Small Business Savvy | Web Design, Systems, and Marketing

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132. Simple Steps to Selling on Your Own - It Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated! Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Thinking about selling on your own but feeling overwhelmed by the tech or the idea of building a massive online store? I’m here to show you that starting small is not only okay - it’s often the best move you can make!

You don’t need hundreds of products or a fully built-out website to begin selling independently. With tools you likely already have, like your email marketing platform, you can take your first steps toward creating a streamlined, manageable sales process. I’m breaking down how selling on your own can be simple and stress-free by focusing on your best selling products.

This episode is all about taking those first steps, testing your setup, ironing out any wrinkles, and ensuring you’re ready before scaling up! Whether you’re using an email platform like Kit or launching a minimal online store, selling on your own doesn’t have to be complicated. Let’s simplify the process and get you on the path to selling independently as soon as today!

03:07 - Why simple systems are best when selling on your own

06:17 - Familiarizing yourself with your platform’s policies on how you price your products

07:14 - Options for selling on your own if you don’t have a website

10:20 - Actionable steps you can take this week to start selling your resources (and helpful tips for your messaging when marketing these products!)

Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode132

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131. Strategy Over Spaghetti: A Smart Approach to Building Your Audience Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Are you building your audience the smart way—or just throwing spaghetti at the wall, hoping something sticks? In this episode, I’m diving into one of the biggest challenges for online business owners: growing an audience without burning out. Whether you’re starting from scratch, pivoting to a new niche, or adding a new segment to your business, the key is strategy, not chaos!

I’ll walk you through the big mistakes to avoid when building your audience—like trying to be everywhere at once or switching tactics too quickly—and why consistency and patience are essential for success. Then, I’ll share my step-by-step approach, including how to craft a hyper-specific freebie designed to attract the right people, leveraging Facebook groups, running low-cost ads, and more.

Tune in to learn how to build a quality audience that’s ready to buy what you offer. And remember, it’s not about having the most followers—it’s about creating meaningful connections with the right ones. Let’s trade spaghetti for strategy and grow your audience the savvy way!

01:35 - What NOT to do when building your audience
04:43 - Audience research that pays off
07:35 - How to create a freebie designed specifically for your ideal audience
10:50 - Four places where you should be sharing your freebie
12:28 - Building your audience through low-cost Facebook ads (and a bonus power move if you’re an established business owner!)
16:35 - Actionable steps to take this week if you want to build a new audience

Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode131

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Learn more about my WordPress CarePlan: https://kristendoyle.co/wordpress-care-plan/

130. Taking Time Away From Your Business (Without Everything Falling Apart) with Sara Whittaker Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

What if you could step away from your business for weeks - or even months - and it wouldn’t miss a beat? So many of us feel like it’s impossible to take a business break, but with some intentional planning, it’s totally doable! In this episode, I chat with podcast strategist, Sara Whittaker, who shares how she made it happen during a four-month maternity leave.

Even if you aren’t planning a maternity leave, this conversation is still relevant to you! Whether you’re planning a vacation, mental health break, or just want to be prepared for an emergency, there will come a time when you need to hit the pause button. In this episode, Sara dives into her experience and advice on how to keep things running smoothly even when you’re not around.

Sara is a service provider, course creator, and podcaster, so you’ll hear how she set up each of these pieces of her business for success during her absence. If there’s one thing to take away from our discussion, it’s the importance of systems and early planning! We hope this encourages you to take a business break this year - you deserve it!

05:01 - The first steps Sara took when planning to walk away from her business for four months

12:01 - How Sara prepped her clients for her time away

15:57 - Tips for keeping your podcast and email marketing running while on a business break

20:42 - What Sara did to keep digital sales coming in during her maternity leave

34:23 - Advice if you’re planning for extended time away from your business or an emergency situation

Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode130

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Stop managing your WordPress website and let us handle it! Learn more about our WordPress Careplan at kristendoyle.co/care.

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Learn more about my WordPress CarePlan: https://kristendoyle.co/wordpress-care-plan/

129. Is Your Website Ready for 2025? Current Trends & Quick Wins Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

Is your website ready to wow in 2025? In this episode, I’m sharing the top website trends you need to know to keep your site fresh. Understanding the latest strategies will help your website attract and convert customers.

The focus for the new year is all about clean, soothing designs - think minimalist layouts, calming color palettes, and larger fonts that make your content pop! I also dive into fun upgrades like adding micro animations for a more interactive experience. Whether your site needs a quick refresh or a total revamp, I’ll guide you through how to prioritize changes without feeling overwhelmed.

Just remember - you don’t have to overhaul everything at once. Small, strategic updates will go a long way. If you need help, we can tackle it together! Book a free strategy call with me and I’ll help you create a clear action plan to make your website stand out. Let’s make your site work harder for you in the new year!

02:18 - A big shift we’re seeing in web design
07:58 - Some key things you should include in your website footer
10:51 - Next-level updates to make to keep up with 2025 website trends
14:26 - An interesting sales page trend to try
15:53 - Quick wins that you can implement in an hour or less!

Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode129

Send us a text! (If you'd like a reply, please share your # in the message)

Stop managing your WordPress website and let us handle it! Learn more about our WordPress Careplan at kristendoyle.co/care.

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Learn more about my WordPress CarePlan: https://kristendoyle.co/wordpress-care-plan/

128. Success Your Way: A Different Approach to 2025 Planning Dec 31, 2024

Show notes

What if success isn’t about earning more, but living better? In this episode, I share a refreshing approach to 2025 planning that focuses on intentional growth and work-life balance over chasing bigger revenue goals.

I’m reflecting on my own journey from last year, where my focus shifted to maintaining my income while working fewer hours, allowing me to enjoy family time, prioritize my health, and rediscover joy in my business! I also walk you through practical strategies for goal setting, including focusing on metrics you can control, creating actionable plans, and avoiding the overwhelm of too many goals.

As we step into 2025, I challenge you to rethink success. What tasks will you stop doing? How will you make time for your personal goals? Let’s build a business that not only supports your income but also the life you want to live!
Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode128

Send us a text! (If you'd like a reply, please share your # in the message)

Stop managing your WordPress website and let us handle it! Learn more about our WordPress Careplan at kristendoyle.co/care.

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Learn more about my WordPress CarePlan: https://kristendoyle.co/wordpress-care-plan/

127. 5 Ways to Optimize Your Website Shop for Better Sales Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

Over the past few weeks, we’ve discussed ways to tweak your website to benefit your business. Today, I’m diving into actionable strategies to help you optimize your website shop for increased sales and customer satisfaction.

Owning your own website store is a game-changer! It offers lower fees, full control, and the potential for higher profits. However, success depends on how well you optimize your website shop, from building trust to creating a seamless shopping experience. If you don’t know where to start, I’m here to help!

I’m covering five key ways to optimize your website shop for better sales, from establishing trust with customers, organizing products, keeping buyers happy, and more. If you’re ready to make the most of your website shop, take the time to review things like your checkout process and ask for feedback from others. These steps will not only help you increase sales but also create a better experience for your buyers.

01:16 - How to build trust with buyers and let them know your website is secure

04:25 - Optimize your website shop by streamlining your purchase process

07:26 - Organize your products so customers can find what they’re looking for

09:50 - What to consider when presenting your products in your website shop

11:27 - How to keep people happy with their purchases (and keep them coming back!)

Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode127

Send us a text! (If you'd like a reply, please share your # in the message)

Stop managing your WordPress website and let us handle it! Learn more about our WordPress Careplan at kristendoyle.co/care.

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Learn more about my WordPress CarePlan: https://kristendoyle.co/wordpress-care-plan/

126. Make Your Courses & Memberships Unmissable on Your Website Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

Are your courses and memberships getting lost on your website? If potential buyers can’t easily find your offers on your website, you’re leaving money on the table! In this episode, I break down the three essential places where your courses, memberships, and other offers should be featured for maximum visibility.

From optimizing your navigation menu with clear labels to creating dedicated sections on your homepage, I share proven strategies to make your offers stand out. I also cover how to strategically set up your sales pages, addressing factors like design capabilities, checkout integration, and user comfort, so your audience can smoothly transition from browsing to buying.

Plus, I highlight common mistakes that keep your offers on your website hidden (like not including them at all!). You’ll learn how to guide visitors to the right offer without overwhelming them, using things like strategic landing pages. Ready to boost your sales and make your offers on your website more accessible? This episode is packed with tips to help you get there!
01:38 - Three key places that your course and membership need to show up on your website

07:55 - Common mistakes to avoid when listing your offers on your website

10:47 - Strategies for featuring your offers without overwhelming your visitors

12:44 - Specific steps to take this week if you’re featuring courses, memberships, or other offers on your website
Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode126

Send us a text! (If you'd like a reply, please share your # in the message)

Stop managing your WordPress website and let us handle it! Learn more about our WordPress Careplan at kristendoyle.co/care.

Book your FREE Website Gameplan Call: https://kristendoyle.co/gameplan
Learn more about my WordPress CarePlan: https://kristendoyle.co/wordpress-care-plan/

125. Give Your Podcast the Home It Deserves On Your Website Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

If someone goes to your website, would it be easy for them to see that you have a podcast? If not, let’s fix that! In this episode, we’re diving into why your podcast deserves more than just being tucked away like a blog post or hidden behind several clicks. Your website is the home base for your business, and your podcast should feel right at home there too!

I’ll walk you through how to create a dedicated podcast hub that spotlights your show, makes it easy for visitors to listen, and helps grow your audience and business at the same time. Plus, I share why having show notes on your site - not just in a podcast app - is so important.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have actionable steps to start showcasing your podcast the right way! Your action step? Take a fresh look at your website and ask yourself: is it easy to find my podcast? If you aren't sure, send me a link to your site on Instagram @kristendoyle.co and I'll give you personalized feedback. I’d love to help you out!

01:58 - The biggest benefits of highlighting your podcast on your website

04:26 - What a podcast hub is and the essential elements to include on this page

08:35 - Mistakes to avoid with your podcast show notes and what to do instead

13:23 - Where to start if you are beginning a podcast or aren’t currently showcasing it in the way it deserves

Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode125

Send us a text! (If you'd like a reply, please share your # in the message)

Stop managing your WordPress website and let us handle it! Learn more about our WordPress Careplan at kristendoyle.co/care.

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Learn more about my WordPress CarePlan: https://kristendoyle.co/wordpress-care-plan/

124. Your Website is Never 'Done' - But That's a Good Thing! Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

Are you waiting for your website to be absolutely perfect before sharing it loud and proud? I hate to break it to you, but your website will never truly be done. However, that’s actually a good thing! Like our favorite brands are constantly tweaking their websites, yours should also change over time to keep up with your growing business.

Today I'll dismantle the idea that your website is a one-and-done project. I’m sharing how to embrace this mindset shift by building your website in phases, avoiding perfectionism, and creating a website that is flexible enough to grow with your business.

Take a look at your existing website with objective eyes after listening. What do you think needs to be improved or added? If you need support with your next steps, I’m your girl! I can build you an adaptable website that will set you up for future success.

02:27 - Examples of website changes you may need to make as your business grows

03:52 - Why waiting for website perfection is a huge mistake

06:43 - How to build your website in phases if you have a limited budget or are short on time

09:44 - Red flags to look out for when choosing a website designer (and important questions to ask them!)

Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode124

Send us a text! (If you'd like a reply, please share your # in the message)

Stop managing your WordPress website and let us handle it! Learn more about our WordPress Careplan at kristendoyle.co/care.

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Learn more about my WordPress CarePlan: https://kristendoyle.co/wordpress-care-plan/

123. VIP Days are a Win-Win for Clients and Service Providers with Sarah Masci Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

If you’re a service provider, imagine being able to sit down and complete a project in one day that would normally take weeks. Or, if you’re a client, how would it feel to hire someone to create a sales page, update your website, or whatever else you need, in just 24 hours? No more endless back and forth communication and waiting. This is all possible with VIP days!
I started offering VIP days a few years ago, and when I did, it completely simplified how I run my business. My own VIP day mentor, Sarah Masci, is here to talk all things VIP days. We’ll discuss what makes the VIP day model so great for both service providers and clients, what to consider when adding them to your services, and tons of advice for getting started.
Whether you’re thinking about adding VIP days to your business or you like the idea of hiring someone to knock out a project quickly, this episode is for you! If you’re ready to get started with VIP days, I encourage you to try it out for yourself. And if you have a website project you need completed, check out my VIP day offerings!
02:14 - An overview of what a VIP day is and why it’s a great offer for both service providers and clients
07:49 - What a VIP day (or week) could realistically look like
12:13 - How to execute a seamless VIP day, and what needs to happen behind the scenes
17:47 - Common objections that service providers have about moving to the VIP day model
29:31 - Which kind of clients are a good fit for VIP days
35:22 - Sarah’s best advice for getting started
Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode123

Send us a text! (If you'd like a reply, please share your # in the message)

Stop managing your WordPress website and let us handle it! Learn more about our WordPress Careplan at kristendoyle.co/care.

Book your FREE Website Gameplan Call: https://kristendoyle.co/gameplan
Learn more about my WordPress CarePlan: https://kristendoyle.co/wordpress-care-plan/

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