tiny blue orange

responsive WordPress security, hosting + support for entrepreneurs with zest // https://tinyblueorange.com

the internet shouldn’t be scary, ugly or crappy because it is the perfect way to bring your business to a much larger audience. which is why i want to work with you to ensure that your website tells the right story to its users. whether you are looking for a single page informational website, a blog that will have hundreds of posts, or a fresh look to update an existing business website, tiny blue orange can create a unique user experience from your idea and brand.

09/01/2026

Back in 2013, I decided to put my face on my website.

I had been hiding behind the screen (classic developer vibes) since 2007. My site had been a portfolio of sorts that only showcased my clients.

Because I was now doing this thing full-time, I knew I had to “level up” + pay the experts to help me. I hired a photographer + someone to do my hair/makeup (cause lord knows I never will).

We did some shots with my dog Brutus + they turned out better than I ever could have imagined. He gave security vibes even though he was a giant softie. Thanks to him, and the professionals I trusted to guide me, I felt confident being the face of my business.

It’s now 2026 + I find myself uncomfortable as I level up in new ways. Same lesson, different chapter.

Which means I know what’s coming next: that moment when you thank your past self for making the leap, trusting your team + doing the thing.

08/25/2026

How a site looks is important but it’s not the entire story.

Which is why I care about a whole heck of a lot more than just the appearance of a site as a WordPress developer with a degree in design 🦄

Like this recent build for Maestral. They needed a glow up, yes. But they also needed something they could edit, a site that didn’t rely on Airtable + security from the dangers of being online in 2026.

Swipe through to see what is interesting about this site + DM me if you want better for your online business. I’ve got space for 1 site build in October + 2 in November. 💙🍊

Their site performs beautifully in terms of load time. And it’s not just because I host their website. It’s because I built the site with speed in mind.

Instead of an embedded Airtable widget that was clumsy at best, their projects now display on an interactive map.

The best part? The client added every single project on their own. Because it was easy for them to do.

Zero security issues? Say less, tiny plugin list.

I maintain the site but no matter what, set them up for success by not requiring a bucket of plugins just for their site to exist.

What you see is what you get.

The editor has their brand colors ready to be applied, easy to use preset settings + a visual builder baked into WP so they don’t have to learn yet another builder (or pay for it).

08/11/2026

I think these are self explanatory but my DMs are open if not.

(Even Graham, the 7 week old foster puppy, gets it.)

08/07/2026

It wasn’t a WordPress site, but it changed how I work with WordPress forever.

I spent a long time building up a CS Cart site for this client. She had a brick + mortar store but wanted to also sell online. It was great…until it wasn’t.

She got hacked. Nbd, let’s restore a backup. Cut to the hosting company (no longer in business) saying they didn’t actually have backups.

Truthfully we didn’t have to start from complete scratch because we had all of the product images and descriptions, but the site needed to be rebuilt. Her business insurance covered the cost but the time it took was painful for everyone. We wanted it done yesterday.

There are lots of lessons from this one experience but it forever changed my opinion of hosting. And when I finally was ready to offer hosting services in 2015, I knew my priority was around 3 things that made it “good WordPress hosting.”

Learn those 3 things so you know if you’re in a good place on Monday morning. The 🔗 in my bio will ensure the deets land directly in your inbox.

08/03/2026

What’s your best guess? 👇

The color obsessed kid in me has been loving these guessing games.

Did you know I named my business tiny blue orange 💙🍊 because I always wanted to {complement} the businesses I worked with? Blue is my favorite color + orange is its {complementary} color.

As they say, the rest is history.

07/23/2026

// is Yoast SEO worth the install?

Short answer: usually

It depends on what your site currently contains within it, what the purpose of your site is + what you’re trying to do.

I personally love Yoast SEO for making it just a tiny bit easier to improve site traffic. 🚦 The stoplight analogy makes a lot of sense in my visual brain + helps me prioritize what improvements are the most important.

But if your site is for members only, you don’t necessarily need to worry about search engine optimization… or do you? 👀

And if you’ve already spent months with All in One SEO, maybe it’s not worth switching.

Tbh it’s one of my favorite plugins + I can make a case for almost any site to use it. Which is rare, since I’m such a plugin hater.

07/10/2026

What do you do once you’ve deleted something from your site?

Whether it’s removing old content like a sales page for an offer you don’t have any longer or a post that doesn’t fit your niche, there are 3 ways to handle the gap that deleted content creates on your site.

1️⃣ Not do a damn thing. Listen, I’ve done it too, but it’s not necessarily the best choice. Especially if your 404 page doesn’t have a search bar.

2️⃣ Use a plugin to set up a redirect. Do this 80% of the time + option one the other 20%. I would say “please” but it only benefits your business if you do.

3️⃣ Add redirects via your server. I’ve learned that there are zero bonus points in life for doing things the nerdy way. However, if you’re comfortable with this option, it keeps your installed plugin list one item smaller. A win is a win.

If you’re going to remove some content, point users to something helpful instead. A revamped offer of a similar service, a blog post related to the topic or a contact form if they have questions.

06/30/2026

I experience as many emotions as there are seasons in the Midwest when our internet is down // slow // behaving badly.

Thankfully I have puppies + Diet Coke to get through this hardship. 😉 (And a hotspot to lean on.)

But seriously, can someone tell Al Gore this isn’t acceptable?

06/23/2026

Site maintenance doesn’t look like anything when it’s working. That’s the whole point.

But getting there requires a system.

// It doesn’t require more research
// Not another YouTube tutorial
// Certainly not a sticky note that says “check plugins ??”

The Site Care Kit is a Notion hub built specifically for WordPress site owners who want to stay on top of their site without making it a whole thing. Monthly + quarterly + yearly task lists, quick links to where you actually need to go, resources when something looks off + “what to watch out for” section on every single step so you know the difference between fine + {not fine}.

notionforwordpress.com // link in bio 🔗

06/08/2026

Most solopreneurs should DIY their first WordPress site. As someone who builds sites for other people, it may feel odd of me to say, but I believe it wholeheartedly.

Your first site teaches you more about your business than any branding exercise will. You figure out what you actually offer, who you’re talking to + what needs to change. And because you built it, you know how to update it. But you also learn what you don’t want to be responsible for.

Because at some point, DIY turns into a PITA + your site starts costing you more than it’s saving you.

That’s when you’re ready to hire a go-to web person.

// Did you DIY yours?

Address

Cottage Grove, MN
55016

Telephone

+16086204046

Website

http://tinyblueorange.com/contact/

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