Category Archives: Ask David!

How to Create a Forum with a Membership Paywall: 2026 Platform Comparison

If you have spent any time browsing Reddit for website advice lately, you’ve likely seen the same question over and over: “I need a structured forum with a paywall, but I’m tired of the technical headaches.” The common suggestions – … Continue reading

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Personal Website vs. Substack? Why You Need to Own Your Site

The debate over Substack versus a personal website is fundamentally about digital ownership. While platforms like Substack offer convenience, they leave writers vulnerable to the discretion and algorithmic shifts of a third party. Building a brand on a platform you … Continue reading

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Is Google AdSense Allowed on Free Website Builders Like Google Sites?

If you are looking to monetize your content, you might be tempted by the “free” price tag of builders like Google Sites. However, there is a massive catch that most users don’t discover until they’ve already put in the work: … Continue reading

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How to Audit Your Website Disk Space: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve received a notification that your disk space is full – or if it seems to be filling up faster than expected – it’s time for a “digital deep clean.” Most of the time, the culprit isn’t the website … Continue reading

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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 Experience, Not … Continue reading

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Does “Test Live URL” help Google index your webpage faster?

Does clicking on the “Test Live URL” on Google Search Console after using the “Request Indexing” link make Google index your page sooner? Or was it just a coincidence? “Ask David” answer: The short answer is no, if you experienced Google … Continue reading

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Using a URL Shortener and Passing the SEO Link Juice

Does using a URL shortener like azipURL or TinyURL not pass on the SEO link juice of having a backlink posted somewhere? “Ask David” answer: Actually, using a URL shortener like azipURL, TinyURL, or Bitly generally does pass on the … Continue reading

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Will AI Really Replace Junior Frontend Developers?

“Ask David” Question:I’m a junior frontend developer with about a year of experience, and lately I’ve been uneasy about how fast AI tools are advancing. I keep seeing claims that junior developers are the most at risk, and it makes … Continue reading

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SEO Is Working – So Why Aren’t Sales Increasing?

Ask David: “My traffic statistics have grown organically, so SEO is working, but sales are not growing – how do I know I am on the right track or what else should I be doing?“ This is a very common … Continue reading

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If You Were Learning Web Development in 2026, Would You Start From Scratch?

That’s an interesting “Ask David!” question! I learned web development from scratch – HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, server setup, MySQL databases, all of it. That experience was valuable, but if I were starting today – or even starting a new … Continue reading

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