
"Ask David!"
Got a tech or website question, big or small? The "Ask David" section is here to help you make sense of it all. Whether it’s about using UltimateWB, troubleshooting another website builder, improving your site’s speed or SEO, or anything in between, feel free to ask!
Who's David?
David is a full-stack web developer with over 20 years of experience in programming, design, and server administration (WHM/cPanel), specializing in building high-performance, secure web solutions that prioritize user autonomy. Have a technical hurdle? Ask David below.

How to deal with bad bots and crawlers that waste your server resources and harm your website?
It is true that there are bad bots and crawlers that can potentially harm your website by consuming server resources, engaging in scraping, or attempting to exploit vulnerabilities. These malicious bots can negatively impact your website's...

How Do You Stay Creative When Building Websites?
Me We Too website, built on UltimateWB website builder. Staying creative while building websites is both a challenge and an opportunity. With the constant demand for fresh designs, unique functionality, and meaningful user experiences,...

How to Increase Website Traffic & Online Sales Without a Big Advertising Budget
Ask David! Question: "How do I boost online sales and increase website traffic? I don't have a huge budget for online ads." That is a common starting point - I've been there too with my own online store. Driving consistent website traffic...

Can you give me some advice on starting a small web design business on the side?
Sure! Short Answer: Use UltimateWB to save on web development time and cost, and provide an admin panel for clients who would like to manage their own website after you design/build it. Brand your business to target potential clients, and...

What are some specific examples of how immersive technology is being used in e-commerce?
Immersive technology is steadily transforming the e-commerce landscape, blurring the lines between online and physical shopping experiences. What's great is that you don't have to build your website from scratch to incorporate it, you can use...

Why do most websites have their logo in the top left corner?
There are two main reasons why most websites place their logo in the top left corner: User familiarity: People who read languages written left-to-right, like English, naturally look at web pages starting from the top left corner. This is...

What are some effective free methods for generating targeted website visitors?
One group of customers standing on a red target bullseye, with magnifying glass hovering above it Here are some effective free methods for generating targeted website visitors: Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimize for search intent:...

Why are website builders so hard to use?
Which website builders have you tried? I think what makes a website builder the most difficult is when the features aren’t built-in and you have to find/install third-party plugins and extensions to build the type of website you want. Also,...

Is a CTR Below 1% a Bad Sign If Clicks Are Increasing Daily? Let’s Talk Nuances.
In a previous post, Decoding Click-Through Rates (CTR): What’s Good and Why It Matters for Ads & Website Content, we explored what makes a “good” CTR and why this metric plays such a crucial role in digital marketing performance. But...

How much does it cost to build a website?
It depends on what features you need. For a basic website it can cost you under $20 with UltimateWB. There are also other software versions available at UltimateWB for more advanced websites, that are interactive, social, or have e-commerce...

What internet browsers should you target and care about when developing your website?
Short answer is: The ones that people use! For sure you want to make sure your website runs well on the most popular and widely used internet browsers... The most commonly recommended browsers to consider are: Google Chrome: As the most...

How Hard Is It for a Health and Wellness Blog or Website to Rank on Google?
Starting a health and wellness blog or website can be exciting - you get to share tips on fitness, nutrition, mental health, and overall well-being. But if your goal is to get traffic from Google, there’s a hard truth: ranking in this...

How important is website speed for converting visitors into leads?
Website speed is critically important for converting visitors into leads. A slow-loading website can significantly impact user experience, leading to higher bounce rates and lower conversion rates. Here's why: Frustrated Users:...

When do you use a 301 redirect vs 410 redirect?
Choose a 301 Redirect when: The content has moved permanently: You've simply relocated the page to a new URL. You want to preserve SEO value: 301 redirects pass most of the link equity and ranking signals from the old URL to the new...

Your Website is Your Silent Salesperson: Is “Basic” Costing You Money?
Should I upgrade my website? Every dollar matters when you’re building a small business. Early on, it’s natural to look for the fastest and cheapest way to get online, which is why so many businesses start with “basic” website...

Can you still get ranked just as well with a one-page website than with a multi-page website? i.e. with the proper use of h1 headers, etc.?
Yes, you can absolutely achieve good SEO rankings with a well-optimized one-page website. While multi-page websites offer certain advantages, such as targeting a wider range of keywords and providing a more structured user experience, a...

Does Google still use PageRank to rate your website?
"Ask David" short answer: yes. While you can’t see it anymore, PageRank is still a "core" part of how Google determines which websites are trustworthy and important. Related: What Makes a Simple Website Feel Trustworthy? (From Real User...

Should you capitalize every word in your blog titles? Here's what actually works best
When it comes to blog post titles, how you write them matters more than you think.It’s not just about what your headline says - it’s how it looks. One of the most overlooked questions in content strategy is: Should I capitalize every word...

How can businesses optimize their website for Google's BERT?
What is BERT? Let's start with what Google's BERT is. It has nothing to do with Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie, but it is an acronym, standing for: Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers. In clearer terms, BERT is a...

How reliable and accurate is Google Analytics?
Google Analytics is a reliable and accurate tool for tracking website traffic and visitor behavior. It is used by millions of websites around the world, and it is considered to be the industry standard for web analytics. Google Analytics...

Why WordPress Page Builders Fall Short - and What to Use Instead
WordPress page builders promise an easy way to build websites without coding - but they often create more problems than they solve. From bloated code to compatibility headaches, they can drag down performance and limit your design...

“My Partner Wants to Use WordPress Because 50% of the Web Uses It. Help!”
Ask David! Question “I am building a website with my partner. He wants to use WordPress to build it, saying that 50% of the websites use it, so it must be good. I point to the high maintenance, and that hacked WordPress websites are way...

What techniques do you use to improve website crawlability and indexability?
Good question! A well-designed website is only half the battle. For your website to truly thrive online, it needs to be seen by search engines and potential visitors. This is where crawlability and indexability come into play... Conquer the...

What are some tips for creating a website that gets millions of hits?
Creating a website that attracts millions of hits is a significant accomplishment and often requires a well-thought-out strategy, valuable content, and effective promotion. Here are some tips to help you achieve this goal: 1) Good Backend...

Should you submit your sitemap to other search engines besides Google?
If you're working on your website's SEO, you have probably heard that sitemaps play a crucial role in helping search engines discover and index your website's content. But when it comes to submitting your sitemap, is Google the only search...

What is the most important SEO tip?
The most important SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tip is to focus on providing valuable and relevant content for your audience. Content is at the core of SEO, and search engines aim to deliver the best possible results to users. Here's why...

When / why should you add a forum to your website?
Adding a forum to your website can be a great idea in certain situations, but it's important to carefully consider your goals, audience, and resources before implementing one. Here are some scenarios and reasons when and why you should consider...

How long does it take Google to index a page after you request indexing the page on Google Search Console?
Google doesn't guarantee a specific timeframe for indexing a page after you request it through Google Search Console. There are several factors at play, but here's a general idea: Initial Crawl: It can take anywhere from a few days to a...

How do you check if your desired domain name for your website is available?
Quickly Check Domain Name Availability with UltimateWB! Look no further than UltimateWB's check domain name availability tool. This handy tool allows you to quickly check multiple domain names at once, saving you time and effort. Here's...

Do you need to pay for something like GTMetrix when there's PageSpeed Insights free?
GTmetrix vs. PageSpeed Insights: Do You Need to Pay? No, you don't need to pay for something like GTmetrix when there's PageSpeed Insights available for free. Google's PageSpeed Insights is a robust and comprehensive tool that provides...

How often should different types of web content be updated?
The frequency with which you should update your web content depends heavily on the type of content and your overall goals. Here's a general guideline: 1. Evergreen Content (e.g., How-to Guides, Core Product Information):...

CMS Website vs. Custom Website Coded From Scratch: Which Is Better?
UltimateWB built-in features for Content, Style, Reach, Social, and E-Commerce. Ask David What are the benefits of using a pre-made content management system (CMS) website over a custom website made from scratch? There are many...

Why all big sites and media news sites bought multiple domain extensions and redirect it to their main .com site?
Comments: Hi today ! subject: Should you get .com, .org, and .net domain names – all the tld's? your statement: " So if you have the .com domain name, it is not a huge necessity or benefit to purchase the other domain name extensions if you...

How do I know if my website needs a UI redesign, and how much does it typically cost?
Is Your Website Ready for a Refresh? A well-designed website is crucial for attracting and retaining visitors. Here are some signs that your website might need a UI redesign: Outdated Look and Feel: Does your website look outdated or not...

Are Alexa rankings for your website no more?
Yes, Alexa rankings are no more. Amazon shut down Alexa.com, the website that provided Alexa rankings, on May 1, 2022. The reason for the shutdown was not publicly disclosed, but it is thought to be due to a lack of interest from digital...

Unlocking the Power of the "Like" Feature: Understanding its Benefits for Websites
What are the benefits of having a "like" feature on a website? In the digital world, websites need engagement to thrive. One awesome way to do that is by adding a "like" feature. It lets users show they like or agree with content. It's a cool...

Do domain URL variants or structures matter in SEO?
Yes, domain URL variants and structures do impact SEO - search engine optimization - in several ways. Here's a breakdown of key factors to consider: 1. URL Structure and Readability: Clear and concise URLs: Use descriptive keywords that...

Is inline CSS better or using a stylesheet?
Short answer: Stylesheet! Reasons: Improved Performance, Enhanced Maintainability, Better Organization, SEO Benefits. Longer answer... The Myth of Inline CSS: Why Separate Stylesheets are Superior Introduction In the realm of web...

Website vs Traditional Marketing: Key Business Advantages
What are the key advantages of having a well-designed website for a business compared to relying solely on traditional marketing methods? A well-designed website is a powerful marketing tool that can help businesses reach a wider audience,...

Keyword Cannibalization: Real SEO Issue or Overblown Myth?
"Keyword cannibalization sounds made up - is it actually a thing in SEO?" Short Answer: It’s real - but not always harmful. Let’s unpack when keyword cannibalization matters, how to spot it, and how to fix it strategically. 🧐 What...

How To Get Star Ratings To Show Up In Google Search Results?
A Step-by-Step Guide to Adding AggregateRating Schema Markup for Google Online reviews and star ratings have a substantial impact on a website's credibility and user engagement. When users see those coveted star ratings in Google search...

WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: What’s the Difference and Who Owns What?
The distinction between WordPress.com and WordPress.org can be somewhat confusing, but they serve different purposes and are run by different entities. WordPress.com Hosting Service: WordPress.com is a commercial hosting service run by...

How can you make an old website more visible on Google using SEO techniques?
Here are some SEO techniques that you can use to make an old website more visible on Google: Update your content regularly. Google likes to see fresh content, so it's important to update your website's content on a regular basis....

What would you recommend for forum software between SMF and phpBB - or something else?
Example of the Advanced Search Form tool used in the UltimateWB Forums app. Between those two, I would go with phpBB. But UltimateWB is a much better option – the built-in UltimateWB forum app has a lot of features, and more options for...

What's the best CMS for a startup?
UltimateWB - it can grow with you as you grow. It’s very flexible and customizable. You can build any type of website with UltimateWB. And you get web hosting choice with UltimateWB - choose a web hosting plan at UltimateWB (with free SSL!),...
What Is fbclid? The Tracking Code Facebook Adds to Your Links
"Can you find the Facebook post based on the fbclid in the traffic statistics link?" Short Answer: No, but it can still be useful. Let's get into it.... Ever clicked a link on Facebook and landed on a page with a weird string of letters...

How to get Google to update your meta description for your website?
UltimateWB Add/Edit Pages, meta tags section It is very easy to update your webpage meta description with UltimateWB - just update on the Pages > Edit Page section. Google may or may not update your meta description for your website, even if...

What makes a website modern - and good?
A modern website is one that is designed with the latest trends in web design in mind, and incorporates the principles of good web design. Here are some of the key elements of modern website design: Responsive design A responsive...

Is the Em Dash (aka Long Dash) a Red Flag for AI Writing Now?
Note: This is the one post where I’m continuing to use the em dash — just to show everyone how pretty it is! No, I’m not a robot :-) I’ve always liked using the em dash - some may call it the "long dash". There’s something about...

Why Isn’t My Page Indexed on Google Yet?
UltimateWB is designed for fast indexing and strong SEO performance, so most pages get picked up by Google quickly. But if you’re checking on a new page or blog post and it hasn’t shown up yet - or if you just want to make sure...
