Big App Energy

In this episode of Big App Energy, hosts Ben and Jacob share essential tips for tech startups on creating future-ready websites that stand the test of time. They dive into the importance of scalable architecture, adaptability to emerging technologies, and data-driven optimization. Ben and Jacob explore long-term SEO strategies, security considerations, and integration capabilities that set businesses up for sustained online success. Whether you're a new startup or an established company, this episode offers valuable insights on building a web presence that grows with your business. Tune in for expert advice on crafting websites that not only meet today's needs but are prepared for tomorrow's digital landscape.

In this episode of Big App Energy, hosts Ben and Jacob share essential tips for tech startups on the crucial decision between hiring a professional website developer and DIY approaches: Explore pros and cons of DIY website building tools vs. professional development Uncover hidden "gotchas" in self-built websites: performance, security, and scalability issues Learn what to watch for when hiring a developer: hosting, analytics, and framework choices Discover why common tools aren't always the best fit, with insights on alternative technologies Packed with practical advice, this episode helps developers and entrepreneurs make informed decisions about their web presence, balancing cost-effectiveness with long-term scalability and security.

In this episode of Big App Energy, hosts Ben and Jacob share essential tips for tech startups leveraging site analytics and data-driven decision-making. They explain why analytics matter for websites and online businesses, emphasizing their role in understanding user behavior and measuring marketing effectiveness. Discover key metrics and insights, including traffic data, audience demographics, and conversion rates. Learn how to use analytics tools to improve user experience, refine content strategy, and enhance overall site performance. The hosts discuss popular analytics platforms like Google Analytics and Plausible, highlighting their features and benefits. This episode is filled with practical advice to help developers and entrepreneurs harness the power of site analytics for business growth and success.

In this episode of Big App Energy, hosts Ben and Jacob share tips for tech startups by diving into SEO, site performance, and conversions. They start by defining SEO and explaining its importance for visibility and traffic. Discover best practices for on-page and off-page optimization, including keyword research, internal linking, and content creation. Learn how to measure and monitor SEO performance using tools like Google Search Console and UnLighthouse. Understand the impact of site performance on user experience and SEO, and get tips for improving load times and conversions. This episode is packed with insights to help new developers and small business owners optimize their websites effectively.

In this episode of Big App Energy, hosts Ben and Jacob share valuable tips for tech startups by discussing Hired Gun Apps' go-to stack, PETL, and why they use it. They explore the history of the BEAM VM and Erlang, showcasing how Elixir builds upon this foundation to provide a developer-friendly language with powerful concurrency features. Discover the benefits of using Phoenix LiveView for real-time, interactive web applications, and how Tailwind CSS enables rapid UI development. Ben and Jacob also highlight the importance of PostgreSQL as a reliable database backend. This episode is packed with insights to help new developers and small business owners make informed decisions about technology choices, saving time and resources while building robust, scalable applications.

In this episode of Big App Energy, hosts Ben and Jacob share valuable tips for tech startups by diving into the history of web development. From the early days of static HTML to the rise of frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js, they discuss the lessons learned over the decades. Discover the advantages and limitations of site builders, the benefits of server-side rendering (SSR), and why Phoenix LiveView offers a compelling solution for modern web applications. This episode is packed with insights to help new developers and small business owners make informed decisions about technology choices, saving time and resources in the process.

In this episode of Big App Energy, Ben and Jacob share essential tips for tech startups navigating the competitive hiring landscape. Learn how to move beyond traditional whiteboarding and coding challenges, focusing instead on candidates' practical experience, problem-solving skills, and communication abilities. Discover the value of prioritizing portfolios and open-source contributions over credentials and why hiring for potential and embracing diverse backgrounds can lead to a stronger team. Explore the significance of soft skills, cultural fit, and offering paid coding exercises. Find out how remote teams and continuous evaluation can revolutionize your hiring process. Tune in for actionable insights on building a resilient, adaptable tech team for success in today's market.

In this episode of Big App Energy, we share essential tips for tech startups looking to implement Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) in their software development process. Join Ben Kimble and Jacob Luetzow as they break down the concepts, benefits, and best practices of CI/CD for your tech startup. Discover how to streamline your development workflow, catch bugs early, and deploy updates with confidence. Learn from real-world examples and expert insights on how to choose the right tools, automate your pipeline, and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation. Whether you're a product owner or a developer, this episode will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to harness the power of CI/CD and take your big app energy to the next level!

In this episode of Big App Energy, we share essential tips for tech startups on mastering APIs and unlocking their potential for business growth and innovation. Join your hosts, Ben and Jacob, as they decode the concept of APIs, explaining how these crucial tools allow different software systems to communicate and exchange data. Discover the benefits of using APIs in your software development process, from leveraging existing functionality and promoting code reusability to enabling seamless integration between diverse platforms. Learn best practices for designing, implementing, and securing APIs, and explore real-world examples of successful API-driven businesses. Whether you're a developer or an entrepreneur, this episode will provide you with the knowledge and insights needed to harness the power of APIs and take your tech startup to the next level. #APIs #SoftwareDevelopment #TechStartups #Integration #CodeReusability #APIDesign #APISecurity #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #ElixirMentor #Innovation #Modularity #WebServices #MobileApps #IoT

In this episode of Big App Energy, we share essential tips for tech startups looking to embrace remote work in software development. Join Ben Kimble and Jacob Luetzow as they explore the benefits, challenges, and best practices of managing remote teams. Discover how to overcome communication barriers, maintain team cohesion, and avoid micro-management pitfalls. Learn from real-world case studies and success stories, and gain actionable insights to help your remote software development team thrive. Whether you're a product owner or a developer, this episode will provide you with the tools and strategies needed to do remote development right and maximize your big app energy!

In this Big App Energy episode, Ben and Jacob serve up essential tips for startups navigating the complex terrain of backend architecture. They zero in on the critical decision between microservices and monolithic structures, painting a vivid picture of the backend as either a single, overstuffed toy box (monolithic) or numerous, neatly categorized boxes (microservices). With a straightforward explanation, they explore how these architectural choices impact everything from scalability to maintenance, touching on key advantages like the simplicity and ease of testing with monoliths, versus the scalability and flexibility of microservices. This episode promises to arm startups with the knowledge to choose the right codebase approach, ensuring their backend can efficiently scale and adapt to their growing needs. #BackEndDevelopment #Microservices #Monoliths #Scalability #SoftwareArchitecture #TechTalks #DevOps #CodingLive #SoftwareEngineering #TechCommunity

In this Big App Energy episode, hosts Ben and Jacob offer crucial tips for tech startups on making apps accessible to all. They dive into app accessibility, comparing it to ensuring every toy in a box is reachable by every child, highlighting its significance for users with diverse needs. They tackle legal and ethical considerations and underscore the benefits of accessibility in broadening audience reach, improving brand image, and boosting revenue. The duo shares actionable advice on implementing features like screen readers and voice commands, navigates through common challenges developers face, and showcases exemplary apps like Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa. This episode is a comprehensive guide for developers aiming to enhance their app's usability and foster inclusivity in the tech world. #TechStartups #AppAccessibility #InclusiveDesign #DigitalInclusion #UserExperience #AccessibilityMatters #TechForAll #InnovativeApps #AccessibleTechnology #DevelopersLife

In this Big App Energy episode, get essential tips for tech startups on navigating the fast-paced tech world. Ben and Jacob highlight the importance of staying informed on trends and best practices for success and innovation. They share insights from their journey, recommend reliable tech news sources like TechCrunch, Hacker News, and Reddit, and evaluate their credibility. The discussion extends to leveraging social media, participating in conferences and webinars, and incorporating continuous learning into your daily life. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the tech industry, offering practical advice for staying ahead in the dynamic tech landscape. #bigappenergy #podcast #TechTrends #SoftwareDevelopment #ContinuousLearning #TechNews #ProfessionalGrowth #BigAppEnergy #TechPodcast

In this episode, Ben and Jacob share tips for tech startups on deploying app updates effectively. They dive into the crucial aspects of app updates, from compliance and security enhancements to bug fixes and new features. The discussion covers the update process stages: planning, development, testing, deployment, and monitoring, ensuring listeners grasp each phase. The importance of version control is a key focus, with its advantages in collaboration, backup, and experimentation highlighted, alongside popular tools like Git, Mercurial, SVN, GitHub, and GitLab. Wrapping up, the episode offers best practices for managing updates and emphasizes responsible update management and version control's pivotal role. Tune in for actionable advice and insights ideal for software developers. #bigappenergy #podcast #AppDevelopment #SoftwareUpdates #ReleasePlanning #VersionControl #TechStrategy #AppMaintenance #Deployment #BestPractices #Coding #Programming #TechPodcast

Ben and Jacob offer tips for tech startups on mastering debugging, a must-have developer skill. They break down debugging intricacies, from grasping code behavior to fixing elusive bugs. This episode delves into strategies for cultivating a debugger's mindset, including automated testing, pair debugging, and leveraging tools like integrated debuggers and version control systems. The discussion also covers preventative tactics such as code reviews and continuous integration to minimize bugs. They underscore debugging skills' evolution through patience, persistence, and learning from the developer community's collective wisdom. #bigappenergy #podcast #debugging #AppSuccess #TechPodcast #SoftwareInnovation #EfficientDevelopment #TechInsights #bigappenergy #podcast

Join Ben and Jacob on "DevOps Streamlining: Mastering Process Optimization" as they demystify the essential role of DevOps in successful app development. From unpacking DevOps fundamentals to exploring advanced tools and practices, this podcast is your concise guide to enhancing app performance and team collaboration. We dissect key DevOps aspects like CI/CD, automated testing, and popular tools like Git and Docker, offering insights on avoiding common pitfalls. Discover how DevOps not only speeds up deployment but also boosts quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Ideal for developers, IT professionals, and tech enthusiasts, "DevOps Streamlining: Mastering Process Optimization" is where your app development journey reaches new heights. #DevOpsEssentials #AppSuccess #TechPodcast #SoftwareInnovation #EfficientDevelopment #TechInsights #bigappenergy #podcast

In this episode of "Big App Energy," hosts Ben and Jacob explore the crucial concept of clean code in software development. They delve into what clean code means, discussing its importance for readability, maintainability, and ease of collaboration. The episode also touches on fundamental principles like meaningful naming, simplicity, and avoiding common pitfalls like over-engineering and 'magic numbers.' Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, this discussion offers valuable insights into writing code that works and is a joy to work with.

Picking up from where they left off, Ben and Jacob continue their discussion on open source, this time focusing on the benefits and drawbacks of creating or using open-source projects. They touch on how open source fosters innovation, collaboration, and education while also presenting challenges in maintenance, security, and potential licensing issues. Ben shares a passionate perspective on licensing safety, using Unity as a prime example. They also debunk common misconceptions surrounding open source, clarifying that it's not just a playground for developers but a community-driven force capable of producing high-quality, secure, and reliable software. Wrapping up, they encourage listeners to engage with the open-source community, highlighting its profound impact in the tech sphere.

In this episode, Ben and Jacob unravel the often-overlooked realm of open-source licensing and contributions. They kick things off by illuminating what open source is, contrasting it briefly with proprietary software. Diving deeper, they dissect open-source licensing, shedding light on common licenses like MIT, GPL, and Apache and why choosing the right license is crucial for both creators and contributors. They also touch on the initial steps of how you can contribute to open source projects, whether it's through code, documentation, or community support, emphasizing the importance of "Pull Requests" and code reviews in the process. Through a casual conversation, they lay down the foundation of open source, setting the stage for a deeper discussion in part two.

Join hosts Ben and Jacob on Big App Energy, where today's episode unfolds the realm of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). We lay it out, from the basics and history to the pros, cons, and unique challenges. We'll share why PWAs were our first choice for PerfectForm and discuss our hands-on encounters with cross-browser compatibility and other quirky hurdles. Whether you're weighing the PWA route for your project or just curious about this modern web tech, tune in for a candid discussion and gather some real-deal insights.