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

Hosted by Holly Christie (Website Design Business Mentor)

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Jun 2026

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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/

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June 15, 202611 min

Stop Tech Shaming: What Actually Matters in a Website Build

If you’ve ever been made to feel that your tech stack is wrong, or that using a page builder makes you less of a “real” developer, this episode is here to give you a reality check.Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple with me, Holly Christie.In this episode, I’m talking about tech stacks, tech shaming, and why the platform you build on matters a whole lot less than what you’re actually delivering.We get into:What we’re actually being hired to deliver — and why the tools are irrelevantWhy client ease of use should drive every tech decision you makeThe difference between a proper handover and abandoning your client at the doorWhy locked-down websites cause problems for everyone, including youHow imposter syndrome fuels tech shaming in the web design industryWhy personality and trust win clients over tech stack every single timeThe disappearing developer problem and how to be the designer clients return toIf you’ve been tech shamed, or you’ve been second-guessing your tools, this will help you refocus on what actually builds a sustainable web design business.Check out my mentoring group 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 hello@websitesmadesimple.co.ukSkip to the good bits:00:00 What really matters about your tech stack00:36 Welcome to Websites Made Simple00:50 Holly’s experience of tech shaming on LinkedIn01:50 Sparks Group Mentoring explained02:36 It’s not about the platform — it’s about the results03:41 Why client ease of use should come first04:24 Page builders, locked-down sites, and client access05:26 Clients should always be able to access their own website06:25 The disappearing developer problem07:11 How to sign off a website properly07:48 Client training, Zoom handovers, and user manuals08:24 Building for two people: your client and their visitors09:11 Why tech shaming is really just imposter syndrome10:03 Why clients choose you for personality, not tools11:30 “In 20 years, I’ve never gone back to the same designer twice — until now”

June 1, 202616 min

Why you need to outsource in your website design business

If you're putting in the work, showing up, doing everything you can — and still turning over the same amount of money year on year — this episode is for you.Check out my popular group mentoring programme: 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.Hi and welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple with me, Holly Christie.In this episode, I'm talking about the money mindset patterns that can sometimes keep web designers stuck, what it actually means to outsource and invest in your business, and how to get out of your own way so you can finally start earning what you deserve.We get into:Why so many web designers drop their prices before the client has even had a chance to respondThe power of the pauseWhy payment plans for hosting and maintenance are non-negotiable recurring revenueWhat a money mindset ceiling looks like, and why it keeps you stuck at the same figureThe real maths behind outsourcing to a VAWhy website designers bottleneck their own businessesMy personal story of working every evening after the kids went to bedHow to get out of your own way, stop doing everything yourself, and start running a business that actually works for youIf you're working hard but not seeing the financial results to match, this episode will show you exactly what's holding you back — and it might just be you.Come and find out more at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk or email me at hello@websitesmadesimple.co.ukSkip to the good bits:00:00 What's really holding back your web design business01:17 Turning over the same money year on year — why it happens02:00 What levelling up really means02:44 Self-sabotaging behaviours — do any of these sound like you?05:47 Why even getting a client on a call earns your seat at the table07:27 Money mindset ceilings: stuck at the same income figure10:03 Outsourcing to a VA: the real numbers12:19 "You're halving your hourly rate" — the hard truth from a good friend13:55 Get out of your own way and earn what you deserveMentioned in this episode:Remember to sign up for our blogging masterclass!Go to https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/masterclassBlogging masterclass

May 18, 202611 min

Website Designers - You Think You've Got SEO Covered? Think Again!

If a client has ever asked you "When will my website be found on Google?" — and you didn’t quite know how to answer — this episode is for you.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 where your role as a web designer ends and where an SEO specialist’s begins — and why knowing that difference could genuinely change the quality of the websites you deliver and the reputation you build.We get into:The difference between building an SEO-friendly website and delivering SEO servicesWhat you ARE responsible for in every build (and where the line is)How to find an SEO specialist you actually like working withWhy you should bring them in before the build starts, not afterWhat an SEO specialist actually produces and how to show clients the valueHow to handle clients who don’t want to pay for SEO supportWhether to build the SEO cost into your website priceWhy the relationship goes both ways — and how SEO specialists can become a referral source for youIf you’ve ever felt unsure about where SEO fits in your process, this will help you get clear, get confident, and start building better websites with the right people around you.Come and find out more at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk or email me at hello@websitesmadesimple.co.ukAnd here’s the link if you want to learn more about Neal and Podknows: https://podknows.co.uk/Skip to the good bits:01:15 “When will my website be found on Google?”01:41 What web designers ARE responsible for in SEO02:34 SEO-friendly ≠ SEO services02:57 Nikki Pilkington03:44 Find an SEO specialist you vibe with04:44 Bring them in before the build starts05:03 What your SEO specialist will actually produce06:14 When the client won’t pay for SEO07:03 Build the SEO cost into your website price08:24 It goes both ways: the referral relationshipMentioned in this episode:Remember to sign up for our blogging masterclass!Go to https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/masterclassBlogging masterclass

May 4, 202616 min

Cheap £99 website builds are killing your website design business

If you’ve been tempted to move to a £99 a month website model — or you’ve been quietly cutting your prices just to get work through the door — this episode is a direct intervention.Psst! 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 why the £99 website model isn’t the sustainable business move it might look like on paper — and what to do instead when the market feels slow.We get into:How the maths of volume pricing simply don’t add upThe burnout that comes with trying the modelWhy ongoing payment plans are bad newsThe hidden costs that slowly erode client trustWhat to do insteadIf you’re a web designer wondering whether dropping your prices is the answer, this episode will give you the confidence to hold firm.Come and find out more at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk or email me at hello@websitesmadesimple.co.ukSkip to the good bits:00:00 Why the £99 website model doesn’t work00:35 Meet Holly: Websites Made Simple00:46 Who this episode applies to01:45 The volume problem: you’d need 30 clients for £3,00004:14 Burnout is baked into this model04:38 Scope creep and the ongoing payment trap06:32 Hidden costs and eroding client trust08:34 Email hosting, DNS, and the chaos that follows11:19 Content collection in a low-cost model12:26 Hold your nerve: panic pricing makes it worseMentioned in this episode:Remember to sign up for our blogging masterclass!Go to https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/masterclassBlogging masterclass

April 27, 202631 min

How AI and Vibe Coding Puts Your Website Design Business At Risk

AI is everywhere — and so is everyone telling you to use it for everything. But when it comes to your website, your plugins, and the work you ship for clients, the wrong AI shortcut can quietly become a serious liability.Check out my Sparks Group Training for anyone and everyone involved in the publishing of websites, from copywriters to SEOs: 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 a special bonus episode of Websites Made Simple with me, Holly Christie. (Quick note — my podcast mic was misbehaving for this one, so the audio is not quite up to our usual standard. My producer Neal at Podknows has worked his magic to clean it up, so please do stick with it. The conversation is genuinely worth your time.)I am joined by senior developer Rob Fisher to talk about where AI actually helps in web design, where it absolutely does not, and the security and stability risks nobody is being loud enough about.We get into:Why vibe coding is not a shortcut, it is a stack of technical debt waiting to breakHow LLMs really work, and why they hallucinate when you let themWhy your prompt boundaries matter as much as your promptThe chatbot that gave a customer 85 percent off a 10,000 dollar orderWhat the October 2025 AWS outage tells us about AI first dev culturesWhy AI tools are junior developers, not senior ones, and what that means for your businessWhy vibe coded WordPress plugins are a house of cardsHow a “safe” plugin can become a Trojan horse with one auto updateWhat is actually changing in WordPress 7If you are a designer or developer trying to work out where AI fits into your business without putting your clients at risk, this one is for you.Come and find out more at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk or email me at hello@websitesmadesimple.co.ukSkip to the good bits:00:00 Bonus episode intro and audio note01:18 Where AI fits in running a web business02:34 Vibe coding and why it is a shortcut too far05:12 The flip side, vibe coding as a learning tool06:48 Tech debt: your vibe coded site is a liability waiting to break07:45 What AI cannot do for user journeys and design psychology09:20 How LLMs actually work, probability engines not brains11:30 Hallucinations and the suspiciously short prompt13:05 Prompt boundaries and staying on topic15:10 What system prompts at OpenAI and Anthropic actually look like17:00 The chatbot that gave away an 85 percent discount on a 10,000 dollar order19:40 AI first dev houses and the October 2025 AWS outage22:15 Microsoft layoffs and the AI replacement myth24:30 Why generative AI is a junior developer, not a senior one26:20 Vibe coded plugins, the house of cards problem28:50 The WordPress plugin ecosystem and what it lets in31:00 How a safe plugin becomes a Trojan horse overnight33:15 WP Rocket, All in One Migration and the malicious update problem34:50 WordPress 7 and the new AI APIs, and why it will not feel revolutionary37:00 Block editor improvements and the abstraction layer problem38:40 Final thoughts and how to get in touchMentioned in this episode:Remember to sign up for our blogging masterclass!Go to https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/masterclassBlogging masterclass

April 20, 202614 min

Every Website Designer Feels Like a Fraud Sometimes. Here's What To Do About It

Imposter syndrome doesn’t care how good you are. It shows up anyway — making you hesitate before you send a contract, stumble over your words on a call, or scroll past someone else’s work and quietly wonder if you’re good enough.In this episode of Websites Made Simple, Holly Christie gets honest about imposter syndrome in web design. Why it hits so hard in a self-taught industry. Why tech shaming on LinkedIn makes it worse. And what you can actually do to push through it, level up, and stop letting self-doubt quietly run your business.We talk about:Why imposter syndrome affects experienced and award-winning designers tooThe problem with tech shaming (and why the tool you use doesn’t define your worth)Why there’s a seat at the table for every web designerHow to stay in your lane and focus on your own growthWhat to do when your processes feel messy or your designs feel staleHow to push outside your comfort zone and keep developingWhy you’re probably doing much better than you thinkChapters:00:00 Imposter syndrome — it comes for all of us04:28 When LinkedIn chips away at your confidence07:35 Stay in your lane and look forward08:20 Tighten up your processes and onboarding09:30 What to do when your designs feel stale10:45 Pushing outside your comfort zone12:05 You’re doing better than you think💡 Want Holly’s Sparks Group Mentoring? Find out more here: https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/sparks-group-mentoring/🌐 Website: https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk📧 Email: hello@websitesmadesimple.co.uk🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollycchristie/Mentioned in this episode:Remember to sign up for our blogging masterclass!Go to https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/masterclassBlogging masterclass

April 6, 202618 min

The SEO Problem That Popup Plugins Won't Tell You About!

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 hello@websitesmadesimple.co.ukSkip 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:Remember to sign up for our blogging masterclass!Go to https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/masterclassBlogging masterclassJoin my Sparks Group Mentoring Programme

March 23, 202613 min

How To Add 404 Pages To Your Websites That DON'T Suck!

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 hello@websitesmadesimple.co.ukSkip 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 ProgrammeRemember to sign up for our blogging masterclass!Go to https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/masterclassBlogging masterclass

March 9, 202620 min

Stop Selling Websites. Sell This Instead.

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 hello@websitesmadesimple.co.ukSkip 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 goMentioned in this episode:Remember to sign up for our blogging masterclass!Go to https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/masterclassBlogging masterclass

February 23, 202615 min

Stop charging hourly for website design work!

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 hello@websitesmadesimple.co.ukSkip 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 CoursesRemember to sign up for our blogging masterclass!Go to https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/masterclassBlogging masterclassJoin my Sparks Group Mentoring Programme