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

If you keep finding yourself building features your clients ask for that quietly make their websites worse, this one's for you.Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple with me, Holly Christie.In this episode, I'm talking about popups — why they're usually doing the opposite of what your clients think they're doing, what to say when a client is dead set on having one, and what to do instead to keep conversions high without frustrating visitors straight off the page.We get into:Why popups interrupt the user experience in the worst possible wayHow popup design often looks spammy and quietly damages trustThe SEO problem that popup plugins don't tell you about (hint: it's your H1)Why exit intent popups feel like surveillance — and why that's a problemHow caching plugins can break popups entirely anywayWhat slide-ins are and how to use them without being annoyingFloating buttons — how to use them properly (and what not to do on mobile)Dedicated signup sections that convert without the disruptionHow to push back when a client is dead set on having a popupCheck out my new offer: https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/sparks-group-mentoring/It's a supportive group mentoring session for website designers and developers to bring their questions, roadblocks, ideas, and "is it just me?" moments.Come and find out more at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk or email me at [email protected] to the good bits:00:00 Why popups might be hurting your clients' websites01:11 Welcome and intro01:39 Why popups interrupt the user experience03:26 Popups block content and the SEO problem06:01 Exit intent, popup frequency and the surveillance feeling08:11 Slide-ins as a smarter alternative10:30 Floating buttons done right12:00 Dedicated signup sections that convert without disruption14:23 How to push back when clients ask for popups15:28 Wrap-up and how to get in touchMentioned in this episode:Join my Sparks Group Mentoring Programme

If you're not including links pages and custom 404 pages in your website builds, you're leaving money on the table — and doing your clients a disservice.Check out my new offer: https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/sparks-group-mentoring/ It's a supportive group mentoring session for website designers and developers to bring their questions, roadblocks, ideas, and "is it just me?" moments.Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple with me, Holly Christie.In this episode, I'm talking about two of the most underrated pages in website design: the links page (your on-brand, SEO-friendly alternative to Linktree) and the custom 404 page.Both are quick to build, easy to position as a value add, and a genuinely great way to stand out from designers who aren't sweating the details.We get into:Why Linktree and similar tools can actually hurt your reach on social media platformsHow a links page on your own website works with your SEO and drives traffic where you want itWhat to put on a links page to make it genuinely useful — and how to make it your ownWhy most 404 pages are a completely wasted opportunityHow to design a 404 page that gets visitors back on track (and even puts a smile on their face)Why these pages should be built into your project cost, not offered as an upsellThe one quick check you can do on your own website right nowHow showcasing these pages on your own site helps attract the right clientsIf you want to impress clients, add real value to your builds, and start standing out from designers who aren't going the extra mile — this one is for you.Come and find out more at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk or email me at [email protected] to the good bits:00:00 Stop leaving these pages out of your website builds00:30 Why Linktree and Linke hurt your social media reach01:02 Build a links page on your own website instead02:00 What to put on your links page03:10 Keeping links pages simple but effective on mobile04:30 Links pages, SEO, and sending traffic to your own site05:00 How to charge for links pages (don't make it optional)05:44 The problem with generic 404 pages06:20 How to check if your 404 page is customised right now07:20 Adding personality and fun to your 404 page08:14 Using 404 pages to redirect and re-engage visitors10:02 Start with your own website firstMentioned in this episode:Join my Sparks Group Mentoring Programme

If you're wondering why clients aren't buying from you or why the ones who do seem to undervalue your work, the answer isn't always more leads — it's the experience you're creating from the very first touchpoint.Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple with me, Holly Christie.In this episode, I'm talking about what we are really selling when we are selling websites — and it's not the number of pages or the platform. It's the experience. From the first discovery call to the handover manual, every touchpoint either builds confidence or erodes it.We get into:Why discovery calls convert better than email enquiries — and how to structure themHow to follow up after a call so you stop losing warm leadsWhat your contracts should protect you from (and why so many designers get this wrong)How to keep clients informed and feeling involved throughout the buildWhen to refer out — and why knowing your boundaries makes you more professional, not lessWhat good aftercare looks like (hint: it's not a two-hour Zoom dump)Why you should be checking on the results your websites produce for clientsIf you want better clients, better money, and a process that makes people tell their friends about you, this one is for you.Check out: https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/sparks-group-mentoring/ It's a supportive group mentoring session for website designers and developers to bring their questions, roadblocks, ideas, and "is it just me?" moments.Come and find out more at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk or email me at [email protected] to the good bits:00:00 What you're really selling (it's not a website)01:30 Why discovery calls convert better than email03:00 Screen sharing and building confidence on the call03:41 Following up after the call — and why timing matters05:00 The follow-up email template Holly uses06:00 How many times to follow up before letting go

Check out my new offer: https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/sparks-group-mentoring/ It’s a supportive group mentoring session for website designers and developers to bring their questions, roadblocks, ideas, and “is it just me?” moments.If you keep attracting bargain clients, it’s usually not because you need more leads.It’s because your pricing model is less than optimal... mostly because your brand signals are a bit muddled, and your website is not doing enough heavy lifting before someone ever speaks to you.Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple with me, Holly Christie.In this episode, I’m talking about why charging hourly for your web design projects is holding you back — from better clients, better income, and a calmer business.We get into:Why hourly pricing puts you in a race to the bottomHow project pricing builds confidence on both sidesWhy clients feel cheated when hourly quotes run overHow scope creep is easier to manage with project pricingWhat bundled pricing looks like in practiceHow to work with freelancers and white labellers without losing moneyWhy the clients who can't afford you aren't your peopleHow to quote higher and still win the workIf you want better clients, fewer arguments over invoices, and more peace of mind about your income, this one's for you.Come and find out more at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk or email me at [email protected] to the good bits:00:00 Stop charging hourly — why it hurts your income01:09 Why everyone has an hourly rate (and why that's the problem)02:55 What project pricing actually looks like03:42 How project pricing helps you prioritise your work04:34 Scope creep and why hourly makes it worse05:48 Bundled pricing: what goes into a project quote07:23 Working with freelancers and white labellers09:44 If they can't afford you, they're not your people10:31 How project pricing creates better clients11:43 Sparks Group Mentoring and how to joinMentioned in this episode:Websites Made Simple CoursesJoin my Sparks Group Mentoring Programme