Skip to content

Block 81 Blog

Insights on web design, development, and running a small studio.

Tools & Platforms

Why I Still Choose Craft CMS

After more than two decades of working with content management systems—from the early days of MODx and WordPress to discovering ExpressionEngine and beyond—I keep returning to Craft CMS for my client…

Read More
For Clients

Quickly Check Your Website Speed Like a Pro

Want to know if your website is secretly driving visitors away? With just a few free tools and simple checks, you can quickly test your site’s speed and performance—without hiring a developer. In…

Read More
For Clients

Aligning with Craft CMS Support Versions

Block 81 follows a support policy based on Craft CMS's official version timeline. This ensures your site stays secure, compatible, and maintainable while following industry best practices.

Read More
Code

How Lazy Loading YouTube Videos Boosted Mobile Performance by 39%

YouTube embeds hide a performance secret: they load Google Fonts and JavaScript on every page load, even when users never watch the videos. On a recent client project with multiple video embeds, this…

Read More
Code

Why Your Website Security Needs More Than a Good Hiding Spot

Think your small business website is safe because you're "flying under the radar"? Modern web attacks are automated, and attackers aren't after your customer data. Learn why "security by obscurity"…

Read More
For Clients

Website Audit Insights for Maximum Business Impact

Most business websites have hidden issues that prevent them from reaching their full potential, quietly turning away visitors who might otherwise become customers. A comprehensive website audit…

Read More
For Clients

Why Most Websites Don’t Actually Need Cookie Consent Banners

Most small business websites don't actually need those annoying cookie consent banners that interrupt the user experience. The real culprit isn't privacy laws—it's the surveillance-heavy tracking…

Read More
Code

Simple Password Protection for Craft CMS 5 Pages (No Plugin Required)

Simple password protection for individual Craft CMS 5 pages using native session management—no plugins required. Perfect for keeping casual visitors out of exclusive content while giving content…

Read More
Code

Why Your Website’s Technical Performance Matters

Your website's technical performance directly impacts your bottom line—slow loading sites lose potential clients in seconds and hurt search rankings. Learn why technical performance is the invisible…

Read More
Industry

SEO for AI: How to Optimize Your Content for Generative Search Engines

The rise of AI-powered search tools is transforming SEO, not killing it. Learn the differences between AEO, AIO, and GEO optimization strategies and discover how to adapt your content for both…

Read More
For Clients

Web Accessibility: The Business Decision That's Easier Than You Think

Making your website accessible isn't just about compliance—it's about expanding your market reach. With 26% of adults living with disabilities, accessibility barriers are costing you qualified…

Read More
For Clients

Will AI Kill SEO? Why It Actually Strengthens It Instead

The "AI will kill SEO" narrative is everywhere, but AI systems still rely on search engines and well-optimized content to provide answers. Instead of killing SEO, AI is transforming it and creating…

Read More