Let’s clear something up straight away.

When people say ChatGPT, most think of a glorified Siri — something that rattles off facts or tells you what the capital of Peru is. But if you’re a small business owner and you’re still treating ChatGPT like a party trick, you’re missing out on what is possibly the most useful bit of tech since email.

This isn’t just some chatbot with clever small talk. This is a full-blown digital Swiss Army knife, and if you’re running a business on your own (or close to it), this thing can be the difference between staying up late trying to write your “About Us” page — or being done before your coffee goes cold.

Let’s get into it.

It Writes the Words So You Don’t Have To

You know that feeling when you should be updating your Facebook page or writing a newsletter, but instead you’re checking the fridge for inspiration? ChatGPT doesn’t get writer’s block. Give it a rough idea — “write a product description for our new tropical fruit soap” — and boom, it’s done. And not in a generic, beige way either. It can write in your tone, your style, and even throw in a bit of cheek if that’s your thing.

It’s like hiring a copywriter who doesn’t take lunch breaks and never replies with “just circling back on this.”

It Handles the Boring Bits

Policies. Emails. Bios. Refund instructions. These are the jobs we all dread, and guess what — ChatGPT lives for it. Want a neat, polite response to a grumpy customer who didn’t read your shipping times? Done. Need a returns policy that sounds like it came from a law firm but doesn’t send people to sleep? Easy.

Instead of starting with a blank page, you start with a draft that’s 90% of the way there. Tweak it, brand it, post it — done.

It Thinks Before You’ve Had Time to Panic

You don’t always have a marketing team or a room full of experts. Sometimes it’s just you, and the internet, and a vague sense you should be doing something. Ask ChatGPT. “What’s a good promotion for EOFY?” “What’s a better headline for this flyer?” “What’s the difference between a landing page and a home page, and do I need both?”

It’ll answer — clearly, and without a trace of condescension — and if you want, it’ll follow up with examples, checklists, or even a step-by-step plan.

So What’s the Catch?

None, really — other than the fact you have to get used to using it. ChatGPT isn’t going to run your business. But it will help you run it better, faster, and with fewer headaches. It’s not a gimmick. It’s a genuinely useful tool for anyone juggling too many jobs at once — which, let’s be honest, is pretty much every small business owner ever.

If you’re not already using it, you should be. And if you don’t know where to start, we’re happy to show you.

There comes a time in every business owner’s life when the spark vanishes.

One minute you’re full throttle, dreams blazing like a V8 on a straight stretch — and the next? You’re stuck in first gear, sipping lukewarm coffee and pretending spreadsheets are exciting.

It happens. Even to the best of us. And let me tell you, staring blankly at your inbox hoping motivation magically appears is about as useful as fitting a spoiler to a mobility scooter.

So, if your Business Mojo is running on fumes, here are five quick-fire ways to slam it into reverse, kick the tyres, and get your engine revving again.

1. Get Off Your Butt and Move

Yes, I know. This is a business blog, not a gym ad. But here’s the brutal truth — if you’re sitting on your backside all day hoping the Muse of Innovation will show up with a latte and a list of marketing ideas, she won’t.

Go for a walk. Break a sweat. Punch a punching bag (legally). Movement clears the fog, kicks the cortisol to the curb, and makes you feel more human. Plus, it gives you an excuse to listen to…

2. Podcasts – The New Fuel Injection for Your Brain

Think of podcasts as your pit crew — delivering inspiration straight to your ears while you jog, drive, or cry into your breakfast burrito.

There’s a podcast for everything now: business, motivation, AI, how to turn your side hustle into an empire, and probably one on how to sell expired cheese on Etsy. Try Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or even YouTube — yes, Gen Z listens at 1.5x speed like they’re defusing a bomb, but you don’t have to.

Some standouts in 2025?

• The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett
• The Tim Ferriss Show (still going strong)
• Foundr for startup-minded maniacs
• And Business Wars if you like your learning with a side of drama.

3. Read Something That Doesn’t Make You Sleepy

No, not an email. A book. You remember those — papery things full of ideas from people who’ve actually done the hard yards.

Forget dull business manuals. Go for the jugular with books like:

• “Shoe Dog” by Phil Knight (Nike’s founder, not a footwear-themed superhero)
• “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber (still the bible of building a business that doesn’t own your soul)
• “Atomic Habits” by James Clear (if you want to start actually doing things instead of talking about them)
• Or even something off the wall like “The Almanack of Naval Ravikant” – odd name, genius content.

These books won’t just motivate you — they’ll slap you across the face with the realisation that you’re not stuck. You’re just stale.

4. Talk to Actual Humans Who Get It

You know what’s worse than losing your mojo? Thinking you’re the only one who’s ever lost it.

Get out of your office cave and connect with other business owners. Doesn’t matter if they’re in the same industry or not — misery, inspiration, and caffeine are universal languages. Join your local business chamber, a digital mastermind group, or just grab coffee with someone who’s not your accountant.

Pro tip: avoid energy vampires — you want fellow fire-starters, not people who make Eeyore look upbeat.

5. Reflect — Not the Woo-Woo Kind, the Useful Kind Take a moment.

No, not to meditate on a mountain, just… think. Look at where you started. Dig up those early invoices, those grainy logo files, those “what was I thinking?” projects.

Progress is often invisible when you’re in it. But the second you step back and realise you’ve gone from “clueless and broke” to “still clueless but mildly profitable,” something clicks.

You haven’t lost your mojo. It’s just stuck under a pile of to-do lists and tax receipts.

Final Lap

Business burnout doesn’t mean you’ve failed — it means you’ve been in the game long enough to earn it. And with the right kick in the tailpipe (or a podcast and a decent walk), you can get that business engine purring again.

Need help getting your spark back? Call Tropical Coast Web Design. We’ve been building, fixing, and revving up regional businesses since before TikTok was even born. And no, we don’t wear capes. But we do build websites that work — and we’ve got plenty of coffee.

Let’s be honest — the internet isn’t what it used to be.

It used to be dial-up tones, dancing baby gifs, and websites that looked like someone built them during a power outage. Fast forward to now, and things have changed a bit. AI is writing poetry, TikTok is shaping trends, and if your website hasn’t had a serious glow-up since the last season of Game of Thrones (the good seasons, mind you), then you, my friend, are in trouble.

Your website is your digital handshake. And if that handshake is crusty, slow, and smells vaguely of Windows 98, potential customers will run — not walk — to your competition.

So, how do you know if your website is in desperate need of a makeover? Here are five signs that scream “SEND HELP” louder than a teenager without Wi-Fi:

1. Your Website Looks Like It Was Built With a Chisel

We’re not saying your site is old, but it probably has a MySpace link on it somewhere. If your website design predates smartphones, Instagram, or the invention of avocado toast, it’s time to move on. Still using Flash? That died a noble death years ago. Built it in Microsoft Word? Congratulations — you’ve made a flyer, not a website.

Today’s web users expect fast, sleek, modern sites. Think: Tesla, not Commodore. If your competitors’ sites look like Ferraris and yours looks like a lawnmower with a modem strapped to it, it’s time for an upgrade.

2. It Doesn’t Work on a Phone (AKA Where Everyone Is)

Look around. Right now, there are more people scrolling on phones than talking to their own family members. Over 60% of all web traffic comes from mobile devices, and Google now prioritises mobile-friendly websites in search results. That’s right — if your site doesn’t play nice with mobile, it’s basically invisible online.

It’s not just about shrinking stuff down to fit the screen — it’s about responsive design, thumb-friendly buttons, and not making people squint like they’re reading microfilm. If your site’s not mobile-ready, it’s the digital equivalent of a VHS tape.

3. You’ve Got Zero Social Media Integration

Social media isn’t just for influencers, food pics, or your Aunt Susan’s cat memes. If you’re running a business in 2025 and your website doesn’t show your social media activity, you’re missing a massive opportunity to show life, activity, and personality.

Today’s users expect to see your latest post, story, reel, or rant right there on your homepage. And if your Facebook feed stopped updating in 2019, people will assume you went out of business — or worse, that you don’t know what you’re doing.

4. Your Content Is Older Than the King’s Teacups

There’s nothing more depressing than visiting a blog with “Latest Post: March 2017” and a news section that hasn’t been updated since Tony Abbott was PM. It screams neglect. Like a shop with cobwebs in the window.

Fresh content builds trust. It shows you’re alive, active, and know what’s happening in your industry. And while we’re at it — ditch the stock photos from 2003. If your homepage still features someone in a Bluetooth earpiece, I’m calling the design police.

5. It’s About as Effective as a Screen Door on a Submarine

Let’s cut to the chase: if your website isn’t bringing in any new business, what’s the point? It’s like owning a Ferrari and never leaving the driveway — flashy, but utterly pointless.

Ask your customers how they found you. Was it your shiny site, or did they stumble across your dusty Yellow Pages ad? If you’re relying on smoke signals and carrier pigeons instead of your website, it’s time to sort it out.

Time for the Makeover? Call the Pros.

If any of this hit a little too close to home, don’t worry — we don’t judge. At Tropical Coast Web Design, we revive websites. We’ll dig into your dusty digital relic, assess the damage, and give you a clear, no-nonsense report — completely free.

So stop losing customers to websites that actually work. Give yours the makeover it deserves. Old sites belong in museums — not in front of your customers.

Now, I realise there are far more exciting things to do on the internet than updating your WordPress plugins. You could watch a documentary on the internal combustion engine, browse for classic Land Rovers, or even fall down a rabbit hole of obscure railway signalling systems. But if you’re running a WordPress website – whether it’s for your business, your blog, or a fan site for Spitfires – there’s something quite vital you really mustn’t ignore: plugin updates.

I can already hear the collective sigh. “Oh, come on, it’s working fine. I’ll do it next week.” Yes, I too have uttered these fateful words. But here’s the unfortunate truth – ignoring plugin updates is rather like putting off changing the oil in your car. It’s not very exciting, and you don’t see the consequences immediately, but neglect it long enough and something expensive, messy, and possibly smoky will happen.

So, why do plugins need updating?

WordPress plugins are like little Swiss Army knives – each one adds a new feature or improves functionality on your site. A gallery here, a contact form there, maybe even an SEO assistant that never stops nagging. They’re handy little tools – but they’re also bits of code. And, as with any software, they need regular tinkering to stay secure, compatible, and functional.

Plugin developers often release updates to fix bugs, improve performance, or – most importantly – patch security vulnerabilities. If you don’t install these updates, it’s a bit like leaving the front door of your house open with a big sign that says “Come on in, hackers!”

What can go wrong if you don’t update?

Well. For starters, outdated plugins are one of the top reasons WordPress websites get hacked. A single vulnerability in an old plugin can provide a nice little back door for malicious bots and their unsavoury human creators. Once inside, they can deface your website, steal customer data, or fill your blog with links to highly questionable products. Not ideal.

Then there’s the issue of compatibility. WordPress itself receives updates regularly, and if your plugins haven’t been updated to match, things can break. Buttons stop working. Pages don’t load properly. And suddenly your online store looks like it was built by someone who’s never used the internet before.

And if the idea of losing visitors or sales doesn’t alarm you, how about this: in the worst-case scenario, an outdated plugin can cause the dreaded White Screen of Death. No warning, no explanation – just a blank screen where your website used to be. Lovely.

But updating seems risky…

Yes, occasionally an update can cause issues, which is why it’s important to back up your site before hitting that button. But not updating is far riskier. And if you’re not confident, that’s what web developers are for. A little help now is much cheaper than emergency repair work later.

So please, for the love of well-maintained machinery, update your plugins. Regularly. Thoughtfully. And with a decent backup in place. It’s not thrilling – but then again, neither is a hacked website.

Let me paint you a picture.

You’ve got a new website. It’s shiny. It’s modern. It’s doing things that would make 1990s Bill Gates weep with envy. But then – BAM – your email pops up at the bottom of the page: bob_plumber88@hotmail.com.

Really? You’ve just driven a Ferrari into your future and parked it next to a bin fire.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But Greg, it still works!” Yes. So does a fax machine. And carrier pigeons. But we’ve moved on – and if you’re running a serious business, it’s time your email address did the same.

Here’s why clinging to that ancient Gmail or Hotmail address is quietly ruining your credibility – and why switching to a proper business email might be the smartest thing you do this decade.

1. A Professional Email Makes You Look Like You Know What You’re Doing

Imagine getting an invoice from plumb_master69@hotmail.com. You wouldn’t trust that with your drain, let alone your credit card.

Using a free email screams “I’m doing this part-time in my garage” – even if you’re running a proper, full-time operation. If you want customers to take you seriously, you’ve got to look the part. A branded email like hello@cassowarycoastdining.com.au (fictional, don’t email it) says: “We’re legit. We’re organised. We probably even have uniforms.”

And that, my friend, inspires confidence.

2. People Can Actually Remember Your Email

Let’s talk about memory. You might remember the name of your first dog, your wedding anniversary, and which side of the bed you hate sleeping on – but jenny25301991xoxo@gmail.com? Not a chance.

Now swap that with jenny@townsvillecandles.com.au. Suddenly, it’s not only easy to remember, it’s basically free advertising. Every email you send is a mini billboard for your business.

So unless you enjoy repeating your email address five times on the phone, make it memorable.

3. A Bigger Image Without a Bigger Price Tag

Here’s the clever bit: a professional email address makes your business look huge. Even if it’s just you and your dog running the show.

You can have accounts@, support@, bookings@ – and it all funnels back to your inbox. Customers see this and think, “Wow, this must be a serious company.” You? You’re sitting in your home office with a coffee and no pants on.

Beautiful.

4. Promote Your Brand – Not Google’s

Every time you send an email from a Gmail or Hotmail, you’re promoting them. Not your business. Them.

But fire off an email from info@yourbusiness.com.au and guess who’s getting free advertising? That’s right – you. It’s simple. Every email you send should be doing some heavy lifting for your brand.

Making the Switch – Without the Drama

Now, I’m not saying you need to rip off the Band-Aid and delete your Gmail tonight. The changeover can be smooth, elegant, and free from the usual tech meltdowns.

Here’s the Clarkson-simple version:

1. Tell your customers. (Use MailChimp or just shout.)
2. Keep checking the old Gmail – don’t abandon ship.
3. Start replying from your new address.
4. Once the old address stops pinging, shut it down like a dodgy kebab van.

Need help making the leap? Get in touch with Tropical Coast Web Design. We’ll handle the switch so you can focus on running your empire – one properly branded email at a time.

Let’s be brutally honest: the world’s gone mad.

One minute we’re all arguing about the best place to get a meat pie, the next we’re hoarding toilet paper and attending staff meetings in our pyjamas over Zoom. Thanks, Covid.

But amid all this chaos, one truth has roared out louder than a V8 at Bathurst – if your small business isn’t online, it might as well be on Mars.

I live and work in Ingham – population: small, cane fields: plenty. And even here, in the tropical heart of North Queensland, the internet is king. You might have the best service, the friendliest staff, and a shopfront so charming it could make Bunnings weep – but if people can’t find you on Google, they’ll find someone else who is online. Possibly in another country. Possibly selling the same thing. Possibly cheaper.

Still not convinced? Fine. Let me spell it out with three simple reasons.

1. A Website Turns Your Business Into a 24/7 Money Machine

Imagine you’re tucked up in bed, dreaming of profits and fishing trips. Meanwhile, someone in Melbourne clicks “Add to Cart” on your website. Boom – you just made money in your sleep.

That’s the magic of an online store. No closing hours. No “Sorry, we’re shut” sign. Your products and services are now available to anyone, anywhere, anytime – whether they’re in Tully or Timbuktu. And thanks to modern shipping options, you can get those products to customers faster than a tradie on smoko.

Why would you settle for serving 5,000 locals when you could serve 5 million strangers?

2. Websites Let You Punch Well Above Your Weight

Back in the day, competing with the big boys meant massive budgets, flashy signage, and a marketing team larger than most school faculties. Today? All you need is a decent website.

With a clean layout, a clear call to action, and a sprinkling of actual customer service, you can look every bit as professional as the corporate juggernauts – without having to sell your ute to afford it.

Got quality products? Got a helpful team? Can you use a contact form without crying? Great – you’re ready to compete.

3. You Can Build a Loyal Following Without Leaving the Couch

Social media is no longer just for cat videos and political rants. It’s where your customers live – and more importantly, where they talk about you.

From customers flaunting your handmade earrings on Instagram to someone tagging their mum in your Facebook post about organic mango chutney, the word-of-mouth effect is turbocharged when your website and socials work together. Every hashtag, every retweet, every glowing review points back to one place: your business.

So what are you waiting for? A sign from above? (Spoiler: it’s this blog.)

If you’re a small-town business with big dreams, it’s time to stop playing it safe behind your counter and start playing to win online. Because in 2025, “no website” is the digital equivalent of saying, “I only take cheques.”

And that is not how you grow a business.

The idea of public speaking sends most small business owners into a cold sweat.

You’d rather scrub the office toilet with a toothbrush than stand in front of a room full of people, mic in hand, trying not to look like a malfunctioning wax figure.

But here’s the truth: if you want to grow your business — really grow it — you need to get comfortable with a bit of spotlight. Not the Hollywood kind, but the sort that puts you in front of the very people who could become your next loyal customers.

Who Should You Be Talking To?

Don’t bother with crowds that couldn’t care less about what you do. You want local business owners, community groups, industry meetups, networking breakfasts — anywhere people are trying to solve problems, learn things, or just escape their inbox for an hour with a muffin and a coffee.

Think of it this way: every person sitting in that room could be a customer, a referral, or someone who can open a door. And unlike an ad in the local paper or another shout into the social media void, public speaking gives you instant credibility. People trust the person with the microphone.

How Do You Get a Speaking Gig?

Simple: ask. No, really. Reach out to the organisers of business events, clubs, and groups. Offer to do a short, helpful talk that actually gives value — something like “5 Mistakes Small Businesses Make with Their Branding,” “How to Make Social Media Suck Less,” or even “What I’ve Learned Running a Business That You Shouldn’t Have to.”

Keep it real. Keep it relevant. And most importantly, don’t try to sell. If you sound like a walking ad, people will tune out faster than you can say “limited time offer.” But if you share real advice, stories, and the occasional laugh, they’ll remember you — and call you when they need help.

How Do You Speak Without Stuffing It Up?

Here’s the trick: don’t try to be a “motivational speaker.” No one wants that. Just be you, but louder. Tell stories. Make them laugh. Be honest about the mistakes you’ve made and what you’ve learned. Use plain language, not jargon. And for heaven’s sake, keep the PowerPoint simple. No charts. No walls of text. No 2005 clip art.

The goal isn’t to impress — it’s to connect. Let them see the human behind the business. The one who gets it. The one they’d trust to do the job or solve the problem.

The Bottom Line?

Public speaking is free marketing that works. One presentation can land you more business than a month of boosted Facebook posts and fridge magnets combined.

So next time you’re invited to speak, say yes. Even if your knees are knocking and your voice shakes a bit — say yes. Because when people know who you are, what you do, and that you’re not a robot, they’re far more likely to buy from you.

And who knows? You might even enjoy it. (Okay, maybe not. But it will work.)

Let’s clear something up straight away – ChatGPT is not Google.

It’s not there to serve up a bunch of links you’ll never click, or tell you how tall Chris Hemsworth is (although yes, it can do that too).

ChatGPT is much more than that. It’s like having an entire team of experts crammed into your laptop — and they don’t ask for a lunch break or spend half the day in meetings that should’ve been emails.

But — and this is a big but — if you treat ChatGPT like it’s just a cleverer version of Ask Jeeves, you’re using about 2% of what it can actually do. That’s like buying a Ferrari and only using it to drive to the letterbox.

So, What’s the Trick?

To make the most of ChatGPT, you’ve got to think differently. Don’t ask it random one-liners like you’re shouting into the void. Instead, treat it like a collaborator — a consultant, even. Someone (or something) that can take on a specific role, understand the brief, and deliver results without muttering about their KPI dashboard.

Here’s how I use it. Whether I’m wrangling website code, whipping up social media ideas, or fixing WooCommerce problems that make grown men cry, I follow this dead-simple formula — and it works.

The Prompt Blueprint That Doesn’t Suck

1. Start with the Role
Tell ChatGPT who it needs to be.

“You are a business consultant…”
“You are a copywriter…”
“You are a web developer with 20 years of experience and a caffeine addiction…”

This sets the tone. Otherwise, it’ll respond like a shy librarian guessing wildly.

2. Clearly State the Task
Spell out what you want — properly.

“Write a 5-day meal plan…”
“Create a basic marketing plan for a homewares store…”
“Fix this CSS that’s making my website look like a dog’s breakfast…”

3. Give It Context or a Goal
This is where the magic happens. Tell it why you need the thing.

“…for busy mums with toddlers.”
“…for a business on a tight budget.”
“…for someone who thinks Excel is a type of dishwashing liquid.”

4. Specify the Format (Optional, but seriously, do it.)
Guide the output.

“Bullet points under 500 words.”
“Step-by-step guide.”
“Table format with deadlines.”

5. Set the Tone
Because no one wants a funeral speech when they asked for a blog post.

“Friendly and engaging.”
“Professional but supportive.”
“Like Jeremy Clarkson on a caffeine high.”

Put it all together…

You are a small business coach. Write a simple 1-page business plan for a new eco-friendly laundry service in regional Australia. It’s for a sole trader just starting out, and the tone should be supportive but professional. Use bullet points and keep it under 500 words.

Boom. That prompt will get you something usable — not some vague, AI-generated waffle about “synergising your scalable detergent solutions.”

So, next time you open ChatGPT, remember: you’re not talking to a search bar. You’re giving instructions to the world’s most versatile intern. Use it well — and it might just make you look smarter, faster, and dangerously efficient.

Now if it could only make coffee…

Right. Let’s get one thing straight.

Artificial Intelligence is not just some terrifying robot uprising waiting to happen. It’s not HAL 9000. It’s not going to steal your job (unless your job is mind-numbingly boring, in which case — fair enough). And it’s not just for billion-dollar tech companies in Silicon Valley who name their children after Wi-Fi passwords.

No, my friend. AI is for everyone — even a web developer running a small business in regional Australia. Like me.

I use it every single day at Tropical Coast Web Design. And not in a “look how futuristic I am” sort of way — I use it to get stuff done faster, cleaner, and without losing my mind. Here’s how.

1. Writing Code Without Losing the Will to Live

Ever spent three hours trying to figure out why your website’s menu is refusing to sit in the right place? I have. And once upon a time, that meant scrolling through forums from 2009 written by someone named “CSSWizard88” who hasn’t been seen since the MySpace era.

Now? I ask ChatGPT. “Why is this div not aligning?” Boom — instant answer. And if it’s wrong? I refine it. No ego, no fluff. Just results.

It’s like having a coding assistant who doesn’t take lunch breaks, never asks for a raise, and doesn’t hum loudly while working.

Clarkson Verdict: Faster than Googling. Cheaper than therapy.

2. Emails That Don’t Sound Like They Were Written During a Seizure

My brain goes faster than my fingers. The result? Emails that look like they were typed by a caffeinated raccoon. Typos, missing words, and the occasional sentence that just… stops.

So I throw it all into ChatGPT. It cleans it up, tidies the grammar, and makes me sound like someone who’s slept in the past 48 hours. And yet — crucially — I still sound like me. Friendly, casual, with just the right amount of personality.

Clarkson Verdict: Think of it like autocorrect, but smarter.

3. Creating Images That Don’t Look Like Stock Photo Nightmares

Need a futuristic tractor? A cartoon parrot in sunglasses? A majestic Egyptian tomb with a food court? Done. AI image tools can whip these up in seconds. I use them for mockups, blog posts, and design ideas — all without paying a stock photo site $47 for a picture of a handshake.

BUT — and it’s a big but — always check the usage rights. If your AI-generated image looks suspiciously like something Disney owns, you might find yourself being sued by a mouse in white gloves.

Clarkson Verdict: Brilliant. Just don’t get sued.

4. SEO Without the Snake Oil

Remember when SEO companies charged you $1000 a month to tell you that your website needed more “keywords” and a faster load time? Yeah, those days are over.

Now I use AI to:

• Improve page content
• Check meta descriptions
• Optimise local keywords
• Audit the entire site like a digital Sherlock Holmes

What used to take a week now takes two hours — with actual results, not just a 12-page PDF full of buzzwords.

Clarkson Verdict: SEO without the smoke and mirrors. Finally.

What’s the Point of All This?

AI isn’t magic. It’s not going to replace you. But used properly, it’s like strapping a turbocharger onto your business.

The trick isn’t just having access to tools like ChatGPT — it’s knowing how to use them. Not to play around. Not to write poems about cats. But to actually do your job better, faster, and with fewer headaches.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what I’ll show you next: how to make AI work for you — not the other way around.

If you’ve spent any time on Facebook lately, you’ve probably seen ads offering full websites for as little as $199.

Sounds like a bargain, right? As a website developer who’s been helping regional small businesses for nearly two decades, I’m here to wave a big red flag: you get what you pay for—and in some cases, even less.

Let’s break it down.

The $199 Website Dream

A recent example I found in my Facebook feed was a web design business calling itself “Australian Marsupial Web Design” (not it’s real name). With a .com.au domain and plenty of Aussie lingo sprinkled through their advertising, they present themselves as a local operation. But a quick Whois lookup tells another story.

The domain name is indeed registered in Australia—but the actual domain owner? Not here. Searching on LinkedIn revealed that the owner is based in Pakistan. While that in itself isn’t a crime, but it does raise some serious questions, especially when the business is marketed as “local.”

If the person building your website is being paid peanuts to do it, what kind of service quality and attention to detail do you think you’re going to get?

Template Factories and Zero Support

These $199 sites are often just recycled templates, churned out in bulk and reskinned with your business name and logo. You might think, “That’s okay, it’s only a basic site”—but consider this:

• That same template could be used on hundreds of other sites, including your competitors.
• The images and copy often aren’t tailored, which hurts your SEO and makes your business look like a clone.
• And if something goes wrong? Good luck.

Try calling for support and you’ll likely get radio silence, a chatbot that doesn’t help, or emails that go unanswered for days—if at all. There’s no accountability, no local knowledge, and certainly no face-to-face service.

False Economy

Sure, $199 sounds appealing—especially if you’re just starting out. But when that bargain site breaks, disappears, or fails to rank in search engines, you’ll end up paying more to fix it or rebuild from scratch. It’s the classic case of false economy.

And let’s not forget the risk of offshore data handling, especially if your website collects customer information. Do you really want your clients’ details stored on servers who-knows-where, managed by someone you’ve never spoken to?

What to Look For Instead

When choosing a web developer, look for someone who:

• Actually lives and works in your region.
• Takes the time to understand your business and your goals.
• Can offer ongoing support when you need it—not when they feel like answering an email.
• Delivers custom design that reflects you, not a recycled template.

Final Thoughts

I know every dollar counts in small business, but your website is your digital shopfront—it’s often the first impression you make. Don’t hand that over to a faceless bargain-bin operation on Facebook.

Ask questions. Do your homework. And if you’re not sure, give someone local a call – you might be surprised how affordable genuine support and quality actually are.

Need help or advice? I’m based right here in North Queensland and have been building websites for local businesses since 2007. No bots, no offshore handballs—just honest support and designs that work.