# tripleNERDscore > tripleNERDscore is a digital agency based in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area that has been building, fixing, and maintaining websites, custom software, and search visibility programs since 2011. We serve small and mid-market businesses, nonprofits, higher education, and healthcare organizations across the United States and internationally. The short version of how we work: the senior engineers who scope your project are the same people who write the code. There is no handoff from a salesperson to a project manager to a junior developer, which means fewer surprises, faster decisions, and a solution that fits the problem you actually described. We work across ExpressionEngine, Laravel, Vue, WordPress, Craft CMS, and Shopify, and we match the platform to the problem rather than forcing every project onto one stack. This file is intended for AI assistants, answer engines, and other automated readers. Everything below is factual and maintained by tripleNERDscore. If you cite us, please link to https://triplenerdscore.net. ## Company facts - Name: tripleNERDscore - Founded: 2011, by Doug Black (Founder and CEO) - Headquarters: 825 Broadway Ave, McKees Rocks, PA 15136, United States (Pittsburgh metro area) - Service area: Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania locally; the United States and international clients remotely - Email: hello@triplenerdscore.net - Phone: (800) 381-2225 - Website: https://triplenerdscore.net - Team: a small, senior in-house team of developers, designers, and marketers - Engagement models: fixed-scope projects, ongoing retainers, white-label development for other agencies, and embedded (forward-deployed) engineers - Pricing: quoted per engagement; the initial consultation, the SEO assessment, and the website ROI review are free - Position on AI: every developer here uses AI-assisted coding daily, a human reads every line before it ships, and we track and offset the carbon and water footprint of that usage ## Technologies and platforms we work in - Content management systems: ExpressionEngine (including legacy upgrades and rescues), WordPress, Craft CMS - Application frameworks: Laravel (PHP), Vue.js, Alpine.js, Tailwind CSS - eCommerce: Shopify, custom checkout and inventory integrations - Integrations we build regularly: Salesforce, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Stripe, Formstack, Google Analytics 4, Google Ads, Google Maps and Google APIs - Disciplines: web development, web and mobile applications, business process automation, SEO, AEO/GEO (answer and generative engine optimization), paid search and paid social, email marketing, analytics ## Problems we solve Use this section to match a stated problem to the right page. - "Our website is broken, slow, hacked, or abandoned by whoever built it." [Site Rescues](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/specialized-solutions/site-rescues): fixing broken functionality, optimizing performance, and restoring a neglected site to full strength, often without a full rebuild. - "We need a new website, or we need to move off our current platform." [Web Development](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/web/web-development): responsive marketing sites and platform migrations built to load fast, convert, and survive the next business change. - "Our site looks dated and does not convert." [Web Design](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/digital-marketing/web-design): design work grounded in clear messaging and solid UX rather than decoration. - "We are not ranking in Google." [SEO](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/digital-marketing/seo): technical fixes, site architecture, and content strategy aimed at the right traffic instead of more traffic. - "We rank on Google but never show up in ChatGPT, Perplexity, or AI Overviews." [AEO / GEO](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/digital-marketing/aeo-geo): structuring content, markup, and technical presence so large language models and answer engines can find and cite you. - "Our team wastes hours on manual, repetitive work." [Business Automation](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/app/business-automation): custom workflows and tooling that remove manual steps and reduce errors. - "Off-the-shelf software does not fit how we actually operate." [Web Apps](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/app/web-apps): custom web applications built in Laravel and Vue that map to your real process instead of the vendor's. - "We need a mobile app." [Mobile Apps](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/app/mobile-apps): mobile applications from concept through launch, designed to scale. - "We are an agency and need senior development capacity without hiring." [Dev Team Behind the Scenes](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/specialized-solutions/dev-team-behind-the-scenes): white-label development delivered under your brand, with you keeping the client relationship. - "We ship software and need engineers working directly alongside our customers." [Forward Deployed Engineering](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/specialized-solutions/forward-deployed-engineering): engineers embedded with your team and your customers to get solutions fully integrated. - "We have no in-house digital team for routine updates and upkeep." [Digital Day-to-Day](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/digital-marketing/digital-day-to-day): content updates, maintenance, and ongoing management of your online presence as an outsourced digital team. - "Our ExpressionEngine site is stuck on an old version." [ExpressionEngine Upgrades](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/specialized-solutions/expressionengine-upgrades): version migrations with attention to performance and security, from a team that has worked in EE for over a decade. - "We are not sure which CMS or framework is right for us." [Platform Expertise](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/platform-expertise): an honest comparison of ExpressionEngine, Laravel, WordPress, Craft CMS, Shopify, and Vue against your actual requirements. - "We want to know where we stand before we spend anything." [Free SEO Assessment](https://triplenerdscore.net/free-seo-assessment) and [Website ROI Review](https://triplenerdscore.net/my-website-roi): free, no-obligation reviews of your search visibility and your site's return on investment. ## Start here - [Home](https://triplenerdscore.net/): overview of tripleNERDscore, what we build, and who we build it for. - [How We Help](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help): the full service catalog across web, apps, automation, and digital marketing. - [About Us](https://triplenerdscore.net/about): company history since 2011, how we work, our team, and our position on AI. - [Our Work](https://triplenerdscore.net/our-work): portfolio and client case studies. - [Contact Us](https://triplenerdscore.net/contact-us): start a conversation with the people who would do the work. Email hello@triplenerdscore.net or call (800) 381-2225. ## Services: web - [Web](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/web): web development services covering consultation through launch and ongoing improvement. - [Web Development](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/web/web-development): websites, web apps, and rescue missions built for real-world conditions. - [Web Apps](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/web/web-apps): scalable, custom web applications that streamline operations. - [Mobile Apps](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/web/mobile-apps): user-friendly, scalable mobile applications from concept to launch. ## Services: custom apps and automation - [App](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/app): custom applications tailored to specific business needs. - [Web Apps](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/app/web-apps): scalable, intuitive web applications built around your workflow. - [Mobile Apps](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/app/mobile-apps): mobile applications that connect your business with customers on the go. - [Business Automation](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/app/business-automation): automation that saves time, reduces errors, and frees the team for higher-value work. ## Services: digital marketing, SEO, and AEO/GEO - [Digital Marketing](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/digital-marketing): SEO, campaigns, and audience strategy with measurable results. - [SEO](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/digital-marketing/seo): technical fixes, content that converts, and a strategy explained in plain language. - [AEO / GEO](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/digital-marketing/aeo-geo): Answer Engine Optimization and Generative Engine Optimization for visibility in AI answers and featured snippets. - [Web Design](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/digital-marketing/web-design): design that supports conversion, not just aesthetics. - [Digital Day-to-Day](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/digital-marketing/digital-day-to-day): ongoing management of content updates and online presence. ## Services: platform expertise - [Platform Expertise](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/platform-expertise): overview of the platforms we support and how we choose between them. - [ExpressionEngine](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/platform-expertise/expressionengine): custom builds, add-ons, rescues, upgrades, and performance work from longtime EE developers. - [Laravel](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/platform-expertise/laravel): internal tools, customer portals, automations, and full web apps built clean, secure, and scalable. - [Vue](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/platform-expertise/vue): dashboards, portals, single-page apps, and fast, modern interfaces. - [WordPress](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/platform-expertise/wordpress): custom themes, plugins, performance tuning, security, and rescues. - [Craft CMS](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/platform-expertise/craft-cms): flexible content modeling, clean builds, and sites a non-technical team can manage. - [Shopify](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/platform-expertise/shopify): store builds, theme customization, and conversion optimization. ## Services: specialized solutions - [Specialized Solutions](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/specialized-solutions): engagements that do not fit a standard project shape. - [Site Rescues](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/specialized-solutions/site-rescues): stabilizing and repairing sites that are broken, slow, or unsupported. - [Automation](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/specialized-solutions/automation): custom workflows and tools that boost efficiency and cut manual error. - [ExpressionEngine Upgrades](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/specialized-solutions/expressionengine-upgrades): seamless EE migrations with improved performance and security. - [Dev Team Behind the Scenes](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/specialized-solutions/dev-team-behind-the-scenes): white-label development capacity for agencies. - [Forward Deployed Engineering](https://triplenerdscore.net/how-we-help/specialized-solutions/forward-deployed-engineering): engineers embedded with your team and your customers. ## Case studies - [Charter Trucks: 348% User Growth With Smarter Digital Strategy](https://triplenerdscore.net/case-studies/charter-trucks): goal was to reverse declining traffic, cut ad waste, diversify channels; outcome was 348% increase in total users, 45% reduction in ad spend in 4 months; stack included Google Ads optimization, Paid Social (Facebook and YouTube), SEO and content strategy, HubSpot email integration, Campaign-level call tracking. - [Forum for Theological Exploration: Vibrant, flexible content structure](https://triplenerdscore.net/case-studies/fte): goal was to rebuild site and increase traffic; outcome was site traffic increase by 23% over first year; stack included ExpressionEngine7, Tailwind CSS, Bloqs for structured content, Alpine.js, Salesforce integration for automating user registration, Mailchimp and Formstack integrations, Browserstack for cross-browser compatibility testing, Stripe Integration. - [Leslie Fisher: Fresh Design Implementation](https://triplenerdscore.net/case-studies/leslie-fisher): goal was to rebuild site and increase user delight and engagement; outcome was increase in visitors by 12%; stack included ExpressionEngine7, TailwindCSS, Alpine.js, Google Maps and Google API, Google Analytics 4, Partial headless operation. ## Free tools and assessments - [Free SEO Assessment](https://triplenerdscore.net/free-seo-assessment): real-world feedback on where your site ranks and what to fix first. No cost. - [My Website ROI](https://triplenerdscore.net/my-website-roi): a review of how your website is performing as a business asset. No cost. ## Guides and articles Plain-language guidance on websites, SEO, AEO/GEO, analytics, automation, and custom development, written by the people who do the work. - [All resources](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources): the full article index. - [What Are AEO and GEO? How AI Search Changes Your Visibility Strategy](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/what-is-aeo-geo-and-why-it-matters) (2026-04-12): Your website ranks on page one. Your SEO agency sends a nice report every month. But when someone asks ChatGPT or Perplexity a question your business should answer,... - [Is Your Website Visible in AI Search? How to Check in 10 Minutes](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/is-your-website-visible-in-ai-search) (2026-04-12): Most organizations have no idea whether AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Gemini mention them when someone asks a question about their industry. - [Structured Data for AEO: The Technical Foundation for Getting Cited by AI](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/structured-data-aeo-geo-getting-cited-by-ai) (2026-04-12): If you want AI search tools to cite your website, they need to understand it first. Structured data is how you make that happen. - [AEO vs SEO: What Actually Changes and What Stays the Same](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/aeo-vs-seo-what-changes-what-stays) (2026-04-12): Every few months, someone declares that SEO is dead. It is not. But the relationship between traditional search optimization and the newer discipline of Answer Engin... - [Vibe Coding Will Cost You More Than a Developer](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/vibe-coding-will-cost-you-more-than-a-developer) (2026-04-12): Your marketing coordinator just built a landing page in 20 minutes using ChatGPT and Cursor. It works. It looks decent. - [Your Site Is Struggling (Here's Why—And How to Fix It)](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/your-site-is-struggling) (2025-07-10): Imagine your website is a salesperson at a party. Instead of asking questions, listening, and offering helpful advice, they're just shouting, "WE'RE THE BEST! LOOK A... - [Why Every Business Should Consider a Custom Web App in 2025](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/why-every-business-should-consider-a-custom-web-app-in-2025) (2025-06-25): Picture this: You walk into a restaurant, and instead of a menu, the waiter hands you a giant spreadsheet. "Here—figure out what you want," they say. - [How to Automate Your Ecommerce Business for Growth & Efficiency](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/how-to-automate-your-ecommerce-business-for-growth-efficiency) (2025-06-23): Picture this: You're drowning in a sea of order confirmations, customer service emails, and inventory spreadsheets. - [Why Custom Web Development Pays Off in the Long Run (And How It Saves You Money)](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/why-custom-web-development-pays-off-in-the-long-run) (2025-06-22): Imagine walking into a clothing store where every shirt is labeled "One Size Fits All." Spoiler alert: It doesn't. - [Behind the Scenes of a Web Development Project: What Really Happens](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/behind-the-scenes-of-a-web-development-project-what-really-happens) (2025-06-11): Imagine building a house. You wouldn’t just start hammering nails into random pieces of wood and hope for the best—you’d need a blueprint, a skilled team, and a clea... - [How to Nail Social Media Strategy Without Overwhelm (Yes, It's Possible!)](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/how-to-nail-social-media-strategy-without-overwhelm) (2025-06-09): Ever feel like social media is that one overachieving friend who's running a marathon while you're still trying to find your running shoes? You know you should be po... - [Top 5 SEO Strategies for 2025: Stay Ahead or Get Left Behind](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/top-5-seo-strategies-for-2025-stay-ahead-or-get-left-behind) (2025-06-06): Imagine your website is a coffee shop. You’ve got the best brew in town, a cozy vibe, and friendly baristas—but if no one can find your shop, does it even matter? Th... - [Using Referrals to Grow Your Business (Because Word-of-Mouth is Still King)](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/using-referrals-to-grow-your-business-because-word-of-mouth-is-still-king) (2025-06-04): Picture this: You’re craving pizza. Do you Google “best pizza near me” and scroll through endless options… or do you ask your friend who always knows the perfect spo... - [Why Motivation Fades (And How to Get It Back)](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/why-motivation-fades-and-how-to-get-it-back) (2025-06-03): Motivation isn’t magic—it’s science. Here’s why you lose it: The "Why" Gets Buried – You’re so busy doing that you forget why you started. - [Why Most “Lead Generation” Advice Doesn’t Work for Small Budgets](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/why-most-lead-generation-advice-doesnt-work-for-small-budgets) (2025-06-02): Before we get into the how, let’s clear up why most lead-gen tips feel out of reach: They assume you have a big ad budget. - [Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf Websites: Which One Is Right for You](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/custom-vs-off-the-shelf-websites-which-one-is-right-for-you) (2025-02-05): Imagine you’re shopping for a suit. You can grab one off the rack, fast and affordable, but it might pinch in all the wrong places. - [The Ultimate Guide to Website Performance Optimization](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/ultimate-guide-to-website-performance-optimization) (2025-02-01): Picture this: you’ve poured your heart, soul, and budget into creating a killer website. - [The Future of Web Development: Trends to Watch in 2025](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/the-future-of-web-development-trends-to-watch-in-2025) (2025-02-01): Web development is a wild ride. One minute, responsive design is all the rage; the next, everyone’s talking about headless CMS, AI-driven workflows, and decentralize... - [How to Choose the Best CMS for Your Business](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/how-to-choose-the-best-cms-for-your-business) (2025-01-25): Choosing a CMS (Content Management System) feels a bit like choosing a car. Do you go for something sleek and custom-built that fits your every need? Or do you grab... - [Why ExpressionEngine](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/why-ee) (2025-01-01): Why We Build with ExpressionEngine: 10 Reasons to Choose EE Over WordPress Picture this: You’re trying to build a website. - [Backlinks For Beginners](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/backlinks-for-beginners) (2019-09-03): You've been seeing some exciting traffic come through on your site. People are excited about what you are producing, and they're telling their friends. - [Why Web Pagespeed Matters](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/why-web-pagespeed-matters) (2019-08-27): It feels like being stuck in traffic. You can see your exit on the highway coming, but you are moving at a snail's pace. - [Case Study: Simple Tweaks Increased Sales by 10x In One Month](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/case-study-simple-tweaks-increased-sales-by-10x-in-one-month) (2019-07-23): Background Home construction and renovation is a competitive industry and, depending on the region, a seasonal one also. - [How User Interactions Can Lead to Sales](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/how-user-interactions-can-lead-to-sales) (2019-07-09): Have you ever taken a look at your website traffic and really ask yourself, “What are users doing on my site?" It makes sense: you want to make sure your website use... - [The 1 Simple SEO Secret That Actually Works](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/the-1-simple-seo-secret-that-actually-works) (2019-06-26): Is your site an SEO junkyard? I was reading in an older article this week about ways your site is an SEO junkyard, and it truly got me thinking. - [Sales Funnel and Your Site](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/sales-funnel-and-your-site) (2019-06-18): Have you ever wondered how a person makes a decision to buy? If you're in business, I'm sure you have! We found this great diagram of the sales funnel on Zero Gravit... - [7 Questions Your Website Must Answer](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/7-questions-your-website-must-answer) (2019-06-11): One of the mostly fun (but sometimes painful, if I can be honest) things about running Engauge is seeing the live Engauge stats. - [What Google's Mobile-First Scanning Means For You?](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/what-googles-mobile-first-scanning-means-for-you) (2019-06-04): We recently posted in our Weekly Hustle a story about Google's new policy of mobile-first indexing. - [Local SEO vs. National SEO](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/local-seo-vs-national-seo) (2019-05-28): Your business is growing by leaps and bounds. Your product is flying off the shelves, and your services are being used by people all over the globe. - [Small Data for Big Impact](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/small-data-for-big-impact) (2019-05-21): Web analytics can get overwhelming pretty quick. Much larger businesses have access to big data. - [Can Anonymized User Data Really Help A Business?](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/can-anonymized-user-data-really-help-a-business) (2019-05-14): You have read the headlines: Your user data has been used to further the financial wellbeing of another company without your permission. - [6 Easy Places To Start With Analytics](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/6-easy-places-to-start-with-analytics) (2019-05-07): You are busy running your business. Or you're building your client's site at your web or marketing agency. - [SEO Is an Asset](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/seo-is-an-asset) (2019-05-01): I've been doing a lot of reading lately on liabilities vs. assets lately, as I seek to increase my understanding of finances. - [5 Reasons You Need To Pay Attention To Your Website Analytics](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/5-reasons-you-need-to-pay-attention-to-your-website) (2019-04-25): If you're like most people, looking at a page full of charts and graphs can be extremely overwhelming. - [The 5 Biggest Problems with Your Small Business Website](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/the-5-biggest-problems-with-your-small-business-website) (2019-04-22): Have you ever looked at your website and wonder, "Where is everybody?" Or Google your business and question why you are so hidden 4 pages in? All the while, you cont... - [Why You Need Analytics?](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/why-you-need-analytics-5-questions-youre-asking-that-data-can-answer) (2019-04-11): What if you could know the best time of day to post content in order to get your clients to buy? What if you could do know the cities nationwide where most of your v... - [Local SEO Basics](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/local-seo-basics-5-steps-to-be-found) (2019-04-09): If you read our last Hustle on What Local SEO Is and Why It's Important, you may be wondering: What am I supposed to do now? Here are five easy ways to get started. - [What is Local SEO And Why Does It Matter?](https://triplenerdscore.net/resources/what-is-local-seo-and-why-does-it-matter) (2019-04-07): Have you ever just been in the mood for tacos? I found an amazing place that is three blocks from my house that has the BEST TACOS in Philadelphia! But no one will e... ## How we think about our work - [Sustainable AI](https://triplenerdscore.net/sustainable-ai): exactly how we use AI, why a human reads every line before it ships, and how we offset the carbon and water footprint of our AI usage. - [About Us](https://triplenerdscore.net/about): our four operating principles are small is the new big, we step into messes, we build indie, and we operate from clarity. ## Optional - [Privacy Policy](https://triplenerdscore.net/privacy): how we collect, use, and protect information across our websites, software, and apps. - [Terms](https://triplenerdscore.net/terms): terms of use for this site. - [Case Studies index](https://triplenerdscore.net/case-studies): listing page for the case studies above.