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The Twiggley blog

Honest, plain-English advice on web design, SEO, and digital marketing for Olympia and Thurston County businesses, the straight answers we would give a friend over coffee.

A young evergreen sapling growing in a mossy forest clearing at dusk, representing SEO growth over time. Search Marketing

How Long Does SEO Take to Work?

An honest look at realistic SEO timelines, what speeds them up, and why overnight-ranking promises are a red flag.

September 18, 2026
A warm-lit cabin with glowing windows in its own forest clearing at dusk, representing a home base you own. Web Design

Do You Still Need a Website in 2026?

With social everywhere and a profile free to set up in minutes, does a website still earn its place? Why a site you own beats a profile you rent.

September 4, 2026
A rickety, sagging wooden footbridge over a misty forest creek at dusk. Web Design

The Real Cost of a Cheap Website

A bargain build feels like a saving until you count the customers you never win, the invisibility on Google, and the rebuild a year later.

August 26, 2026
Two coffee mugs and a notebook on a wooden table by a window with a misty mountain view at dusk. Web Design

How to Choose a Web Designer in Olympia (10 Questions)

Ten questions to ask before you hire, so you end up with a partner who builds a site you truly own and enjoy working with.

August 5, 2026
A forked forest trail splitting into two paths through misty evergreens at dusk. Search Marketing

SEO vs Google Ads: Where Should You Start?

SEO or Google Ads first? A plain-English comparison of speed, cost, and lasting value to help you pick the right mix for your goals.

July 22, 2026
Three small carved wooden location pins on a topographic map by a window with a misty mountain view at dusk. Search Marketing

How to Show Up in Google's Map Pack

The map pack is the trio of local businesses at the top of Google. How to earn one of those three spots, from your Business Profile to reviews.

July 15, 2026
A brass compass and a carved wooden location pin on a desk by a window with a mountain view at dusk. Search Marketing

What Is Local SEO, and Why It Matters for Olympia Businesses

Local SEO helps nearby customers find you on Google. What it is, how it works, and the pieces that actually move the needle.

July 8, 2026
A hand plane, a chef's knife, and a paintbrush on a workbench by a window with a mountain view. Web Design

WordPress vs Webflow vs Shopify: Which Platform Fits?

Three good tools built for three different jobs. How to match the right platform to your goals and the way you want to run your site.

July 2, 2026
A website sketch, coffee, and a plant on a desk in an Olympia studio at dusk. Web Design

How Much Does a Website Cost in Olympia?

An honest look at the factors that drive the price of a website, and why every project is scoped to its goals.

June 23, 2026

About the Twiggley blog

This is where we share what we have learned building websites and running marketing for businesses around Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater. Expect plain-English guides on web design and platforms like WordPress, Shopify, and Webflow, honest takes on what a project actually costs, and practical local SEO advice for showing up when nearby customers search. New posts land here as we write them, so reach out any time with a question you would like us to tackle.