The blog
Practical, no-nonsense tips on web design, SEO, Google Ads and AI search, from the person who does the work.
How much should a contractor spend on marketing? A straight-up US guide to budgets, where the money should go first, and how to spend on what wins jobs.
Do you need a local marketing agency, or can a remote one do the job? How online digital marketing works for Australian businesses, and what really matters.
AI Overviews and featured snippets pull short, clear answers straight off your pages. Here's how to structure a service page so it's easy to quote.
A redesign can win you more work, or quietly tank your rankings and leads. What to keep, fix and measure before you launch, so it's better, not just newer.
Some are, most aren't. Here's how to tell a real trade growth guru, coach or influencer from someone selling a dream with no pricing, no proof and no real website.
If you can't see which clicks turn into calls, forms and bookings, you can't manage Google Ads properly. Here's what to track and how to set it up.
A free tool spits out a score. A real SEO audit tells you what's wrong, why it matters and what to fix first, and what the deliverable should look like.
Are Google Ads worth it for plumbers and HVAC companies? An honest look at costs in USD, what they can and can't do, and how to avoid burning your budget.
Are Google Ads worth it for a small Australian business? An honest look at what they cost in AUD, what they can and can't do, and when they make sense.
Spent good money on a website but getting no traffic or enquiries? Your site probably isn't broken, it's just invisible. Here's why, and what to fix.
AI tools now recommend businesses by name. Here are the practical signals that improve your chances of being cited in ChatGPT and AI Overviews.
E-E-A-T explained in plain English: what Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness mean, and how to build it for Google and AI search.
I've built Toolbox Tribe, free calculators, guides and templates for the business side of the trade: pricing, quoting and getting paid what you're owed.
WordPress or a lean static HTML site? A practical comparison of speed, security, editing, hosting and cost, with a simple decision guide for your business.
Google Ads management is more than switching on a campaign. Here's exactly what the setup and monthly work involves, and the signs of a set-and-forget account.
A straight guide to SEO pricing in New Zealand: what audits, projects and monthly retainers actually cost, what changes the price, and if it's worth it.
Vibe coding is the buzzword of the moment. Here's what it actually means, and how I'm using Claude and ChatGPT to build EightySix OS.
How electricians rank first on Google and win the map pack for 'electrician near me' searches. A plain-English local SEO guide for US contractors.
Local SEO is how Australian businesses show up in Google's map pack when nearby customers search. Here's what it involves and how to start.
Local SEO is how your business shows up when nearby customers search Google. Here's what it involves, why it matters, and how to start.
A plumber's website should win jobs, not just sit there. Here are the 9 essentials that turn searchers into booked calls, with real US pricing and no filler.
How much does a website cost in Australia in 2026? A straight-up guide to real AUD price ranges, what actually drives the cost, and what should be included.
Do you need a website if you already have a busy Facebook or Instagram page? The honest answer, and the one thing social media can't do for you.
How I built Top5Trades UK with AI, HTML and JavaScript: a fast, lean directory without the usual WordPress bloat.
How Hays Electrical in Christchurch grew online with EightySix Digital. A case study in web design for an electrical business, built to perform on its own.
How blogging helps plumbing companies get more local leads, why it isn't about writing filler, and how the right posts bring in real work.
What keywords a plumbing company should actually target, beyond the obvious ones, to get found for the searches that bring in profitable jobs.
Why an old plumbing website quietly holds your SEO back, the signs to watch for, and what to fix so your site starts ranking and winning jobs.
What cheap SEO for plumbers actually gets you, why the bargain offers usually fail, and what to look for instead so your money brings in real jobs.
Seven common SEO mistakes that quietly sink plumbers' Google rankings, and how to fix each one so your plumbing business gets found by local customers.
Service area pages are the most overlooked SEO opportunity for plumbers. What they are, why they drive local leads, and how to do them right.
How plumbers can rank in the Google Maps pack without paying for ads, from your Google Business Profile to the reviews and local signals that win the top spots.
Is SEO worth it for solo, one-man-band plumbers? An honest look at whether it pays off when you're running every job, quote and phone call yourself.
How much a plumber should spend on SEO each month, what different budgets actually get you, and how to make a smart commercial decision.
How long SEO takes to work for a plumbing company, what to expect month by month, and how to speed up results so you get found sooner.
How SEO for plumbers actually works, explained in plain English around how plumbing businesses really operate, so you know exactly what you're paying for.
What Google really looks for from plumbers in 2026, and how SEO has changed, so your plumbing business stays visible while competitors slip.
Why local SEO matters more than national SEO for plumbers, and why ranking in your service area beats broad reach for winning real local jobs.
How to improve your plumbing website's lead generation so it turns visitors into calls, emails and booking requests instead of just looking fine.
A live experiment: can a simple, fast website plus strong SEO outrank fancy, expensive sites for competitive search terms? Follow the TopChoice results.
How a one-person chainsaw carving studio in rural Gloucestershire outranks huge corporations on Google. A case study in web design and SEO for a tiny business.
How Canterbury Plumbing & Gas, a family-owned Christchurch plumbing and gasfitting business, grew their local visibility and leads with EightySix Digital.
Why SEO is so important for plumbers, and how it helps plumbing companies of every size show up when customers search 'plumber near me' and more.
How Honest Electrical, a Dunedin electrician, used web design and local SEO to get found across Otago. A real EightySix Digital case study.
SEO vs Google Ads for a plumbing company: which to invest in first, how they differ, and how to get the best return for your budget.
See how Woodney Contracting improved its website, local search visibility and lead generation with web design and SEO for arborists in Hamilton.
Nine plumbing website mistakes that quietly cost you jobs, from slow load times to missing calls to action, and how to fix them so your site wins work.
How much a plumber should spend on Google Ads each month, how to set a budget that brings in jobs, and what to expect for your money.
Plumber SEO basics explained in plain English: how to get your plumbing business found on Google so more local customers can find and call you.
A straight-up, complete guide to getting your website to the top of Google in 2025: SEO, local SEO, content and the work that actually moves rankings.
What Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) is and why it matters as AI changes how people search, plus how to get your business mentioned in AI answers.
How long SEO takes in New Zealand, what progress looks like month by month, and practical ways to improve results without risky shortcuts.
Is your website not ranking on Google? How to fix indexing, content, technical SEO and backlinks to improve your search rankings, explained simply.
How service businesses in Christchurch can target local traffic and win more nearby customers, with practical local SEO tips for plumbers, electricians and tradies.
How strong Google reviews drive local SEO success, why they matter so much for ranking, and practical ways to get more of them.
How much you should spend on Google Ads: a straight-up budgeting guide for tradies and small business owners who want more leads without wasting money.
What is SEO? A straightforward, plain-English guide for New Zealand businesses on how search engine optimisation helps you get found and bring in customers.
How to rank at the top of Google Maps: claim and optimise your Google Business Profile, build reviews and local signals, and win the local map pack.
How to know for sure whether your website is actually bringing in leads, with simple ways to track calls, forms and enquiries so you can prove its worth.
What to put on a high-converting tradie website: the key elements that turn visitors into calls and quotes, for New Zealand trades businesses.
The truth about SEO and digital marketing guarantees: why 'page one guaranteed' is usually a red flag, and what honest results really look like.
SEO vs Google Ads: which is better for small businesses in NZ? How each works, what they cost, and where to put your money for the best return.
Why mobile-friendly web design matters for local businesses, how it affects both customers and Google rankings, and what a good mobile site needs.
Is Google Ads worth it for tradesmen? An honest look at when paid search pays off for tradies, what it costs, and how to make it work.
The top five website mistakes that quietly cost small business owners leads, and how to fix each one so your site works hard for you every day.
How local SEO helps tradies win more jobs in their own suburb, and the simple steps to show up when nearby customers search for what you do.
How fast your website should be, and why page speed matters for SEO, user experience and conversions. What a slow site costs you, and how to speed it up.
Why user experience (UX) matters in web design: how an easy-to-use, well-structured website keeps visitors happy and directly improves your results.
Five smart ways to advertise your plumbing business and win more local jobs: local SEO, a professional website, paid ads, referrals and lead generation.
How to do keyword research for SEO, even if you're not technical. A simple, step-by-step way to find the searches your customers actually use.
A step-by-step guide to on-page SEO: how to optimise a web page so it ranks higher in Google, covering titles, content, structure and more.
Five common SEO myths that could be hurting your rankings, and the truth behind each one, so you stop wasting effort on advice that doesn't work.
What SEO is and why your business needs it in 2025, explained simply, so you understand how it helps you get found on Google and win more customers.
Ten practical, proven ways to improve your website's Google ranking, from on-page SEO and site speed to content and local search. Just what works.
Tips are great, but if you’d rather just have it handled, that’s what I do. Web design, SEO, Google Ads and AI search, by the person you talk to.
