August Ash

09/03/2026

AI Is Changing Search. The Fundamentals Matter More Than Ever.

Google's latest AI announcements are another signal that the way people search for and discover businesses is evolving.

But that doesn't mean your organization needs to chase every new AI development or completely rethink its digital strategy.

It does mean the fundamentals of your digital presence matter more than ever.

As search becomes increasingly influenced by AI, organizations need to make it easy for both people and technology to understand who they are, what they do, and why they should be trusted.

That starts with:
• Clearly communicating what makes your organization different
• Creating useful, authoritative content rooted in real expertise
• Maintaining accurate, structured information about your business
• Building a website that makes information easy to find and understand
• Creating clear paths for customers to take the next step
• Demonstrating trust through expertise, credibility, and authentic human experiences

These aren't new ideas. What's changing is how important they are, and how many different ways customers may encounter your business before ever reaching your website.

At August Ash, we're actively evaluating how AI is changing search and discovery, separating meaningful shifts from short-term noise, and helping our clients understand where those changes create real opportunities.

The goal isn't to react to every AI headline. It's to make sure your digital strategy is built to perform as the way people search continues to evolve.

Wondering how prepared your organization is for AI-driven search and discovery? Let's talk about what these changes mean for your digital presence and where it makes sense to focus next.

08/25/2026

Research gives you information. Planning determines what you do with it.

In Part 2 of our 7-Step Process Series, we're taking a closer look at Plan—the phase where research starts becoming a blueprint for the website ahead.

Using analytics, customer journeys, content insights, and what we've learned about the business, we begin making intentional decisions about how the new experience should work. That can include:

• Creating information architecture and sitemaps around how users actually look for information
• Mapping customer journeys and identifying points of friction
• Determining what existing content should stay, change, or go
• Developing wireframes and conversion paths for key pages
• Validating important decisions through prototypes and user testing

The goal isn't to recreate an existing website with a new look. It's to use what we've learned to build a smarter experience around the people who will actually use it.

Read the article:

Part 2 of the August Ash 7-Step Process SeriesA great website isn't built from a checklist, it's built from a thoughtful plan.In Part 1 of our 7-Step Process Se...

08/19/2026

We were proud to play a small part in supporting the 2026 Kowalski’s 4 Kids Charity Golf Tournament! ⛳

It was a great day supporting an event that gives back to organizations making a meaningful difference in our community.

Thank you to Kowalski's Markets for bringing everyone together for such a great cause, we were happy to be a part of it!

https://www.kowalskis.com/articles/thank-you-our-2026-kowalskis-4-kids-charity-golf-event-sponsors

Kowalski's is proud to once again host the Kowalski's 4 Kids Charity Golf Tournament on Monday, August 17, at North Oaks Golf Club in North Oaks, Minn...

08/11/2026

We made the list! 🎉

August Ash has been named to the 2026 Inc. 5000, recognizing the fastest-growing private companies in America.

We’re proud of what our team has built, grateful to the clients who trust us, and excited about where we’re headed next.

Here’s to continued growth, great work, and the people who make it all possible.

See the full list: inc.com/inc5000

07/22/2026

Most people think a website project begins with design.

We've learned that the best ones begin much earlier.

Before wireframes, mockups, or development, the most successful website projects start with understanding your business, your customers, your goals, and the challenges you're trying to solve.

It's how we've approached website strategy for more than 27 years, and it's the first step in our proven 7-Step Process because better research leads to better decisions.

This article is the first installment in our 7-Step Process Series, where we're taking a behind-the-scenes look at how we help organizations build websites that aren't just visually appealing, but strategically aligned to drive long-term results.

Start with Part 1: Website Research: Why Great Websites Start Before Design.

Read the article:

Part 1 of the August Ash 7-Step Process SeriesMost people think a website project begins with design.New colors. New layouts. New features.After more than 27 ye...

07/15/2026

Another great day on Lake Minnetonka with the August Ash team! ☀️🛥️

Last week, we had the perfect day to continue one of our favorite annual traditions: stepping away from our desks, enjoying a little Minnesota sunshine, and spending quality time together outside the office.

One of our five core values is Good-Natured: fostering positivity, trust, and a fun work environment where people take their work (but not themselves) too seriously. Days like these are a great reminder that building a strong culture isn't just about the work we do together, it's also about making time to laugh, connect, and enjoy each other's company.

A big thank you to Captain Eric for another great cruise and to Al & Alma's Supper Club & Charter Cruises on Lake Minnetonka for helping make this tradition one we look forward to every summer. Here's to many more August Ash adventures on the water! 💙

06/24/2026

Think of website maintenance like getting an oil change for your car. 🚙

You don't do it because something is broken, you do it to keep everything running smoothly and avoid bigger problems down the road. 🛣️

Websites are no different. Regular updates, security monitoring, backup checks, and performance reviews help keep your website secure, stable, and effective as your organization grows. 🌱

The August Ash Peace of Mind Plan provides proactive website maintenance, support, and strategic guidance for Drupal and WordPress websites. It has become a valuable part of how many of our clients keep their websites secure, stable, and performing at their best.

Learn what's included and how a trusted long-term partner can help you protect your website investment while creating opportunities for future growth.

Read more:
https://augustash.com/blog/website-maintenance-support/protect-your-website-investment-august-ash-peace-mind-plan

Launching a website is a major milestone, but once your website goes live, the work isn't finished.Websites require ongoing maintenance to remain secure, stable...

06/10/2026

As Drupal 10's end-of-life date on December 9, 2026 approaches, planning and prioritizing Drupal 11 upgrades is becoming an increasingly important consideration for many organizations.

Over the past several months, we've been helping clients assess their Drupal environments, identify potential challenges, and develop upgrade plans that align with both technical requirements and business goals. Having guided organizations through multiple major Drupal version transitions, we've seen firsthand that a thoughtful approach today can help avoid unnecessary complexity later.

For many organizations, a Drupal 11 upgrade will be a straightforward step forward. But it can also serve as a valuable opportunity to evaluate your broader digital experience, improve workflows, or revisit longer-term platform goals.

If a Drupal 11 upgrade is still on your to-do list, now is a good time to start the conversation. Whether you need help evaluating your site's readiness, understanding the scope of an upgrade, or identifying opportunities to get more value from the process, our team has the experience to help.

And if you're not sure where to begin, we're happy to talk through your options and share what we're seeing across the Drupal community.

Looking for someone to help carry the load? Once you send your request, our team will get back to you as soon as possible to start a conversation.Phone Number95...

06/02/2026

What happens when a firm's expertise outgrows its website?

Encore Partners had built a respected CFO advisory firm, but their online presence wasn't reflecting the level of service they provided. Visitors weren't getting a clear sense of the firm's experience, depth, or credibility.

Our team helped reposition the brand with a refined visual identity, clearer service organization, and a completely redesigned website built on WordPress.

The result: a clean, confident digital experience that better reflects who Encore Partners is and helps build trust with prospective clients from the first click.

See the full project here:

We wanted to shift the look of the brand away from the dark navy and teal palette and move toward a refined palette that implied maturity and confidence rather ...

05/26/2026

August Ash is excited to join the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce! Shawn attended his first event last week, Good Morning Lakeville, and it was a great opportunity to connect with local businesses and community leaders.

With many of our team members living south of the river, we’re excited to become more involved in the communities we call home and continue building meaningful local connections.

More info: https://lakevillechamber.org

Lakeville provides the foundation for healthy neighborhoods and prosperous businesses by investing in efficient services, effective partnerships, and citizen pa