
HTML All The Things - Web Development, Web Design, Small Business
The adventures of Matt Lawrence and Mike Karan through the world of web development, web design, and small business management. As web development agency owners for the better part of a decade, they’ve worked with all sorts of technologies, through the rise of responsive web design, the revolution of serverless computing, and the popularity gain of many no-code tools for small business owners. They commonly discuss foundational web development technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript - including popular frameworks and tools such as Tailwind CSS, Svelte, WordPress, Vue, and more.
Latest episodes

Mar 4, 2025 • 1h 18min
How to Be Successful as a Remote Developer
Dive into this episode of HTML All the Things as hosts Matt and Mike unlock the secrets to thriving in the world of remote work! They break down every model—from synchronous and asynchronous setups to hybrid and freelance paths—so listeners can find the perfect match for their lifestyle and personality. Matt and Mike share actionable strategies for boosting productivity, covering everything from time management and work environment hacks to mastering communication and leveraging top tools like Slack, Notion, and Zoom. The hosts also tackle the challenges unique to remote work, such as isolation, miscommunication, and the elusive work-life balance, offering practical advice on overcoming these hurdles. Plus, they provide expert tips on landing remote web development jobs, building a standout portfolio, acing remote interviews, and spotting red flags in job listings. Whether you're a seasoned remote pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights to help you succeed in the ever-evolving remote landscape.
Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/how-to-be-successful-as-a-remote-developer

Feb 25, 2025 • 54min
"I Want to Rank #1 on Google!" – How to Solve Real SEO Problems
In this episode, Matt and Mike tackle real-world SEO client scenarios and how to solve them. From small business owners struggling to be found online to demanding clients who just want to be “#1 on Google,” we break down the biggest SEO challenges and what it actually takes to improve rankings. We’ll cover: Helping local businesses improve their online visibility, managing client expectations when it comes to SEO, fixing common website and Google My Business mistakes, and the right way to approach SEO for long-term success. If you've ever worked with clients on SEO—or if you're trying to improve your own business’s search rankings—this episode is packed with practical advice you can use.
Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/i-want-to-rank-1-on-google-how-to-solve-real-seo-problems

Feb 18, 2025 • 1h 12min
JavaScript Tech We Loved (But Don’t Use as Much Anymore)
Web developers use a lot of tools to get the job done and unfortunately, those tools sometimes get dropped in favor of newer and shinier ones. In this episode Matt and Mike take a trip down memory lane to revisit and discuss some of the JavaScript tools that have since lost presence in the zeitgeist. These tools include jQuery, MomentJS, Apache Cordova, and more! Some of these tools, while not as spry as they once were, are still fully supported and have new versions in development. While they might not be exciting enough to make headlines on the daily, many are still viable tools projects depending on a project's needs, wants, and age.
Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/javascript-tech-we-loved-but-dont-use-as-much-anymore

Feb 13, 2025 • 54min
The Popular Option w/ Colby Fayock
Are developers forced to choose the popular option?
This week, Matt had the pleasure of sitting down with Colby Fayock, a content creator and Shopify engineer to discuss the difficulty of choosing tools, plugins, frameworks, and more. Typically when you want stability and support, a safe bet is a popular tool run by a large company or community. However, last year's WordPress drama had many wondering how a platform so massive had a future that suddenly seemed so uncertain. Can options other than the popular ones be a good choice sometimes?
Show notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/the-popular-option-w-colby-fayock

Feb 11, 2025 • 1h 6min
Freelancing for Web Development
In this episode, Matt and Mike dive into the world of freelancing—a rewarding but often challenging career path for web developers, designers, and tech enthusiasts alike. As 10+ year veterans of their own web dev agency, the guys share their personal insights and experiences when freelancing. Learn how to: make the most out of freelancing platforms like GURU, build an online presence for marketing, leveraging word of mouth once established, and dig up leads in unconventional places. Whether you’re considering freelancing as a side hustle or aiming to go full-time, we’re here to share actionable tips and strategies to set you up for success.
Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/freelancing-for-web-development

Feb 4, 2025 • 58min
What Is Async JavaScript?
In this episode Matt and Mike delve into the world of asynchronous JavaScript, inspired by a listener's request. The discussion covers essential concepts such as synchronous and asynchronous operations, explaining how JavaScript's single-threaded nature can lead to blocking issues. The hosts explore various methods to handle async operations, including callbacks, promises, and the increasingly popular async/await syntax. They also address practical issues like error handling and best practices for writing maintainable and performant async code. This episode is ideal for developers looking to deepen their understanding of JavaScript's asynchronous capabilities.
Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/what-is-async-javascript
Thanks to Wix Studio for sponsoring this episode! Check out Wix Studio, the web platform tailored to designers, developers, and marketers via this link: https://www.wix.com/studio

Jan 28, 2025 • 1h 11min
Stop Using Frameworks for Everything: Vanilla JavaScript in 2025
In this episode, Matt and Mike explore why vanilla JavaScript remains a powerful tool for developers. From small projects that don’t need the complexity of frameworks, to performance-critical and fine-control use cases, they discuss when and why going framework-free can be the better choice. They also dive into learning and debugging benefits, reducing dependencies, and ensuring compatibility with legacy browsers. Whether you’re prototyping, enhancing no-code platforms, or striving for leaner, faster projects, vanilla JS has its place in every developer’s toolkit.
Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/stop-using-frameworks-for-everything-vanilla-javascript-in-2025
Thanks to Magic Mind for sponsoring this episode, enjoy up to 45% off the Magic Mind bundle using our link: https://magicmind.com/htmlpodbjan
Thanks to Wix Studio for sponsoring this episode! Check out Wix Studio, the web platform tailored to designers, developers, and marketers via this link: https://www.wix.com/studio

Jan 21, 2025 • 1h 5min
Stop Overcomplicating CSS: Master Layouts, Variables, and Modern Best Practices
Dive into the essentials of CSS, where developers learn to write cleaner stylesheets. Discover the power of Grid and Flexbox for modern layouts, and explore custom properties for dynamic styling. Master the art of specificity and methodologies like BEM for maintainability. Unlock the latest features, such as container queries and scroll-linked animations, all while enhancing accessibility. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, gain insights that will elevate your CSS skills significantly!

Jan 14, 2025 • 1h 30min
Why Is Everyone Unhappy With JavaScript? | State of JavaScript 2024 Survey
Matt and Mike dive deep into the results of the State of JavaScript 2024 survey. The discussion covers various topics such as declining happiness with JavaScript frameworks, the rise of the Astro framework, and the increasing shift towards TypeScript. Additional discussions include the use of AI for code generation and some new JavaScript features that developers are excited about. The guys also discussed the complexities and evolving nature of web development, and whether the modern JavaScript learning curve is sustainable for aspiring junior developers.
Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/why-is-everyone-unhappy-with-javascript-state-of-javascript-2024-survey
Thanks to Magic Mind for sponsoring this episode, enjoy up to 45% off the Magic Mind bundle using our link: https://magicmind.com/htmlpodbjan
Thanks to Wix Studio for sponsoring this episode! Check out Wix Studio, the web platform tailored to designers, developers, and marketers via this link: https://www.wix.com/studio

Jan 8, 2025 • 1h 8min
Client-Side vs. Server-Side JavaScript
In this episode, Matt and Mike dive into the world of JavaScript environments, exploring the key differences between client-side and server-side JavaScript. Whether you're a beginner curious about how JavaScript works across the browser and the server, or an experienced developer looking for a refresher, this episode has you covered. Learn about the unique roles of client-side and server-side JavaScript, their common use cases, and when to use each. Plus, discover the latest trends like serverless environments, JAMstack, and exciting tools like Astro and Deno. Don't miss this comprehensive breakdown of JavaScript's dual nature!
Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/client-side-vs-server-side-javascript
Thanks to Wix Studio for sponsoring this episode! Check out Wix Studio, the web platform tailored to designers, developers, and marketers via this link: https://www.wix.com/studio
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.