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ChatGPT by a bloke who talks to AI and occasionally yells at it

Posted by Greg

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…

AI Isn’t Just for Tech Nerds – Here’s How I Use It Every Day

Posted by Greg

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:

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.

Beware of Ultra-Cheap Website Builders

Posted by Greg

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:

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:

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.

Why WIX AI and Other Site Builders Are a Terrible Idea for Your Small Business

Posted by Greg

Imagine you’re starting a small business—maybe you’re baking award-winning brownies, restoring old motorbikes, or finally launching that dog grooming salon you’ve been banging on about since 2019.

You need a website. Naturally. And someone tells you, with a suspicious sparkle in their eye, “Why not use WIX AI? It’s fast, cheap, and builds itself!”

Let me stop you right there.

That is the digital equivalent of building your dream house on sand. Worse – it’s like building it on someone else’s land, with their tools, under their rules. And when they decide to change the game? Tough. You’re out of luck. Or in this case, out of business leads, buried under broken contact forms and Google penalties.

Don’t build your house on borrowed ground.

Here’s a few very good reasons why relying on WIX AI, Squarespace, or any other point-and-click magic wand is a fundamentally bad idea if you’re remotely serious about your business.

1. You Don’t Own It

You might think you own your site because you paid a tenner a month to WIX. But you don’t. What you’re doing is renting. You’re squatting on someone else’s digital turf. And the moment they change their terms, go bust, or decide your business violates some obscure policy they made up five minutes ago—you’re toast.

You can’t just pack up your files and move somewhere better. It’s like trying to take the wallpaper when you move flats. It doesn’t work. What you’ve built is locked in. Permanently.

2. You Get What You’re Given

AI builders are impressive. They’ll ask you a few questions—“What do you do?” “What’s your favourite colour?”—and then throw together a website faster than a teenager microwaving a pizza.

But the end result? Generic. Limiting. And about as unique as a flat white in a North Queensland café.

Want to add a custom booking system? Specific e-commerce logic? A real brand voice? Good luck. WIX AI isn’t a designer or strategist. It’s a glorified template slot machine.

3. Performance Is Often Terrible

Sure, WIX looks great on the surface. Nice animations. Shiny menus. But behind the scenes? It’s dragging a caravan of bloated code around every time someone visits. Your beautiful homepage loads slower than a pensioner doing the three-legged race.

And when your site’s slow, Google gets grumpy. And when Google gets grumpy, your search rankings go into freefall. Goodbye, free traffic. Hello, obscurity

4. Support Is Basically a Myth

Something breaks. Your contact form stops working. Customers can’t check out. Panic ensues. Who do you call?

Not WIX. You’ll get a chatbot named “Sam” or “Jess” who answers the wrong question five times in a row. Then it’ll send you a link to an article written by someone who’s never used the internet. Actual human support? Rare. Personalised help? Nonexistent.

And if you’re thinking, “Well, my nephew can fix it,” I’ve got news for you: he’s gone to uni, and he’s ignoring your calls.

5. It’s All Fluff, No Strategy

Your website should be a sales machine. A lead-generating, brand-building, customer-converting machine. But WIX AI doesn’t know your business, your audience, or your goals. It just vomits up a few pages and says, “That’ll do.”

It’s like buying a car with no steering wheel. Sure, it’s shiny and has Bluetooth. But where’s it going? Nowhere. Fast.

In Conclusion

If your business matters, then your website deserves better. You need something you control. Something built with a purpose, a voice, and an actual plan.

So skip the quick fix. Hire a proper web developer. Work with someone who understands marketing. Someone who listens to your goals and builds a site around you, not around a robot’s assumptions. Because when the storms come—and they will—you’ll be glad you didn’t build your house on borrowed ground.

Why Your Small Business Website Is a Useless, Lonely Desert and What to Do About It

Posted by Greg

So, you’ve got a website.

It looks nice. It has your logo, some pretty pictures, and maybe even a button that says Contact Us. And yet… nothing. No calls, no emails, no sales. It just sits there, about as useful as a handbrake on a canoe.

Meanwhile, your competitors—who have websites that look like they were designed in 1998—seem to be doing just fine. How? Why? Is the universe against you?

No. Your website isn’t generating business because it’s doing everything except what it’s actually supposed to do.

But don’t worry—I’m here to tell you exactly what’s wrong and, more importantly, how to fix it.

1. No One Can Find It (Because Google Thinks You Don’t Exist)

Your website might be brilliant, but if it’s on page 47 of Google, no one will ever see it. And since the only person who willingly goes to page 47 of Google is someone who has made a terrible mistake, your website is practically invisible.

What to do about it:

2. Your Website Looks Like It Was Designed by a Drunk Octopus

Let’s be brutally honest. If your website looks like it was put together by someone whose only qualification is “I once used Microsoft Paint,” it’s not going to inspire confidence.

What to do about it:

3. Your Website Has the Personality of a Brick

Most small business websites read like they were written by a corporate committee trying not to offend anyone. They’re full of words like solutions, innovative, and synergy—but they say absolutely nothing.

If your website sounds like a robot wrote it, people will assume you’re boring, untrustworthy, or both.

What to do about it:

People buy from people, not from faceless websites filled with corporate nonsense.

4. There’s No Call to Action (So People Just Leave)

So, a customer lands on your website. They like what they see. They might even want to buy from you. But then… what now?

If your site doesn’t tell them exactly what to do next, they’ll leave. People need clear instructions.

What to do about it:

You’d be amazed how many businesses lose sales simply because they never actually ask for them.

Final Thoughts: Your Website Is Supposed to Work for You, Not Just Sit There

Your website is not just a fancy online brochure—it should be bringing in business. If it’s not, it’s either:

  1. Invisible (bad SEO),
  2. Annoying to use (slow, ugly, or confusing), or
  3. Failing to actually sell anything (no calls to action).

The good news? You can fix all of this.

So, instead of sitting around wondering why your competitors are getting all the business while your website collects digital dust, do something about it.

Make some tweaks, write like a human, and tell people what to do next.

And if you need help, your local web developer, Tropical Coast Web Design, is here to make it happen.

Otherwise, you might as well replace your website with a single-page PDF that says, “Please go away and buy from someone else.” Because right now, that’s what it’s doing.

AI in 50 Years: A Brilliant Future or a Total Disaster?

Posted by Greg

Fifty years from now, artificial intelligence will either be the greatest thing to ever happen to humanity—or the reason we all live in fear of our toasters.

No one really knows which way it’ll go, but given how fast AI is advancing, we’re either heading for a utopia where machines do all the work, or a sci-fi horror film where we have to negotiate with our fridge just to get a snack.

So, let’s take a look at what AI could be doing for us in 50 years. The good, the bad, and the completely ridiculous.

The AI Utopia: Everything Is Easy (Maybe Too Easy?)

If AI develops the way its biggest fans predict, life in 50 years will be absurdly convenient.

Sounds fantastic, right? But hold on—because every utopia comes with a few problems.

The AI Apocalypse: When It All Goes Horribly Wrong

Now, let’s talk about the slightly less exciting (but far more likely) future where AI gets too smart for its own good—or just makes life really, really weird.

So, Will AI Save Us or Destroy Us?

At this point, the only thing we can say for sure is that AI will be everywhere in 50 years. Whether that’s a good or bad thing depends entirely on how we manage it.

Best-case scenario? AI enhances human life, making everything easier, safer, and more enjoyable. Worst-case scenario? AI turns against us (or just makes everything so automated that life becomes unbearably dull).

Either way, in 50 years, one thing is certain: your toaster will be smarter than you. And that’s just a little bit terrifying.

Five Things You Can Do This Week to Give Your Small Business a Kick Up the Backside

Posted by Greg

Running a small business is like driving an old Holden ute.

Some days, it’s smooth sailing. Other days, it feels like the whole thing is rattling apart, and you’re just praying it holds together long enough to reach the pub.

But here’s the thing—you don’t need to rebuild the engine to make it run better. Sometimes, a quick tune-up is all it takes. So, if you’re looking to give your business a bit of a jolt this week, here are five simple things you can do that actually work.

And no, none of them involve “manifesting success” or sitting in a circle chanting about growth potential.

1. Contact Past Customers (Because They Actually Like You)

Business owners are obsessed with chasing new customers, but let’s be real—getting strangers to buy from you is like convincing a cat to go for a swim. Meanwhile, past customers already know you, trust you, and might even like you.

It’s free, it works, and best of all—it takes about five minutes.

2. Fix That One Annoying Thing on Your Website

Your website is your digital shopfront. And if it’s a mess, customers will walk away faster than I walked out of that awful BMW X6.

A bad website doesn’t just annoy people—it loses sales. So fix it.

3. Post Something (Anything) on Social Media

If your business’s last social media post was in 2022, people will assume you’ve either gone bankrupt or been abducted by aliens. Either way, they won’t buy from you.

The key here is to be human, not a corporate robot. People don’t follow businesses for bland sales pitches—they follow for personality, humor, and interesting stuff.

4. Launch a Flash Sale (Because Everyone Loves a Deadline)

Want to shake things up and make some quick sales? A limited-time offer works because people are lazy. Give them a deadline, and suddenly they find the motivation to buy.

Whatever you do, keep it simple. No one wants to read a 17-paragraph explainer about how to claim your “exclusive, limited-time, members-only, unlockable platinum deal.” Just say: “Hey, this thing is cheaper today. Buy it before the deal’s gone.”

5. Make Life Easier for Your Customers (Because They’re Not Psychic)

Want more customers? Then stop making them jump through flaming hoops just to buy from you.

Tiny fixes can mean the difference between a sale and someone giving up and buying from your competitor. And you don’t want that.

Final Thoughts: Get Off Your Backside and Do Something

Business doesn’t magically improve on its own. You can either sit around waiting for the economy to change, the stars to align, or Jeff Bezos to personally recommend your business…

Or you can do something practical this week.

Pick one (or all five), and take action this week. Because even a tiny improvement is better than sitting around doing nothing and hoping for the best.

AI in Small Business: The Future or a Digital Nightmare?

Posted by Greg

Right then, artificial intelligence.

The two most terrifying words in business today—unless, of course, you’re the one selling AI. We’re told it’s going to revolutionize everything, making businesses more efficient, customers happier, and life easier.

But let’s not kid ourselves—there’s a fair bit of nonsense attached to all this AI hype.

Yes, AI can be useful, and for small businesses, it might just be the thing that keeps them competitive. But it also comes with some serious headaches. So, let’s take a look at the good, the bad, and the downright idiotic parts of AI in small business.

AI: The Miracle Worker (Sometimes)

The best thing about AI? It can handle the boring stuff. No one starts a business because they love answering emails at 2 AM or manually updating stock levels. AI can automate the tedious, brain-meltingly dull parts of running a business, which means owners can spend more time doing what they actually enjoy.

Sounds brilliant, right? Well, hold your horses, because here come the problems…

When AI Goes Horribly, Horribly Wrong

AI isn’t perfect. In fact, sometimes it’s as useful as a chocolate teapot.

AI in the Future: Opportunity or Disaster?

The reality is AI isn’t going anywhere. But rather than taking over completely, it’s going to create a weird hybrid business environment where some things run like clockwork, and others go completely off the rails.

Final Verdict: Should Small Businesses Embrace AI?

AI is not the enemy. Used wisely, it can save time, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. But small businesses need to remember it’s a tool, not a replacement for common sense.

Instead of going all-in on AI and replacing every human interaction with an automated system, businesses should:

So yes, AI has a future in small business. But before you bet your business on it, just remember—when it goes wrong, it goes spectacularly wrong.

And if you don’t believe me, just ask any business that’s had their AI-powered inventory system accidentally mark all their stock as ‘out of stock’ for a week.

Web Developer vs. IT Technician: What’s the Difference?”

Posted by Greg

People often assume that a web developer and an IT technician are the same thing—after all, they both work with computers, right? But in reality, these two roles are as different as a chef and a waiter. They might work in the same industry, but they do completely different jobs.

What Does a Web Developer Do?

A web developer is responsible for building and maintaining websites. They write code, design layouts, and ensure that a site looks good and functions properly. Web developers typically specialize in:

A web developer’s job is creative and technical. They bring a website to life, ensuring it works smoothly on all devices and browsers.

What Does an IT Technician Do?

An IT technician is more focused on the hardware and software that keep a business running. They handle:

An IT technician ensures that computers, networks, and other tech-related systems stay operational, minimizing downtime for businesses.

The Key Differences

The main difference? A web developer builds websites, while an IT technician keeps computers and networks running. A web developer writes code and creates online experiences, while an IT technician fixes broken computers, manages networks, and ensures businesses have the tech support they need.

So, the next time you need a website, call a web developer. But if you need help setting up email on your computer or your Wi-Fi won’t work? That’s a job for an IT technician.

Your Website’s Engine: Domains, DNS & Servers Explained

Posted by Greg

Let’s get one thing straight: your website is not just some fluffy bit of internet magic that floats in the ether.

It’s a finely tuned machine, a precision instrument, a roaring V8 of ones and zeroes. And if you don’t understand how it works, well, you’re about as useful as a satnav with a dead battery. So let me explain it—properly.

The Domain Name – Your Internet Number Plate

First up, the domain name. This is the flashy badge on the front of your website. It’s how people find you online, like “yourbusiness.com.au” or, if you’re feeling particularly patriotic, something even more obscure.

The “.com.au” bit? That’s your vehicle registration—it tells the internet bouncers that you’re running an operation in Australia. You can’t just buy one of these, either. No, no. You need an ABN or ACN to prove you’re a legitimate Aussie business, because unlike certain online scams, we like a bit of credibility Down Under.

But the domain name is just a pretty face. It doesn’t actually do anything. For that, you need…

The DNS – The Internet’s Secret Satnav

DNS, or Domain Name System, is the mystical force that translates human-friendly names like “yourbusiness.com.au” into machine-friendly IP addresses. Think of it as the satnav of the internet, directing traffic where it needs to go. When someone types in your domain, the DNS tells their computer, “Ah yes, that website is parked over there,” and sends them to your web server.

If your DNS is wrong, it’s like trying to drive to Sydney with a map of Mars. You won’t get very far, and you’ll probably end up in a very dark place filled with 404 errors.

The Email Server – Your Digital Postie

Now, let’s talk email. If you’re using a proper business email like “you@yourbusiness.com.au” instead of something tragic like “yourbusiness1972@hotmail.com,” you’ve got an email server working behind the scenes. This server receives and sends emails on your behalf, making sure your messages don’t end up in the internet’s rubbish bin.

This is all configured in your DNS settings with things called MX records. If these aren’t set up right, your emails will disappear into the void, never to be seen again—like my patience when someone says, “Have you tried turning it off and on again?”

The Web Server – The Big, Powerful Engine Under the Bonnet

The web server is where your actual website lives. It’s a big, powerful computer that dishes out your website to visitors faster than a supercar off the line. When someone visits “yourbusiness.com.au,” their request is sent to your DNS, which points them to your web server, which then loads up your website for them to see.

Your web hosting provider manages this. If they’re decent, your site runs smoothly. If they’re not, your website loads at the speed of a 1993 Toyota Corolla going uphill in third gear.

How It All Connects – The Whole Package

So, in summary:

If any of these parts fail, your website grinds to a halt. And if that happens, you’ll have a bad time. But now, at least, you know why.

So go forth, set up your website properly, and for heaven’s sake—don’t use a free email address for your business.

Tropical Coast Web Design