Web Design Business with Josh Hall

There are a lot of ongoing changes happening with SEO and how user behavior is changing with AI. It’s hard enough to keep up with as a web designer…I can’t imagine as a client!But someone who’s doing a great job keeping their SEO clients in-the-know and updated every step of the way is Lindsay Halsey, co-founder of SEO agency webshine.comShe shares how they’re implementing AI SEO, how it’s changing their current offers, pricing and what they’re not changing.Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned, along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/407

I’m sharing the replay of my recent Live Q&A session where we dug into all things client retention, communication, and keeping your web design business running smoothly… even when outages hit or the unexpected happens.You’ll hear me break down some of the same strategies I taught at the recent Circle Summit — including how to set boundaries, create repeatable touchpoints, and turn one-time clients into long-term fans.And since we’re heading into Black Friday, I also walk through this year’s Web Designer Pro® deals, including some really solid bonuses to help you level up going into 2025.We cover:personal welcome videos that set the tonelaunch packs that turn go-live into referrals30-day post-launch buffers to reduce scope creepmonthly reports to stay top-of-mindA/B/C client segmentation for holiday outreachthe “website is never finished” mindsetSOS plans for Squarespace and Webflow clientscalm scripts for handling outages + tough conversationsshifting from designer → strategistwhat’s new with Divi 5security basics and support plansBlack Friday offers worth sharing👉 2025 Black Friday Deal – 25% OFF Annual Plans on Pro!Courses Tier:Usually $499/yr → now $374/yrPersonalized website strategy audit (10–15 min Loom video)https://member.webdesignerpro.com/checkout/course-access?coupon_code=BF2025 Community Tier:Usually $999/yr → now $749/yrWebsite strategy audit plus a 30-min 1:1 with mehttps://member.webdesignerpro.com/checkout/community-access?coupon_code=BF2025Offer good through Cyber Monday, Dec 1 at 11:59pm ETValid for Courses + Community tiersAudits + 1:1s delivered December–JanuaryWatch the replay here on YouTube!

In this engaging conversation, Greg Merrilees, a conversion-focused web designer and author, shares his expertise on transforming websites into sales engines. He discusses the importance of effective button copy and psychological principles that enhance conversion rates. Greg also highlights the significance of tailored CTAs and strategic design to minimize visitor leakage. From testing tools like Microsoft Clarity to the power of social proof, he covers actionable tips to optimize website performance and build lasting audience trust.

Happy 5th Birthday Web Designer Pro® 🥳What started on November 4th, 2020, as a small coaching community for 30+ of my top course students has become a leader in the web design business-coaching space and one of Circle's most highly engaged communities.It's a testament to the AMAZING members who show up every week to help, support, and encourage each other, as web designers at all stages, to grow their web businesses together.It's an honor to lead this thing, and I can safely say – 5 years in and we're just getting going!🎉This special edition podcast episode is the replay from our recent live Q&A with Coaching Tier members of Pro, celebrating the milestone. Many of whom are original founding members who’ve been in since day one!Questions range from community building, if I miss designing websites for clients, podcasting, offers/pricing, how to do YouTube to get clients and much more.Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned, along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/wdp5

Design and building websites…that’s the fun part.Managing the project, collecting content, onboarding, handling revisions and feedback…typically, not so much.Which is why, if you can automate as much of the repeatable tasks and make a system and process for the “unfun” parts of a web design project, it’ll make your life much easier and more profitable.That’s what we’re diving into this one with automation and systems specialist (and fellow 17hats user) Kristen Lettini.We get into:What automations you’re missing (and why to add them NOW)The GOLD of auto-remindersUsing a CRM like 17hats to automate as much as possibleMy “before and after” automation momentWhy improving systems is THE KEY to sustainability

Being an entrepreneur is challenging. Being a parent-entrepreneur is even more challenging. Being a special needs parent entrepreneur…it’s tough to put into words. But one thing’s for sure, the freedom of schedule and flexible availability, to be able to care for a special needs kiddo as a web designer is UNMATCHED and well worth all the challenges.We’re diving into all of that and more in this special group chat that I had with Marc Hyde, Lisa Dorian and Ed Gomes. All members of Web Designer Pro who have something in common, being a web designer and entrepreneur with one or more special needs children we care for.We get into:Future planning for special care after retirementHow goals and vision changes after having a child with special needsHow to structure your schedule and calls around a complex scheduleHow we stay balanced during hard times (emergencies, surgeries, etc)The invaluable need for a supportive community of others who are in similar situationsAnd don’t worry, you don’t need to have a special needs kiddo to get a lot out of this convo because everything we talk about is applicable to you as an entrepreneur parent.

Today we have a guest host for the podcast, my persona SEO Guru and Copy Strategist Michelle Bourbonniere who’s sharing what you need to know about the latest with AI SEO.Specifically, five things that are changing, and five things that are staying in regard to “on and off-site SEO.”

Do you find that you no longer fit in with many of your friends when you become an entrepreneur?If so, you’re not alone.In this episode, I’m sharing my take on this common “friendshift” for web design entrepreneurs and it’s based off a recent newsletter from Web Designer Pro member Alexia (of visualvibedesign.com) who shared a very open and honest take on this topic.So in this solo episode, it’s narrative as I’ll read you Alexia’s newsletter and follow up with my take as well on things like:Why old friendships shift when priorities changeBelonging in the awkward middle between old circles and new peersThe value of small, curated communities over giant groupsPractical steps to find “web besties” and collaboratorsIdentity growth, ROI on social time, and protecting focusAnd more.Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned, along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/400

One of our biggest Web Designer Pro member success stories, Sam Sarsten, is back on the podcast with an update on how he’s grown his agency to over 200k in 3 years, primarily through Local SEO.We’re getting into all the nitty gritty on this one:How much he chargesHow he finds clientsHow he measures and tracks resultsHow he’s scaled his teamHow he offers web design + SEOAnd more! Heads up, we had some technical issues + a guest interruption (Peaches!!) who wiggled some chords so this one is a little more edited than normal. But the gems were too good to re-record.Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned, along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/399

Ever wondered if you should trademark your business?There are a lot of reasons you may consider it:You may want to sell your business one day.You might want to make sure no one can take your brand name with no grounds for legal action on your end.You might have a productized service or product you want to sell eventually.You may just want full control over your brand as a whole.For all those reasons and more, you might be wondering if you should trademark and what the process is.To help with that, I’m excited to bring, back onto the podcast, personal legal commandant Ann Koppuzha who recently helped me get Web Designer Pro® officially trademarked!We walk through the entire process, what to do and what to expect.Again, whether or not you want to sell your business one day, there are many reason you might want to consider OWNING your brand name or a product or service that you offer.Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned, along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/398