Notes on systems, spreadsheets & software.
Practical, no-jargon writing for South African business owners weighing up custom software — what it costs, when it's worth it, and how to get your data under control. Written by the developer who builds the systems, not a marketing team.
How much does a website cost in South Africa? (2026)
Most designers won't put a number on the page. Here are mine — one-page from R6,499, business sites from R11,999 — what moves the price, and the costs that never make the quote.
Read the article →Custom CRM vs HubSpot, Zoho and Pipedrive
I build custom CRMs, so you'd expect me to say build one. Sometimes you shouldn't. When the packaged tools win, when they start to hurt, and what per-seat pricing in dollars really costs.
Read the article →WhatsApp is not a CRM
Leads don't get lost dramatically — they get lost three messages deep in a group chat. The five places a lead dies in a South African business, the free fix, and when the free fix stops working.
Read the article →The hidden cost of "we'll sort it out later"
Doing nothing feels like the free option — it isn't. The leaked hours, the costly mistake, the key-person risk: here's what postponing the fix is quietly billing you every month.
Read the article →Off-the-shelf vs custom: why ready-made often costs more
Packaged software looks cheaper until per-user fees, lock-in and a poor fit add up. An honest comparison — including when you should just buy the product instead.
Read the article →Why choose JonyX WebWorks?
Handing your processes to a developer is a trust decision. A straight, honest case for working with me — including a frank answer to "but you're just one person".
Read the article →7 signs your business has outgrown spreadsheets
Spreadsheets don't fail loudly — they just get heavier, slower and more expensive until they're costing you real money. Here's how to tell when you've crossed the line, and what replaces them.
Read the article →What custom business software costs in South Africa (2026)
A straight answer to the question everyone asks and most companies dodge — real rand figures, what drives the price up or down, and how to keep a custom system genuinely affordable.
Read the article →The Spreadsheet-to-System Checklist
Not ready for a quote yet? Grab the free checklist I use with clients to decide whether a process is ready to move off spreadsheets — and what to fix first.
- The 7 signs you've outgrown spreadsheets
- Which process to systemise first (and why)
- The questions to answer before you build
- A rough cost guide for South African businesses
Got a process that's driving you mad?
A 20-minute chat, an honest answer on whether software helps, and a rough idea of the cost.