Web Design Business with Josh Hall

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View this episode's newsletter entry along with the last 3 months of newsletters here:

https://joshhall.co/web-design-business-newsletter-archive/

Imagine getting handed a project of sifting, sorting and organizing over 10,000 emails 😮

As a web design business owner, that probably sounds like a nightmare. But there are people in the world who actually enjoy this type of work. And for creatives, they are a DREAM to partner up with and hire.

This is the story of how Jess Lindgren began working with online-entrepreneur legend Pat Flynn.

He was drowning in over 10,000 emails, and needed, not only ongoing virtual assistance support, but someone to organize and address his backlog of inbound email and communication.

After Jess knocked that project out of the park (we dig in to exactly how she did that), she immediately became Pat’s full-time virtual assistant.

Over the years, she’s become a full-blown executive assistant to Pat Flynn; handling all his inbound communication, call scheduling, travel, organization strategy, event assisting him in person at live events for both SPI and his fast-growing passion project Deep Pocket Monster.

In this interview, we get to hear from her side as an organization-loving and biz-supporting virtual/executive assistant.

We dig into:

• The difference between a VA and an EA
• How to find and hire a virtual assistant
• What tasks to hire out first
• How to retain your assistant ongoing
• How to give up control and empower a VA to free your time and mental bandwidth as a creative or owner

And oh so much 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/422

Links mentioned:

• See the visual/written version of this
• Subscribe to The Web Design Business Newsletter
• Get your free ticket to the Simply Profitable Designer Summit (March 16-20)
• See my "perfect fit" section design live here

This episode (& newsletter) is presented by 17hats

A special interview here for a few reasons:

1. This one is in-person so it has a completely different feel, dynamic and I have to admit, I LOVED it. Definitely inspiring me to do more in-person interviews with local colleagues.
2. My guest (Web Designer Pro member Andy Milligan) just took his agency to 200k+ in revenue in 2025 from 30k in 2024. So massive growth, however, it came at a cost. We dig into the stressful side of quick success. 
3. Andy asked awesome questions and we got into some topics I’ve never discussed publicly. Hats off to him for becoming such a great, thoughtful interviewer and host!

Lastly, I should note that I was coming off of a wicked sickness when we recorded so I was not even close 100% but alas, with 3 littles under 7 at home, it’s the usual story during winter 🙂

Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned, along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/421

For all links mentioned, head to my new Divi 5 blog post here

I think there’s a misunderstanding of the term “solopreneuer” in that, when you think about that term, you probably think about being “alone.” At least I did.

Until this conversation.

I had a light bulb moment in this chat with Maggie Patterson, author of the book “Staying Solo” with this very idea that you can be a solopreneur while not being an alonepreneur.

Some of the happiest, most balanced and most profitable entrepreneurs and web biz owners I know are somewhere in the middle of alone and owner.

That’s the sweet spot we’re diving into in this one.

Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned, along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/420

Watch the video version of this episode.

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I’m not gonna lie…I needed this chat. In an era where there’s so much emphasis on growth plans (like SEO, CRO, Email Marketing, Ads, Social, etc), it’s easy to second-guess yourself or just abandon web design completely if you prefer to just build awesome websites and support that work.

Well good news, just offering high-converting web design + hosting and maintenance plans is still a VERY VIABLE model in 2026 and beyond.

Jake Kramer of Artillery Media (along with many members in my community Web Designer Pro) are proof.

Jake and his partner John, along with their lean team, are currently hosting and maintaining 500+ websites with their plan, using the same toolstack I’ve been using since 2015. Divi website builder + SiteGround hosting. 

We get into how they’re running and managing things practically in this one so if you’re interested in simply designing sites and supporting clients month to month but not becoming a full stack digital marketing agency, this one’s for you.

Note: I don’t disparage anyone wanting to get into growth plans or digital marketing, and that is a faster path to revenue growth but if you’re more in the “slow and steady” camp, and you’re ok with delayed gratification, website design + hosting and maintenance plans are still a great way to go.

Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned, along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/419

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Building a web design business has it’s challenges. Building it on the side while working a 9-5 has an added set of complexities and challenges. But after coaching hundreds of members in Web Designer Pro over the past 5 years, I’ve seen many members go from part time to full time and absolutely soar when they take that leap.

But getting there is the hard part.

• How do you create time to learn, implement and hone your craft?
• How you get clients working a full time job?
• How do you manage client calls/meetings on nights and weekends?
• How do you build a business and brand on social media without full time hours?
• How do you potentially work in the shadows to hide your aspirations from your employer?

All and more is covered in this podcast episode with Allison Ditmer who has some great strategies on how to build your business (and personal brand) all while working a 9-5!

Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned, along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/418