The Salon | A blog for knowledge in digital marketing, design and programming

The Digital Marketer’s Dilemma: Big Goals, No Developer Resources, and How to Fix It

By: Justin Abrams 2025-02-03

Marketing today requires serious technical execution, but most teams don’t have the development resources to keep up. Cause of a Kind provides the missing technical piece—so you can focus on marketing while we handle the implementation.

Selecting the Right Development Agency Partner After Choosing the Wrong One First

By: Justin Abrams 2025-02-03

Stuck with bad code from a cheap dev agency? Many businesses waste time and money before realizing quality matters. Learn how to choose the right partner and why Cause of a Kind specializes in rescuing failed projects and delivering high-quality software.

The Rise of BlackOps Engineering: Modernizing Legacy Systems for the Future

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-09-12

Discover how BlackOps Engineering by Cause of a Kind helps businesses modernize legacy systems, streamline processes, and foster a culture of innovation to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced digital world.

The Age of Software Modernization

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-22

Enter Cause of a Kind—a deep specialist in migrating legacy systems into modern processes. We understand that modernizing legacy software is not just about replacing old with new; it’s about carefully transitioning decades of embedded business logic and data into a new era of technology.

7 Steps to Successfully Modernize Your Legacy Applications

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Discover the 7 essential steps to successfully modernize your legacy applications. Learn best practices, explore modernization strategies, and see real-world examples of successful projects. Modernize with confidence and future-proof your business systems with expert insights from Cause of a Kind.

How to Manage and Reduce Technology Debt in Your Organization

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Discover how to manage and reduce technology debt in your organization with strategies from Cause of a Kind. Learn about the impact of legacy systems and how to modernize them effectively.

The Risks of Relying on Obsolete Technology and How to Update It

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Learn about the risks of relying on obsolete technology and how to update outdated systems with modern alternatives. Ensure your business stays secure, efficient, and competitive with a clear modernization roadmap.

Integrating Modern DevOps Tools into Legacy Systems

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Discover how integrating modern DevOps tools into legacy systems can streamline operations and improve software delivery. Learn best practices for CI/CD, IaC, and cultural transformation.

Why and How to Re-Architect Your Legacy Systems for Cloud-Native

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Discover why and how to re-architect your legacy systems for cloud-native environments. Learn about the benefits, key strategies, and steps for a successful transition to scalable, resilient, and cost-efficient cloud-native architectures.

Redesigning Legacy Architectures for Scalability and Growth

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Discover the importance of scalable architecture and how Cause of a Kind helps businesses redesign legacy systems for growth and flexibility. Learn how modernizing your infrastructure can prepare you for future success.

How Business Process Automation Can Revolutionize Legacy Systems

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Learn how business process automation (BPA) can enhance efficiency and productivity in organizations with legacy systems. Discover tips on implementing automation technologies for a seamless modernization journey.

Dealing with End-of-Life Software: Strategies for Continuity and Compliance

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Learn how to mitigate the risks of using end-of-life (EOL) software, including security vulnerabilities and compliance issues. Discover actionable strategies for upgrading or replacing outdated systems to ensure business continuity and compliance. Stay ahead with Cause of a Kind's expert software modernization solutions.

5 Cloud Migration Strategies to Modernize Your Enterprise Infrastructure

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Discover the top 5 cloud migration strategies to modernize your enterprise infrastructure, including lift-and-shift, re-platforming, and refactoring. Learn how each approach can enhance scalability, security, and cost-effectiveness in your cloud journey.

The Benefits of Software Re-Engineering for Legacy Systems

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Discover the benefits of software re-engineering for legacy systems. Learn how Cause of a Kind can help you modernize outdated software, improve performance, and future-proof your business.

Building a CI/CD Pipeline: The Key to Accelerating Software Delivery

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Learn how to implement a CI/CD pipeline in legacy environments to accelerate software delivery, improve code quality, and reduce deployment risks. Discover expert tips from Cause of a Kind, specialists in modernizing legacy software and teams.

Moving from Mainframes to the Cloud: Challenges and Solutions

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Discover the challenges and solutions in migrating from mainframes to the cloud. Learn best practices for a successful transition and how Cause of a Kind can help you modernize your legacy systems.

How Agile Methodologies Can Transform Your Legacy Software Development

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Discover how Agile methodologies can transform legacy software development, offering flexibility, faster time-to-market, and improved collaboration. Learn strategies to overcome common challenges and ensure a successful Agile transformation.

When and How to Upgrade Your Enterprise Software

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Learn when and how to upgrade your enterprise software to boost efficiency, security, and scalability. Discover key signs, benefits, and a step-by-step roadmap for a successful upgrade process.

Best Practices for Managing the Software Lifecycle of Legacy Systems

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Discover best practices for managing the software lifecycle of legacy systems. Learn how to assess, secure, modernize, document, and plan for the future with expert insights from Cause of a Kind.

Creating a Digital Transformation Roadmap for Legacy Systems

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Create a successful digital transformation roadmap for modernizing legacy systems. Learn key steps including cloud adoption, automation, and data-driven decisions to stay competitive.

Modernizing Your IT Infrastructure: A Critical Step for Business Growth

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Modernize your IT infrastructure to support new technologies and drive business growth. Learn strategies for upgrading hardware, networks, and legacy software to improve performance and security.

Why Modernizing Your Legacy Systems is Critical for Future-Proofing Your Business

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, relying on outdated legacy systems can be a significant liability for businesses. As technology continues to evolve, the risks of maintaining old systems grow, potentially leading to increased costs, security vulnerabilities, and an inability to meet market demands. This article explores the importance of modernizing legacy systems, discusses the challenges and risks of inaction, and outlines key strategies for successful modernization.

The Hidden Security Risks Lurking in Your Legacy Systems

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Discover the hidden security risks in legacy systems and how modernizing outdated technology can protect your business from cyber threats. Partner with Cause of a Kind to secure your legacy systems.

Adopting Modern Software Development Practices in Legacy Environments

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-19

Discover how to integrate modern software development practices like DevOps, Agile, and CI/CD into legacy systems to improve development cycles, product quality, and business agility. Learn more with Cause of a Kind.

GitHub: The Backbone of Modern Software Development

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-10

Explore the value of GitHub in modern software engineering, from version control and collaboration to CI/CD and security, and learn how this powerful platform transforms development workflows.

Unlocking the Power of Test-Driven Development (TDD): A Modern Approach to Writing Better Code

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-08-01

Discover the benefits of Test-Driven Development (TDD) and explore modern tools like Jest, PyTest, and JUnit 5 that make writing better, more reliable code easier than ever.

Mastering Project Management with Jira: A Key to Modern Software Development

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-07-12

This article highlights the significance of Jira in modern software engineering, with inline links to external references, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of the tool’s capabilities and benefits.

Transforming the Agency Model: The Rise of Onshore Subscription-Based Software and Web Development on Long Island, NY

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-06-14

Discover why an onshore, subscription-based software and web development agency on Long Island, NY, outperforms traditional models. Learn how predictable revenue, client retention, and flexibility drive success in tough economic times.

Exploring Ensemble/Mob Programming and Extreme Programming (XP): A Comparative Insight

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-06-14

Discover the benefits of ensemble/mob programming and Extreme Programming (XP). Compare with Agile and Waterfall methodologies, and learn how team collaboration boosts software development. Unlock better code quality and innovation now!

The Benefits of Running an Entirely Onshore Agency on Long Island, NY

By: Alfred Indigo 2024-06-14

Discover the advantages of an onshore, subscription-based software and web development agency on Long Island, NY. Learn how this model ensures steady revenue, customer loyalty, and resilience against economic downturns, unlike traditional big-budget agencies.

How is Building Software Like Tying a Shoe?

By: Justin Abrams 2024-06-13

Discover the fascinating parallels between software development and tying a shoe, from initial setup to ongoing maintenance. Learn how attention to detail, customization, and iterative improvements are key in both tasks.

Comparing AI PDF Parsers

By: Brian McGough 2024-06-03

Explore the best tools for parsing and extracting data from PDFs in our comprehensive comparison, "Peter Piper Picked a Python PDF Parser." Discover the strengths and weaknesses of popular libraries like PDFMiner, PyPDF, Tabula, and more, as well as OCR and AI solutions. Access our Google Colab notebook for hands-on testing. Ideal for AI engineers and developers looking to optimize PDF data extraction. AI engineering projects, especially for those involving Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions.

Forward To Extraordinary… Continuously

By: Justin Abrams 2024-05-10

There is a certain irony in building other peoples dreams. You never know who the next dreamer to walk through your doors is going to be.

The Age of Artificial Intelligence, Powered by Human Intelligence

By: Justin Abrams 2024-05-10

The Age of Artificial Intelligence, Powered by Human Intelligence. Think about that for a moment. Artificial Intelligence, powered by human intelligence. There is a symbiosis there. When a business thinks about applying AI to their motion, it begins with curiosity.

Beyond The MVP and Exploring Minimum Marketable, Buyable, Sellable, and Launchable Products

By: Justin Abrams 2024-03-19

Everyone has heard of the Minimum Viable Product. But have you heard of the Minimum Marketable Product, or Minimum Buyable Product, or Minimum Sellable Product, or perhaps the Minimum Launchable Product? Don't worry, neither did I.

The Impact of Fractional Executives on Businesses at Various Growth Stages

By: Justin Abrams 2023-12-29

Explore the transformative impact of fractional executives on business growth at various stages. Learn how roles like fractional CEO, CMO, CFO, and CTO can drive success in this insightful blog post.

A Guide to Project Management Tools for Engineering Teams

By: Justin Abrams 2023-11-29

Explore the best project management tools for engineering teams in our comprehensive guide. Compare Jira, Trello, Asana, Basecamp, and Monday.com to find the perfect solution for your project needs. Discover pros, cons, and use cases to enhance team efficiency and project success.

An AI Guide for Main Street Businesses

By: Justin Abrams 2023-11-28

Explore how Main Street businesses can leverage AI to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and add value to customers. Learn about practical AI tools and strategies for small businesses to stay competitive in the digital era.

Harnessing the Wonders of Automated Intelligence: A Guide for Roaring Twenties Businesses

By: Justin Abrams 2023-11-27

Step into a 1920s Main Street transformed by early visions of AI: Discover how businesses of the past might have embraced futuristic technology, merging traditional charm with imaginative mechanization.

Embracing Flexibility and Innovation: The Rise of Headless Ecommerce

By: Justin Abrams 2023-11-09

Explore the dynamic world of headless ecommerce in our comprehensive guide, comparing it with traditional platforms and highlighting its benefits, challenges, and real-world examples from leading brands like Nike and Burberry. Dive into the future of digital commerce today!

The Bootstrapper’s Dilemma: Navigating the Precipice of Product-Market Fit

By: Justin Abrams 2023-11-07

Explore the critical phase before achieving product-market fit in SaaS, the importance of cash conservation, and why choosing a professional software agency can lead to startup success. Essential insights for bootstrappers.

How to build an app with nestjs and hotwire!

By: Michael Rispoli 2023-11-02

Are you a Javascript / typescript developer that's been curious about building with Hotwire, Phoenix Liveview, or Laravel Livewire but didn't want to learn an entirely new programming language or framework? I went ahead and set up Hotwire, built by 37 Signals, to work with a Javascript backend powered by Nestjs.

A Deep Dive into Astro and SvelteKit: Which is Right for You?

By: Justin Abrams 2023-10-30

Explore the differences between Astro and SvelteKit, two leading web development frameworks. Dive into features, pros & cons, use cases, and practical examples to determine the best fit for your project. Unlock the future of efficient web development.

The Marketing Struggles of SaaS Companies: Bridging the Gap with AlwaysOn Website Management

By: Justin Abrams 2023-10-30

Boost your SaaS marketing with AlwaysOn Website Management. Bridge the resource gap with dedicated developers, analytics experts, and designers. Partner for success!

Revolutionizing Web Development: Why Subscription Models Are the Future

By: Michael Rispoli 2023-10-24

In the world of web design and development, marketing teams are constantly on the lookout for reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solutions. Traditional models such as retainers or time and materials have long been the norm, but there's a new player in town that's garnering attention: the subscription model. Specifically tailored for marketing teams grappling with the challenges of building out ecommerce or informational websites, this model offers a myriad of benefits that are hard to ignore. Let's dive in and explore why a subscription model could be what your team has been searching for.

Unlocking New Frontiers: Why SaaS Companies Should Migrate from Drag-and-Drop to a Headless CMS

By: Michael Rispoli 2023-10-20

In the dynamic arena of SaaS marketing, staying ahead is not just about capturing attention but sustaining engagement. As the digital terrain shifts beneath our feet, there's an emerging need for systems that offer more than just visual appeal — they must be robust, adaptable, and ever-evolving. Enter the transformative world of headless CMS. If you've been anchored to drag-and-drop platforms like Webflow, this article dives into why platforms like Contentful or Sanity might be the wind beneath your SaaS company's wings.

Fundraising for a Pre-Revenue, Post-User Adoption SaaS Platform

By: Justin Abrams 2023-10-20

Explore strategies for SaaS startups in the unique position of being pre-revenue but post-user adoption. Dive into crafting narratives, showcasing metrics, and diversifying fundraising avenues to attract early-stage investments.

AI and Software: The New Frontiers in the Fight Against Climate Change

By: Justin Abrams 2023-10-20

Explore the transformative role of AI and software in combating climate change. Dive into real-world examples and discover how technology is reshaping our approach to environmental sustainability.

Adopting Artificial Intelligence for Interior Designers, Builders, and Architects

By: Justin Abrams 2023-10-19

Explore the transformative impact of AI on architecture and interior design. Dive into practical insights and actionable tips for professionals to seamlessly integrate AI tools into their design practices, driving innovation and efficiency.

Revolutionize Your Startup Journey with Cause of a Kind's Agile Accelerator Program

By: Justin Abrams 2023-10-17

Discover a game-changing approach to launching your startup in just 12 weeks or less. Explore our customizable, agile Startup Accelerator program at Cause of a Kind, designed to fit your unique needs for speed and spend.

Pre-Money Valuation vs. Post-Money Valuation: What's the Difference?

By: Justin Abrams 2023-10-12

When navigating the world of startup finance and investment, two crucial terms are frequently thrown around: **pre-money valuation** and **post-money valuation**. These concepts are fundamental for founders, investors, and anyone involved in the startup ecosystem. Let's delve deep into what they mean, their significance, and how they impact startups and investments.

Heroku vs. Vercel: A Deep Dive into Deployment Platforms

By: Justin Abrams 2023-10-12

Explore a comprehensive comparison of Heroku vs. Vercel for deployment needs. Dive into their features, pros and cons, and real-world use cases. Find out which platform aligns best with your project requirements.

Sigh. Another Pitch Deck Blunder? Top Mistakes SaaS Newbies Make!

By: Justin Abrams 2023-10-10

Dive into common pitch deck mistakes SaaS startups make and how to avoid them. Ensure your pitch stands out—for all the right reasons. Read on!

Achieving Peak Performance, ADA, and Core Web Vitals Compliance in Webflow

By: Justin Abrams 2023-10-07

Unlock peak performance for your Webflow site with this comprehensive guide on optimization, ADA compliance, and Core Web Vitals. Boost user experience and SEO rankings today!

How to Price a Project

By: Michael Rispoli 2023-09-29

Pricing out a software project is the great boogeyman of the industry. On the one hand you have the clients or stakeholders, who are largely non-technical, that are trying to get something built and budget for it. At the other end, you have the developers and the agile gurus shouting that estimates are trash and we can never know how long something will take. So then how the heck does anything actually get done?

Riding the Waves of Entrepreneurship: A Journey from Bootstrapping to Glory in the Tech World

By: Justin Abrams 2023-09-26

In the thrilling world of entrepreneurship, starting a tech startup can be likened to surfing – mastering the tides of the business ecosystem, from bootstrapping to achieving monumental success, is akin to conquering the unpredictable waves of the ocean.

Mastering the Tennis Match of Entrepreneurship: A Journey from Bootstrapping to Glory in the Tech Arena

By: Justin Abrams 2023-09-26

In the vibrant world of entrepreneurship, establishing a tech startup resembles a game of tennis – navigating the business landscape from bootstrapping to attaining remarkable success is akin to playing skillful shots in a competitive match.

Conquering Peaks: The Ascent from Bootstrapping to Glory in the Tech World

By: Justin Abrams 2023-09-26

In the exhilarating realm of entrepreneurship, building a tech startup is akin to mountaineering. From setting out on an uncharted path with bootstrapping to reaching the summit of success, the journey is filled with trials, learnings, and triumphs.

From Green to Glory: The Parallels Between Golf and Tech Startup Success

By: Justin Abrams 2023-09-26

Crafting a successful tech startup mirrors the finesse and strategic gameplay of golf. The journey from bootstrapping to success is laden with the precision, patience, and technique similar to maneuvering a golf ball through the courses to the final hole.

How to Successfully Bootstrap your Tech Startup

By: Justin Abrams 2023-09-25

Explore the ins and outs of bootstrapping for startups. Weigh the pros and cons, understand its significance, and discover strategies for effective self-funding.

Navigating a New Horizon: A Mid-Career Pivot to Tech Entrepreneurship

By: Justin Abrams 2023-09-22

Explore tech startup essentials for experienced professionals. Navigate through key steps & challenges with strategies in adaptability, customer focus, & leveraging knowledge. Acquire skills to secure funding & build resilience in the innovative, rapid-paced startup realm.

Bootstrapping a Tech Startup: The Baby Boomer's Next Chapter

By: Justin Abrams 2023-09-20

For baby boomers, tech entrepreneurship isn't a sunset venture but a sunrise opportunity. Dive into the compelling journey of seasoned professionals breaking barriers in the tech world!

Charting New Horizons: Baby Boomers in the Tech Startup Scene

By: Justin Abrams 2023-09-20

Discover the powerful fusion of baby boomers' seasoned wisdom with tech innovation, as they redefine entrepreneurship in the digital age.

Building Startups after 50: Embracing Failures, Pivots, and the Path to Prevail

By: Justin Abrams 2023-09-14

Discover the journey of starting tech ventures after 50. Dive deep into embracing failures, the art of pivoting, and the wisdom Baby Boomers bring to the startup realm. Learn how age and experience become assets in today's entrepreneurial landscape.

When You Can't Bootstrap

By: Michael Rispoli 2023-08-02

Bootstrapping is worn as a badge of honor these days amongst startups. But the reality is many of us have growing careers, a spouse, kids, and financial obligations that make bootstrapping seem like an option only for the young a reckless. The truth is bootstrapping isn't for everyone and there are times when it should be deployed and times when you need other options. The good news is there are options for the would-be founder with responsibilities beyond pure bootstrapping or having a rich family member write you a check.

The EU Safe Harbor: What Websites Need to Know for Compliance

By: Justin Abrams 2023-07-29

Explore the significance of the EU Safe Harbor framework in data privacy, its evolution to the EU-US Privacy Shield, and essential compliance steps for websites. Stay informed and protect your online business.

Why Iteration Velocity Matters And Why You're Still A Shitty Surfer...

By: Michael Rispoli 2023-07-26

When it comes to building software, iteration velocity is king. The more shots you take over a shorter period of time, the faster you will get to your goals. When people hear iteration velocity, they tend to focus in on the term velocity, and parallelize it with the quantity of tickets completed in a sprint. This is the wrong way to look at things. In surfing, if we simply measure time in the water, we'll see little to no gain in our abilities. What we really want is repeated attempts at our ultimate goal, in rapid succession, over a short period of time.

Understanding the ADA and Ensuring Your Website Meets Compliance

By: Justin Abrams 2023-07-13

Unlock the essentials of ADA compliance for websites with our comprehensive guide. Explore the importance of ADA, its impact on digital platforms, and actionable steps for auditing and remediation. Ensure an inclusive web experience for all users.

Understanding CIPA: What Websites Need to Know

By: Justin Abrams 2023-07-12

Explore the key aspects of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and its significance for websites. Learn about compliance, auditing techniques, and remediation measures to ensure a safer online experience for young users.

Understanding the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and What Websites Need to Know

By: Justin Abrams 2023-07-11

Explore the essentials of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for websites. Learn how to audit for compliance and address potential issues, ensuring your site meets privacy standards.

Five Things to Consider When Choosing a Startup CTO

By: Michael Rispoli 2023-07-06

At Cause of a Kind, we specialize in working with non-technical founders. People with great ideas and industry expertise around the problem they are solving, but without a way to implement them. Steve Jobs had Steve Wozniak, and in order for you to to manifest your dreams, you need to find your Woz. But where to begin?

Embracing Entrepreneurship: A Tech Founder's Leap from Professional to Pioneer

By: Justin Abrams 2023-06-16

Explore the journey of a tech professional who tackled a productivity gap by creating her own software, transforming from a seasoned professional to a successful tech entrepreneur.

Debunking the Low-Code/No-Code Myth: A Real-World Perspective from a Custom Tooling Agency

By: Michael Rispoli 2023-06-08

We focus a lot on MVP's and custom tools for small businesses Cause of a Kind. Many people as me why we aren't embracing more no code and low code tools. For me there are a few parts to that answer and one of which involves the recent "AI revolution (and yes, I'm cringing as I write that too)."

The Power of Holistic Marketing: An Omni-Channel Approach with SEO at the Helm

By: Justin Abrams 2023-06-08

Explore the power of holistic marketing, integrating SEO & organic research to boost brand visibility. Success stories of Nike, Apple & IKEA guide the way.

Unconventional Wisdom: Thriving in a 50/50 Business Partnership with Your Best Friend

By: Michael Rispoli 2023-06-08

My business partner is also my best friend. We are also 50/50 partners. Every decision we make requires two yeses. Despite the near ubiquitous advice that having a partnership like this is a disaster, for us it works. If you're wondering how, it's grounded in three core principles that I'll share.

The Serverless Revolution: Transforming Startups and Cloud Solutions

By: Alfred Indigo 2023-06-07

Explore the transformative power of serverless architecture in startups and cloud solutions. Understand why this innovative technology, offering scalability, reduced operational costs, and swift deployment, is reshaping the IT landscape. Learn about key considerations for DevOps teams to fully harness serverless benefits.

What are HTTP Status Codes?

By: Justin Abrams 2023-05-25

Discover the intricacies of HTTP status codes. Understand their categories, importance, and impact on web development, SEO, and efficient user experience in our comprehensive guide.

Cause of a Kind: Agile Product Development

By: Michael Rispoli 2023-05-19

Choose a unique approach to product development with Cause of a Kind. Our agile methods promote constant learning and growth. We're your partners in design and development, crafting resonating products.

0-to-Minimum Viable Software Product (MVP): The Fun, Cheeky, and Seriously Technical Guide for Founders

By: Justin Abrams 2023-05-09

Discover the fun and cheeky, yet technically serious guide for founders on 0-to-Minimum Viable Software Product (MVP). Learn the guidelines to follow and pitfalls to avoid for successful product development.

Adding Apple Pay to my Mobile Website

By: Alfred Indigo 2023-03-14

Seamlessly integrate Apple Pay into your mobile website for a fast, secure, and user-friendly checkout experience. Enhance your payment portal today.

Navigating the Digital Realm: An Introduction to SOC2 for Websites

By: Justin Abrams 2023-03-09

Explore the essentials of SOC2 compliance for websites, its significance, and actionable tips for auditing and remediation. Enhance data security and trustworthiness in the digital age.

Software Orchestration : The Sound of Music

By: Justin Abrams 2023-03-07

Software orchestration is a process of coordinating and synchronizing different departments and teams within an organization to produce top-quality software products. It involves managing the entire software development life cycle from design, development, testing, and deployment to post-deployment maintenance and support. This approach helps organizations to achieve their business goals faster and more efficiently, reduce costs, and stay competitive in the fast-paced technology industry.

Can Structured Data be added to Webflow CMS, Dynamically?

By: Justin Abrams 2023-03-07

In this blog, we discuss how to dynamically add structured data for SEO to Webflow. Steps include identifying the structured data, creating a custom code embed, and previewing and publishing changes. We also discussed how to use Webflow's CMS and dynamic data to automate structured data population. A JSON example for a blog post is provided.

Svelte Kit: A Comprehensive Overview

By: Alfred Indigo 2023-03-02

Svelte Kit is a performant, flexible, and beginner-friendly web app framework with built-in server-side rendering. Best for small to medium-sized projects and high-performance apps. Limitations include a smaller ecosystem and limited browser compatibility.

The Iron Triangle : Cost, Quality, Speed

By: Justin Abrams 2023-02-28

When building software, speed, and quality are crucial, but it is impossible to achieve both without considering the price. Investing in talented software developers and adopting Agile development methodologies can help achieve a balance between speed and quality. Although the cost may be high, the cost of fixing low-quality software is even higher in the long run. It is essential to invest in the development of high-quality software from the outset to ensure long-term success.

How to Partner with a Software Development Studio

By: Justin Abrams 2023-02-28

Partnering with a software development startup studio can be an excellent way for businesses to leverage technology to create innovative solutions that can give them a competitive edge. However, choosing the right partner can be challenging. Here is some practical advice for people looking to partner with a software development startup studio.

How to Create the Best SEO Report and Elevate Opportunities for Success

By: Justin Abrams 2023-02-21

Creating a perfect SEO report and identifying SEO opportunities involves a combination of data analysis, insights, and actionable recommendations that can help improve a website's search engine visibility.

The Basics of Structured Data for SEO

By: Alfred Indigo 2023-02-21

Structured data is a type of data format that is organized in a specific manner, making it easier for search engines to understand and display information about a website. Structured data is crucial for search engine optimization (SEO) because it enables search engines to better understand the content of a webpage, which can result in higher visibility and ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Comparing SEO Tools : SEMrush, aHrefs, BrightEdge, Conductor

By: Alfred Indigo 2023-02-17

In today's digital age, optimizing your website for search engines has become a crucial aspect of online marketing. With the ever-evolving algorithms of search engines, it can be challenging to keep up with the latest trends and tactics.

Simple SEO Best Practice Guide

By: Alfred Indigo 2023-02-17

To achieve higher rankings, there are two main areas to focus on: on-page SEO and off-page SEO. On-page SEO refers to the factors that you can control on your website, such as the content, title tags, and meta descriptions. Off-page SEO, on the other hand, refers to factors that are outside of your website's control, such as backlinks and social signals.

What is the difference between Svelte Kit and Astro?

By: Alfred Indigo 2023-02-17

Astro and SvelteKit are two of the most popular front-end development frameworks used to build modern web applications. Both frameworks are designed to make the development process more efficient and faster. However, there are some key differences between Astro and SvelteKit that developers need to consider before choosing one for their next project.

WEEK2WEEK®️ : Agile Software for Startups

By: Alfred Indigo 2023-02-16

Starting a startup is not easy. There are countless challenges to overcome, including attracting customers, building a team, and ensuring that your product or service is delivering the value that customers expect. One of the biggest challenges, however, is developing and launching the software that powers your startup. That's where WEEK2WEEK®️ comes in.

How to Scale a Software Development Agency Without Hiring.

By: Alfred Indigo 2023-02-16

Scaling a software development agency can be a tricky task, especially if you want to avoid hiring new employees. However, it is not impossible. Here are some ways to scale a software development agency without hiring new employees.

What is the difference between React.js and Svelte?

By: Alfred Indigo 2023-02-16

React.js and Svelte are two popular JavaScript frameworks used for building web applications. Both frameworks have their own strengths and weaknesses, and developers often choose one over the other based on their requirements. In this article, we will compare React.js and Svelte in terms of their differentiating features, shortcomings, community documentation, and future trends.

Funding Options for Startups

By: Alfred Indigo 2023-02-15

When starting a software startup, one of the biggest challenges for founders is figuring out how to fund their company. There are several different ways to finance a startup, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. In this blog post, we'll explore the differences between bootstrapped, pre-seed, and venture-funded startups, the different phases of investment that a founder should consider, and the milestones for measuring success.

How to join Google Analytics and Shopify Plus Analytics with Looker Studio

2023-02-14

Unleash the power of your data with our step-by-step guides. Master data analytics tools like Looker to boost your business growth and customer engagement.

How to join Google Analytics and Shopify Analytics with PowerBI

By: Justin Abrams 2023-02-14

Explore data-driven insights with our in-depth guides. Learn how to use data to improve business performance, optimize marketing strategies, and boost customer satisfaction.

Comparing SvelteKit and Next.js

By: Alfred Indigo 2023-02-10

Choosing the right developer framework for your project can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it can be difficult to decide which one will work best for your needs. Two popular frameworks that are often compared are SvelteKit and Next.js.

Maximizing WordPress: A Developer's Guide to Performance, ADA & Core Web Vitals Compliance

By: Justin Abrams 2023-02-06

A well-optimized WordPress site not only ensures better user experience and SEO rankings but also makes the web more inclusive for everyone. While the journey toward performance and compliance can seem arduous, with the right strategies and tools in hand, WordPress developers can achieve these benchmarks seamlessly.

What's the Best Serverless Solution?

By: Alfred Indigo 2023-01-20

Compare the top serverless SaaS platforms: AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions, Microsoft Azure, Vercel, Heroku, Fly.io, and Digital Ocean. Uncover their unique strengths and features for your business.

How To Get Started with Serverless Architecture

By: Alfred Indigo 2023-01-15

Explore a step-by-step guide to implementing serverless architecture, offering practical insights for startups and small engineering teams. Learn how serverless can boost efficiency, limit expenses, reduce DevOps needs, and accelerate time-to-market. Step into the future of cost-effective and agile software development.

A Serverless Future

By: Alfred Indigo 2023-01-12

Discover the transformative power of serverless architecture in this enlightening blog post. Learn what 'serverless' really means, explore its key advantages such as cost-effectiveness, scalability, and speed, and understand why this technology is shaping the future of business. Embrace the tech trends of today to build a successful tomorrow.

The Consumer Experience Lifecycle & The Marketing Continuum

By: Justin Abrams 2023-01-12

Let's remove the channel of marketing from the equation and simply focus on the consumer. Regardless of the marketing channel you specialize in or prefer, understanding a consumer's lifecycle as they engage with your product, service or solution is a critical insight to creating effective marketing campaigns in the first place.

What are the Dimensions of Avatars, Profile Pictures, Banners, and Posts and Other Media on Social Platforms?

2023-01-09

What are the Dimensions of Avatars, Profile Pictures, Banners, and Posts and Other Media on Social Platforms? Each Social Media Platform has a specific set of criteria for media assets. Everything from Dimensions to file sizes is available here.

Pheydrus Podcast - Web 3.0, Spirituality & Male Leadership

By: Justin Abrams 2022-12-09

Cause of a Kind is an elite team of software and web developers, advisors, consultants, and designers founded by Mike Rispoli and Justin Abrams. They help brands create scalable & secure digital presence by building software products, with one of their recent projects being AngryBirds by VeeFriends. Mike and Justin focus on partnering with companies that have powerful social impact initiatives and are committed to making a difference in the world.

Best Friends Forge Career With Long Island-Based Software Business

By: Justin Abrams 2022-12-05

ISLAND PARK, NY — Justin Abrams, an Island Park resident, is CEO of the creative studio, Cause of a Kind. The technology company builds software for small businesses. Abrams said they partner with businesses of all shapes and sizes to help with their vision.

How do I find my customers in Google?

By: Justin Abrams 2022-10-26

Its arguable that everything is becoming a search engine and learning how to meet your customers in the platforms that they are spending their time in, is the correct strategy.

Are Frontend Frameworks Too Fast?

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-10-25

There's been a lot of talk about performance of front ends and one metric that comes up often is how many frames per second a framework can handle. For the vast majority of us, these frameworks have been fast enough in terms of fps for the last ten years. In fact, just like my cinematography experience, I suspect we're making our applications feel unnaturally fast.

How do I create the best marketing strategy?

By: Justin Abrams 2022-10-25

The goal of marketing campaigns is misunderstood. Everyone wants to crack the code to create the best marketing strategy. The biggest piece of advice that I offer marketing teams and content teams is a term I call, Cross Channel Synergies. I create the best marketing strategies because I'm keeping it all super simple.

How to Create Dynamic Sitemaps with Contentful, Next.js Without Webhooks

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-10-14

Creating a sitemap.xml file was something that always nagged at me when working with headless content management systems. "What do you mean Contentful doesn't do sitemaps?!" my SEO colleagues would say--not understanding what headless means fundamentally. This was one thing that the old monolithic systems like wordpress seemed to have in the bag.

Heroku Vs. Vercel : Which Cloud Service is Best for Me?

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-09-28

I've long been a consumer of cloud service providers. I have historically used Heroku for the majority of the projects I have worked on over the years and have been pleased with their offering. New on the scene is Vercel, also a cloud hosting provider, but with a different focus. Where Heroku found success embracing the move to cloud based servers and building a solid platform on top of it that was easy to use, Vercel has done the same with a focus on the shift to serverless and edge computing. So which should you choose? As with anything in engineering, it depends.

What does an SEO Audit and Checklist look like in Real Time?

By: Justin Abrams 2022-09-23

I'm sitting in my lab actively auditing a massive enterprise eCommerce site and wanted to share a few steps and insights from my checklist. It isn't my full checklist, as that is accomplished over weeks and months, but as I sit down this morning, I thought I would share a bit of my formula.

SEO Course Correction Results Case Study

By: Justin Abrams 2022-09-14

16 months ago, this website was underperforming for its core competencies. ALL of the traffic coming to this site was sending signals of indexation to Google for ALL the wrong things. Here is what I did to course correct.

SEO is the DigitalDNA of Business

By: Justin Abrams 2022-09-02

If we break away from SEO 101, and move SEO into a place of strategic big data parsing, the true Voice of the Customer, and unify/influence the greater digital mix, SEO becomes part of the genetics of a marketing motion. Literally the digitalDNA 🧬of a brand.

The Expanding Potential of a Virtual Reality Future

By: Anthony Iritano 2022-08-31

Virtual reality is the next big thing in the world of gaming and entertainment but its use cases far exceed the limits of your traditional gaming console. VR has been around for decades and has been used in the military, education and entertainment industries. Recently, it has become more mainstream thanks to the introduction of affordable headsets like the Meta Quest 2 which provides a top notch VR experience completely wireless and without the need to connect to a high powered computer. This mainstream adoption has led to a large expansion in VR software and has brought us one step closer to the true potential of this technology.

Is there a basic explanation of Web3 somewhere for my mom?

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-08-30

There isn't, but there should be! 💡 Blockchain is a tool for building Web3, which to me simply means the internet of value (owning digital things). But that also means blockchain need not be a part of that equation at all.

What is the best way to use a headless CMS?

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-08-30

With headless content management systems, designers and developers are given incredible power and flexibility. Power we never had with the monolithic solutions of the past like Wordpress, Drupal, Shopify, or Magento. The problem is that with great power and flexibility, comes great complexity. We spend a lot of time and energy on the design of our interfaces for customers. Yet, we think very little about the user experience of the back end systems that go into this.

On Building Bad Ideas

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-08-22

As an agency owner, I'm the guy that has to pretend to like your bad ideas. I've heard all ranges of bad ideas. I've listened to a guy trying to sell jarred air from different parts of the world. I've entertained building a play to earn game described as "a total Ponzi Scheme." Some days I hear so many bad ideas I want to hang it all up and close my laptop for good. I'll move the whole family into a Yurt in the woods--never to look at another glowing screen again.

Turn Paid Off, Say Goodbye to Inbound

By: Justin Abrams 2022-08-22

Eventually, SEO can contribute the lion's share of inbound activity and share a healthy holistic relationship with the other primary channels of inbound like PPC, Social, Advertising, and PR. A durable inbound future ensures a continuation of YoY performance regardless of a loss in budget for Paid Strategies.

The DNA of Digital Marketing

By: Justin Abrams 2022-08-22

Welcome to the digital helix. 🧬

SEO vs. PPC: A Holistic Perspective

By: Justin Abrams 2022-08-22

I don't really believe in competing channels of marketing. I believe in a holistic approach to inbound and am a student of the relationship between the channels, particularly Google PPC and Google SEO.

The Cure for Client Anxiety

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-08-19

Client anxiety, we all know the signs. It starts with emails every few days to check in on progress. They start benign at first. A new idea about a feature, a nice to have here, something they forgot to tell you about a customer there.

High Pressure Delivery

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-08-15

When it came to becoming a software engineer, I fell in love with how intellectually stimulating and downright demanding it is on the brain. However, most of the time, the job is devoid of excitement. Sure there are those crazy bugs that come up a few times a year, but the day to day goes by at your resting heart rate. It's far from boring, but it's not exciting.

Understanding GDPR: What Every Website Owner Needs to Know

By: Justin Abrams 2022-07-16

Unlock GDPR compliance for your website with this comprehensive guide. Understand key principles, audit steps, and remediation actions to enhance data protection and build user trust.

The 4 R's: Retention, Return, Retarget, Referral

By: Justin Abrams 2022-06-13

Building software at the intersection of Marketing and Technology is always a tricky conversation with non-technical stakeholders. With the correct approach, we connect to business KPI's and ensure that the software or web solution accommodates the business goals.

Are CEO's Commanding Lofty Salaries?

By: Justin Abrams 2022-05-27

Cause of a Kind's CEO, Justin Abrams connects with KNXnews 97.1 Los Angeles FM Radio to discuss CEOs that are getting way bigger raises than regular workers. Justin rationalizes and offers a contrast to this common business practice.

Guitarists, Drummers, and Javascript Developers

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-05-10

Today I'd like to talk about javascript, why it's great, and how it relates to guitarists vs. drummers...

Why Developers Need to Understand the Business

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-05-04

I've had many engineers come to me asking for better specifications over the years. The specs are too vague or the design didn't account for certain states. Sometimes it's the client asking why the developer didn't "just do this." Sound familiar?

Sometimes DRY is not the Answer

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-05-03

One of the first lessons we learn as software developer is "don't repeat yourself," or DRY for short. However, when developing user interfaces, this rule often bites us the most later.

Getting Down to the Purpose of Code Review

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-04-27

Code reviews have always been a struggle at agencies. Most specifically because sometimes there aren't two people working on the same project. Who gives the review? We decided to change our approach to code reviews as well as re-thinking their true purpose...

Misunderstanding Tech Debt

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-04-26

A few years ago, a hiring manager asked me what my definition of tech debt was. I gave what I thought was a perfect answer, the hiring manager nodded and smiled, jotted a few notes and moved on. I have since learned that I was dead wrong.

The Tension of Design and Development

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-04-25

Inside every organization there exists a natural tension between design and development. In healthy organizations this tension produces magic results. These are interfaces that delight and win awards. Interfaces that leave you awe struck.

Selling The Cure Has Nothing To Do With Implementation

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-04-21

In 2019 my co-founder Justin and I pitched 40 prospects, of which we lost every single sale. Fast forward to today where in the last 12 months we've pitched 13 clients and closed all 13 deals. What changed?

Delivery Issues

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-04-20

Last year, we had a major delivery issue. We were struggling to deliver bug-free software on time. When we got into quarter one of this year, we realized that we had to put a stop to the madness, here's how...

In Defense of Developer Experience

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-04-19

A common gripe with focusing on developer experience (dx) is that it's less important than user experience (ux). Of course what we ship to user land is the most important thing. But in my experience dx and ux tend to go hand in hand...

A Tale of Three Scopes

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-04-18

One of the hardest things to figure out while running Cause of a Kind was how to scope different engagements. The entire agency business runs of fixed scopes, but they are incredibly risky and in the long run don't help the client, but hurt them through strained relationships...

Trouble Shooting Open Graphs with ChatGPT

By: Justin Abrams 2022-04-15

The Open Graph protocol is a standard established by Facebook that allows any webpage to become a rich object in a social graph. This can be used to enhance the way links appear when shared on social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, among others.

What is the difference between React Native vs. Flutter?

By: Hadi Baltagi 2022-02-24

In this episode, we explore the differences and similarities of Flutter and React Native and ask the important questions: How much better should the other framework be for you to switch? And what actually makes a framework better?

Pound For Pound: The Most Valuable Profession

By: Justin Abrams 2022-02-05

If you sit back and think for a moment: what is the most valuable profession? What is the profession that single-handedly contributes the most to the world? Most will say the big obvious ones. Physician, Clergy, Politician, Real Estate, Lawyers, Nuclear Scientist, Quantum Physicist... Let's convince you, it's a Software Engineer.

Our Ideal Customer Profile

By: Justin Abrams 2022-02-03

At Cause of a Kind, we always want to accomplish our core mission. We specifically aim to attract organizations of all shapes and sizes that have roots in cause and mission. We look to attract businesses with missions committed to making an impact on society, the environment or are in pursuit of original innovation.

Software Development for Startups Without a CTO

By: Justin Abrams 2022-02-02

It is quite often we encounter founders and their ideas, and more often than not, we collectively determine that the idea, while terrific, has some significant complexities that are far too often, overlooked. There is always a point in the conversation, usually around the time when a founder says, "this feature doesn't feel super complicated" after they compare their idea to Uber or Instagram, or Facebook, where we unpack and ultimately reveal exactly how complicated a "simple" feature can be. Founders often times have incredible dreams and goals, but often lack the advisors or the professional background to truly understand what they are asking for from a development agency. That's where we come in.

5 Common Misconceptions for MVP Software Development

By: Michael Rispoli 2022-01-05

CTO, Mike Rispoli joins industry commrad Alexander Benkendorf on the DiTalks Podcast. The DiTalks Episode 2 - What if a badass coder shared his true beliefs and misconceptions about the current market and how projects should really be done to be a success?

How to Say Goodbye to your Dream Job, and Hello to your Dream Career

By: Justin Abrams 2022-01-01

An important lesson I have always lived by is, "first impressions only count, if the last impression, impresses." My time to practice that wisdom is now. This is how you say goodbye to your dream job, and hello to your dream career.

How to Implement a Reusable React Slider

By: Terungwa "Terry" Kombol 2021-11-15

I recently built a custom React Slider using React's `context`. So what problem was I trying to solve that made me reach for React’s context? I needed a way to pass the state from the main slider's container component to each child slide item without knowing beforehand what number or types of slide items I am rendering.

Can you own an NFT, of a platform displaying an NFT?

By: Alfred Indigo 2021-11-10

There appears to currently be a small missing piece to the recent explosion of NFT (Non-Fungible Tokens) platforms. To me, it is like real estate. You can own the house, but can you also own the land?

How to accommodate high variant product catalogs on a headless Shopify backend?

By: Travis Claus 2021-11-10

Recently, I had the pleasure of helping to develop an eCommerce site. One of my favorite parts was engineering the product display page. I want to walk through some of the logic that was housed in the hook that accompanies the front end component for the PDP

How to manage NextJS/Typescript Static Page Optimization

By: Jesse Goodenough 2021-10-30

A Need for Speed! In the end, we were able to knock down our build time from `~15+ minutes` to `~5 minutes`. What a difference! As this is statically generating 100s of pages at build time.

TypeScript vs JavaScript: Understanding the Differences

By: Jean Gérard Bousiquot 2021-10-28

If you’ve been a JavaScript developer for a little while, you’ve probably read or heard about TypeScript.

What Is Node.js Server-Side JavaScript?

By: Jean Gérard Bousiquot 2021-10-28

JavaScript on the server-side (or outside of the browser) has opened a wide range of applications for the language. And that’s one of the reasons it is one of the most popular right now.

Building a Movie App with React Hooks and Cloudflare Workers

By: Jean Gérard Bousiquot 2021-10-26

So I've been working on this Spotify/SoundCloud clone app called MP3 Pam for a couple of months now. React on the front-end and Laravel on the back-end for the API. I use React Hooks and Cloudflare Workers quite a bit and I thought it would be good to share some of the things I've learned on the internet. ;)