Beauty and Her Biz Podcast

In today’s episode, I am sharing the 5 things you should be doing on your WordPress website that you probably aren’t. By ensuring you have all of these things done, you will have a clean, optimized and secure site and you can feel confident that you are set up for success!   In This Episode: [0:44] Where I’ve been and a free virtual summit [2:44] The difference between a theme and a child theme [4:07] Many premium WordPress themes include a child theme and the parent theme in it’s files [4:33] How to easily create a child theme [5:17] How to check if you are using a child theme [5:38] An important note about using child themes [6:22] Why you need to change your login URL when using WordPress [7:40] My favorite plugin to change the login URL is WPS Hide Login [8:10] Tips for changing your login URL [8:21] You need to change your permalink structure [8:51] My favorite permalink structure [9:49] What to look out for when changing your permalink structure [10:34] My favorite plugin for redirects [11:11] The one thing you need to be doing on your website no matter where it is hosted [13:09] Install a security plugin [13:57] A reminder to back up your site before you make any changes   Links Mentioned: The Success-Driven Solopreneur Summit: https://thesuccessdrivensolopreneur.com/ Siteground: https://lindseyaleson.com/siteground WPS Hide Login: https://wordpress.org/plugins/wps-hide-login/ Redirection: https://wordpress.org/plugins/redirection/ The Contract Shop: https://thecontractshop.com/ Wordfence: https://www.wordfence.com/ WordPress Success Free Guide: https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess    Connect with Me on Social Media: Facebook Group: The Lovely Entrepreneur Society Instagram: @lindseyaleson

In today’s episode, I am sharing my 7 favorite WordPress plugins for any website. I am a total WordPress geek and I love being able to take the functionality further while still maintaining a fast and healthy site. So in this episode I not only cover plugins for the design side but also for the tech and security side. These plugins are super easy to use and all have a free version!   In This Episode: [0:59] What exactly a plugin is [1:13] My favorite page builder plugin and when you need one [2:34] A plugin to extend the Elementor page builder plugin even further and what types of elements you can find [4:22] A plugin that allows you to duplicate pages and posts [4:47] An essential plugin lets you add code to your header or footer, this is perfect for inserting your Facebook Pixel [5:40] My favorite plugin to connect Google Analytics to your website [7:04] The easiest to use SEO plugin that lets you set Facebook and Twitter link images [10:53] No need for bit.ly with this plugin, it is time to make your links pretty and branded [12:31] My favorite security plugin and why [15:20] A bonus plugin for all of your backup needs   Links Mentioned: Elementor: https://elementor.com/  Essential Addons for Elementor: https://www.lindseyaleson.com/essentialaddons Insert Headers and Footers: https://wordpress.org/plugins/insert-header-and-footer/ Google Analytics for WordPress by MonsterInsights: https://www.monsterinsights.com/  Yoast SEO: https://yoast.com/  Pretty Links: https://prettylinks.com/  Wordfence: https://www.wordfence.com/  UpdraftPlus: https://updraftplus.com/  WordPress Success Free Guide: https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess    Connect with Me on Social Media: Facebook Group – The Lovely Entrepreneur Society: https://www.thelovelyentrepreneursociety.com  Instagram: @lindseyaleson   Subscribe + Review: If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so very grateful if you left a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Play! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

In today’s episode, I am tackling a topic that tends to stress many people out, and that is website maintenance. I want to take that fear and stress away and show you that creating an effective website maintenance practice is easier than you think! Because with a good practice, what you are really doing are the steps to hopefully prevent a problem in the future. And when you look at it like that, it really isn’t that scary! So sit back and dive into my top 3 tips for effective website maintenance!   In This Episode: [0:50] How your website is like your car [1:45] How platforms like Squarespace, Wix, and Weebly differ from WordPress in terms of website maintenance [3:33] Always backup your website before you make any updates and then on a regular basis [4:00] How often you should be backing up your WordPress website [5:40] How many backups you should be keeping [5:57] What you need to do before you update any plugin or theme [6:21] How WordPress, themes and plugins relate to each other [8:10] My favorite backup plugins [10:13] Update your plugins, themes, and WordPress at least once a month. [11:12] What updates really include [12:01] The best order to make updates [14:10] What you should do after each update [15:03] Keep your site secure with a security plugin [15:35] My favorite security plugin [17:02] How I keep up with my website maintenance    Links Mentioned: Interested in a website maintenance package? Email me at hello@lindseyaleson.com  WordPress Success Free Guide: https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess    Connect with Me on Social Media: Facebook Group – The Lovely Entrepreneur Society: https://www.thelovelyentrepreneursociety.com  Instagram: @lindseyaleson   Subscribe + Review: If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so very grateful if you left a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Play! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

I am very excited for today’s episode. As a web designer, I love a good looking website. And I make snap judgements about businesses based on their website. #sorrynotsorry Because really in this day and age, how hard is it to have a beautiful website? But having a good looking website isn’t enough to get your customers or clients. It needs to be strategic too! In This Episode: [1:03] What I really mean when I say a beautiful website. [1:14] Design is what catches your eye. It makes the FIRST IMPRESSION. [1:36] Why you need a strategically planned website. [1:59] Why the footer shouldn’t be overlooked as a useless part of your website. [2:21] What to include in the footer of your website. [2:45] Should you ever have a sidebar on your website? [2:58] When and where a sidebar should be used and what to include in it. [5:30] Why just having a contact form on your contact page is a missed opportunity. [6:12] What to include on your contact page. [7:10] How to strategically plan your services page. [9:11] Why the about page is the one page I consistently see people get so wrong. [10:00] Why a CTA (or call to action) is absolutely necessary on your about page. Links Mentioned: WordPress Success Free Guide: https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess Connect with Me on Social Media: Facebook Group – The Lovely Entrepreneur Society: https://www.thelovelyentrepreneursociety.com  Instagram: @lindseyaleson Subscribe + Review: If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so very grateful if you left a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Play! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

In today’s episode, I am sharing 5 common web design mistakes and how to fix them. I come across WAY too many websites that have one or more of these mistakes and it just makes them come off as unprofessional. But there is no reason to, because they are also super easy to fix! In This Episode: [0:46] Your website is not responsive and why that matters. Hint: how we access websites today is very different than several years ago. [1:47] How to find out if your current website is responsive. [2:23] How to fix a website that isn’t responsive. [4:34] Choosing bad fonts and what exactly classifies as a bad font. [6:41] The fix for bad fonts on your website. [7:04] Just because a font is in your brand doesn’t mean you have to use it on your website. Readability comes first. [7:54] Your content isn’t scannable and that is a HUGE issue. [9:35] How to update your content and make it scannable. [10:55] Poor navigation – you never want a visitor to get to your site and not know how to find something.  [12:54] How to fix your navigation if it isn’t cutting it. [13:08] Don’t have hard to find contact information, or even worse, no contact info.. [14:35] What to include on your contact page and where to link it. [15:19] What to do if you don’t want to make your email address public. [15:44] A bonus web design mistake to avoid and how to fix it! Links Mentioned: Astra WordPress Theme (my favorite WordPress theme): https://wpastra.com/ WordPress Success Free Guide: https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess Connect with Me on Social Media: Facebook Group – The Lovely Entrepreneur Society: https://www.thelovelyentrepreneursociety.com  Instagram: @lindseyaleson Subscribe + Review: If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so very grateful if you left a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Play! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

Welcome to the very first episode of the Beauty and Her Biz Podcast! I am so excited to officially launch as this has been a dream of mine for SO LONG! While I have been podcasting with my biz partner and biz bestie, Jenny Suneson, on the Uplevel Your Biz podcast for the past year and a half, I am excited to jump into the world of solo podcasting! In this kick off episode, I am going to share my thoughts on if you truly need a website in 2020. Spoiler alert. The answer is absolutely yes! Take a listen to find out why I believe a website is essential for your business. In This Episode: [0:56] My goal of this podcast is to share all of the knowledge and takeaways I’ve learned from the past 20 years of being in the online space. [1:07] The story of how I got into the space and taught myself to code at just 11 years old. [3:20] Do you even need a website in 2020? [3:30] You don’t own social media and you have to play by their rules. [4:40] A website goes a long way for credibility and people expect you to have one. [5:23] A website saves you time by being your business hub. [6:11] You can track all of the traffic that comes to your website so that you can retarget later. [7:51] Your website is your 24/7 sales assistant. [8:40] SEO, aka Search Engine Optimization. [11:32] You don’t need a huge, built out website if you are just starting out, but a simple one page website can do wonders for you and your credibility Links Mentioned: Uplevel Your Biz Podcast: https://www.uplevelyourbiz.com/listen  ConvertKit (my favorite email marketing tool): https://www.lindseyaleson.com/convertkit  ClickUp (my favorite project management tool): https://www.lindseyaleson.com/clickup WordPress Success Free Guide: https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess Connect with Me on Social Media: Facebook Group – The Lovely Entrepreneur Society: https://www.thelovelyentrepreneursociety.com  Instagram: @lindseyaleson Subscribe + Review: If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so very grateful if you left a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Play! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

Welcome to the Beauty and Her Biz Podcast, where I get raw and real about what it’s like to run an online business, the success and struggles along the way, and my top tips and lessons I’ve learned from my own journey. I’m your host, Lindsey Aleson, web designer + tech strategist for female entrepreneurs just like you! I hope to inspire you and show you that you don’t have to do it alone! I’ll be here with you every week sharing my best tips and advice for creating a beautiful and thriving business, and holding nothing back. You will find episodes on everything from website best practices to digital marketing tips to productivity tips and everything in between. So be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you won’t miss a single episode!