David Martin Design

10/29/2026

The first AMP Bloomington was two days of ideas, and a few of them turned into something real.

Day one at the Buskirk-Chumley: John Fernandez, Mike Clem of Sweetwater, Brian Kelsey of Heartland Forward, and a fireside chat with Polina Osherov of Pattern. Day two at The IMU: the IN AI Roadshow, a feedback breakout, and a build session where I coded a free local marketplace for BloomingtonOnline.com with Ball State's Patience Akpor. The back over to The Mill for some more great programming and networking. Amazing event.

Photos, notes and the marketplace story: https://davidmartindesign.com/community/amp-bloomington-2026-recap/

Thank you, Amplify Bloomington, and everyone I got to meet: Katie Sensabaugh, Thorsteinn Sverrisson, John Skolak, Simon Beverton, Jeremy Hogan and Derek Elston.

10/28/2026

Did you get a "Higdon Law Business Proposal" email last week with a big "Open Message" button? It went to nearly 2,000 people, many of them here in Bloomington. Mary's account had been hacked, and it's secure now. If you clicked it and typed in a password, change that password and sign out of your other devices.

I wrote up what happened, plus a fake invoice scam that used my own name, and a short checklist to help keep your email safe.

A Bloomington web designer on fake invoices sent in his name, a client's hacked Microsoft 365 account, and simple steps that protect small businesses.

10/13/2026

Asking customers for reviews feels pushy to most business owners. It doesn't have to.

New on the blog: when to ask, what to say, how to respond — and the Google and FTC rules every local business should know first.

http://davidmartindesign.com/blog/

09/23/2026

AI can now help create a website faster than ever.

That’s exciting, but it also makes one question more important: are we building the right thing?

A polished website can still miss the mark if it doesn’t reflect what customers actually need, if the content isn’t accurate, or if nobody has thought through accessibility, security, maintenance, and what happens after launch.

In my latest post, I connect that idea to something I learned years ago at Lean Startup Machine: treat your assumptions as something to test, not something to defend.

AI can help us build faster. Good judgment still matters.

Read the full post here:

AI can build websites faster than ever. The harder part is deciding what to build, testing assumptions, and thinking critically about the result.

09/23/2026

Does anyone else feel exhausted by the internet lately?

Back in 2004, having a website was relatively simple. Today, it’s a constant avalanche of faster tools, more channels, and endless noise. From basic hosting and local search to complex analytics and AI visibility, the sheer volume of "must-haves" is overwhelming.

I made this short video because we believe it’s time to take a breath. Beneath all the tools and technology, the part that actually matters is still you.

Your voice. Your mission.

At David Martin Design, we help Bloomington businesses cut through the clutter to build web design and digital marketing that actually resonates. Let's amplify your mission.

🌐 davidmartindesign.com

09/01/2026

I don't usually post about things that have nothing to do with web design, but this one's saved my family real money for almost seven years, so I am making an exception.

Back in 2019 we switched from a shared Verizon plan to Visible Wireless, mostly to stop getting hit with overage fees. Seven years later we're still on it, now covering three lines instead of one.

Here's what's changed (and what hasn't) since then: https://davidmartindesign.com/tools/still-using-visible-wireless-seven-years-later/

Heads up: that link includes our referral code. If you switch through it, we both get a credit, just want to be upfront about that.

Quick disclosure up front: the Visible link below is my referral link. If you sign up through it, we both get a credit toward our bill. That's the only reason

08/22/2026

Learn about Indiana limestone, its legacy, and the Institute supporting education, design, and sustainability.

08/15/2026

More than twenty years ago, Dale Staton built Bloomington Online by hand. He put the same care into it that he put into his photography and into showing up at community events all over town. When the time came to pass it on, we met at a local Starbucks, he walked me through everything he had made, and we were glad to help keep it alive.

We just published a look back at how the site started, what we have been building lately, and where we hope to take it. Come read the story, and thank you to everyone who uses Bloomington Online and helps it grow.

https://bloomingtononline.com/civic-engagement/bloomington-online-past-present-future/

06/17/2026

Search is changing, and AI is becoming part of how people find, compare, and choose local businesses.

But small businesses don’t need to panic. The fundamentals still matter:

A clear website.
Helpful content.
Accurate business information.
Strong reviews.
Local trust.
A digital presence that clearly explains who you are and how you help.

The difference now is that your online presence needs to be easy for both people and AI tools to understand.

I wrote a new guide about what AI search means for small businesses, nonprofits, and local organizations, and how to start preparing without getting overwhelmed.

Read the full post here:

AI search visibility matters for every small business. Here's what's changing, what still works, and practical steps to stay visible in AI Search.

05/23/2026

Time for this week’s Feature FDavid Martin Design!

David Martin Design provides creative media, design, and visual storytelling services that help organizations and businesses communicate clearly through strong branding, digital content, and thoughtful design.

Member Since: 2021
Make sure to check them out!
davidmartindesign.com