Blog
Let’s build your dream business!
Here you’ll find posts on design and business, including recommendations on tools to use to grow your business, plus interviews and guest posts from some awesome small businesses!
Keep scrolling or choose a category below.
How to create a business plan for service-based creative entrepreneurs
Your business plan doesn’t need to be formal or complicated, especially as a service-based creative entrepreneur who is working alone or with a small team. It’s somewhere to keep your goals and your vision for your business, so you can keep checking back to make sure...
Creating a super simple business-building marketing plan
A marketing plan is so important for your business and for your growth. Don't just wing it. As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said, ‘A goal without a plan is just a wish!’ When you have a simple set of steps and strategies to go through, like clockwork, its going to make it...
How to get started as a new business owner
Starting a business is incredibly exciting, but it can be scary and overwhelming as a new business owner. It's totally different to having a 9-5 job because you are your own boss. You don't have a boss or colleagues relying on you to get work done, you have to...
Why you need a good website ASAP
You don’t just need a website. You need a GOOD website! A good website doesn’t just look pretty. It also has great content and a purpose or goal. Something specific like 'to book 10 discovery calls a month' rather than 'to make sales'. Read this post about goals if...
Three ways to build your website
Every business needs a website. And I’m not just saying that because I’m a website designer! There are so many reasons that a website is important for a small business, including: People look online first to research before they make a decision. Most businesses do...
The best WordPress theme EVER
I've written a post before about why WordPress is a great platform for your business and why I use it to create ALL of my websites. I just love it! If you're a fan of WordPress too then you'll love this theme and you may have heard of it already as it's quickly...
Why planning your website is so important
Planning is one of the most important parts of creating or optimising your website. Jumping straight in to creating your website is kind of like going in blind... It's so much harder to create something that will make sales for your business without having a plan in...
Wellbeing in Business – Top health and nutrition tips for increasing your energy and concentration when working from home – Lauren Gayfer
Introduction – Read the Wellbeing in Business Series intro here. 1 – Putting yourself first – Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 1 here – Each morning is a promise – by Aneta Idczak 2 – Mindfulness – Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 2 here –...
Wellbeing in Business – Stress Awareness – by Rachel John
Introduction - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series intro here. 1 - Putting yourself first - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 1 here – Each morning is a promise – by Aneta Idczak 2 - Mindfulness - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 2 here –...
Setting goals for your website
Creating or updating a website that converts to sales is no easy feat. It takes a lot of strategic planning before moving on to the design. I've said it before and I'll say it again - creating a website is not just about making it pretty! My job is to create websites...
Wellbeing in business – 3 tips that will make your nightmares become sweet dreams – by Bev Roberts
Introduction - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series intro here. 1 - Putting yourself first - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 1 here – Each morning is a promise – by Aneta Idczak 2 - Mindfulness - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 2 here –...
5 mistakes you’re making on your website
You might be surprised to find that none of the 5 biggest mistakes I’ll be talking about today are to do with how lovely your website looks. The truth is, a website can look really simple and plain but still perform well. A successful website includes so many other...
Why I created my Starter Website Package
At Amber Phillips Design, I specialise in website design for creative entrepreneurs. I provide a custom website option (what it says on the tin, totally custom site, catered to the business goal and brand) and a starter website package. I believe that...
Plans for 2018
Back in May, I wrote a post explaining why I hadn’t posted on my blog in 3 whole months! In that post, I wrote about setting priorities and also said that in 6 months time I’d write another post following up. So here I am - better late than never! In my...
21 Things I’ve Learnt Since I Started my Business
It’s my birthday!! Well, my business’s birthday! Today, I have officially been in business for 2 years! I’ve survived the dreaded first year and gone on to achieve bigger and better things in the second one! There’s still a long way to go before my business is where...
Why you need a good website ASAP
You don’t just need a website. You need a GOOD website! A good website doesn’t just look pretty. It also has great content and a purpose or goal. Something specific like 'to book 10 discovery calls a month' rather than 'to make sales'. Read this post about goals if...
Three ways to build your website
Every business needs a website. And I’m not just saying that because I’m a website designer! There are so many reasons that a website is important for a small business, including: People look online first to research before they make a decision. Most businesses do...
Why planning your website is so important
Planning is one of the most important parts of creating or optimising your website. Jumping straight in to creating your website is kind of like going in blind... It's so much harder to create something that will make sales for your business without having a plan in...
Setting goals for your website
Creating or updating a website that converts to sales is no easy feat. It takes a lot of strategic planning before moving on to the design. I've said it before and I'll say it again - creating a website is not just about making it pretty! My job is to create websites...
5 mistakes you’re making on your website
You might be surprised to find that none of the 5 biggest mistakes I’ll be talking about today are to do with how lovely your website looks. The truth is, a website can look really simple and plain but still perform well. A successful website includes so many other...
Why I created my Starter Website Package
At Amber Phillips Design, I specialise in website design for creative entrepreneurs. I provide a custom website option (what it says on the tin, totally custom site, catered to the business goal and brand) and a starter website package. I believe that...
The Difference Between a Website Designer and a Website Developer
Website design and website development are two totally separate things. Website designer A website designer will decide the layout, colours, typography… everything ‘design’. They will make the website look great, but it's not just a pretty face. A website...
Why Use WordPress
*Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Any products or services that I’m affiliated with are products or services that I use myself and...
Top Tips for Creating a Website that Gets More Customers
Nowadays, anyone can build a website. Wix, Moonfruit, 1and1 website builder…there’s a ton of free tools out there to build a website, but building it yourself can be risky! No matter how small your business is, it deserves a great website. A great website, that...
How to create great email designs…that people will actually see!
Often, emails are designed like posters. People think that if they’re designed that way then they’ll be attractive and eye-catching when they pop into the reader’s inbox. The reality is it’ll actually sometimes appear completely blank as images are often blocked by...
Setting strong foundations with your logo design
A logo is the face of your brand. It’s what represents your business and should give your potential customers a good first impression. That’s why it’s so important! If you start with a strong brand, then you can grow your business on strong foundations and gain...
5 reasons why you need a GOOD website and tips on how to do it
Most businesses have a website nowadays but there are countless websites that are massively underperforming (sorry, honesty is my policy!). The digital world is constantly evolving and the website you got years ago may not necessarily be up to scratch now. A good...
Creating a super simple business-building marketing plan
A marketing plan is so important for your business and for your growth. Don't just wing it. As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said, ‘A goal without a plan is just a wish!’ When you have a simple set of steps and strategies to go through, like clockwork, its going to make it...
Setting goals for your website
Creating or updating a website that converts to sales is no easy feat. It takes a lot of strategic planning before moving on to the design. I've said it before and I'll say it again - creating a website is not just about making it pretty! My job is to create websites...
How to write website content that sells
*Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Any products or services that I’m affiliated with are products or services that I use myself and...
How to use Facebook Messenger Chatbots for business
From mid-November until the start of January, I ran a challenge. It's something I've never done before but something that I've wanted to do for a while. It was all about how to give your website a makeover for 2018 so that you can get more customers online. I gave...
How to Productively Use Video Content on Your Website
Video can become a powerful tool in increasing the popularity of your website and taking your business to the next level. A recent study revealed that 64% of people who visit a business website is more likely to buy a product after watching a video. It...
SEO Tips from Christopher Clowes
Guest post by Christopher Clowes, author of The Features and Benefits of Digital Channels, Digital Marketing for Beginners and The Sales Process, and SEO Manager at Absolute Digital. As we all know, SEO is quite complex, there are quite a few Digital...
10 easy and free marketing ideas
Whether you’re just starting out or you’re trying to keep costs low, it’s great to find free marketing methods that work effectively. Here are 10 ideas to try that are free or will cost very little money. 1. Start a blog to share your expertise and latest projects...
Wellbeing in Business – Stress Awareness – by Rachel John
Introduction - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series intro here. 1 - Putting yourself first - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 1 here – Each morning is a promise – by Aneta Idczak 2 - Mindfulness - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 2 here –...
Wellbeing in business – 3 tips that will make your nightmares become sweet dreams – by Bev Roberts
Introduction - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series intro here. 1 - Putting yourself first - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 1 here – Each morning is a promise – by Aneta Idczak 2 - Mindfulness - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 2 here –...
Wellbeing in business – Mindfulness for stress management – by Amanda Pratt
Introduction - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series intro here. 1 - Putting yourself first - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 1 here – Each morning is a promise – by Aneta Idczak 2 - Mindfulness - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 2 here –...
Wellbeing in business – Each morning is a promise – by Aneta Idczak
Introduction - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series intro here. 1 - Putting yourself first - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 1 here – Each morning is a promise – by Aneta Idczak 2 - Mindfulness - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 2 here –...
Wellbeing in business series – Introduction
Introduction - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series intro here. 1 - Putting yourself first - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 1 here – Each morning is a promise – by Aneta Idczak 2 - Mindfulness - Read the Wellbeing in Business Series post 2 here –...
24 ways to regain your business motivation
Sometimes when you’re so caught up in trying to make money, you can easily lose sight of your passion and lose motivation for your business and the reason why you started your business in the first place. It’s so important to take a step back and make sure you’re...
2 super simple ways to overcome business stress
There have been times when I have been so stressed and worried about my business and my abilities to run my business that I’ve been paralysed in to doing nothing (which just causes more stress!). Obviously you need to do SOMETHING in order to get anywhere but for some...
Why planning your website is so important
Planning is one of the most important parts of creating or optimising your website. Jumping straight in to creating your website is kind of like going in blind... It's so much harder to create something that will make sales for your business without having a plan in...
What to do when you’re overwhelmed by your to do list
As a small business owner, you wear many hats. Your to do list is probably as long as your arm, both arms, perhaps a leg too… I know mine is! It’s difficult to know where to start when you have so much to do. The reality is that you probably don’t HAVE TO...
4 Ways Doing Less Can Grow your Business
You might know your niche and be rocking it right now with your business! If so, congrats! But I know from experience that it’s not always that easy, and not having a specific target audience or taking on too much can be damaging to your business. My advice is to...
Improve productivity using the Eisenhower Matrix
I’ve mentioned the Eisenhower Matrix briefly in a previous post (‘improve organisation and productivity with this simple app’) but I haven’t explained it in detail. It really is a brilliant strategy for productivity, especially if you find yourself doing a lot of work...
Creative work space ideas for your small home
Let’s face it, most of us don’t live in a house with a lot of spare room. Especially if you’re trying to get your business off the ground. So this is a lovely post about sorting a creative work space or home office when you may not have much space to work with. It’s...
Improve organisation and productivity with this simple app
Whether you work for yourself or for a company, you’ll need some skills in organisation to reach your full potential. Being organised doesn’t necessarily mean having your desk in perfect order or your paperwork stored in neat little folders. Of course this helps...