The Layerly Library

Real talk on websites, pricing and small business.

Quick reads and straight-up tips for small business owners on getting a good website, showing up on Google and getting more calls in the door.

FeaturedPricing

How Much Should a Website Actually Cost in 2026?

Spoiler: it's not $8,000. Here's what you should really be paying…

April 2026
Read the article
25 articles
For Tradies

The 7 Things Every Tradie's Website Needs (And Most Don't Have)

Photos of your work, a click-to-call button, and reviews that show up on Google. Miss these and you're leaving money on the table.

March 2026Read
SEO & Google

How Tradies Actually Get on Page One of Google

It's not about tricks. It's about doing 4 boring things consistently, and most of your competitors won't bother.

March 2026Read
Hair & Beauty

The Salon Website That Books Clients While You Sleep

One page. One booking link. One thing to do. Why simple wins for hairdressers and barbers.

March 2026Read
Booking Systems

Fresha vs Timely vs Booksy: Which Booking System Should You Use?

We integrate all of them. Here's the honest verdict on which one wins for hair, beauty, barbers and mobile trades.

February 2026Read
Restaurants

The Café Website That Actually Fills Seats

Menu on the homepage. Photos of the actual food. Opening hours front and centre. Do these three things and you'll double your walk-ins.

February 2026Read
SEO & Google

Small Retail Websites: When Shopify is Overkill

If you sell 10-30 products locally, you probably don't need a full ecommerce store. Here's what to build instead.

February 2026Read
Design

Why Your Website Speed Costs You Customers (Even If It Looks Great)

Every second of load time drops your conversion rate by 7%. Here's how to fix it without a redesign.

January 2026Read
Design

The Mobile-First Mistakes We See on 8 Out of 10 Small Business Sites

Tiny tap targets, invisible menus, forms you can't fill with one thumb. If your site does any of these, you're leaking leads.

January 2026Read
Design

One-Page Site or Full Website? Here's How to Decide

A one-pager for a barber makes total sense. A one-pager for a home builder doesn't. Here's the simple test.

January 2026Read
SEO & Google

Small Business SEO in 5 Bullet Points

You don't need to hire an SEO agency. You need to do these five things once and then just… not undo them.

December 2025Read
Design

5 Signs Your Website Actually Needs a Redesign

Not every dated site needs a rebuild. But if you're seeing these five signs, it's time.

December 2025Read
Design

'Isn't Instagram Enough?' Why a Website Still Matters in 2026

Social media is rented land. Your website is owned. Here's what happens when the algorithm changes and it's not on your side.

November 2025Read
For Tradies

The Free (or Nearly Free) Tools Every WA Tradie Should Be Using

Quoting software, review request templates, calendar tools. The stack we set up for tradie clients in 2026.

March 2026Read
For Tradies

Facebook Page or Real Website? The Honest Answer for Trades

You already have a Facebook page and it 'works fine'. Here's why the tradies with proper websites are still winning the bigger jobs.

February 2026Read
Hair & Beauty

Instagram vs Website for Salons: Which Actually Wins?

Instagram brings the discovery. Your website brings the booking. Here's how to make them work together.

March 2026Read
Hair & Beauty

How to Run a Waitlist That Fills Every Cancellation Slot

Every no-show is $80-$150 gone. A proper waitlist system on your website (or via SMS) closes that gap.

February 2026Read
Hair & Beauty

Phone Photography for Salons: 6 Tips That Beat a Photographer

You don't need a studio shoot. You need natural light, a clean phone lens, and the same angle every time.

January 2026Read
Restaurants

Menu Layouts That Actually Sell: 5 Tricks That Bump Ticket Sizes

Where the eye lands, how prices are formatted, why 'sides' should always be a separate section. Restaurant menu design, decoded.

March 2026Read
Restaurants

How to Stop Losing Reservations to Google Reserve

Google will happily take reservations for your restaurant, and skim your customer data. Here's how to keep bookings on your own site.

February 2026Read
Restaurants

Direct Online Ordering vs UberEats: The 30% Question

UberEats and DoorDash take 25-35% per order. A direct ordering setup pays for itself in one busy Friday.

February 2026Read
Booking Systems

Booking Widgets That Actually Convert: Beyond the Big Names

Not every booking button is created equal. The design, placement and copy of your widget will make or break your conversion rate.

February 2026Read
Booking Systems

Deposits + Cancellation Rules That Actually Cut No-Shows

How to structure a deposit policy that customers accept, and cuts your no-show rate by 60%+.

January 2026Read
SEO & Google

Local SEO Cheat Sheet: 12 Free Ranking Signals for WA Businesses

Twelve things Google looks at to rank local businesses. Do them all and you'll outrank agencies charging thousands.

February 2026Read
Careers

What We Look For in a Web Designer at Layerly

No formal experience needed. Just a keen eye, care about the little things, and the willingness to learn. Here's exactly what we hire for.

February 2026Read
Careers

What We Look For in a Lead Generator at Layerly

Not a salesperson. A people person. If you're great at chatting with small business owners and can spot a business that needs a better site, keep reading.

February 2026Read