile With a Video Learn how Google Business Profile video verification works, what to show in your video, common mistakes and tips that will get you verified.

More than $15,000 saved ☺️

When we added everything up from our Summer Sale this year, we realized our clients collectively saved more than $15,000 on their website projects with Barefoot Build. And that number means a whole lot more to us than simply having a successful sale.

We started Barefoot Build because we wanted to help small businesses without feeling like they had to figure everything out on their own. Years later, after working with businesses across completely different industries and all over the country, that is STILL what drives us every day.

Every website represents a real person taking a chance on their business. We understand that every dollar they invest matters. And being able to keep more than $15,000 in the hands of the small businesses we serve this year is something we're really, really proud of.

Small Business Web Design Putting Businesses First | Barefoot Build Barefoot Build clients saved over $15,000 this summer. See how our approach to small business web design helps businesses become stronger.

Such a great morning volunteering with Movement Raleigh Durham! We loved getting our hands dirty and giving back to our community. Thanks for having us! 💙💛

Seeing hundreds of impressions in Google but barely any clicks? It feels like Google is teasing you. 😅

I put together a new blog that breaks down the most common reasons this happens and what you can do about it. If you've ever opened Google Search Console and thought, "What am I doing wrong?" this one's for you.

barefootbuild.com

Honestly, I'm frustrated. We've had far too many people come to us with the same story over and over again.

A business owner pays a deposit for a new website, communication slows down, deadlines come and go, or they end up with a site they don't own or can't even update. More recently, we've also talked to people who were promised an AI-built website that would "do everything for them," only to realize later that it still needed strategy, content, and a whole lot of work.

The hardest part is telling someone they've already spent $1,000, $2,000, or even more before they came to us.

There are so many talented, honest web designers out there who genuinely care about their clients. Unfortunately, it only takes a handful of bad experiences to make people skeptical of the entire industry, and that's unfair to both business owners and the people doing good work.

That's exactly why I wrote this guide.

If you're thinking about hiring a web designer or trying one of the new AI website platforms, please read it before you send anyone a deposit. Spending five minutes asking the right questions today could save you months of headaches later.

If this helps even one business owner avoid a bad experience, it'll be worth it.

Questions You Should Ask Your Web Designer Before Paying a Deposit Hiring a web designer? Learn what questions you should ask your web designer before paying a deposit so you can avoid costly mistakes.

Give your homepage the 5 second test!

Open your website like you've never seen it before. Before you start scrolling, ask yourself these four questions:

• What does this business do?
• Where do they work?
• Why should I trust them?
• What should I do next?

If you can't answer all four within five seconds, there's a good chance your visitors can't either.

One of the biggest misconceptions we see is that a website has to be flashy to be effective. In reality, clarity wins every time. When people immediately understand who you are, what you do, and how to get in touch, they're much more likely to become customers.

It's a simple exercise, but it can completely change the way you look at your website.

How does ChatGPT find businesses?

AI search is obviously changing how customers find local companies. When someone asks an AI assistant for a recommendation, it's looking for businesses with clear websites, consistent information, helpful content, and strong online trust signals.

We just published a new guide explaining how AI finds businesses and the practical steps you can take to improve your AI Search Visibility while strengthening your SEO at the same time.

How ChatGPT Finds Businesses | Barefoot Build Learn how ChatGPT finds businesses, what influences AI recommendations, and practical ways to improve your AI Search Visibility.