Insights
Notes on building digital platforms properly.
Articles, case studies and practical reflections.
Articles
Case Study
Palto: what if recruitment was just a bit more honest about what’s actually happening?
Palto explores whether recruitment could be made more transparent by giving applicants a clearer view of what is actually happening. It is a working Made Grand product experiment built around a familiar problem: too little visibility, too much guesswork and very little trust in the process.
7 July 2026
Guide
How I Connected a Lovable App to ChatGPT Using MCP
I connected my Clockified time-tracking app directly to ChatGPT using MCP. The first connection failed, which turned out to be useful because it exposed the parts that still need proper technical review, including OAuth, tool schemas and security.
6 July 2026
Case Study
Clockified: a SaaS tool with just the right amount of features
Clockified started with a small SaaS frustration and became a focused time tracking demo for project-based work. It shows how Made Grand turns practical problems into usable digital tools, MVPs and systems built around the way people actually work.
30 June 2026
Case Study
Product Experiments and Working Demos
A look at Made Grand’s product experiments and working demos, exploring how early ideas can become focused digital tools, MVPs and web app prototypes with real commercial purpose.
12 June 2026
Insights
The Hidden DevOps Problem with Headless WordPress and SSR
Headless WordPress works well with modern SSR frontends, but the link between the application and CMS can be fragile. An API may return valid JSON in a browser while the live server-side runtime receives a CAPTCHA, bot protection page or WAF response instead.
12 June 2026
Case Study
Building a Personal Project Command Centre
A personal project dashboard for bringing client work, internal products and business ideas into one place, with AI-supported summaries, prioritisation and deliberately non-standard theme switching.
10 June 2026
Case Study
Hara: A Calm Food and Gut Health Diary Built Around a Real Personal Need
A personal gut health diary app built to track meals, symptoms and daily context in one private place. Hara was created as a simple working MVP to help notice patterns in eating, record useful information and support future conversations with a healthcare professional.
8 June 2026
Guide
How to Test Your Website Journey with ChatGPT Agent Mode
A website can look good and still lose customers. This guide explains how to use ChatGPT Agent Mode to review your website journey, find friction and improve the path from interest to action.
31 May 2026
Insights
Testing Lovable’s New TanStack SSR Setup: A Real-World SEO Experiment
AI-assisted tools like Lovable can speed up website production, but speed alone does not guarantee search visibility. I’m testing whether Lovable’s new TanStack SSR setup improves crawlability, indexing and SEO performance compared with the older React/Vite approach.
27 May 2026
Insights
robots.txt isn’t control, it’s a signal
A sudden spike in traffic revealed a hard truth. Not all visitors are people, and not all bots play by the rules. This article breaks down why robots.txt isn’t real control, how modern sites are accessed by multiple systems, and what you actually need in place to manage it properly.
27 April 2026
Guide
SEO isn’t dead. But the way we think about it is.
SEO hasn’t disappeared, but the way it works has shifted. The question is no longer just how you rank, but whether your business is seen, understood and chosen in a landscape where users may never even reach your website.
20 April 2026
Guide
When You Build Your Own Website, Where Do You Start And What Are You Missing?
Most people start building a website with design, but the real issues sit beneath the surface. This article explores what’s often missed and how to build a website that actually works for your business.
17 March 2026
Insights
From Traditional WordPress to a Modern Headless Site Built with AI
Rebuilding the Made Grand website was an opportunity to rethink not just the design, but the architecture behind it.
9 March 2026
AI
Introducing Made Not Generated: a faster, modern way to build human-centred websites
A modern front-end built in Lovable, paired with the stability of WordPress.
21 November 2025
Case Study
New VocabCartoons Platform for Young Learners
VocabCartoons set out to make learning new words fun, memorable and accessible to children aged 8–16.
14 October 2025
AI
Why AI Vibe Coding Platforms Fail at Basic Design
AI vibe coding platforms promise fast results, but often miss basic design rules. Learn why this happens, how to guide AI to produce better designs, and which tools stand out.
30 June 2025
Guide
No-Code Platforms: 5 Ways to Accelerate Your MVP
Launching an MVP doesn’t need to be slow or expensive. Discover how no-code platforms can help you move faster, spend less, and build something that works without writing a single line of code.
29 May 2025
Guide
The Rise of No-Code/Low-Code Web App Development
No-code and low-code platforms are democratising app creation, enabling businesses to launch custom solutions rapidly and affordably. Find out how Made Grand harnesses these tools to deliver powerful web applications in weeks, not months.
19 May 2025
Guide
Is Your Website Costing You Customers? Design Secrets That Convert Visitors Into Customers
Your website could be losing customers in seconds. This post explores how poor design impacts trust and how brain-friendly changes boost engagement and conversions.
8 May 2025
Guide
How Much Does a 5-Page Website or No-Code App Cost in the UK?
Wondering how much a 5-page website or no-code app should cost? Find out what to budget, how long each takes to build and how to avoid hidden costs along the way.
28 April 2025
Insights
How Much is Your Time Worth? The Hidden Cost of DIY Website Builders
Are DIY website builders costing you more time and money than you realise? See why investing in a professionally built website can help reclaim your valuable hours.
31 March 2025
AI
AI in Search: How AI is Changing the Way Businesses Get Found Online
AI is transforming search with personalised results, AI-driven content, and chatbot interactions. Learn how businesses can adapt SEO strategies to stay visible in an evolving AI-powered search landscape.
26 February 2025
Case Study
Building a Scalable Membership Platform for A Level AHEAD
We developed the A Level AHEAD membership website, providing A Level poetry students with structured video seminars. Featuring secure content access, tiered memberships and AI-powered multilingual video creation.
5 February 2025
Ecommerce
Is Your E-commerce Website Ready to Scale? The Key to Long-Term Growth
Is your e-commerce website prepared for growth? Discover key factors like UX, website speed and conversions to ensure your online store can scale successfully.
4 February 2025
Guide
Unlock Growth with a Membership or Accommodation Booking Website
Build a Membership Platform Website to grow your community or an Accommodation Booking Website to manage reservations.
31 January 2025
Insights
Why SMEs Should Move to Custom WordPress Websites
In today's competitive digital landscape, a professional and well-functioning website is crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to stand out.
28 January 2025
Guide
Understanding the Cost of Custom Web Development
When planning a custom web development project, understanding the cost of custom web development is crucial.
24 January 2025
Guide
How to Overcome Common Website Challenges for Business Growth (with Solutions)
We asked business owners looking to grow and improve their online presence, or dealing with an underperforming website, what their biggest challenges are.
20 January 2025
Ecommerce
Top 10 Benefits of Choosing WordPress for Your Business Website Vs Wix/Squarespace
In the world of website development, WordPress has become a leading platform for businesses of all sizes.
14 January 2025
AI
Navigating the Storm: A WordPress Developer’s Perspective
A seasoned UK WordPress developer explores ecosystem challenges, plugin dynamics, CMS competition and AI's impact on shaping WordPress’s future.
9 January 2025
Insights
How a Bespoke Website Can Boost Your Business in 2025
Discover how a bespoke website can elevate your business in 2025 with tailored designs, advanced features and scalability. Compare the benefits and costs to site builders and make an informed choice for growth.
5 January 2025
AI
AI Generated Websites: Speed vs. Customisation
Explore the pros and cons of AI-generated websites: from rapid development and cost savings to challenges with customisation, security and personalisation.
12 December 2024
Case Study
Café Mila: Bilingual Website with Booking Integration
The newly launched Café Mila website serves as a gateway for visitors to explore and book accommodation at a charming, family-friendly café and B&B in Oprtalj, Croatia.
26 October 2024
AI
Leveraging AI for Web Design
AI provides an innovative way to collaboratively design visually stunning websites while allowing clients to play a central role in the creative process.
23 September 2024
Case Study
Bath Contemporary Artists’ Fair: A Custom Platform for Art Fair Management
Bath Contemporary Artists Fair partnered with us to create a dynamic, multi-vendor website with automation tools.
11 September 2024
AI
Confounded by ChatGPT Americanisms
As a proud Brit, I cherish our unique expressions and linguistic quirks. However, my digital companion seems to prefer the flashier American dialect. Let’s explore this transatlantic linguistic journey together.
22 August 2024
Ecommerce
Transform Your Business with Custom Web Applications
Custom web applications designed to meet your specific business needs, offering flexibility, scalability and security that off-the-shelf software can’t match.
4 August 2024
Guide
Ensuring Your Online Presence Stays Strong
Regular maintenance ensures your site remains secure, up-to-date and optimised, offering users the best possible experience.
7 July 2024
Insights
Maximise Your Business Growth with SEO and Digital Marketing
In today’s competitive digital landscape, a well-designed website alone won’t guarantee success. Integrated SEO and digital marketing strategies are essential for driving measurable results.
6 June 2024
Insights
Elevate Your Business with a Custom Website
In the digital age, a custom-built website is no longer a luxury but a necessity.
16 May 2024
Guide
Achieve Business Growth with Digital Strategy and Consulting
A tailored digital strategy provides a roadmap to grow your online presence, engage customers and drive revenue.
18 April 2024
Guide
Digital Experiences with Professional UI/UX Design
A seamless user experience is no longer optional—it’s essential. Professional UI/UX design enhances usability, accessibility and brand perception, driving results
7 February 2024