# blogs

title: Docker Unleashed
published_at: 2025-06-28 13:08:10
created_at: 2025-06-28 13:08:10
updated_at: 2025-06-28 13:08:10
slug: docker-unleashed
blog_category_id: 1
content:
  [{"insert":"Containerizing Your Way to Dev Bliss"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWhen I am added to a new (to me) project, one of the first things that I do is containerize the project using Docker. I find that doing this increases my productivity significantly because my development environment mimics the production server more closely than it would otherwise. During this post I will show how I create a containerized application by using a default Laravel setup with Docker Compose, but to make it interesting I am not going to use the latest version, rather I will use the oldest version still listed on their documentation site, version 4.2. This will simulate being added to a team with a legacy application.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://laravel.com/docs/4.2"},"insert":"https://laravel.com/docs/4.2"},{"insert":"\n\nAccording to the documentation, it will require PHP version 5.4 or better and requires the MCrypt PHP Extension. I will also use a MySQL database with a simple migration to create a users table. While building this out I found that Laravel 4.2 can only work on PHP up to version 5.6 therefore that is the version that I will be targeting. \n\nLets get started on our docker-compose.yml file now.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"font":"monospace"},"insert":"docker-compose.yml"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"services:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"  docker_unleashed_build:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    depends_on:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      - docker_unleashed_database"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    image: docker_unleashed_build"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    volumes:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      - ./:/app"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    working_dir: /app"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    build:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      context: docker/build"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      dockerfile: ./Dockerfile"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"  docker_unleashed_database:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    image: mysql:lts"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    volumes:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      - ./.mysql-data/db:/var/lib/mysql"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    restart: always"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    ports:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      - 3306:3306"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    environment:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: my_root_password"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      MYSQL_DATABASE: docker_unleashed"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      MYSQL_USER: docker_unleashed_user"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      MYSQL_PASSWORD: docker_unleashed_password"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"  docker_unleashed_php:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    image: docker_unleashed_php"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    volumes:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      - ./:/app"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    working_dir: /app"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    depends_on:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      - docker_unleashed_build"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    build:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      context: docker/php"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      dockerfile: ./Dockerfile"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"  docker_unleashed_nginx:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    image: docker_unleashed_nginx"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    build:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      context: docker/nginx"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      dockerfile: ./Dockerfile"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    volumes:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      - ./:/app"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    working_dir: /app"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    depends_on:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      - docker_unleashed_build"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      - docker_unleashed_php"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      - docker_unleashed_database"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    ports:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#0066cc","color":"#ffffff","font":"monospace"},"insert":"      - 8000:80"},{"insert":"\n\nI know this seems like a lot but lets break it down real quick by going backwards from the site being shown in the browser. In order for the site to be shown there needs to be a web server. The web server needs to be able to serve out PHP files. Since the application is a Laravel project, it needs to be built properly with composer. The application also uses a database so that needs to exist too. We just determined we need, a webserver, PHP rendering, a build process, and a database. All of these are outlined in the docker-compose.yml file and the \"depends_on\" section in each expresses exactly what we just determined.\n\nThe easiest part is the database. We're using the pre-built LTS version of MySQL provided on DockerHub. All we have to do is define the environment variables for MySQL, like the root (admin) password, database name, and the regular user's username and password. Everything else is packaged perfectly for our needs here.\n\nThe next part we need to configure is the Nginx webserver. We will create a new folder called docker in the root of our project and within that folder create another folder called nginx that will contain our Nginx container files. First file we will need is the Dockerfile for the nxinx module and a default.conf file that will be the server's configuration file.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"font":"monospace"},"insert":"Dockerfile"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"FROM nginx:alpine"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"COPY ./default.conf /etc/nginx/conf.d/default.conf"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"font":"monospace"},"insert":"default.conf"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"server {"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    listen 80 default_server;"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    listen [::]:80 default_server ipv6only=on;"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    root /app/code/public;"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    index index.php;"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    location / {"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"        try_files $uri $uri/ /index.php?$query_string;"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    }"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    location ~ \\.php$ {"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"        try_files $uri /index.php =404;"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"        fastcgi_split_path_info ^(.+\\.php)(/.+)$;"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"        fastcgi_pass docker_unleashed_php:9000;"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"        fastcgi_index index.php;"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"        fastcgi_param SCRIPT_FILENAME $document_root$fastcgi_script_name;"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"        include fastcgi_params;"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"    }"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"}"},{"insert":"\n\nThis one is quite simple. We're starting from a copy of the Alpine Linux version of Nginx so we can keep the container sizes small. The next line tells Docker to copy the file default.conf file into the Nginx container. The default.conf file is setup to serve out files from its internal /app/code/public folder, which has the files populated from the docker-compose.yml file set as a volume. The code directory will be populated during the build process and the PHP processing will be done by the docker_unleashed_php container on port 9000.\n\nNext lets setup the PHP container. Since it was determined that PHP 5.6 would be the best version to use for this project, we will build the Dockerfile using the PHP 5.6 FPM version built with Alpine Linux. We will also need to make sure that MCrypy and MySQL extension are enabled.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"font":"monospace"},"insert":"Dockerfile"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"FROM php:5.6-fpm-alpine"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN apk update --no-cache"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN apk add --no-cache $PHPIZE_DEPS"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN apk add libmcrypt-dev"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN docker-php-ext-configure mcrypt --with-mcrypt"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN docker-php-ext-install mcrypt"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN docker-php-ext-install pdo pdo_mysql"},{"insert":"\n\nSo far between the docker-compose.yml file and the Nginx and PHP Dockerfiles and configurations, we have enough here to setup a server but we still need the code to to be served out.\n\nWe will make a build container that will setup all of the code and build the Laravel application now. Since it will need the same environment as the PHP container I will just copy it but it will also need composer installed. The latest version of composer to be able to work on PHP 5.6 is Composer 2.2 so that will be used. Lets start off with the following Dockerfile for the build continer.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"font":"monospace"},"insert":"Dockerfile"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"FROM php:5.6-fpm-alpine"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"COPY --from=composer:2.2 /usr/bin/composer /usr/bin/composer"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN apk update && apk add ca-certificates && rm -rf /var/cache/apk/*"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN apk update --no-cache"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN update-ca-certificates"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN apk add --no-cache $PHPIZE_DEPS"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN apk add libmcrypt-dev"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN docker-php-ext-configure mcrypt --with-mcrypt"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN docker-php-ext-install mcrypt"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN docker-php-ext-install pdo pdo_mysql"},{"insert":"\n\nFrom here we can try to build with the following command:\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966","background":"#000000","font":"monospace"},"insert":" docker-compose build"},{"insert":"\n\nOnce it is done you should see that it built three images.\n"},{"insert":{"image":"data:image/png;base64,[encoded data, 8176 characters]"}},{"insert":"\n\nFrom here we will start up the containers in \"background mode\" with the following command:\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966","background":"#000000","font":"monospace"},"insert":" docker-compose up -d"},{"insert":"\n\nNow we can login to the build container to make sure we have everything needed for the build process. We login using the following command:\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966","background":"#000000","font":"monospace"},"insert":" docker exec -it dockerunleashed-docker_unleashed_build-1 sh"},{"insert":"\n\nOnce logged in we can try to install Laravel based on the documentation and we can set it to use the code directory:\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966","background":"#000000","font":"monospace"},"insert":" composer create-project laravel/laravel code 4.2 --prefer-dist"},{"insert":"\n\nThis is when we see that we the installation is interrupted because it wants to know if we trust a plugin. In order for our build script that we're going to make to work, we need to prevent this. I answer n to that question and I remove the code directory that was created.\n\n"},{"insert":{"image":"data:image/png;base64,[encoded data, 39472 characters]"}},{"insert":"\n\nTo prevent that question we need to set a global (to the build container) composer configuration setting. That can be done like this:\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966","background":"#000000","font":"monospace"},"insert":" composer config --global --no-plugins allow-plugins.kylekatarnls/update-helper true"},{"insert":"\n\nNow we have the composer settings correct, we try to install Laravel again and this time, everything works with a problem. But wait, if we do an \"ls -la\" to see the files, we notice that the permissions are not set right. The code directory is owned by root. After we change the permissions with the following command, this issue will be fixed. \n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966","background":"#000000","font":"monospace"},"insert":" chmod 1000:1000 -R code"},{"insert":"\n\nAfter this we are able to test the browser by going to http://localhost:8888 and we see that the site works.\n"},{"insert":{"image":"data:image/png;base64,[encoded data, 80028 characters]"}},{"insert":"\nNow that we know exactly what is needed to put in the build script lets populate it with a check to see if the code has been deployed and we need to update the build container's Dockerfile.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"font":"monospace"},"insert":"./docker/build/startuip.sh"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"#!/bin/sh"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"if [ ! -d \"/app/code\" ]; then"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"  cd /app"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"  composer config --global --no-plugins allow-plugins.kylekatarnls/update-helper true"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"  composer create-project laravel/laravel code 4.2 --prefer-dist --no-progress"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"  chown 1000:1000 -R code"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"fi"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"font":"monospace"},"insert":"./docker/build/Dockerfile"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"FROM php:5.6-fpm-alpine"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"COPY --from=composer:2.2 /usr/bin/composer /usr/bin/composer"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN apk update && apk add ca-certificates && rm -rf /var/cache/apk/*"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN apk update --no-cache"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN update-ca-certificates"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN apk add --no-cache $PHPIZE_DEPS"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN apk add libmcrypt-dev"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN docker-php-ext-configure mcrypt --with-mcrypt"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN docker-php-ext-install mcrypt"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN docker-php-ext-install pdo pdo_mysql"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN mkdir /scripts"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"COPY startup.sh /scripts/startup.sh"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"RUN chmod +x /scripts/startup.sh"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#ffffff","background":"#0066cc","font":"monospace"},"insert":"ENTRYPOINT [\"/scripts/startup.sh\"]"},{"insert":"\n\nThe additions made to the PHP Dockerfile to make the build Dockerfile was adding Composer and adding a /scripts folder to place the startup.sh script. We then make it executable and then set the Docker entrypoint to be that script.\n\nAll we need to do now is rebuild and then startup docker-compose again with the following commands:\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966","background":"#000000"},"insert":" docker-compose build"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#66b966","background":"#000000"},"insert":" docker-compose up -d"},{"insert":"\n\nWe need to wait about a minute to allow for composer to fully complete in the background, then we can launch the browser again with http://localhost:8888 and we see our Laravel project being fully built and run from within Docker!\n"},{"insert":{"image":"data:image/png;base64,[encoded data, 80028 characters]"}},{"insert":"\n\nStay tuned for more on this project where I will show you how to upgrade Laravel and PHP within the same Docker build!\n"}]


title: Top 5 Tech Mistakes Small Businesses Make in 2026 (and How to Fix Them)
published_at: 2026-06-16 05:55:23
created_at: 2026-06-16 05:45:15
updated_at: 2026-06-16 05:55:23
slug: top-5-tech-mistakes-small-businesses-2026
blog_category_id: 1
meta_title: Top 5 Tech Mistakes Small Businesses Make in 2026 (and How to Fix Them)
canonical_url: https://nexxuz.co/blog/top-5-tech-mistakes-small-businesses-2026
content:
  [{"insert":"Running a small business in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has never been more exciting, or more challenging. With AI tools, cloud services, and digital operations at an all-time high, technology is both your greatest ally and a potential liability. After nearly 25 years helping homes and small businesses with IT support, web design, tech repair, and consulting, I’ve seen the same costly mistakes repeated time and again.\n\nAt "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nexxuz"},{"insert":", our motto is "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"“Where technology and real people come together.”"},{"insert":" We bridge the gap between complex tech and everyday business needs. In this post, we’ll break down the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"top 5 tech mistakes"},{"insert":" small businesses make in 2026 and, more importantly, how to fix them before they hurt your bottom line.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mistake #1: Weak or Non-Existent Cybersecurity Practices"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cyberattacks hit small businesses hard. In 2026, small businesses face a 49% annual cyberattack rate, with incidents occurring every 7 seconds. Average losses reach around $254,000 per breach, and 60% of attacked companies close within six months.\nMany owners still rely on simple passwords like “Password123” or reuse the same one across accounts. They skip multi-factor authentication (MFA), neglect software updates, and have no employee training on phishing.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How to fix it:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Enforce strong, unique passwords with a manager tool."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Enable MFA everywhere possible."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Keep all software and systems updated automatically."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Run regular security awareness training."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Implement the 3-2-1 backup rule (3 copies, 2 different media types, 1 offsite/cloud)."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nexxuz can help:"},{"insert":" Our IT services include full security audits, endpoint protection setup, and ongoing monitoring tailored for small businesses in Coppell and the DFW metroplex.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mistake #2: Neglecting Website Maintenance and Modernization"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Your website is often the first impression customers get of your business. Yet many small business owners treat it as a “set it and forget it” project. In 2026, slow load times, poor mobile experience, outdated designs, and weak SEO cause visitors to bounce in seconds.\nOutdated sites also create security vulnerabilities and miss opportunities with modern features like fast checkout, AI chatbots, or strong local SEO for DFW searches.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How to fix it:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Adopt a mobile-first, responsive design."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Optimize for speed (compress images, enable caching, use modern hosting)."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Regularly update content, plugins, and security certificates."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ensure accessibility compliance and strong SEO practices."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Add fresh blog content and clear calls-to-action."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nexxuz can help:"},{"insert":" With extensive experience in web design and development, we can refresh your existing site or build a custom one that actually generates leads.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mistake #3: Relying on Outdated Hardware and Software"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Old computers, unpatched operating systems, and legacy software create hidden costs. They run slowly, crash at the worst times, expose security holes, and struggle with modern AI/cloud tools that your competitors are using.\nMany businesses delay upgrades because they fear downtime or high costs, but the real expense comes from lost productivity and data risks.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How to fix it:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Schedule annual hardware and software assessments."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Plan phased upgrades or cloud migrations."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Choose scalable solutions that grow with your business."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Test new tools thoroughly before full rollout."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nexxuz can help:"},{"insert":" Our tech repair and IT consulting services make upgrades smooth and affordable. We handle everything from diagnostics to installation and training.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mistake #4: Poor Data Backup and Recovery Strategies"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Assuming “it won’t happen to me” is dangerous. Hardware failures, ransomware, or simple human error can wipe out critical files with no recovery plan. Many businesses have incomplete or untested backups.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How to fix it:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule religiously."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Automate daily backups to multiple locations."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Test restores quarterly to ensure they actually work."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Combine local and cloud solutions for redundancy."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nexxuz can help:"},{"insert":" We set up reliable, monitored backup systems and can recover data quickly when disaster strikes—giving you true peace of mind.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mistake #5: Going It Alone Without Expert IT Guidance"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Small business owners wear many hats and often try to handle IT themselves or rely on cheap/free tools and generic advice. This leads to misconfigurations, wasted money, security gaps, and frustration, especially when adopting new AI tools without proper planning.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How to fix it:"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Get a professional IT assessment to identify priorities."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Partner with a local expert for strategy, implementation, and support."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Focus on tools that truly fit your workflow rather than chasing every new trend."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Invest in training so your team can use technology effectively."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nexxuz can help:"},{"insert":" As your trusted local IT consultant in Coppell, Texas, I provide personalized guidance based on 25 years of real-world experience. No corporate bureaucracy, just practical solutions that work for small businesses like yours.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Conclusion: Don’t Let These Mistakes Hold Your Business Back"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Technology should empower your small business, not create constant headaches. By addressing these five common mistakes, you’ll improve security, efficiency, customer experience, and profitability in 2026 and beyond.\n\nAt "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nexxuz"},{"insert":", we’re here to make technology simple and effective. Whether you need IT support, website improvements, tech repairs, or strategic consulting, our approach puts real people first.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ready to strengthen your tech foundation?"},{"insert":" Contact us today for a free consultation:\nPhone: (469) 383-8649"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Email: "},{"attributes":{"link":"mailto:info@nexxuz.co"},"insert":"info@nexxuz.co"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Serving Coppell, Dallas-Fort Worth, and surrounding areas in Texas."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Let’s connect your business with technology that actually helps you grow.\n"}]

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  Discover the top 5 tech mistakes small businesses make in 2026 — from weak cybersecurity to outdated websites. Learn how to fix them with practical tips from Nexxuz IT services in Coppell, TX. Free consultation available.


