Welcome to Somewhat Useful, the show where we explore the world of entrepreneurship and web design. We'll discuss topics that are shaping the world around us and tackle your questions from the mailbag. From Will Myers, Squarespace Developer, and Christy Price, Squarespace Designer.
Will and Christy kick off this week's episode talking about the fun industry events they recently attended. They share their top three feature requests for Squarespace as well as a couple Squarespace updates. Then they talk with Dreyah Bohlen-Harrington about how becoming a mom changed the way she runs her business, specifically around schedules, setting boundaries and delegating tasks. Dreyah explains how she's using AI in her design work and her biggest challenge creating templates. She also shares the inspiration for the Designer Break Book - her coloring activity book designed by and for Squarespace designers. SquareKicker TemplatesDesigner Break BookInstagramSponsor: SquareKickerWhat if you could have unlimited creativity on Squarespace? The SquareKicker Pro Extension gives you powerful design control, with an intuitive, visual UI right inside your Squarespace editor.Created by designers, for designers, over 100 no-code tools empower you to customize Squarespace far beyond its native capabilities. Visit squarekicker.com for a free trial—no credit card required. Use SOMEWHAT15 to get 15% off all SquareKicker products today.Learn More
In this episode Christy and Will talk about their favorite chrome extensions and share the latest Squarespace update. They are joined by Jen Maher who discusses her ADHD diagnosis and how it impacts the way she runs her business. She gives her take on the common advice of charging your worth and encourages us to self evaluate and chart our own path as entrepreneurs.Chrome extensions:Squarespace ID FinderGoFullPageLorem Ipsum GeneratorWindow ResizerWhatFont Eye DropperWill's Toolkit Extension / Code Curious MembershipOther tools:LoomFind Jen:WebsiteInstagramYouTubeThe Mighty Fer
In this episode of Somewhat Useful, Will and Christy talk about how they are using AI in their workflows and share a couple platform updates from Squarespace. Then they chat with CSS expert Chris Schwartz-Edmisten about his journey from coding to photoshop mockups to helping clients customize their Squarespace websites. Chris shares insights on content marketing strategies, diversifying income streams, and balancing client work with educational content.Sponsor: SquareKickerWhat if you could have unlimited creativity on Squarespace? The SquareKicker Pro Extension gives you powerful design control, with an intuitive, visual UI right inside your Squarespace editor.Created by designers, for designers, over 100 no-code tools empower you to customize Squarespace far beyond its native capabilities. Visit squarekicker.com for a free trial—no credit card required. Use SOMEWHAT15 to get 15% off all SquareKicker products today.Learn MoreLinks: Chris' websiteCustom Layouts in Squarespace courseCSS CourseChris' YouTube ChannelGenerative Fill Tutorial
In this episode, Will and Christy chat about the pros and cons of social media for their business and discuss how they manage their social media usage. They are then joined by Lex Roman, who talks about their journey from TV to web design, to growth and monetization, and now community building and virtual networking events. Lex discusses their “Legends” membership as well as their "Journalists Pay Themselves" newsletter for independent media professionals. Notes:Clearspace app: https://www.getclearspace.com/AI voicenotes app: https://voicenotes.com/Beehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/Ghost: https://ghost.org/Legends: https://lexroman.com/legendsJournalists Pay Themselves: https://journalistspaythemselves.com/
In this episode, Christy and Will debrief Squarespace's State of the Web Design Industry report, and share their thoughts on setting deadlines and shipping products. Then they talk with LaShonda Brown of Bootstrap Biz Advice about her YouTube channel growth strategies. She explains that fun is essential in creating an engaging learning environment. LaShonda shares the Pomodoro technique that helps her stay productive as well as her biggest learnings from creating an app. They also discuss how she uses brand-friendly content and affiliate marketing to secure brand deals. Thanks to WEGLOT for sponsoring this season. Try Weglot for free for 10 days and enjoy a 15% discount on your first year of subscription with the code SOMEWHAT15 (offer valid for 12 months after subscription) Industry report: https://pros.squarespace.com/squarespace-2024-industry-report Framer: https://www.framer.com/ Uscreen: https://www.uscreen.tv/LaShonda's lofi playlists + timers: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEqzDwLkhfMbjqdDoFfR87_PB4_twbxjS&si=P8xYnfic82pRMwd4 Where to find LaShonda:lashondabrown.comhttps://www.bootstrapbizadvice.com/ https://www.youtube.com/lashondambrown Follow:Follow Christy on InstagramSign up for Christy's NewsletterFollow Will on InstagramSign up for Will's Newsletter
In this episode, Christy and Will chat about email marketing and how it fits into their business. Then they talk with Jeremy Schwartz, General Manager of Channel Partnerships at Squarespace. You'll hear about the evolution of Squarespace over his 12 years there, including ongoing efforts to support us creative professionals. He takes us behind the scenes of Squarespace Circle and explains the reasoning behind the new tiers. Notes:Aeron ChairVerve ChairWill's Computer StandCSS value “text-wrap: balance”
In this episode, Christy and Will talk about whether or not you need a website copyright and share their Somewhat Useful tips for your business. Then they talk with Kate Scott about her journey from WordPress book blogger to successful Squarespace educator and template creator. Kate discusses the advantages of Squarespace over WordPress and how she transitioned from client work to selling templates and courses. You'll hear about her approach to productivity, strategies for growing a sustainable online business, and insights into hiring your first team member.Follow Kate Scott on InstagramLaunch Out LoudFollow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter
In this episode, Will and Christy discuss getting past perfectionism and give their Somewhat Useful tips. Then they talk with Weglot CMO Eugène Ernoult about the company's innovative translation solution. You'll hear about Eugène's journey into marketing and his transition from being a founder to working at a startup. He shares Weglot's business practices around employee wellbeing and the environment, as well as insights on revamping marketing strategies to better engage customers. He offers valuable advice for freelancers, stressing the importance of focusing on a niche and staying customer-focused. The discussion also touches on the role and limitations of AI in marketing and translation services. Links: The Profitable Web Designer podcast: https://webdesigneracademy.com/profitable-web-designer-podcast/ ahrefs: https://ahrefs.com/ Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter
In this episode, Will and Christy talk about the intersection of Google and AI. They share the big projects they're currently working on and give some tips for your business. Then they talk with Becca Harpain of Inside the Square. Becca shares the challenges she faced with Google's new algorithm and how it forced her to adapt and innovate in her business. You'll hear about the launch of her exciting new project, Custom Codey, a custom chat GPT designed to assist users with Squarespace-specific queries. They also discuss the collaborative nature of the Squarespace community and how they're using AI in their content creation and marketing strategies. Thanks to WEGLOT for sponsoring this season. Try Weglot for free for 10 days and enjoy a 15% discount on your first year of subscription with the code SOMEWHAT15 (offer valid for 12 months after subscription) Links: • toolkit.will-myers.com • Becca: ◦ tutorials.squarespace.com ◦ insidethesquare.co ◦ https://www.youtube.com/@InsideTheSquare ◦ https://www.instagram.com/thinkinsidethesquare ◦ AI Optimization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_eHaU17bJQ ◦ Custom Codey: customcodey.com • https://claude.ai/ • Adobe enhance audio feature: podcasts.adobe.com • Day Trading Attention book: https://garyvaynerchuk.com/attention/ Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter
In this episode, Christy and Will share their words for the New Year and tips for your business. Then they talk with Omari Harebin about his journey from a struggling freelancer to a successful entrepreneur and coach. Omari shares his thoughts on adapting to changes in the web design landscape, particularly with the rise of AI. He discusses the therapeutic nature of storytelling and the role Squarespace has played in his creative process. You'll hear about his memoir, 'The Corporate Dropout', which encapsulates his experiences and insights on creating a life aligned with one's deeper purpose. In speaking about his coaching practice, Omari emphasizes the importance of finding one's lane and the challenges of monetizing natural talents. He also introduces his concept of mindset plugins, which aim to help individuals navigate their mental landscapes. Thanks to WEGLOT for sponsoring this season. Try Weglot for free for 10 days and enjoy a 15% discount on your first year of subscription with the code SOMEWHAT15 (offer valid for 12 months after subscription) Show notes • Verve chair • mindset plugin (coming soon) • The Corporate Dropout
In this episode of "Somewhat Useful," we get to speak with special guests Sarah Greisdorf, team lead for Squarespace Circle, and Sam Zelitch, Squarespace senior community events manager. Our conversation centers around Circle Day, now in its third year, which celebrates the work of professional Squarespace website designers. Sam and Sarah share some updates for this year's event, including a new "world loop" feature that will broadcast the event across multiple time zones and languages. We discuss: The structure and highlights of this year's Circle Day How Squarespace balances feedback from professional and DIY users The role of community in product development and user satisfaction Teasers for upcoming Squarespace features and improvements Episode Links: Sign up for Circle Day! Special thanks to Termageddon for sponsoring this season of Somewhat Useful. Termageddon is the only Privacy Policy Generator founded by an actual attorney. Their generator asks you questions about your business, finds out which privacy laws apply to you, and then generators the policies specific to your website's needs. Follow this link to learn more and get a special offer for web designers. Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter
In this episode of "Somewhat Useful," we dive into the world of Squarespace plugins and digital entrepreneurship with Cody Juhnke, the founder of Ghost Plugins. Cody shares his journey from freelance web designer to creator of the largest resource for Squarespace websites, offering over 500 free plugins and a suite of premium tools. We explore: The origin story of Ghost Plugins and how it evolved to meet the needs of the Squarespace community Insights into running multiple successful businesses, including Pluto and Ghost Marketplace The challenges of maintaining plugins with Squarespace's evolving platform Cody's unique approach to template design with "paper templates" Tips for balancing multiple projects and avoiding burnout as an entrepreneur The future of Ghost Plugins Episode Links: Broken link check Ghost Plugins Ghost Marketplace Moov Labs Pluto Studio Special thanks to Termageddon for sponsoring this season of Somewhat Useful. Termageddon is the only Privacy Policy Generator founded by an actual attorney. Their generator asks you questions about your business, finds out which privacy laws apply to you, and then generators the policies specific to your website's needs. Follow this link to learn more and get a special offer for web designers. Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter
In this episode of Somewhat Useful, we get to pick the brain of Tony Howell, a personal brand strategist and web designer for award-winning artists. Join us as we discuss: Tony's journey from Broadway actor to web designer The ins and outs of running his agency from Bali, Indonesia His process for producing quality websites and building long-term relationships with his clients Insights on managing a remote team across time zones The evolution of his education-focused business model His unique approach to building brands, not just websites Practical tips for aspiring digital nomads on healthcare and work-life balance Whether you're a web designer looking to level up your process, an entrepreneur considering the digital nomad lifestyle, or just curious about the intersection of technology and the arts, this episode is packed with actionable advice and candid discussions about the realities of running a creative business in today's digital landscape. Don't miss Tony's thoughts on creating timeless designs, future-proofing client websites, and why Bali has become a hub for digital entrepreneurs. Plus, get a peek into how he structures his work week to maximize creativity and maintain work-life balance in paradise. Episode Links: Tony Howell TourHero Webflow HomeExchange Nomad List SafetyWing Insurance Cigna Global Eli Zoller Special thanks to Termageddon for sponsoring this season of Somewhat Useful. Termageddon is the only Privacy Policy Generator founded by an actual attorney. Their generator asks you questions about your business, finds out which privacy laws apply to you, and then generators the policies specific to your website's needs. Follow this link to learn more and get a special offer for web designers. Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter
Ready to dive into the world of AI, personal branding, and digital nomad life? In this episode, we're joined by the wonderful Phil Pallen, a brand strategist, speaker, Adobe ambassador, author, and just all around great guy. Phil shares with his: His evolution from personal branding consultant to YouTube content creator and into brand partnerships How he creates timeless brand identities that truly stand out How AI is revolutionizing creativity (and why it won't replace human ingenuity) Insider tips for successful brand partnerships and content monetization The pros and cons of letting AI crawl your blog content Essential gear and work-life balance hacks for aspiring digital nomads A sneak peek at his upcoming AI for small business book and Brand Masters membership community Whether you're a solopreneur looking to level up your personal brand, a content creator navigating the world of sponsorships, or just curious about the intersection of AI and creativity, this episode is packed with actionable insights and candid discussions about the ever-evolving digital landscape. Episode Links: Phil's book preorder Brand masters membership (coming soon...) Adobe Firefly Christy's YouTube Will's YouTube Becca's YouTube Uscreen Special thanks to Termageddon for sponsoring this season of Somewhat Useful. Termageddon is the only Privacy Policy Generator founded by an actual attorney. Their generator asks you questions about your business, finds out which privacy laws apply to you, and then generators the policies specific to your website's needs. Follow this link to learn more and get a special offer for web designers. Termageddon Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter
Ever wondered what it's like to run a successful web design agency? In this episode of Somewhat Useful, we sit down with none other than Kelsey Gilbert-Kreiling, co-founder of Week of the Website, a Squarespace agency celebrating its 10th year in business. We get into it all in this episode. Kelsey tells us about: The accidental birth of their 'week-long website' process. How a taxi cab concussion led to scaling the business The challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with parenthood Why even successful agency owners never feel like they've 'made it' Whether you're a solo designer dreaming of growth or an agency owner looking for solidarity, this episode is packed with insights and real talk about the entrepreneurial journey. Don't miss Kelsey's advice on making tough decisions, setting boundaries with clients, and why the only wrong choice in business is to do nothing. Episode Links: - Week of the Website - Squarespace from Signup to Launch: Build, customize, and launch robust and user-friendly Squarespace websites with a no-code approach - Follow Kelsey on Instagram Special thanks to Termageddon for sponsoring this season of Somewhat Useful. Termageddon is the only Privacy Policy Generator founded by an actual attorney. Their generator asks you questions about your business, finds out which privacy laws apply to you, and then generators the policies specific to your website's needs. Follow this link to learn more and get a special offer for web designers. Termageddon Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter
Welcome back to another season of "Somewhat Useful," where we explore digital entrepreneurship and web design with a particular focus on Squarespace. In this episode, we have a special guest, Kristine Neil, an ecommerce expert who shares her insights into using Squarespace for ecommerce. Kristine moved from running an agency to focusing solely on ecommerce, and we discuss the challenges of managing client expectations and navigating the transition to solo entrepreneurship. We also dive into the comparison between Squarespace and Shopify, the importance of setting boundaries, and the future of Squarespace following its acquisition. So grab your headphones let's dive in! Amazing Sponsor: Special thanks to Termageddon for sponsoring this season of Somewhat Useful. Termageddon is the only Privacy Policy Generator founded by an actual attorney. Their generator asks you questions about your business, finds out which privacy laws apply to you, and then generators the policies specific to your website's needs. Follow this link to learn more and get a special offer for web designers. Termageddon Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter
In this final episode of season 2, Will and Christy check in about the seasonality of web design and give some tips on reviewing your online bios. Then, they hear from Monica Kovach of Hold Space Creative about identifying burnout, how self care doesn't address the root of the problem, and focusing on community. Special thanks SEOSpace for sponsoring this season. Improve the SEO of your website with SEOSpace, the SEO Plugin for Squarespace. https://www.seospace.co.uk/ Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter
Today Will & Christy talk specifically about working with your spouse. They chat about the value of the Squarespace Circle forum, and then Will's wife Ren joins the podcast to share the pros and cons of working together. We also hear from Hannah and Nick of Squarekicker about their experience working together as a married couple. Special thanks SEOSpace for sponsoring this season. Improve the SEO of your website with SEOSpace, the SEO Plugin for Squarespace. https://www.seospace.co.uk/ Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter
Are you a solopreneur wondering how to expand your team or project scope? In this episode, Will and Christy talk about the expected scope of a web design project, how to best work with outside experts, and how to package and manage complex projects. They also hear from Henry Purchase of SEOSpace who gives 3 tips on making collaboration a success. Special thanks to our Guest AND Sponsor for this season, SEOSpace. Improve the SEO of your website with SEOSpace, the SEO Plugin for Squarespace. https://www.seospace.co.uk/ Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter
In this episode, Will & Christy talk about their respective approaches to pricing and give their thoughts on the recent “State of the Web Design Industry Report” released by Squarespace. We also, we hear from friend-of-the-podcast, Rache from Standout Squarespace (one of the best Squarespace Design Courses out there) as she shares the pricing strategies that work for her. Special thanks SEOSpace for sponsoring this season. Improve the SEO of your website with SEOSpace, the SEO Plugin for Squarespace. https://www.seospace.co.uk/ Rache's Standout Squarespace Course: https://standoutsquare.space/ Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter
Let's talk about Memberships; should you build one, or should you not? In this episode, Will & Christy share their Somewhat Useful thoughts on when and why to start a Membership. Also, we hear from friend-of-the-podcast, Liz Wilcox who has a fantastic Email Marketing Membership, about what lessons she has learned on her journey to nearly 4000 members! Special thanks SEOSpace for sponsoring this season. Improve the SEO of your website with SEOSpace, the SEO Plugin for Squarespace. https://www.seospace.co.uk/ Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: https://lizwilcox.com/ Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter
It's difficult to know when you need to make a pivot in your business. In the first episode of 2024 season, Will & Christy discuss the times in which they pivoted their businesses and what made the pivot successful. They also hear from friend-of-the-show Kerstin Martin who has recently pivoted her business and hear about her 5 keys to a successful pivot. Sponsor: Special thanks SEOSpace for sponsoring this season. Improve the SEO of your website with SEOSpace, the SEO Plugin for Squarespace. Start your Free Trial at: https://www.seospace.co.uk/ Kerstin Martin's My Calm Business Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter
It's hard to take time off when you're always connected. In this episode, we share our strategies and thoughts about how to take some much needed time off to unplug that you can return to work fully-charged. Timestamp: 1:00 - How long it took before we could take a real vacation. 5:30 - When should we really prioritize vacations over work 9:45 - Setting expectations with clients 15:55 - Setting expectations with family 17:24 - Steps to take when going Out Of Office 23:50 - How we start back after vacation 29:43 - Somewhat Useful advice on digital nomad-ing Some Somewhat Useful Items from this episode: In your email signature, add your “Upcoming Unplugged Days” area Jacqueline Fisch - the intuitive writing school - https://theintuitivewritingschool.com/ “Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.” Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter Amazing Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Growth Trackers, a membership for creative business owners. Become a Growthtracker at supereasydigital.com/growthtrackers and use code "somewhatuseful" for 5% off your membership.
This episode was recorded before Circle Day 2023, BUT we talk about our experience at Circle Day 2022 and share our advice on how to network as a digital entrepreneur when you don't have co-workers. Timestamps: 0:45 - Circle Day 2022 3:25 - How to get the most out of Circle Day or any other in-person event 5:03 - Where we create our business cards 7:00 - How web designers can network 15:45 - How Christy does her in-person meet ups 17:15 - Mailbag - How much can I customize a Squarespace template that I've bought? Christy's Circle Day 2023 Presentations: It's Not Hard to Say Goodbye: Crafting Client Offboarding - Christy Price
We discuss: 0:30 - how Christy increased her revenue over the years 2: 15 - some strategies to increase your prices with new AND current clients 9:40 - when it's important to hire someone to help you out 14:05 - how Christy makes income with affiliate marketing 19:00 - how to be strategic & consistent 20:20 - Mailbag! What's our biggest piece of advice for someone who wants to incorporate passive income. Tools: Clockify Make Money with Your Blog Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter Amazing Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Growth Trackers, a membership for creative business owners. Become a Growthtracker at supereasydigital.com/growthtrackers and use code "somewhatuseful" for 5% off your membership.
In today's episode, we're going to talk about “Creating Delight” with your customers. This is a term that we heard from Kelsey over at Week of the Website, or maybe Ben Manley from Knapsack Creative, at Circle Day last year, we're not sure tbh we didn't create it, but we love the phrase and wanted to do a podcast episode about it. “Creating Delight” is any interaction you have with your customers that leaves them feeling happy and helped. This is a surefire way to make sure they spread-the-word about you, and frankly makes your interactions with them much more fun and friendly. So we'll share some somewhat useful strategies that we use. Follow: Follow Christy on Instagram Follow Will on Instagram Sign up for Will's Newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter This episode is sponsored by Growth Trackers, a membership for creative business owners. Become a Growthtracker at supereasydigital.com/growthtrackers and use code "somewhatuseful" for 5% off your membership.
There are dozens of different website builders, email marketing platforms, invoicing systems, course platforms, podcast hosting platforms, and membership softwares. How do you decide what is the right one for you, or better yet, how do you advise your client on which one to use? In today's episode, we'll talk about a bunch of different options that are out there, and how we go about choosing and advising others on what to platforms to use. Sign up for Will's Newsletter: https://www.will-myers.com/newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter: https://christyprice.com/checklist This episode is sponsored by Growth Trackers, a membership for creative business owners. Become a Growthtracker at supereasydigital.com/growthtrackers and use code "somewhatuseful" for 5% off your membership.
Marketing and building a business is hard work. We are right there in the trenches with you. In this episode, we chat about our marketing strategies, including organic SEO, blog writing, and email marketing. Sign up for Will's Newsletter: https://www.will-myers.com/newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter: https://christyprice.com/checklist This episode is sponsored by Growth Trackers, a membership for creative business owners. Become a Growthtracker at supereasydigital.com/growthtrackers and use code "somewhatuseful" for 5% off your membership.
On this episode of Somewhat Useful, Will and Christy discuss imposter syndrome, the ways it manifests itself in business, and how to overcome it. They also talk about the importance of admitting "I don't know". Listeners will get useful tips for overcoming imposter syndrome and building a successful business. This episode is sponsored by Growth Trackers, a membership for creative business owners. Become a Growthtracker at supereasydigital.com/growthtrackers and use code "somewhatuseful" for 5% off your membership. Sign up for Will's Newsletter: https://www.will-myers.com/newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter: https://christyprice.com/checklist
On this episode of Somewhat Useful, we explore productivity hacks and time-saving tools for busy business owners. We discuss the benefits of email templates, scheduling emails, and tools to manage clients and leads. Join us for insights that will help you work smarter, not harder. Sign up for Will's Newsletter: https://www.will-myers.com/newsletter Sign up for Christy's Newsletter: https://christyprice.com/checklist This episode is sponsored by Growth Trackers, a membership for creative business owners. Become a Growthtracker at supereasydigital.com/growthtrackers and use code "somewhatuseful" for 5% off your membership.