The week-3 picture is the part that matches small side projects I have watched: the build time disappears into support, not into features.
The recurring task that eats the week is after-hours enquiries. Someone messages late asking something that is already on the site, like the price, the hours, or how to book. Answer it yourself and you stay in the loop on every one. Leave it until morning and a lot of those people have already moved on.
A replace-not-augment version of your step 3: for one week, write down only the questions that actually repeat. Answer those in plain language once, and put that first reply where the enquiry lands so it can go out without you. You still handle the ones that need a person, such as a custom job, a complaint, or a payment that failed. You stop being the one who has to be awake for "what are your hours?"
If that list is short and stable, the operations tax is a clear first reply plus a line that says you will pick up anything else in the morning. I would do that audit before adding another tool.
The week-3 picture is the part that matches small side projects I have watched: the build time disappears into support, not into features.
The recurring task that eats the week is after-hours enquiries. Someone messages late asking something that is already on the site, like the price, the hours, or how to book. Answer it yourself and you stay in the loop on every one. Leave it until morning and a lot of those people have already moved on.
A replace-not-augment version of your step 3: for one week, write down only the questions that actually repeat. Answer those in plain language once, and put that first reply where the enquiry lands so it can go out without you. You still handle the ones that need a person, such as a custom job, a complaint, or a payment that failed. You stop being the one who has to be awake for "what are your hours?"
If that list is short and stable, the operations tax is a clear first reply plus a line that says you will pick up anything else in the morning. I would do that audit before adding another tool.
Neil