Websites Made Simple: How to have a successful website design business (Holly Christie (Wordpress Website Simplifier))

Do you wish you could be more productive?

Does life as an entrepreneur not seem as fun as you thought it would be?

If either of these apply to you then you're definitely not alone. We often think that the life of an entrepreneur is a joyful one - full of working your own hours, being your own boss and being able to do things at your leisure.

The reality is very different, but it doesn't have to be!

In this episode accountability viking, Ben Catley-Richardson talks us through the habits we need to master as small business owners. How to create good habits and why switching off is not just important, but actually leads us to being better at what we do.

Are you ready to find more joy in your business?

How do you feel when you see people claiming to make 6 & 7 figures online? 

Does it motivate you to be like them or does it leave you feeling a little bit less than? 

What if we told you that the 6 & 7 figure claims are just a tactic in an unregulated industry and what you’re being sold is a story rather than a reality? 

Does it still appeal to you now? 

In this co-hosted episode Holly and Amy break down the different marketing tactics used when making 6 & 7 figure claims. Why people are claiming it and what it’s doing to the end user. 

We break down how to spot when someone’s claims don’t quite measure up and what kind of coach you should be working with to help you discover your voice; not someone else’s. 

Are you ready to get a whole lot wiser to shoddy sales tactics and to learn who’s a good fit for you and who you’re best avoiding? 

Let’s get started….

Do you wish your website was working harder for your business? 

That it stopped behaving as a shopfront and started bringing in leads and making sales.

If you haven't had high expectations from your website, today is the day we change that.

Your website is not a shopfront, but a vital member of the sales team for your small business.

In today's episode I walk you through the different components which are needed to have your website climb the ranks of Google and win your ideal clients' favour.

Are you ready to turn your website into a lead generating, sales making machine? 

Most small business owners pride themselves on having high standards. After all, you need to create great work to win clients over the competition. Often high standards morph into perfectionism.

In this episode we look at where perfectionism often comes from. Why it's not helpful to us or our clients and what we can do to start to overcome it.

You have a business to run. One you want to be busy and successful with and there's no room for perfectionism slowing you down!

Do you struggle with your online presence? 

Does it feel that, no matter what you do, whether it's on your website or Social Media, you're just not getting it right? 

If you feel like the online world is an uphill battle then this episode is the one for you! 

Many of us struggle to represent ourselves online. To have the shiny brand, the brilliant words, the flawless photos, to post every day, to update the website.... it's a LOT! 

What if it wasn't any of these things that determined your online success? What if, what makes your online profile successful is deeper rooted than that? 

In this episode I guide you to the core of what online success really is, how to achieve it (without having a breakdown!) and I share advice and tips on what to do, and what to avoid? 

Are you prepared to work smarter, rather than harder online? 

Are you a people pleaser?

Do you find it hard to say no to people?

Do you find it frustrating when, despite your best efforts, a relationship with a client or team member turns sour?

If you've answered yes to any of these then this episode is for you!

Most of us are trained people pleasers, a habit we carry over from childhood and something we hope will smooth relationships in our business, as well as home lives.

The truth is, people pleasing is ruining your business!

In this episode we look into why we people please, the harm it causes and what we should do instead to have healthy, happy, profitable working relationships.

Are you ready to quit people pleasing and grow your business?

Would you like to make more money in your business? 

But you're not sure you can squeeze more hours into your day or fund more products?

I hear you. It can be hard to fully realise the potential in your small business, especially when you don't want to spend every waking hour and every penny you've got, on it. If you've been in business for a while, you've probably realised that this model leads to burnout.

There are still loads of ways that you can realise the potential of your business without having to spend more time and money getting there.

In today's episode I talk about passive income - ten different opportunities you can implement in your business, starting right now. Including options you may not have thought of.

Are you ready to start making more money and more opportunities in your business? 

Are you struggling to show up in your business? 

You're feeling the pressure but you just can't seem to get there.

You're definitely not alone. Being a business owner means having to show up in your business, in ways you never thought of before. All of a sudden you're very public and very visible. You have to put work into your marketing strategy as well as wearing all the hats of the different roles. Sometimes things get in the way and you drop the ball. The longer the ball is dropped, the harder it is to get back on it. 

In this episode I walk you through how to show up in your business, even when you really don't feel like it. 

Are you ready to get back on it? 

The entrepreneurial journey can be a lonely one. Finding your tribe and creating a community can make all the difference between continuing your journey successfully and having a negative experience. No one likes to feel they're alone.

John Espirian is an expert at creating communities, having created the Espresso plus community with hundreds of members, he talks to us about how he achieved it.

With bonus information of how to learn to navigate LinkedIn and about UpLift-Live, the first of its kind, LinkedIn-focused conference taking place on 21st March, this episode is a must for all entrepreneurs looking to build or grow their network.

You can look up UpLift Live here: https://uplift-live.com/

John’s LinkedIn services include 1-to-1 consultations and private training sessions for corporations and membership organisations.

You can find John here: https://espirian.co.uk/

and his LinkedIn profile here: https://linkedin.com/in/johnespirian/

Are you looking to make money from your website? 

You have some ideas but you’re not sure what’s best for you.

Websites done well can be a great source of income. You can sell your products or services and there's so much more when it comes to making money from them. 

Whether you look at pay per click angles or you'd like a sponsor other methods that you hadn't thought of, this episode delves into the different ways you can sell from your website. The pros and cons of each and encourages you to consider the best ways that you can make money from your website, your way. 

Are you ready to start making money from your website? 

Are you thinking of starting a podcast? 

There's loads of information out there and you're not sure where to start? 

I hear you! I felt like that when I started my own podcast. It felt like there was so much I needed to know about format and software and equipment and hosting. All of sudden, something that was meant to be a joyful next step for my business started feeling like a stressful one. 

I'm lucky in that I had a brilliant guide (my sister, an experienced podcaster) to help me along the way. Now, 7 months into my own podcasting journey, I'm here to help you with everything you need to know if you're thinking of creating a podcast of your own. 

Are you ready to learn more about podcasting? 

Do you feel happy in your business? 

You set up to be the one in control, but it feels like your business is controlling you?

Many of us setup our small businesses thinking of all the perks, the freedom, the flexibility that comes with entrepreneurship. What we don't think about - usually because we don't experience them until we're in it, are all the difficulties that entrepreneurship brings with it. 

Having ditched the 9 - 5, you now find yourself on the 24/7 and the clients seem to be calling all the shots. 

You can relax, I've got you. I promise this isn't exclusive to you. So many small business owners start to fall out of love with their businesses in the early days. 

In this episode I guide you through the common pitfalls of the small business owner, how to overcome them (as well as make sure they don't happen again) and how to structure your business so you fall back in love, and stay in love with it. 

Are you ready to be happy in your business? 

Your first year in business is a real learning curve 

You may find your business really changes shape. 

One thing’s for sure and it’s that you won’t come out of your first year as an entrepreneur, the same person who went in. 

That’s not to say you shouldn’t start your own business, you absolutely should! But it’s definitely worth listening to the experience of others’ who have been there and done it. You may also like to get a mentor to help you to navigate the ups and downs of your first year. 

In this guest episode, Sharon Hadley, a Virtual Assistant shares her highs and lows and experiences of her first year in business. We talk about how to onboard new clients, how to hold your boundaries, what to do if you need to increase your pricing, how to protect your mental health and when’s the right time to feel the fear and do it anyway! 

Are you ready to discover the realities of the first year as a small business? 

Are you thinking of the next steps for your business? 

Or whether it’s time to do things in a slightly different way? 

It could be that you’ve become bored with your current setup. Or you don’t feel you’re charging what you’re worth. Maybe you’re lonely and are missing the camaraderie of working with others. 

Whatever has brought you to this episode, it’s great to see you here! 

Levelling up is something we should all do, and regularly in our small businesses. It’s easy to say we need to do it but knowing what to do and how to do it is something else entirely. 

In this episode I walk you through the framework from realising it’s time to make some changes, to how to implement them so you’re confident and ready to level up your business. 

Are you ready to get started? 

If 2024 is the year you've decided to be bold, be brave and really go for it in your business, then this episode is a must listen. 

Niraj Kapur generously shares his time and experience, detailing how he went from unknown on LinkedIn to having 31,000 followers, a 'LinkedIn Top Voice' award and a full time career in Sales and LinkedIn training. 

In this episode Niraj talks us through:

• What does and doesn't work on LinkedIn. 
• How to work with the algorithm. 
• What to do when people are being difficult on your posts. 
• How to approach and sell to people who haven't heard of you. 

If sales haven't been your thing (until now) or the thought of selling makes you feel icky, let Niraj walk you through the process of how to sell with integrity and ease.

Are you ready to learn how to sell and make 2024 your best year yet? 

Are you struggling to get clients for your business?

Are you not sure of the best method of reaching them?

When you set up in business you've usually got a brilliant skillset for that business. However you are now the marketing department, the invoicing department and everything in-between.

These may involve skillsets you haven't yet built and it can be difficult to know where to start. A website presence alone won't get you clients in the early days. Neither will having Social Media feeds but no websites.

Knowing where to start is the first step and in this episode I walk you through the different options available to you to get clients, build your brand, and network your way to small business success.

Are you ready to start getting new clients? 

Do you find that you only ever get so far in your business? 

That, no matter how successful you are, it’s always a little less success than you hoped for? 

Wanting to always be that little bit further along than you currently are? 

Most of us self-sabotage without even realising it. We have hopes and dreams for our businesses and they often stay just that… dreams. It can be demoralising not ever being able to pin point what’s really going wrong and how to turn it about. 

In this co-hosted episode with me and Amy Newlands, my business bestie, we take a deep dive to recognise the signs that we’re self sabotaging, why we do it (anyone interested in psychology is going to love this one) and how to stop it. We draw on personal experience and years of working with other, independent businesses. 

Are you looking to be more successful in your business? 

It’s time to recognise then ditch the behaviours that are keeping you stuck. 

Does getting your finances right bring you a lot of stress? 

Not sure whether it’s best to be a sole trader or a limited company? 

Wondering what’s the most tax efficient way to run your business? 

Or what software accountants recommend? 

Knowing what you can and can’t expense and what and how to run a spreadsheet or software for finances can be the difference between sleepless nights and the feeling that it’s all going to be ok. There’s no point stabbing in the dark and hoping for the best as getting your finances wrong can lead to being in trouble with HMRC and the last thing you want is stress and sleepless nights.

This episode with Claire Butler from C B Accounting, who specialises in working with small businesses, will answer all those question for you as well as give you real time advice about how to handle your business finances without it being a source of stress. 

Are you ready to stop hiding from, and get confident with your business finances? 

Want to contact Claire? You can find her at:

https://cbaccounting.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbaccountsltd/

Have you heard the term 'customer journey'? 

But you've never been quite sure of what it means?

Every customer you have will be on a specific part of their journey in their business or career. It's your job to meet them at that point and to help them, through your products or services, to get to the next stage of where they're at.

It's not about getting people from A - Z, it's about getting them from A - B (or B - C, or even M - N, depending on where they're at).

In this co-hosted episode with Amy Newlands, we talk about what they journey looks like for both, you and your customers. How to work out the stage you need to meet them at, and how to turn that meeting into successful outcomes for you both.

Ready? Let's get started. 

Welcome to Your Business, Online, Your Way; a weekly podcast to help you be more successful with your small business. 

Most small business owners are working hard. Really hard. At the same time they feel like they’re winging it. This podcast is here to support you in your business journey. Helping you to identify and plug the gaps in your processes, market yourself authentically, and build an audience of ideal clients, all while working within the best practices for online marketing. Learn from me and the guests who have been where you currently are, and we’ll help you to be successful in your online (and off-line) life. 

I’m Holly Christie, your host. I’m the founder of website companies, This Demanding Life and Simply Sites, I’m a website designer, small business mentor and strategist. Over the course of this weekly podcast I’ll be walking you through the common factors that are stopping you from making a success of your small business. I’ll also give you expert advice on how to overcome them, in a way that feels authentic to you. I’ll be joined by guest experts to inspire and help propel you to business success. 

If you’re ready to make a success of your small business, subscribe to Your Business, Online, Your Way from wherever you get your podcasts and let’s conquer the business world together! 

In this episode I look at what's stopping you from getting to where you want to be in your business.

We'll look at the 3 common factors that cause you to screech to a halt and how to overcome them without putting you outside of your comfort zone.

You'll get to hear about my journey from single mum setting up a small, online marketing business to becoming an award winning website designer with 2 successful website companies.

I'll help you to take those first steps to shift your mindset to make 2024 your best business year yet.

What does 'Be Intentionally You' have to do with marketing? 

After all, you're marketing a product or service, *you* don't really come into it.

Marketing doesn't really work like that. As the old adage says: 'people buy from people' and being intentionally you has everything to do with it. 

In this episode I interview marketing guru, Gus Bhandal. With 20 + years of marketing experience in his repertoire Gus and I talk about the transition from print to digital marketing. How to merge the two, and how to choose the best Social Media platforms to suit your business and your audience. 

We also look at branding and how to really get your brand noticed, as well as delivering what people expect when you meet them in person. What language to include and when it's best to keep those sweary comments to yourself. 

Are you ready to improve your marketing and get noticed by your ideal clients? 

You can find Gus at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mguruuk/

and his website: https://www.themguru.co.uk/

Do you feel your prices aren’t quite right? 

You’ve followed the lead on what others’ in your industry are charging but you’re not getting the customers you want. 

Getting the price right for your services can be the difference between being full of clients or watching the tumbleweed pass by as your competitors seem to be getting all the business. 

The thing is with pricing, it’s not just about what you charge, it’s recognising who your ideal client is and what value your services add to their experience. 

In this episode we’ll delve into these points, as well as the ethics around pricing and how to add value and work with people who otherwise wouldn’t be in a position to engage your services. 

Are you ready to learn how to price your services so they’re irresistible to your ideal client?  

Are you creative but not sure how to leverage it in your business?

Do you feel like the existing creative job titles aren't quite the right fit? 

Neither did Jo, who loved being creative in her VA and marketing roles, but there wasn't a job title out there which encompassed what she could do to support small businesses in her own, unique way.

These days Jo describes herself as a creative partner for solo and entrepreneurs. Helping them to nail their lead magnets, funnels, blog posts, social posts and so much more. You need help with it? If it's creative, Jo can do it.

In this guest interview Jo talks us through her journey as a solopraneur supporting small businesses. How to stay in your lane, and do what you're good at. And why there's no such thing as a bad lead magnet.

Are you ready to lean into your creativity? 

Do you use free tools in your business?

Are you not sure what you should be investing in and what's a waste of time and money?

If you've answered yes to either of these I'm not surprised.

When you setup your small business for the first time the internet is LOUD with what you should be buying to make your business better.

Everyone has their opinion and their toolkit that works for them. But often the tools available can hinder, rather than help small businesses because they take so much time to learn and implement.

In today's episode I walk you through which free and low cost tools are a must have in your small business. We also look at which ones are a bit of a trap because they require much more time to learn and use them. Finally, we look at ones which you can spend all your time learning but you still won't get results with because they need professional input.

Are you ready to get more productive in your business?