Ian D Thompson
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Essentials

The Trap Behind Every 'Easy' Website

Are Wix, Squarespace, and Substack really the easy option, or are they a trap? Discover how AI is changing website ownership for small businesses, and why building a site you actually own has never been easier.

publishingplatformsownership

6 March 2026

Essentials

What should a small business website actually include? A blueprint for getting it right

A clear guide to what your small business website actually needs - and what it doesn't. Structure, essentials, and how to get the foundations right first.

22 February 2026

Privacy

GDPR, cookies, and privacy: the legal foundations your UK website needs

Privacy policies, cookie consent, data protection - what UK small businesses actually need on their website. A plain-English guide to getting it right.

privacyGDPRcookies

22 February 2026

Essentials

Why DIY website builders aren’t as easy as they promise

Wix and Squarespace make it look simple. The reality? Hidden complexity, blank-page paralysis, and evenings lost to frustration. Here's an honest look.

19 February 2026

How I Work

Building idthompson.com — The Full Day, Hour by Hour

A detailed diary of how this entire website went from a blank terminal to a fully-featured, live portfolio site in a single working day. Every session, every decision, timestamped.

18 February 2026

How I Work

How I Made My Website in Less Than a Day

A designer-built, AI-powered website from blank canvas to live site in under 24 hours. Here's how it happened.

AIWeb DesignNext.jsBehind the build

18 February 2026

Essentials

How long does it really take to build a website?

DIY can drag on for months. Agencies take weeks of meetings. There's a faster way. A realistic look at website timelines for small business owners.

website

18 February 2026

Essentials

Why I build websites that don’t spy on your visitors

Most websites quietly track visitors and share data with Google and Facebook. I build sites differently - privacy-respecting tools, no hidden trackers, no bloat.

privacy

18 February 2026

Essentials

Cookie banners, consent, and privacy policies: what your website actually needs

Cookie banners, privacy policies, consent records shouldn't be a burden. Here's a clear guide for simple sites through to e-commerce, with practical steps.

cookiesprivacy

18 February 2026