If you’re a website designer or developer who’s invested in coaching and still feels stuck, this episode is for you.

I’ve been hearing from so many designers who say

“I tried coaching, I’m burned out, and my business still doesn’t feel sustainable.”

In this episode I’m breaking down the real reasons coaching often doesn’t work for website designers, and why mentoring can be a better fit when you need practical, industry specific support.

I talk about:

• the key difference between coaching and mentoring

• why “you already have the answers” can feel infuriating when you’re in client chaos

• how industry specific advice helps with things like tricky feedback, scope creep and boundaries

• what it looks like to be supported while you level up without burning out

I’ll also share how I work with designers and developers inside my Phoenix programme and through one to one mentoring, so you can decide what kind of support is right for you.

👉 Want mentoring that actually understands the realities of running a web design business?

Come and find out more at websitesmadesimple.co.uk or email me at hello@websitesmadesimple.co.uk

Happy designing!

00:00 Coach vs. Mentor: Key Differences

06:04 "Mastering Best Practices Confidently"

08:50 Mentoring for Thriving Designers

10:40 "Connect for Design Insights"

Join my Phoenix Programme - https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/phoenix-programme

If your web design business feels like controlled chaos with too many projects and too few profits — this episode is for you.

Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple with me, Holly Christie!

In this episode, I’m sharing how I raised my prices without scaring clients off, simplified my systems, and built a smoother, more sustainable design business.

You’ll also hear how I created a simple Website User Manual that completely changed my client handovers — turning them into a premium experience and cutting out all those “can you just…” support messages.

I talk about Lily Atwell-Rowan, who’s brilliant at helping creatives untangle their processes and onboard team members with ease, and Mike Fox, host of The Lone Wolf Unleashed Podcast, who’s doing clever things with AI to streamline systems and workflows.

And finally, I’ll walk you through how my Phoenix Programme mentoring track helps website designers scale with less chaos and more cash.

This is my playbook for any website designer who wants fewer headaches, higher rates, and a business that runs on your terms.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to tell when it’s time to level up your web design business
• Why pricing for value attracts better clients
• How a Website User Manual can save you hours of support
• What I learned from Lily Atwell-Rowan and Mike Fox about smart systems
• How the Phoenix Program helps you scale with less chaos and more cash

00:00 "Leveling Up in Web Design"

05:00 Web Design: Start and Improve

08:21 Streamline Website Maintenance Efforts

10:58 Website Maintenance and SEO Guide

13:53 Shared Values in White Labeling

20:22 Streamlining Projects and Systems

21:29 Scaling Strategies: Pricing & Processes

Mentioned in this episode:

Join the Phoenix Programme

Find out more about joining the Phoenix Programme

Phoenix Programme

A client threatened to “ruin my reputation” unless I refunded a non-refundable deposit.

Then came the one-star Google review and the plot twist that made my reputation stronger.

Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple with me, Holly Christie!

In this episode I share the whole story, how I responded, and what to put in place so one angry client can’t tank your business.

If you’re a website designer or dev who’s ever ignored red flags (yep, me too), this one’s for you.

00:00 "Client Conflicts and Resilience"

06:15 "One-Star Reviews Often Misleading"

09:00 "Responding to a 1-Star Review"

11:39 "Phoenix Program: Transform Your Career"

When a client threatens to ruin your reputation, here’s the exact playbook to protect your brand and flip the narrative—fast.

For web designers/developers dealing with scope creep, 1-star bombs, and refund pressure.

Handle non-refundable deposits without panic

What to write under a 1-star review

Turn a bad review into social proof on LinkedIn

Red flags: endless meetings, too many stakeholders

Boundaries in contracts & terms that actually hold

Chapters:

00:00 When a client threatens your reputation (nightmare setup)

02:00 ‘Go-away pricing’, red flags & endless meetings

05:00 Stalemate, terms, and the non-refundable deposit

06:15 The threat + the 1-star review hits

08:18 Posting it on LinkedIn—community flips the script

10:00 Why it strengthened my reputation

12:00 Lessons: boundaries, meetings, and saying no

13:00 Phoenix Programme can help with this

My site: https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk

Phoenix Programme: https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/phoenix-programme

Podcast page: https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/podcast

Let's talk about the challenges that every website designer and developer has faced at one time or another: those “pain in the arse” clients who constantly try to override your creative process, push for shortcuts, or ignore the boundaries you’ve set.

Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple with me, Holly Christie!

I’m getting honest about what it feels like when a project just isn’t sitting right—when your heart drops at another problematic email and you start questioning your own approach, especially as everyone else seems to be breezing through perfect testimonials and happy launches.

I’ll share my practical strategies for protecting your boundaries, saying a firm “no” to unethical requests (like copying someone else’s design), and managing difficult clients who want you to queue-jump or abandon your process.

You’ll hear some real stories from my own experience, including how to handle disagreements over design decisions, document your advice, and know when it’s time to offboard a client altogether.

If you’ve ever lost sleep over a challenging project or wondered how to keep your business running smoothly without sacrificing your sanity, this episode is especially for you.

Listen in and let’s talk about how to thrive as a web designer, even when you’re dealing with the trickiest clients.

00:00 Dealing with Overbearing Clients

04:36 Client Feedback During Design Process

07:23 Client Boundaries and Collaboration

10:15 "Importance of Client Communication"

13:40 Avoid Problem Clients' Retainers

Mentioned in this episode:

Free Resources

In this episode, I'm excited to introduce you to something very different. Something that if you're a website designer or developer, is going to help to transform all your results.

Have a listen, and if you're interested, visit https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/ and click the menu item "Phoenix Programme" for more details and to book your free introductory call.

Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple with me, Holly Christie!

With nearly two decades of experience in website design, I'm explaining the pros and cons of template shops; those ready-made website solutions that so many of us create, yet often struggle to actually sell.

In this episode, I'll talk you through what it really takes to build a thriving template side business.

From choosing the right client experience and support systems, to setting boundaries on content and pricing, I'll share the strategies that have made my own template shop, Simply Sites, a success.

Whether you're considering launching your own template shop or looking to improve what you already have, today’s conversation is packed with practical tips, personal insights, and actionable advice to help you avoid common pitfalls and create templates that truly sell.

Click play and let’s get started!

Mentioned in this episode:

Free Resources

Are you losing clients before they even hit 'contact'?

Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple! I’m Holly Christie and in this episode, I'm revealing why faceless websites kill trust — and how showing up, sharing your values, and being transparent with pricing makes clients choose you.

👉 Plus: the simple UX shifts that turn browsers into buyers.

Click play and let’s get started!

Mentioned in this episode:

Free Resources

Websites Made Simple Courses

Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple! I’m Holly Christie, and today I’m exploring a question I get asked all the time by fellow web designers and developers: should you put your pricing on your website, even if every project you do is completely bespoke?

In this episode, I’m sharing my thoughts on this contentious topic.

I’ll walk you through how I've addressed issues like this to build a successful business.

If you’re wondering how to confidently showcase your pricing online in a way that feels right for you and your business, you’re in the right place.

Click play and let’s get started!

Mentioned in this episode:

Free Resources