Insights & News

Learn why companies with good design outperform their competitors. Our blog consists of case studies, development tutorials and Custom Design Partners news and events.

  • Database Health for WordPress Speed

    Database Health for WordPress Speed When people talk about speeding up WordPress, they often think about caching, images, and hosting. One area that gets overlooked is the database. Every page load depends on database queries, and if your database is bloated or unoptimized, it will slow down your site no matter what plugins you use. Taking care of your WordPress database keeps queries fast, improves Time to First Byte (TTFB), and reduces stress on your server. This guide explains why database health matters and how to keep yours lean and efficient. Understanding the WordPress Database WordPress relies on a MySQL or MariaDB database. At its core are tables such as: wp_posts: Stores posts, pages, and custom post types. wp_postmeta: Contains metadata for posts, often added by plugins. wp_options: Holds site settings and plugin data. wp_comments: Stores comments and related metadata. Over time, these tables can fill with extra rows that slow down queries. Plugins and themes often add data too, which is why maintenance is critical. Common Sources of Database Bloat Some of the most frequent culprits include: Post revisions: Every time you update a post, WordPress stores a copy. Hundreds of revisions can add up. Drafts and trashed posts: […]

  • How You Can Bypass Google Business Profile Video Verification with SMS

    Verifying a new Google Business Profile (GBP) can be a headache, especially when Google asks for video verification. But there’s still a way to get verified quickly by text message instead. This method works even for brand-new businesses with minimal online presence. Here’s how you can do it step by step. ⸻ The Goal If you’re working with a new business that only has a basic website and maybe an Instagram or Facebook page, your goals probably include: • Setting up and verifying their Google Business Profile • Building local credibility • Getting them to show up in Google Maps results Most people in this situation go through the normal process and end up stuck with a video verification request. That’s slow, often fails, and can waste a lot of time. But with the right prep work, you can avoid all that. ⸻ Step-by-Step Guide to Trigger SMS Verification 1. Create a Facebook Business Page Make sure the NAP (Name, Address, Phone) matches exactly what you plan to use on the Google Business Profile. Then, link it to the business’s Instagram account. 2. Build High-Quality Local Citations List the business on trusted directories. Keep the NAP info consistent everywhere to […]

  • How to Add Liquid Glass UI Elements to Your WordPress Site

    If you want your WordPress site to feel more modern, futuristic, and interactive — adding Liquid Glass elements is a killer move. These effects bring that soft-blur, frosted-glass look seen in macOS, iOS, and high-end web apps. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to add Liquid Glass Buttons, Cards, Forms, and more to your WordPress site using custom HTML & CSS snippets. No plugins. No extra libraries. Just clean, lightweight code. Getting Started: Where to Paste Code in WordPress – CSS Snippets: Go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS – HTML Snippets: Use a Custom HTML block in the editor, a widget, or a page builder’s code block. Liquid Glass Button CSS Snippet: .liquid-glass-btn { background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1); border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2); backdrop-filter: blur(12px); -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(12px); border-radius: 12px; color: #fff; font-size: 16px; padding: 12px 24px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; display: inline-block; cursor: pointer; transition: all 0.3s ease; box-shadow: 0 4px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); } .liquid-glass-btn:hover { background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2); box-shadow: 0 6px 40px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); transform: scale(1.03); } HTML Snippet: <a href=”#” class=”liquid-glass-btn”>Click Me</a> Tip: Place this in a Custom HTML block or widget area. You […]

  • How to Improve Your Google Ads Impression Share

    Quick Review: What Is Impression Share? (Last Updated: 6/20/2025) Impression Share (IS) = your ad impressions ÷ total eligible impressions. Eligible impressions depend on settings (locations, schedules), approval status, and Quality Score. IS data is available at campaign, ad group, keyword, and shopping group levels. Low IS means you’re missing auctions—either budget or rank is holding you back.   Why Your Impression Share Isn’t 100% Budget Constraints (Lost IS – Budget): Daily caps limit share. Ad Rank Issues (Lost IS – Rank): Low bids or Quality Score. Targeting Restrictions: Narrow locations, limited ad schedules, restrictive device bid adjustments.   7 Tactical Ways to Boost Your Impression Share 1. Increase Your Campaign Budget Audit average daily spend vs. budget cap. Raise budget by 10–20% and monitor lost IS (budget). 2. Raise Your Bids or Switch to Smart Bidding If using manual CPC, increase max CPC by 10-15%. Or migrate to a Portfolio Bid Strategy (e.g., Target Impression Share). 3. Improve Quality Score Optimize ad relevance, CTR, and landing page experience. A 0.1 point QS lift can translate to a 2–3% IS gain. 4. Expand Keyword Coverage Identify high-intent long tails (e.g., “tips to improve impression share”). Add exact– and phrase-match variants […]

  • Mobile-First Design: No Longer an Option in 2025

    “I really hate how this website looks on my phone. I can’t find anything.” That’s the last thing any web developer wants to hear. We’ve been designing websites for 9 years, and in that time, we’ve watched mobile usage explode. What used to be a box to check off at the end of a project is now the starting point. If your site doesn’t work flawlessly on mobile, it doesn’t work. More and more people are browsing on the go, from larger screens with faster connections. But their behavior is different. Mobile visitors are often distracted, in a hurry, or multitasking. They want answers fast. If they can’t get to what they need in the first few seconds, they’re gone. Designing for mobile first means creating a website that respects the time, attention, and limitations of mobile users. Below are five trends we’re seeing and implementing for our clients, each one backed by real-world examples of brands doing it right. Sticky Navigation and Thumb-Friendly Layouts Top navigation is fine on desktop, but on mobile, it’s not natural. People use their thumbs. Trying to tap a tiny menu at the top corner while juggling a coffee isn’t fun. Sites like Nike.com […]

  • Testing Microsoft Clarity MCP Server – Real Use Case, Real Results

    Microsoft released the Clarity MCP Server earlier this month. The MCP Server is a backend service that exposes your Clarity data through Microsoft’s new Model Context Protocol (MCP). It enables AI agents, such as Claude, Copilot, or any agent built using the OpenAI or Azure agent framework, to query session behavior in natural language. Instead of writing scripts or exporting JSON, you can ask: “Find sessions where users tapped the same button 3+ times and didn’t convert.” Most AI analytics tools are bloated, overpriced wrappers around basic endpoints. We tested MCP in a real production case to see if it could do something cool or, better yet, helpful. Problem: Mobile Form Drop-Off With No Clear Signal A client had a sudden drop in mobile form completions. No console errors. GA4 looked fine. Scroll data was normal. Session replays didn’t show anything actionable. The Clarity UI wasn’t giving us anything concrete, and the drop was large enough that something was clearly broken. Exporting Clarity sessions and writing a parser wasn’t a good use of engineering time. So we tested the MCP Server to pull structured behavior insights using AI queries instead. Deploying MCP in Less Than an Hour We deployed Microsoft’s […]

  • Advice I Would Give Myself 7 Years Ago For Building a Highly Lucrative Lead Gen Business

    Presented by Andrew Goebel In the digital age, the business of lead generation has transformed from a mere afterthought to a pivotal cornerstone of a company’s success. Reflecting on my journey, there’s a slew of advice I wish I could send back in time to myself when I was starting in the lead gen industry. And now, working with Custom Design Partners, I’ve honed these points to help anyone who’s aspiring to dominate in this field. 1. The Golden Rule: Select a High-Ticket Industry with Good Margins It’s not just about generating leads; it’s about generating valuable leads. Aim for industries where the average sale value is high, and profit margins are attractive. 2. Quick Conversions are the Key If you can, target markets where leads convert faster. This not only ensures a quicker ROI but also keeps your clients happier and more engaged. 3. Prioritize Buyer Urgency Sell leads that are not just interested, but are urgently seeking a solution. This minimizes market disruption and maximizes conversion potential. 4. Cater to Established Businesses Steer clear of ‘back yard barrys’ and one-man-shows. Focus on established businesses that have a proven track record of converting leads. These businesses not only recognize […]

  • Instruction Manual for Auto-Tagging a Lead in GoHighLevel from Gravity Forms Using Zapier and Creating Automations Triggered by Specific Tags

    This instruction manual will guide you through the process of auto-tagging a lead in GoHighLevel from Gravity Forms using Zapier and creating automations