Resources
Tips and advice from a seasoned Agency
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Last Mile Development: We Get You Across the Line
You Made an App with AI and it has Issues? We Can Solve Them.
You spent a weekend in Cursor. Or perhaps, you spent an afternoon with Claude. Maybe you spun up something in Bolt or Lovable, and watched thousands of lines of code appear in minutes.
It worked. It was incredible. You showed it to your team. Maybe you showed it to a customer. Everyone nodded. This felt like the future.
Then you tried to deploy it.
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Local Models Are the Future (And Most Businesses Don't Know It Yet)
How to leverage AI without spending tokens and leaking data
The first wave of AI adoption was about access. Sign up for ChatGPT, buy a Copilot seat, connect an API, paste in your data, and move on.
For a lot of businesses, that was enough to get started.
The next wave is about ownership. Once AI stops being a demo and starts touching real workflows, the questions get harder:
- Where does our data go?
- Who can access it?
- Are we helping train someone else’s model?
- What happens when pricing or rate limits change?
- Can we use this with source code, contracts, financial records, or customer data?
Those are business questions now, not hypotheticals.
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Eat Your AI Slop, Piggy
This article was written by AI.
Or maybe it wasn’t.
Maybe I wrote every sentence and asked AI to critique the structure, tighten the prose, and suggest a better title? Maybe AI wrote the first draft and I rewrote most of it. Maybe it only fixed a few commas.
Can you tell?
Increasingly, the answer is no. And more importantly—does it matter?
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Open the Black Box: Why Every AI Application Needs a Professional Code Audit
AI has fundamentally changed software development.
Today, almost anyone can build an application with the help of large language models. A few prompts can generate thousands of lines of code, connect APIs, create databases, and produce a working prototype in hours instead of weeks.
That’s the easy part.
The difficult part is knowing whether any of it should be trusted.
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The 6 Best Payroll Options for Psychiatry Practices Using IntakeQ in 2026
A ranked comparison of provider payroll workflows for IntakeQ practices — originally published on PayrollQ.
Cross-posted from PayrollQ.co.
Most payroll software is built for hourly W-2 employees at a restaurant or retail store. Almost none of it is built for how a psychiatry practice actually pays providers (e.g. revenue share, per-appointment rates, hybrid models, and pro bono adjustments) pulled from IntakeQ or PracticeQ billing data.
We put the most common approaches through the same test: how accurate are provider payouts, how much admin time do they take, and can a growing practice trust the numbers when a provider disputes a check? Here is how they stacked up for psychiatry groups, solo practices, and multi-provider mental health clinics using IntakeQ in 2026.
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The 7 Best Website Builders for Dental Practices in 2026
A ranked comparison of website builders for local dental offices — originally published on JumpSites for Dentists.
Cross-posted from JumpSites for Dentists.
Most website builders are built for online stores, restaurants, or design portfolios. Almost none of them are built for the way a dental practice actually gets patients, which is local families searching on their phone, finding your office, and calling to book that same day.
We put the most popular builders through the same test: how fast can a busy dentist get a real, working website online, and will that site actually bring in new patient calls? Here is how they stacked up for general dentists, periodontists, orthodontists, endodontists, and pediatric practices in 2026.
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The 7 Best Website Builders for Contractors and Trade Businesses in 2026
A ranked comparison of website builders for local trade businesses — originally published on JumpSites for Pros.
Cross-posted from JumpSites for Pros.
Most website builders are built for online stores, restaurants, or design portfolios. Almost none of them are built for the way a contractor actually gets work, which is local customers searching on their phone, finding your business, and calling you that same day.
We put the most popular builders through the same test: how fast can a busy trade business owner get a real, working website online, and will that site actually bring in calls? Here is how they stacked up for contractors, plumbers, electricians, handymen, roofers, and other trade pros in 2026.
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How to Outsource Your Software Projects Successfully
For many small business owners, software development is key to driving efficiency, innovation, and a competitive edge. Yet deciding how to build and maintain custom software isn’t always straightforward. In this post, I’ll explore the real cost of outsourcing your software project by comparing the benefits of working with a trusted agency versus the headaches of managing independent contractors—and explain why partnering with a small, proven team might be your best move.
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When to Fire your Developers
As we near our 10-year anniversary in business, having delivered hundreds of successful products, I find myself reflecting on the life span of the client - developer relationship. Today, a business has more options than ever when selecting a development partner. If you are fortunate enough to maintain a website or application long enough, inevitably the key contributors will change. Here are a few thoughts on when to part ways.
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How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App in 2025?
Are you considering developing an app this year? If so, you're likely wondering about the cost. Fortunately for app buyers, the overall cost to develop web and app technology is declining. Or, more aptly, the time and cost to develop an app of a given complexity has been reduced as some of that time can now be saved using improved tooling, such as AI. Therefore, this might be an ideal time to start a project.
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A Trusted Technical Partner is Critical for a Non-Technical Startup Founder
As a startup founder, you have a lot on your plate. From developing your product or service to building a customer base, and raising funds, there are many challenges to navigate. As a non-technical founder running a tech startup it’s critical to have a supportive and trusted partner as you navigate decisions that may not be second nature. You might be fortunate enough to have a technical co-founder. If not, you can rely on angel investors, consultants, or contractors. Here are five reasons why a trusted tech partner is critical for a nontechnical startup founder:
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Keep it Static Stupid — Simple Sites Make Happy Clients
The internet is broken. We arrived here mostly as a matter of habit — a pattern that needs to change.
Your workflow is the problem
A few years back (15?) developers and designers were introduced to an amazing, paradigm-shifting technology called a CMS (content management system). You know many of them by name (WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, etc.), and today they house a significant share of the web’s content.
Why did the CMS take over? Before them most pages were written very simply — with a text editor. Content had to be manually updated on every page, and developers needed to keep track of every change to make sure that repeated elements were updated throughout a site.
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Why your business can’t afford a freelance web developer
I'm going to lead this post with a disclaimer: I’m a recovering freelancer.
I’ve built hundreds of small sites for clients, friends, and family over the years. Friends of mine are freelancers. And I’ve hired dozens of freelancers over the years while running development teams here at Bowtie.co and other companies. I genuinely appreciate the impact that freelance work has had
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When it’s time to ditch your DIY website
“If you really want to grow as an entrepreneur, you’ve got to learn to delegate.” – Richard Branson
Technology is amazing. Every year we discover new ways to automate mundane tasks and simplify the creation of everything that humans produce.
The web is no exception. We also find new tools to tell our brand story, and connect with an increasingly more connected audience. Nearly every day a new tool comes along to strengthen the voice or promotion of your brand, and to make it easier for customers to show their support.
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DVLP/DNVR Hosts ⋈ BowTie Panel
Getting real about frameworks and shortcuts with Denver's top creative and technical talent.
Our founder Chad Person is participating on a panel discussion with Matt Vogels from Webflow _(now [Zestful](https://zestful.com/))_, and Jason Waldrip from [Brand Folder](https://www.brandfolder.com/), for a discussion about creativity, originality, and inspiration in the age of ubiquitous frameworks and technology designed to do your job for you.
Join us for a discussion sure to rouse your mind, ignite your senses, and light a fire under your standing desk. _"If you can make anything, why make anything at all..."_ will take place at the *DVLP/DNVR* conference on *August 4th, 2016*. For more information, visit [the Develop/Denver](https://developdenver.org/)
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Chad Person talks inspiration and grit with the CO AMA
Why 'Do what you love' is stupid, and how to follow your inner genius.
Have you heard the expression 'Do What You Love'? It's become a bit of a rallying cry for a new generation of entrepreneurs.
Tonight, Chad Person, the CEO and Creative Director of Bowtie.co will discuss this rallying cry in relation to his 10 year career as a designer, artist and creative entrepreneur at RECESS an event produced by the Colorado AMA.
RECESS, an evening of learning and inspiration happening, takes place at the Denver Art Museum, 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204 at 6:00 PM.
Person will be joined by local creative giants, including comedian Debbie Scheer, gardener/poet/ DJ Cavem, and William Espey – Branding Voice Lead for Chipotle.
For tickets, or more information visit the [RECESS website](https://recess.coloradoama.com/).
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Celebrate Denver on Digital Agency Day
Join BowTie in celebrating the best Digital Agencies in Denver.
There are some incredible agencies doing great work in the realm of digital marketing. On January 28th, HubSpot and Unbounce are producing a day of online presentation and community-run events. To celebrate Denver's agencies and their hard work, BowTie is hosting Celebrate Denver (https://digitalagencyday.bowtied.io) - a happy hour and networking event at the end of Digital Agency Day.
What is Digital Agency Day?
The day will be full of both in-person and virtual events that highlight agency growth, strategy, and trends. If you go to Digital Agency Day's website (https://digitalagencyday.com/), you're able to upvote your topic of interest to be covered by industry experts. Then, on Digital Agency Day, you can tune in to watch any of the 8 chosen headline presentations. If you have any questions surrounding they day, the organizers have provided the hashtag #DigitalAgencyDay.
Celebrate Denver
BowTie's community networking event will be held at Galvanize Golden Triangle at 5pm in the Gather cafe. The BowTie team will be there ready to talk digital marketing and take your questions about the future of the static web. It's free to attend, and snacks and beverages provided. Be sure to [RSVP](https://digitalagencyday.bowtied.io/), see you then!
Join us at 5pm, January 28th at Gather in Galvanize GT (map).
Register here
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Partnering with Name.com to Hack the Dot
Do you Hack.social?
Hack the Dot is a two-hour hackathon backed by Name.com. The event is a unique mix of hacking, community building, and ridiculous fun.
Participants are asked to show up and ship a project based on a _secret domain name_ revealed the night of the event. The theme at Hack the Dot Portland, hosted by QuickLeft, was 'hippo.haus' - which not surprisingly, yielded high energy and hilarious projects.
Bowtie has been supporting Hack the Dot with a special 'pitch page' template that's helped lead more than one team to victory.
If you didn't join us in Denver, Seattle, or Portland, you can still meet us at Hack the Dot - San Francisco on December 10th. The event is sold out, but you can register for the wait list here. * I'm also fairly certain that if you show up day of, no one will toss you out ;)
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Adobe Creative Jam selects Chad Person as judge
Join our co-Founder for a night of inspiring design in Albuquerque for the Adobe Creative Jam.
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