Blog Posts
-
·
Big News: Chesley Software is Relaunching!
After nearly two decades operating part-time, Chesley Software LLC is officially relaunching as a full-service WordPress digital agency and plugin development studio. This marks a new chapter for us—and for me personally. Last summer, I made the decision to leave my full-time role at Lincoln Financial and return to my roots: helping businesses build, grow,…
-
·
Why WordPress Is the Smart Choice for Growing Businesses
Why WordPress Is the Smart Choice for Growing Businesses In today’s digital world, having a website is a necessity for any business. For small businesses just getting started, brochureware website builders like Weebly or Wix may seem like attractive choices due to their ease of use and low barrier to entry. However, as your business…
-
·
Microsoft 365 for Small Business
This guide explains why small businesses should consider Microsoft 365 for their email and productivity needs, detailing its compatibility, collaboration features, and security options. It outlines various plans available, their costs, essential DNS configurations for migration, and the migration process from platforms like Google Workspace, emphasizing support from Chesley Software.
-
·
The Marketing Basics That Actually Drive New Business
A practical, repeatable process for identifying the right customers, sizing the opportunity, understanding competitors, and building a web + social plan that converts. Most marketing “to-do lists” are long, vague, and disconnected from revenue. The good news: you can do a handful of foundational tasks that make everything else (website, SEO, social, email, ads, offers)…
-
·
Podcasting for Business in 2026: A Practical Starter Guide
Podcasting is still one of the best “trust builders” a small business can invest in—because it lets prospects hear how you think, how you explain things, and how you solve problems. If you’ve been posting on YouTube or Rumble already, podcasting can feel like “more work”… but the distribution model and the listener mindset are…
-
·
UTM Parameters for Marketing
Track Social Marketing Like a Pro With UTM Parameters (Using Jetpack Complete) If you’ve ever looked at your site stats and thought, “Cool… but which Facebook post (or email, or LinkedIn update) actually drove those visits?” — you’re exactly who UTM parameters are for. UTM parameters are small, standardized tags you add to the end…
-
·
Your Website Should Sell—Not Just Sit There: Why a Custom WordPress Site Changes Everything
Image via Adobe Stock Your website has about 5 seconds to prove you’re the real deal. That’s all it takes for a visitor to decide whether to keep browsing or hit the back button. And in an era where nearly every buying decision starts online, that first impression can either spark a sale—or kill one.…
-
·
Choosing the Right Image Format: Your Ultimate Guide
Whether you’re a photography hobbyist building a website or sharing photos on social media, it’s important to understand image formats. This understanding can make a big difference in how your photos look. It also affects how fast they load. At Chesley Software, we work with clients every day to optimize websites and digital content, and…
-
·
Why Fast Websites Improve User Retention and SEO
Site performance is key for keeping visitors happy, especially on mobile. If your site is slow, 53% of users will ditch it after three seconds. Chesley Software focuses on speed, using smart techniques to ensure your site runs smoothly and fast, helping you keep users and improve your rankings.
-
·
Maximize Your Website’s Impact with Responsive Design
The Importance of Responsive Design in a Mobile-First World In today’s digital landscape, a mobile-friendly website isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Over 60% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices, and search engines like Google prioritize mobile-friendly sites in search rankings. If your website isn’t optimized for smartphones and tablets, you’re not only…
