Websites Made Simple: How to have a successful website design business

Holly Christie (Website Design Business Mentor)
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Welcome to Websites Made Simple, a podcast helping you become more successful in your website design business. Most small website design business owners are working hard. Really hard. At the same time they feel like they’re winging it. And their online presence isn't helping them. This podcast is here to change that for you. Holly Christie is founder of website companies, This Demanding Life and Simply Sites. Holly will walk you through the common factors that are stopping you from making a success of your website design business, and how to overcome them, in a way that feels authentic to you. If you’d like to learn more about Holly and her work you can find her at: https://thisdemandinglife.com/ or connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollycchristie/

  1. Where to begin as a brand new web designer

    25 AUG

    Where to begin as a brand new web designer

    Embarking on a journey as a new web designer necessitates a judicious approach, particularly regarding pricing strategies. It is imperative to refrain from undercutting one's prices, as doing so compromises the perceived value of your services and undermines the professional standard within the industry. Rather, I advocate for establishing a solid foundation by specializing in brochure-led websites for service-oriented businesses, which offers an opportunity to hone essential skills without overwhelming complexity. Furthermore, nurturing strong relationships with clients is paramount; this engenders trust and facilitates collaboration, ultimately enriching the design process. As we explore the initial steps in this episode, we provide guidance on aligning your offerings with your expertise while emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and investment in your professional development. Mentioned in this episode: Contract pack

    22 min

  2. 11 AUG

    How to get more clients for your website design business

    Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple, the podcast designed for website designers and developers who want to build thriving businesses without losing their sanity. I’m Holly Christie, website designer, mentor, and straight-talking website design advocate, and today we’re tackling one of the most common challenges in the web design world: how to attract more clients... especially those perfect-fit, dream clients who really get your vibe. In this episode, I’ll guide you through practical, actionable strategies for filling your client list with people who love what you do. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to uplevel your web design business, this episode is packed with advice to help you stand out, stay true to yourself, and attract a steady stream of clients who value your unique skills. Timestamped summary00:00 Authentic Branding Through Personal Design 06:08 Website Messaging for Sales Success 07:12 Social Media Messaging Consistency Guide 11:22 "Building Trust Through Expertise" 14:50 Display Prices on Your Website 18:13 "Focus and Clarify Your Offers" 20:37 Collaborate to Avoid Scope Creep

    24 min

  3. 28 JUL

    You Give Web Design a Bad Name: 5 Industry Practices I'm Sick of Hiding

    Ready to vent with me? I’m Holly Christie, website designer, mentor, and straight-talking website design advocate. This week I’m torch-lighting the five shady moves that keep giving our craft a black eye. In 20 punch-packed minutes you’ll hear me: Call out those 'custom' builds that are nothing more than slapped-on Elementor templates Drag the timeline-promise-breakers who ghost after pocketing the deposit Expose the radio-silence communicators and teach you how to lock them down with a rock-solid client contract Rant about the 'pretty-over-perform' crowd who ignore tech, security, and UX fundamentals Swat the copy-paste lurkers hijacking your LinkedIn posts for clout.Plus one bonus AI-built-site myth-buster you can’t miss By the end, you’ll have a clearer playbook for protecting your reputation and your clients’ results. No sleaze required. Grab your earbuds, hit play, then snag my Website Designer Contract Pack to keep every project (and payment) on track. Mentioned in this episode: Websites Made Simple Courses

    12 min

  4. 14 JUL

    Stop using Elementor for building websites! Here's why.

    Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple with me, Holly Christie. I'm a web designer, founder, and mentor dedicated to empowering website professionals in their careers. In this episode, I'm risking some backlash. And it's a topic that’s sure to get a lot of my peers riled up. Drawing from years of experience with one specific tool, I'm explaining why Elementor needs to get in the bin, why its initial appeal sucks people in, and the frustrations I've faced with its licensing, code quality, frequent updates, and compatibility issues. I said what I said. And now you can hear it. Links referenced in this episode: linkedin.com/in/hollycchristiewebsitesmadesimple.co.uk Companies mentioned in this episode: Crocoblocks Elementor Divi Neve Timestamped summary00:00 "Boost Your Design: Ditch Elementor" 06:34 "Client Needs and Software Flexibility" 08:32 Elementor Updates: Challenges and Limitations 11:06 Elementor Usage Insights on LinkedIn Mentioned in this episode: Contract pack

    13 min

  5. 30 JUN

    How to handle client scope creep in your website design business!

    The phenomenon of scope creep is a pervasive challenge that besets web developers, often arising from the desire to appease clients. I share my strategies for mitigating this issue, ensuring that projects remain true to their original parameters. It's imperative to establish clear boundaries at the onset of any project, thereby preventing the gradual expansion of client demands that can lead to disarray. You'll need effective communication and structured processes, which not only safeguard the integrity of the project but also foster a positive relationship with clients. By adopting these practices, we can maintain both the quality of our work and the satisfaction of our clients, ultimately leading to a more successful and enjoyable web design career. Listen to hear my advice on how to handle client scope creep in your website design business. Links referenced in this episode: websitesmadesimple.co.uk Companies mentioned in this episode: Websites Made Simple Wix Squarespace Mentioned in this episode: Websites Made Simple Courses Check out our Websites Made Simple courses! Websites Made Simple Courses

    13 min

  6. 16 JUN

    What's the REAL cost of FREE website tools?

    Welcome to “Websites Made Simple.” I’m Holly Christie; website designer, mentor, and the host of this podcast. In this episode I’m pulling back the curtain on the real cost of free website tools. I’ll be sharing my personal insights and experiences, helping you figure out when those tempting free tools are actually a smart move - and when they’re more trouble than they’re worth. As someone who loves WordPress and has tried just about every option out there, I’ll explain why some free platforms are industry favourites, and why investing in premium themes and plugins could actually save you a ton of time and help your business grow. I’ll also walk you through the practical side: how to budget for tools, price your projects right, and invest in what really matters for your workflow and your clients. Whether you’re starting out or looking to take your web design business to the next level, I’m here to give you honest, actionable advice from inside the industry. Timestamped summary00:00 Free Websites Can't Generate Income 05:55 Yearly Learning vs. Tools Limitations 07:06 Invest in Premium Web Tools Mentioned in this episode: Websites Made Simple Courses Check out our Websites Made Simple courses! Websites Made Simple Courses

    10 min

  7. 2 JUN

    What you need in your website design contracts!

    Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple! I’m Holly Christie, your host, and I’m thrilled to have you here. As someone who’s been in the website design game for over a decade, I know how tricky—and sometimes overwhelming—the world of web design can be, especially when it comes to protecting yourself with the right contracts. In this episode, I’m explaining what you absolutely need to include in your website design contracts. I share the essentials from my own real-world experience: how to create agreements that keep both you and your clients accountable, why you need detailed terms of service alongside your contract, and the must-have clauses to avoid headaches like scope creep, project delays, or ghosting clients. I’ll walk you through practical strategies for outlining timelines, handling changes, protecting your intellectual property, and making sure your liabilities are clear—plus, I’ll offer friendly tips on navigating cancellations and abandoned projects. Whether you’re brand new to contracts or looking to shore up your existing ones, this episode will give you the tools and confidence you need to run your web design business smoothly. So, let’s get started and make sure you—and your clients—are always on the same page! Timestamped summary00:00 Essential Website Design Contract Elements 05:29 "Showcase Client Testimonials" 08:18 Website Build: Quote and Timeline Management 12:42 Project Cancellation and Abandonment Guidelines 15:21 Web Design Project Terms & Conditions 18:28 Send Terms Before Project Start Mentioned in this episode: Websites Made Simple Courses Check out our Websites Made Simple courses! Websites Made Simple Courses

    20 min

  8. 19 MAY

    How to get unstuck in your website design business

    Stuck staring at a half-finished client homepage, and wondering why your carefully planned timeline has melted? Hi, I'm Holly Christie, and in this straight-talking session, I'm sharing website design business tips for small-business owners who keep hitting the same wall. You’ll learn the simple test that reveals whether your block is a process gap or a mindset trap, along with workflow and productivity hacks for web developers that restore momentum in minutes. Quick win you can try today: set a 15-minute timer, tackle the easiest unfinished task on your current build and watch how fast clarity returns. Ready for more? Hit play and get the practical moves that will unstick your web-design projects—starting now. Links referenced in this episode: websitesmadesimple.co.ukthisdemandinglife.com Mentioned in this episode: Websites Made Simple Courses Check out our Websites Made Simple courses! Websites Made Simple Courses Turn Negative Feedback Into a Winning Website

    23 min
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About

Welcome to Websites Made Simple, a podcast helping you become more successful in your website design business. Most small website design business owners are working hard. Really hard. At the same time they feel like they’re winging it. And their online presence isn't helping them. This podcast is here to change that for you. Holly Christie is founder of website companies, This Demanding Life and Simply Sites. Holly will walk you through the common factors that are stopping you from making a success of your website design business, and how to overcome them, in a way that feels authentic to you. If you’d like to learn more about Holly and her work you can find her at: https://thisdemandinglife.com/ or connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollycchristie/

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