To kick off the New Year, I wanted to share this convo I had recently for my email/DNS partner specialist Amr Selim which we recorded for his podcast where we do a recap of my journey from cabinet maker/drummer to designer/agency owner to course creator/community builder.

We also get into how different the industry of web design is today in 2026 compared to when I got started in 2010. But also, how many timeless practices and strategies work today like they did back then.

We also cover where AI is, how it’s affecting (or not affecting) web designers, how to utilize it with clients, where the DIY market is and more!

Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned, along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/412

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I’m in reflection mode right now and as we get ready for the New Year, I’m been thinking a lot about these 5 timeless lessons from high-profile guests on my podcast that have really helped me over the last few years. Hope they help you as well as you gear up to build and grow your web design biz in 2026!

In this episode:

Amy Porterfield On Managing Doubt (from ep #185)
Pat Flynn On Risk And Regret (from ep #100)
Derek Sivers On Simple Versus Easy (from ep #245)
Mike Michalowicz On Sales Stress (from ep #250)
Chris Do On Revenue Goal Mindsets (from ep #368)

Additional links mentioned:

• Anything You Want Book by Derek Sivers
• Profit First Book by Mike Michalowicz

Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned, along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/411

Join my community Web Designer Pro® if you're ready to make more and work less as a web designer in 2026!

Here's the replay of the most recent live Q&A session held on my YouTube Channel. We covered everything from:

• Keeping support and growth plans separate
• What to include/how to price growth plans
• A widespread scam where people are impersonating web designers, sending extra invoices to their clients
• My top 3 tips for someone fresh into web design
• How to hire support and junior design help
• Automation tools and processes for your web biz
• Revenue boost ideas

And more.

Oh and here's my Christmas 🎁 for ya...

$100 OFF the Web Designer Pro® Community Tier! (annual plan)

Normally $999/yr, now $899/yr when you join before Jan 1, 2026.

SIGN UP NOW →

Bonus: When you join with this gift, I'll follow up personally with a Coaching Boost where I audit your site, review your offers, pricing and give you a plan of action for Q1 2026!

• The coaching boost is done via private Web Designer Pro direct message
• You send me your site, I'll send you a 10-15 minute Loom video with my coaching boost & plan of action recommendations
• One additional followup for any questions you have after the boost
• I'll full the coaching boost in the first 2 weeks of Jan 2026 depending on availability

I just helped Tom secure a 5k/yr client with this very same coaching boost where I recommended making a couple tweaks to his SEO/Growth Plan offers!

"Before joining the Pro community I was unsure of my niche selection and unclear about my web design and local SEO offers. After joining Pro and having a coaching boost with Josh Hall I was able to clarify my niche and simplify my local SEO packages and pricing tiers. On the same day, not long after my coaching session with Josh, I was able to score a monthly recurring local SEO deal worth nearly $5,000 a year! Josh has the best courses, the best community and the best coaching - bar none (and I have tried many others over the years!)"

- Tom Perry (allydigital.com.au)

As a web designer, you’ve probably considered looking into additional revenue streams, but have you ever considered sponsorships?

If not, you’ll want to hear this conversation I had with sponsorship coach and author of the new book “Sponsor Magnet” Justin Moore.

While this is mostly a chance for him to coach me live on my sponsorship strategies, it applies to web designers even with small client-based audiences and followings.

There is so much opportunity for sponsorships at all levels with brands, local businesses and even referral partners that you might not be thinking about as a web designer. So, instead of just sitting on gold…let’s dig some up in the form of sponsorships with Justin!

Side note: as a web designer, I must say, chef’s kiss to the sponsormagnet.com site!

Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned, along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/409

👉 Read the newsletter issue that this episode is based on.

Other links mentioned:

• Sign up for my free Web Design Business Newsletter
• Read the latest 12 newsletter issues
• WDPCON 2025 Recap Post
• Join my community Web Designer Pro®

Jay Clouse is best known for two things:

1. Being the founder of Creator Science, and being one of the most prominent thought-leaders in the content creator space
2. Being the first 4x guest on the Web Design Business Podcast

Jay and I connected early in his journey into the world of courses, coaching, podcasting, memberships and content creation and over the last 5 years, I’ve seen him excel in all areas.

So much so, that I’m a paying member of his community “The Lab” where I keep tabs on all things socials, content creation, podcasting, memberships and more.

But a big shift happened for Jay last year when he and his wife had their first little cuddly Clouse. So for this chat, we focus on that – specifically what he’s learned in growing and maintaining his business with harsher time and bandwidth constraints as a new parent.

Enjoy! And if you’re this season as well, just know, the sleep deprivation DOES get better 🙂

Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned, along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/408

There are a lot of ongoing changes happening with SEO and how user behavior is changing with AI. It’s hard enough to keep up with as a web designer…I can’t imagine as a client!

But someone who’s doing a great job keeping their SEO clients in-the-know and updated every step of the way is Lindsay Halsey, co-founder of SEO agency webshine.com

She shares how they’re implementing AI SEO, how it’s changing their current offers, pricing and what they’re not changing.

Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned, along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/407