Web Design Business with Josh Hall

The Web Design Business Podcast turns 5 today!!! 🎉 What a ride it’s been so far (and I have no plans on slowing down.)For this special milestone, I polled my community Web Designer Pro™ for questions and they delivered, asking some GREAT conversation starters.So in this special, 5 year anniversary podcast episode, I’m dishing out the longest AMA session I’ve done to date at 2 hours!The questions that came in were mainly in 3 categories:Questions about the podcast (including guest selection, favorite episodes and monetization)Questions about the business of web design (including what’s working today and what I would do differently)Questions about online entrepreneurship (including sustainability, what marketing channels are working today and biggest challenge/best biz decision made )So that’s what we dive into (in depth) on this one!I hope you enjoy it and that you get some great takeaways to apply to your web design business and/or online entrepreneurial endeavors.I also want to say a big THANK YOU for listening to the show on Apple, Spotify, etc or watching on YouTube. I have absolutely loved doing this show at least once a week for the last 5 years and have no plans of slowing down.Means the world to me to see the reviews coming in, to hear your wins and feedback on how the podcast has helped you in your web design business so thank YOU for keeping this thing alive.Want to say thanks or give me your feedback on this special occasion?Leave a comment on the post at joshhall.co/351 or better yet…leave it as a podcast review to help grow the show!00:00 - Intro to 5 year podcast anniversary03:30 - Strategy for getting guests09:28 - Showcasing client results when building portfolio12:24 - Walking the line being boss and spouse when working together16:21 - Tips for asking to be on a podcast18:27 - Guests pushing their free or paid resources21:13 - The legacy I hope this podcast leaves23:39 - Vision of the podcast and how it's evolved30:35 - Episodes that led to the most personal growth39:13 - Most rewarding part of the job44:46 - Favorite moments from the podcast48:55 - Podcast gear, setup, etc50:22 - Future plans (and how the pod fits into them)55:20 - Next hot marketing strategies ahead 1:00:26 - Cultivating an engaged community1:05:45 - Creating and growing Web Designer Pro1:09:01 - Marketing funnel from podcast to Pro1:12:42 - Reflecting on the work you've done1:13:21 - Best (and most challenging) decision in business to date1:26:37 - Most memorable podcast episodes1:28:53 - Biggest mistake new web designers make1:33:47 - Current struggles and pain points1:36:00 - What I've learned from so many different people, cultures and personalities1:42:56 - Batting imposter syndrome (as a web business coach)1:51:46 - What I'd do if I restarted everything today1:53:35 - Thank YOU1:55:42 - Web Designer Pro 2.0 teaser🤖 Broc (the WDP™ bot) is live! Our new Ai assistance will help you find anything in Pro and even give you coaching based off Pro courses and source material. Available now on the community and coaching levels of Pro!Join today 👉 webdesignerpro.com and give Broc a go!P.S. If you're on the Courses Tier, upgrade here to get instant access to Broc!

I don’t know about you…but I didn’t officially “launch” my web design business when I got started. I just kind of fumbled through starting my freelance journey. But if I were starting today, I would put much more effort and emphasis on creating an official “business launch.”Now to the big question…how do you launch a web business successfully? i.e. Get clients fast?Well, my guest in this podcast chat, Alexia Lynn launched her web design business in June of 2024 and got 3 new clients in her first 2 weeks after her amazing launch. So I can’t think of anyone better to learn from!Alexia went ALL OUT for her launch and it’s paid off in a big way in just a few short months. And today, she’s pulling the curtain back on exactly what she did, step by step.We cover:How she got her business ready in order to “launch with confidence”What marketing channels she decided to useHow she built anticipation for her big launchHow replying to comments kept her launch posts top of feed for weeksAnd even though it was a success, what she would do differentlyIf you enjoy hearing what worked for Alexia but would love a more step-by-step, checklist guide for your own launch plan…you’re in luck! She’s made her launch plan available FOR FREE at https://visualvibedesign.com/designer-launch-planBig thanks to Alexia for sharing everything she’s done in the first phase of her journey. Whether you’re preparing to launch your own web biz or you’re an established web designer looking for a revenue boost, you can use these strategies as well!P.S. Alexia is a member of my community Web Designer Pro and will be doing a live training breaking this launch plan down in more detail in November 2024! Join today to catch the live training or have access to the replay.Get all links and resources mentioned along with a full transcription at:https://joshhall.co/350The Web Design Business Podcast is available on:Apple - https://apple.co/36wnnc3Spotify - https://spoti.fi/36ttMEor wherever you get your podcastsView all Web Design Business Podcasts with show notes and full transcriptions at: https://joshhall.co/podcast🤖 Broc (the WDP™ bot) is live! Our new Ai assistance will help you find anything in Pro and even give you coaching based off Pro courses and source material. Available now on the community and coaching levels of Pro!Join today 👉 webdesignerpro.com and give Broc a go!P.S. If you're on the Courses Tier, upgrade here to get instant access to Broc!

Mark Szymanski, a young web designer and thought leader in WordPress, discusses why many new designers shy away from WordPress in favor of drag-and-drop platforms like Squarespace. He believes WordPress still offers unmatched flexibility and customization despite its reputation as an 'old' tool. Mark also emphasizes the importance of a lean tool stack for agency owners and suggests that better marketing strategies could help WordPress attract younger talent. He reflects on community support shifts and the evolving landscape of page builders, sharing insights on maintaining relevance.

Leigh Scott, founder of zainatain.com, brings her expertise in conversion rate optimization (CRO) to the forefront. She discusses the misconception that clients want just a pretty website, stressing that they seek effective sales machines. Topics include mapping client sales funnels, defining micro and macro goals, and measuring common CRO metrics. Leigh shares strategic practices for improving conversion rates, emphasizing the importance of ongoing client relationships and tailored CRO roadmaps to drive business growth. A must-listen for web designers!

I recently published a newsletter sharing 5 ways I would get clients if I were starting out in web design today in 2024.It got a lot of great feedback from both early-stage web designers and established web designers looking for a revenue boost alike - so I decided to expand on these 5 strategies as a full podcast!We’ll dive into each of these strategies, how I would go about them and how I would execute on them in detail.In short:Join a referral groupUtilize LinkedInCreate local SEO targeted YouTube videosHost an interview seriesStart a monthly newsletterAgain, even if you’re established as a freelancer or web biz owner, you can implement some of these strategies as well to get more clients.But man if I was an early-stage web designer…I would’ve loved to have this roadmap when I got started! So I hope it helps. 🙂To get more help starting or building your business, be sure to pick up my free training here.Get all links and resources mentioned along with a full transcription at:https://joshhall.co/347View all Web Design Business Podcasts with show notes and full transcriptions at: https://joshhall.co/podcastWe just added new listening pathways on the Podcast Playlists page!🎙️ joshhall.co/playlistsNew playlists added:AccessibilitySelf-care for web designersContent marketingCopywritingPlatforms and builder chatsAiSpeed & optimizationLegal and privacyAlso added a new quick link menu to help you zip around to your ideal listening path.🤖 Broc (the WDP™ bot) is live! Our new Ai assistance will help you find anything in Pro and even give you coaching based off Pro courses and source material. Available now on the community and coaching levels of Pro!Join today 👉 webdesignerpro.com and give Broc a go!P.S. If you're on the Courses Tier, upgrade here to get instant access to Broc!

If you’re an established web designer, think back to your first year in business. What was your highest paid project? Aside from some exceptions, I’m guessing it was in the low-thousands…or hundreds.Well, Ben Forred, a web designer who’s still in his first year of business, building it as a side hustle alongside full-time corporate employment recently landed a $7,500 website package and in this podcast chat, shares the entire journey on how he did it.We cover:What Ben did to speed-learn and be able to build websites from start to finish in a few monthsHow Ben created and refined his offers and price-pointsHow he utilized his background to discover an untapped nicheHis genius process of selling a low-ticket item first to build trustHow he turned a $1k website project into $7,500This is a bit of a 2-part convo because we also dig into Ben’s desire to leave his corporate job to have the freedom and flexibility he wants in his personal life as a Dad to a growing young family.Ben’s story on how he got into web design really sets the stage for the quick progress he’s made in less than a year. It’s evident that he’s serious about this web business and is going for it - and as one of our top engaged members of Web Designer Pro™…I feel honored to have a part in his journey.Incredible first year that he expands on here. Next step…6-figures and freedom!Get all links and resources mentioned along with a full transcription at:https://joshhall.co/346View all Web Design Business Podcasts with show notes and full transcriptions at: https://joshhall.co/podcast🤖 Broc (the WDP™ bot) is live! Our new Ai assistance will help you find anything in Pro and even give you coaching based off Pro courses and source material. Available now on the community and coaching levels of Pro!Join today 👉 webdesignerpro.com and give Broc a go!P.S. If you're on the Courses Tier, upgrade here to get instant access to Broc!

It’s been a little while since we’ve talked about accessibility on the podcast and one area we haven’t covered at all to this point is specifically how to make accessible eCommerce websites.Everything is more complex with eCommerce sites and accessibility, while complex even at the basic level, gets even trickier. So, to help understand all of this, accessibility expert Bet Hannon (CEO of accessicart.com) is on the show as we dive into:The very basics of accessibilityEasy accessibility wins you can achieve on your sitesThe common accessibility traps for eCommerce sitesThe #1 accessibility culprit for restaurant websitesOffering accessibility from the start of your projectsAnd more.It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with accessibility - perhaps because it CAN be extremely robust but every time I speak with an expert in it, I’m reminded that the most important thing is to have the basics covered. So if you do everything we talk about in the first 10-15 minutes here, that’s a great start.And while we do get into some of the accessibility penalties that have been circulating, I don’t want you to feel intimidated or scaled by web design as a whole. Accessibility is a lot like privacy and security in terms of the “rare events (aka lawsuits and penalties)” making the headlines.The goal is simple, make websites as accessible to everyone as possible. Build sites with that in mind and you’ll be far ahead of most other web designers and you’ll make the web a better, more user-friendly place for all.Get all links and resources mentioned along with a full transcription at:https://joshhall.co/345View all Web Design Business Podcasts with show notes and full transcriptions at: https://joshhall.co/podcast🤖 Broc (the WDP™ bot) is live! Our new Ai assistance will help you find anything in Pro and even give you coaching based off Pro courses and source material. Available now on the community and coaching levels of Pro!Join today 👉 webdesignerpro.com and give Broc a go!P.S. If you're on the Courses Tier, upgrade here to get instant access to Broc!

You’ve heard of work/life balance…but what about life/work balance?What if, instead of prioritizing our work and living life around that, we set our calendars, schedules, and weekly routines to have our work revolve around our ideal week?As freedom based lifestyle web designers, that’s exactly the option we have available to usBut it takes a proactive approach to make this happen, otherwise calls, meetings, design and troubleshooting will take up our entire week.So, to help dig in on how to do this practically, I can’t think of anyone better to learn from than Oscar, the CEO of Lifedge who’s at the forefront of this life/work balance movement.Covered in the episode:How to set boundaries between family and work while working from homeHow to turn your “business mind” off after hoursHow to make it work when your spouse is in business with youThe game-changing practice of a “look ahead” weekly meeting with your spouse or familyThe seasonal approach to hustlePersonally, I love these types of conversations because, as someone who loves my work and who likes to work, I constantly need to be prompted and reminded to make sure I’m not out of balance with my wife and family.A healthy approach to balancing work and family = doing this sustainably without burning out. Get all the show notes, and view a full transcription of our podcast chat now at joshhall.co/344View all Web Design Business Podcasts with show notes and full transcriptions at: https://joshhall.co/podcast🤖 Broc (the WDP™ bot) is live! Our new Ai assistance will help you find anything in Pro and even give you coaching based off Pro courses and source material. Available now on the community and coaching levels of Pro!Join today 👉 webdesignerpro.com and give Broc a go!P.S. If you're on the Courses Tier, upgrade here to get instant access to Broc!

I’ve noticed a common thread among web designers who always seem to have no trouble getting clients - they’re easily ‘referable’ 🤝It might be a niche, it might be a skillset, it might be something they're known for but in all cases, they’re easily referred to. For example, here are some Web Designer Pro members who fit the “easily referred” bill:Want a web designer who also helps you with email marketing? Talk to April who specializes in websites and email sequences at aprilraycreative.comWant a web designer who specializes in church websites? Talk to Marc who I referred to my old church because when they reached out, Marc had told me “church websites are my jam” - easy referral! And, he even has a church websites page on his site which made it even easier to refer to and show examples to.Know a coach who needs a website? Talk to Jason with SwyftSites who specializes in websites for coaches.Need help with local SEO? Talk to Sam who’s become the ‘King of SEO’ here in Pro via his site thencandesigns.comNeed help with high-converting website copy? Michelle has a service tailored JUST for that called “copy boost” - so clear, so easy to refer.Email problems? Amr is THE email guru who’s unbelievably easy to refer because very few web designers want to specialize in that!In all cases, these folks are easily referable; easily remembered, and often top of mind.So, what can you do to make yourself more “referable”??In this podcast episode, I’m expanding on my top 6 tips to make it easier for clients and colleagues to refer you and help you get more web design clients!Get all links and resources mentioned along with a full transcription at:https://joshhall.co/343The Web Design Business Podcast is available on:Apple - https://apple.co/36wnnc3Spotify - https://spoti.fi/36ttMEor wherever you get your podcastsView all Web Design Business Podcasts with show notes and full transcriptions at: https://joshhall.co/podcast🤖 Broc (the WDP™ bot) is live! Our new Ai assistance will help you find anything in Pro and even give you coaching based off Pro courses and source material. Available now on the community and coaching levels of Pro!Join today 👉 webdesignerpro.com and give Broc a go!P.S. If you're on the Courses Tier, upgrade here to get instant access to Broc!

Web designers often ask me “how long will it take to get to 6-figures in my web design business?” And it's a tough question to answer. There are a lot of variables to how fast you can build your web design business. Your background, your time availability, your area of focus or expertise, your aversion to risk, work ethic, etc are all factors.But I can tell you, there are folks who go from zero to 6-figures in less than a year.One of those folks is Sam Sarsten, a member of my Web Designer Pro community who joined BEFORE he even had a paying client and in less than a year, is closing in on 6-figures with (as of August 2024) $7,197.00 in monthly recurring revenue. And that’s just monthly MRR, not including one off web design projects and hourly work.If you’re curious about what he did to get to this level so fast, you’re in luck because Sam is on the podcast sharing exactly what he did!We cover:What in the world Sam was thinking when he quit his day job with 0 paying clientsHow Sam began to get web design clients and instant cash flowHow he fell in love with one area of web design (Local SEO) and made that his primary serviceHow he sells SEO services to build recurring incomeSam’s plans (and challenges) with such quick growthOne of my favorite aspects of Sam is that he’s an open book. We talk numbers, real sales data, and proven strategies that work in this one.Sam has consistently been one of the most engaged members of Web Designer Pro and has quickly become the “go to Pro” for Local SEO which has not only been a huge help to his business but also for our community as he recently did a full expert training on How to Rank Websites Locally which you can now watch on my YouTube channel!Even if you’re not yet a member of Pro, we want to give you some hot tips for local SEO because, as Sam has shown, it can really help you build your recurring revenue and be a great addition to your web design business.Sam just launched a sub-community of Web Designer Pro “Local SEO Academy” which you can check out now at https://localseoacademy.co/josh which is a great additional place for you who are interested in diving deeper into local SEO!We cover a lot of the fundamentals and most important SEO strategies for web designers in Pro but since that’s not our primary focus, I’m so excited to have partnered up with Sam who is diving deeper into it. And quite frankly, who better to learn local SEO from than the man who went from $0-$7k+ in MRR in one year??Get all the show notes, and view a full transcription of our podcast chat now at joshhall.co/342View all Web Design Business Podcasts with show notes and full transcriptions at: https://joshhall.co/podcast🤖 Broc (the WDP™ bot) is live! Our new Ai assistance will help you find anything in Pro and even give you coaching based off Pro courses and source material. Available now on the community and coaching levels of Pro!Join today 👉 webdesignerpro.com and give Broc a go!P.S. If you're on the Courses Tier, upgrade here to get instant access to Broc!