Bold Designs.Fast Websites.

We specialize in digital web solutions that
help elevate your business to the next level

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BASED IN NEW YORK CITY, NY BASED IN NEW YORK CITY, NY
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Unlock Revenue Growth for Your Business

In today's market, having a great product or service isn't enough—people need to find you, trust you, and engage with your business online.

We enable small business owners to succeed with their brand online by helping them define, design, solve, and implement web solutions through identity branding, web design, web development, e-commerce, SEO and PPC Ads.

About us

What We Can Do for Our Clients

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Your brand is more than just a logo—it's the face of your business, the first impression you make, and the story you tell.

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See Our Work

Canopy Collective
  • Design
  • /
  • Development

Canopy Collective

Canopy Collective is a premier short-term rental co-hosting company dedicated to maximizing your property’s potential while delivering exceptional guest experiences and services.

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Wear LIC
  • Design
  • /
  • Development

Wear LIC

Straight out of Long Island City comes amazing collections of vibrant, bold, hip, edgy, and modern designed graphic tees made for comfort from 100% cotton for everyday wear.

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CornerView Landscaping
  • Design
  • /
  • Development

CornerView Landscaping

CornerView Landscaping transforms outdoor spaces with expert care, creating clean, functional, and beautiful landscapes for homes and businesses including maintenance for every season.

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Craft & Grain
  • Design
  • /
  • Development

Craft & Grain

Craft & Grain is a boutique bathroom and kitchen renovation firm, offering a complete package with custom interior design and contract work by specialists.

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Client Stories

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Surge River is a fantastic firm. With decades of experience working with web design companies of all sizes, I can confidently say that Mike brought professionalism, expertise, and real peace of mind to the entire process. I tasked him with several UX challenges, and he delivered thoughtful solutions that only elevated our site. The finished website for our short-term rental business exceeded anything I had imagined and clearly differentiates us in the market. I highly recommend!

Mary B.

President + CEO

We were looking for help updating our website. Surge River supplied us with a transparent proposal with clear pricing and timeframe. Throughout the process, Mike provided helpful tutorials over the changes in order to have a smooth transition afterwards. We are extremely happy with the results and would recommend Surge River to anyone needing website development.

Edward C.

Director of Business Development

Surge River and Mike did a great job crafting a site that perfectly fits our brand, and because of that I've received countless compliments from clients and peers. I highly recommend him for his expansive web services, and look forward to referring him when the opportunity arises.

Jason N.

Business Owner

Mike walked me through the web design process every step of the way he was very professional and understood our needs and delivered on results from start to finish.

James G.

Business Owner

Our site finally feels intentional and performs the way it should. Everything was built with purpose, from design to functionality. We’ve seen better engagement and clearer messaging since launch, and we have Mike to thank for that. His expertise and way he handled our work from start to finish was very professional, we would love to work with him again in the future.

Lisa M.

Business Owner

Insights

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How to Improve SEO with UX: A Practical Guide for Business Owners

Most people treat SEO (search engine optimization) and UX (user experience) as separate strategies. They’re not. Search engines reward websites that provide a great experience. That means if your UX improves, your SEO often improves too. In fact, many ranking factors today are directly tied to how users interact with your site.

As of December 2025, according to Statista, Google which dominates over 90% of search traffic has tirelessly refined its ranking algorithm to prioritize a website’s user experience. Google wants everyone to know that a fast, user-friendly, optimal, and stable website ranks higher.

Here’s a guide on how to improve SEO by improving UX — in practical, measurable ways.

1. Improve Page Speed (Core Web Vitals Matter)

Slow websites hurt both rankings and conversions.

Google measures performance through Core Web Vitals, including:

  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
  • First Input Delay (FID)
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)

To improve:

  • Compress images
  • Use next-gen formats (WebP)
  • Minimize JavaScript
  • Enable caching
  • Use clean coded, lightweight websites

A fast website lowers bounce rate and increases time on site — two behavioral signals that support SEO.

2. Simplify Navigation and Site Structure

If users can’t find what they need quickly, they leave.

Google learns about your website when it crawls it. Clear site structure improves:

  • Crawlability (search engines understand your hierarchy)
  • Internal linking strength
  • User flow

Best practices:

  • Keep main navigation simple (5–7 items max)
  • Use descriptive menu labels (not “Services 1”)
  • Create clear category pages
  • Add contextual internal links

Better structure = better indexing + better engagement.

3. Design for Mobile First

Google uses mobile-first indexing.

If your mobile experience is poor, your rankings suffer.

Improve mobile UX by:

  • Using responsive design
  • Increasing tap target sizes
  • Reducing popups
  • Avoiding horizontal scroll
  • Optimizing mobile load speed

More than half of traffic is mobile. Poor mobile UX = lost rankings and lost revenue.

4. Improve Readability and Content Layout

Even great content fails if it’s hard to read.

UX-driven content formatting helps SEO because it increases:

  • Time on page
  • Scroll depth
  • Engagement

Use:

  • Short paragraphs
  • Clear subheadings (H2, H3)
  • Bullet points
  • Visual breaks
  • Strong opening hooks

Make scanning easy. Users don’t read — they scan.

5. Reduce Bounce Rate with Clear Messaging

Modern customers expect convenience. If users land on your page and don’t instantly understand what you do, they leave.

Improve above-the-fold clarity:

  • Clear headline (what you do + who it’s for)
  • Short supporting paragraph
  • Strong call to action

Search engines measure pogo-sticking (users bouncing back to results quickly). Clear messaging improves dwell time.

6. Optimize Calls to Action (Without Being Aggressive)

UX isn’t just aesthetics — it’s direction.

Each page should have:

  • One primary action
  • Clear button language
  • Logical placement

If users know what to do next, engagement increases — which supports SEO performance over time.

7. Use Internal Linking Strategically

Internal linking improves both UX and SEO.

It:

  • Helps users explore related topics
  • Distributes authority across pages
  • Helps search engines understand relevance

Best practice:

  • Link to related blog posts naturally
  • Use descriptive anchor text
  • Avoid over-optimization

Think: helpful navigation, not keyword stuffing.

8. Improve Accessibility

Accessible websites perform better overall.

Simple improvements include:

  • Alt text for images
  • Proper heading structure
  • Good color contrast
  • Keyboard navigability

Accessibility improves usability for everyone — and search engines benefit from clearer structure.

9. Eliminate Friction in Forms

If your forms are long or confusing, users abandon them.

Improve UX by:

  • Reducing required fields
  • Grouping related inputs
  • Showing clear success messages
  • Adding trust signals

Higher conversion rates often correlate with stronger behavioral SEO signals.

10. Track User Behavior and Optimize

UX-driven SEO requires data.

Use tools like:

  • Google Analytics
  • Heatmaps
  • Session recordings

Look for:

  • High-exit pages
  • Low scroll depth
  • Navigation confusion

Then iterate.

SEO is not just keywords — it’s user satisfaction.

Why UX-Driven SEO Wins Long-Term

Search engines are evolving.

They prioritize:

  • User satisfaction
  • Performance
  • Clarity
  • Engagement

If your website is technically optimized but difficult to use, rankings will plateau.

But if your site is fast, intuitive, and conversion-focused, both users and search engines reward you.

Final Thoughts

Improving SEO through UX isn’t about design trends.

It’s about:

  • Reducing friction
  • Increasing clarity
  • Improving performance
  • Guiding users effectively

When you align SEO strategy with user experience, you create a website that ranks — and converts.

Read MoreHow to Improve SEO with UX: A Practical Guide for Business Owners
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Should a Retail Business Focus on E-commerce in 2026

In 2026, retail businesses can no longer treat e-commerce as optional — customers expect to browse, compare, and buy online seamlessly. A strong online presence expands your reach beyond local foot traffic and creates additional revenue streams. Retailers that combine in-store experience with smart e-commerce strategy will stay competitive and future-proof their growth. If you already do retail sales, you’ve probably asked yourself this question:

“Do I really need to sell online?”

With the rise of online shopping, social commerce, and mobile purchasing, it can feel like going digital is no longer optional. But is starting an e-commerce store always the right move?

Let’s break it down strategically.

The Short Answer: It Depends on Your Goals

Starting an e-commerce store isn’t just about “being modern.” It’s about:

  • Expanding revenue
  • Reaching new customers
  • Future-proofing your business
  • Competing effectively in your market

For many store owners, the real question isn’t if you should sell online — it’s when and how.

Why Many Store Owners Go Online

Reach Beyond Your Local Area

An e-commerce store:

  • Expands your reach nationwide (or globally)
  • Allows 24/7 purchasing
  • Attracts customers through Google and social media

If someone loves your product but doesn’t live nearby, an online store removes that barrier.

Create a Second Revenue Stream

Brick-and-mortar sales fluctuate:

  • Weather
  • Seasonality
  • Economic downturns
  • Foot traffic changes

An online store gives you:

  • Revenue outside store hours
  • Holiday promotions without extended staffing
  • Email marketing opportunities
  • Retargeting campaigns

It diversifies your income — which lowers risk.

Improve Customer Convenience

Modern customers expect convenience.

They want to:

  • Browse before visiting
  • Check inventory
  • Order for pickup
  • Reorder past purchases easily

An e-commerce store supports this behavior and strengthens loyalty.

When It Might Not Make Sense (Yet)

While e-commerce offers benefits, it’s not automatically right for everyone.

You may want to reconsider if:

  • Your margins are very thin and shipping costs would hurt profitability.
  • Your product requires in-person consultation.
  • You don’t have systems for inventory management.
  • You’re already struggling operationally offline.

Going online adds complexity — fulfillment, returns, marketing, and tech management.

The Real Consideration: Do You Have a Strategy?

Many store owners launch a website and expect instant sales.

But e-commerce requires:

  • Traffic generation (SEO, ads, social)
  • Product photography
  • Shipping logistics
  • Email marketing
  • Conversion optimization

Without a plan, an online store can sit idle.

With a strategy, it can become a powerful growth channel.

Hybrid Is Often the Smart Move

The most successful store owners today don’t choose physical or online — they combine both.

Examples:

  • Buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS)
  • Online exclusives
  • Pre-orders
  • Gift cards
  • Subscription options

An online store can complement — not replace — your physical location.

Benefits That Often Surprise Store Owners

Increased Brand Credibility

Even customers who shop in-store often research online first.

Better Customer Data

Email capture and online purchase tracking give insight you don’t get from walk-ins.

Easier Repeat Sales

Email campaigns and retargeting drive repeat purchases automatically.

The Cost Question

Yes, there are costs:

  • Platform fees
  • Payment processing fees
  • Shipping materials
  • Marketing budget
  • Development (if hiring someone)

But compare that to:

  • Additional retail rent
  • Hiring more staff
  • Expanding physical space

Online expansion is often lower-risk than physical expansion.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Questions to Ask Yourself

Before launching, ask:

  • Do my customers already search for products online?
  • Can my products ship easily and profitably?
  • Do I want to grow beyond my local market?
  • Am I ready to invest time or hire support?

If you answer “yes” to most of these — starting an e-commerce store likely makes sense.

Final Verdict: Should You Start One?

For most modern store owners, having some form of e-commerce presence is no longer optional — it’s strategic.

You don’t have to launch a massive, complex online operation.

You can start small:

  • Core products only
  • Local delivery
  • In-store pickup
  • Simple online catalog

Then scale as demand grows.

The key is intentional growth — not rushing into tech without a plan. And alternatively if you already have an existing e-commerce store, a smart website redesign SEO strategy can help prevent traffic loss and boosts long-term visibility and sales.

Read MoreShould a Retail Business Focus on E-commerce in 2026
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What is Technical SEO and How it Matters

Ask ten people what technical SEO is and you’ll get ten different answers. For some, it’s a checklist. For others, it’s a mystery box of code and crawlers. In reality, technical SEO is much simpler — and much more important — than it’s often made out to be.

At its core, technical SEO is about making sure search engines can access, understand, and trust your website. If they can’t, everything else you do — content, backlinks, keywords — becomes less effective.

Technical SEO Is the Foundation, Not the Finish Line

Content and links get the spotlight, but technical SEO is the foundation they sit on. If that foundation is weak, even great content struggles to perform.

Technical SEO focuses on questions like:

  • Can search engines crawl your site efficiently?
  • Can they index the right pages?
  • Do your pages load fast and work well on all devices?
  • Is your site structured in a way that makes sense?

If the answer to any of these is “not really,” rankings and traffic will suffer — often silently.

Crawlability: Can Search Engines Reach Your Pages?

Search engines use bots to crawl your site. Technical SEO ensures those bots can move through your pages without friction.

Common issues include:

  • Broken internal links
  • Poor URL structure
  • Blocked pages via robots.txt
  • Duplicate content from bad canonical setup

If Google can’t reliably crawl your site, it can’t evaluate it properly — no matter how good the content is.

Indexing: Are the Right Pages Being Counted?

Not every page on your site should be indexed. Technical SEO helps control what search engines actually include in their results.

This means managing:

  • Canonical tags
  • Noindex directives
  • Parameter-heavy URLs
  • Thin or duplicate pages

Without this control, search engines waste time on low-value pages while ignoring the ones that matter.

Site Speed and Performance Matter More Than Ever

Performance is no longer optional. Slow sites frustrate users and reduce conversions — and Google measures that.

Technical SEO includes:

  • Core Web Vitals
  • Image and asset optimization
  • Efficient JavaScript and CSS delivery
  • Server and hosting performance

A technically sound site loads quickly, feels responsive, and keeps users engaged.

Mobile and UX Are Now SEO Concerns

Google indexes your site using its mobile version first. That means layout, navigation, and usability directly affect SEO.

Technical SEO overlaps heavily with UX:

  • Responsive design
  • Touch-friendly navigation
  • Readable content without zooming
  • Stable layouts that don’t shift

A site that’s hard to use on mobile is harder to rank — period.

Structured Data: Helping Search Engines Understand Context

Schema markup doesn’t guarantee rankings, but it improves clarity.

Structured data helps search engines understand:

  • Products and pricing
  • Reviews and ratings
  • FAQs and how-to content
  • Business details

This can unlock rich results and improve visibility — even if your position stays the same.

Security and Trust Signals Matter

Google expects modern sites to be secure and well maintained.

Technical SEO includes:

  • HTTPS
  • Clean redirect handling
  • Proper status codes
  • No malware or hacked content

Trust is part of ranking, and technical hygiene plays a big role.

Why Technical SEO Actually Matters to Your Business

Here’s the part most guides miss: technical SEO isn’t about pleasing Google — it’s about removing friction.

When your site is technically solid:

  • Pages load faster
  • Users stay longer
  • Conversion rates improve
  • Content performs better
  • Marketing dollars go further

Technical SEO amplifies everything else you do.

Final Thought

You don’t need to obsess over every technical detail — but you can’t ignore them either.

Technical SEO is not a one-time fix or a magic lever. It’s ongoing maintenance that ensures your website stays visible, usable, and competitive as search evolves.

If SEO is the engine, technical SEO is the oil that keeps it running.

Read MoreWhat is Technical SEO and How it Matters

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