5 Reasons I use Divi for Client Sites

5 Reasons I use Divi for Client Sites

by | Apr 12, 2025 | Website

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are ‘affiliate links.’ I will receive an affiliate commission if you click the link and purchase the item.

Although I am a proficient website designer (both back end and front end, which in simpler terms means – I can code a website and make it pretty using code.), I, too, love using pretty WordPress themes. Best of all, they are easy to use. Therefore, I am spilling my secret today: I use the world’s best WordPress theme (IMO). It’s Divi from Elegant Themes. This is the theme on this blog, but I also use it for client sites. This is one of the best WordPress themes for blogs, especially if you are looking for something easy to use. Let me tell you five reasons why I love using Divi so much! Divi reviews incoming – at only 5 minutes read.

(Disclaimer: I am a professional website designer, so even though I say it is EASY PEASY LEMON SQUEEZY, I know that for the average layman, there is still some fiddling and hand-wrangling. I’ll explain more below.)

1. Easy to use, drag and drop features

I love using Divi because many of its features are drag-and-drop. You can create and add a box, whether you need a text box, an image, or a piece of code! For instance, here I am adding a section on my website because I need to put in some code:

best WordPress theme, Divi review

2. So many starter packs that you can choose from

Another nifty thing that will help you create a website fast is that they have so many different layouts. Whether you sell kitchenware, write a content blog, or even repair cars, there is a layout for you. Let me show you!

best WordPress theme, Divi review

3. AI features so you can build with AI

You might notice in the image above that a column is called ‘Build with AI’. I must say, it is not foolproof. Using it can produce some strange results, but if you are very good with prompting, it will build a decent layout that you can improve later. You have to be very clear about what you want your website to do, and then the AI can make something of it. I also have to say this is an add-on feature you must pay for if you want to use it regularly. Whether you feel it is useful depends on how often you use it.

best WordPress theme, Divi review

4. Great customer service

I have used other WordPress theme makers before with unfortunate service results. One WordPress theme, which I shall not name, promised a 30-day refund, which I could only get after much wrangling with my credit card service. After 6 months of using DIvi, I contacted Elegant Themes with many different questions, and they got back to me within a day. This fast, excellent customer service convinced me this is one of the best WordPress themes for blogs or businesses.

5. Anyone can use it!

Whether you are a SME trying to save some costs and not hire a designer, or maybe you’re a student or a stay-at-home mother. I love that Divi allows you to build your website without hiring anyone. Not everyone can afford professional design services, so this is a low-cost, easy entryway to creating a fantastic website.

Closing thoughts
I am always interested in helping small businesses grow. As a small business owner, my heart lies in what I do. I recommend that small businesses always spare a budget for website design services because they take the guesswork out of everything. Good website design aside, there is also search engine optimisation(SEO) and social media to think about. With all these marketing tools, doing it alone can be daunting when you have customers to entertain!

Or perhaps you already have a website, but it’s not attracting enough website visitors. I can help!

So, if you ever need website help, I am just an email away. I offer a free consultation before I recommend my services. Contact me now at hello@writedesignproductions.com.

How to Build Your First WordPress Website in a Weekend

How to Build Your First WordPress Website in a Weekend

by | Apr 10, 2025 | Website

So, you’ve got an idea. Maybe you want to start a blog, sell your handmade crochet creations, or create a simple site for your freelance services. Whatever your goal, you’re probably wondering: can I really build a website in a weekend?

Yes. You can.

If you’re new to WordPress, don’t worry. This post is designed for WordPress beginners who want to build a website quickly, without coding, and without going down the YouTube rabbit hole for hours. By Monday, you’ll have a live website you can share.

Step 1: Establish your site

Start by heading to wordpress.com and clicking Get Started. Follow the prompts to create your account.

You’ll be asked to choose a site name—this is what visitors will see at the top of your homepage. Make it clear and memorable. You can also add a tagline (e.g. “The cosiest handmade crochet in Singapore”) to give your site more personality.

By default, you’ll get a free URL like yourgroovysite.wordpress.com. But if you want to look professional, claim your own custom domain, like yourgroovydomain.com. WordPress includes a free domain for the first year when you sign up for a one-year or multi-year plan.

Step 2: Clarify your website purpose

Before diving into colours and buttons, clarify what you want to share with the world. Are you writing articles? Promoting your services? Selling something? All of the above?

Jot down your goal, sketch a rough homepage layout, and list the pages you need (e.g., Home, About, Blog, Contact). This will give structure to your build and help you avoid decision fatigue later.

Tip: If you don’t want to do this alone, talk it out with a friend. But remember—your website is yours. It doesn’t need to please everyone.

Step 3: Pick a theme that works for you

WordPress automatically assigns you a clean default theme when you sign up. This is fine for starting out, but you can customise it with your own logo, colours, and fonts later.

If you’re ready to invest in a more powerful design tool, I recommend Divi by Elegant Themes. It’s a drag-and-drop theme I use for client sites, and it gives you complete control over how your site looks.

⚠️ If you’re a beginner, avoid switching themes too often. It can break your layout or undo your hard work.

Step 4: Add content and start blogging

Now comes the exciting part. Go to your WordPress dashboard’s “Posts” section, click Add New, and start writing. Don’t worry about making it perfect—just start.

You can also build out static pages like About Me, Portfolio, or Services. These give visitors more insight into who you are and what you do.

Ensure your homepage tells visitors what your site is for—and links to your blog or products.

Step 5: Where to get help

Building your first website can feel a little overwhelming—but you’re not alone. WordPress has a fantastic beginner-friendly support page that walks you through everything from setup to publishing your first post. Check out their official guide here:

👉 wordpress.com/support/five-step-website-setup

Need help building your WordPress site?

If you’d rather skip the fiddly parts, I offer affordable WordPress setup services tailored for beginners and small businesses. Whether setting up your domain, picking a theme, or optimising for SEO—I’ll help you build a website that looks good and works well.

📩 Contact me at hello@writedesignproductions.com, and let’s launch your website this weekend.

Budgeting for solo entrepreneurs and side hustlers

Budgeting for solo entrepreneurs and side hustlers

by | Nov 29, 2024 | Business Finance

Effective budgeting is the cornerstone of managing multiple income streams and expenses, making it a vital tool for solo entrepreneurs and multi-side hustlers. For those juggling personal expenses alongside earnings from various gigs or businesses, a well-crafted budget serves as a roadmap to financial clarity. It enables you to track income and spending across diverse streams, uncover patterns, and identify opportunities to optimise your financial resources. By staying on top of your expenses, you can avoid overspending and ensure your efforts in managing multiple streams of income remain sustainable.

A budget isn’t just about numbers—it’s a decision-making tool. For example, if you notice a steady overspend on a specific expense, reallocating funds or making strategic adjustments can help mitigate the impact on your finances. With the right budgeting strategy, solo entrepreneurs can fine-tune their operations, track progress against financial goals, and make informed decisions to keep everything running smoothly.

Cash flow management, often a challenge for those with fluctuating incomes, is another area where budgeting excels. By mapping out when your income streams flow in and out, you can better anticipate lean periods and plan accordingly. For instance, you might set aside funds during peak earning months to cover expenses during quieter times. This approach ensures that you maintain control, even when dealing with unpredictability.

By adopting a proactive and structured approach to budgeting, solo entrepreneurs and side hustlers can achieve better control over their finances, paving the way for growth and financial stability. Here are five essential tips tailored for those managing multiple income streams:

Tip 1: Define your financial goals

Setting clear financial goals tailored to your unique situation is key to an effective budget. As a solo entrepreneur, your objectives might include building a financial safety net, saving for future investments, or funding new ventures. Whether short-term (like saving for an equipment upgrade) or long-term (such as achieving a specific income target), your goals should be specific, measurable, and adaptable.

Review these goals regularly. Income streams from gigs or freelance work can fluctuate, so staying flexible and reassessing your goals ensures they remain achievable and relevant. This process keeps your financial plan aligned with your ambitions, no matter how many hats you’re wearing.

Tip 2: Track every expense with precision

When juggling multiple income sources, it’s easy for expenses to slip through the cracks. Categorise your spending—personal, business-related, or specific to a side hustle. This makes it easier to spot trends and unnecessary outflows. Use tools like financial software or spreadsheets tailored to your needs to automate and simplify the process.

For example, platforms like QuickBooks or FreshBooks can track and categorise your expenses seamlessly. If you prefer a more personal approach, updating a detailed spreadsheet weekly can provide a clear snapshot of your financial health. With this clarity, you’ll have a solid foundation for optimising your income streams and minimising waste.

Tip 3: Build flexibility into your budget

For solo entrepreneurs, adaptability is non-negotiable. Income levels can vary month-to-month, so creating a flexible budget that accounts for these shifts is crucial. Allocate a portion of your budget as a buffer for unexpected expenses or income fluctuations. Regularly reviewing and updating your budget will ensure it remains responsive to changes, helping you navigate uncertainties with confidence.

For example, if one stream of income slows down, your flexible budget allows you to reallocate funds from a more stable source or cut back temporarily on discretionary spending. This agility not only keeps your finances intact but also helps you seize new opportunities when they arise.

Tip 4: Consolidate and prioritise income streams

Managing multiple gigs or side hustles can lead to fragmented finances. By consolidating your income streams into a single tracking system, you gain a clearer view of your overall earnings and their impact on your goals. Identify your most profitable streams and prioritise activities that maximise returns with minimal effort. This approach not only saves time but ensures your efforts are focused on what truly drives your financial success.

Tip 5: Leverage tools to simplify your finances

Simplifying your financial processes can make budgeting less daunting. Tools like our Budgeting Template for Solo Entrepreneurs are designed specifically for individuals with multiple income streams. It allows you to track earnings, categorise expenses, and forecast monthly finances effortlessly. By adopting tools tailored to your lifestyle, you can focus on growing your ventures instead of getting bogged down by spreadsheets.

Elevate your budgeting with our digital template

If you’re ready to take control of your finances, our Budgeting Template for Solo Entrepreneurs is here to help. Designed for individuals managing multiple income streams, this easy-to-use template simplifies the process of tracking income and expenses. It’s more than just a budgeting tool—it’s your gateway to understanding where your money is going and how to optimise it.

Features include:

    • Income tracking across multiple sources
    • Expense categorisation
    • Monthly forecasting

Whether you’re running a single side hustle or juggling several gigs, this template equips you with the clarity to make smarter financial decisions. To enhance your financial strategy and make budgeting less of a chore, visit our website and download the template today. Start managing your finances with ease and pave the way for a more secure and prosperous future.

A Guide to SEO Basics for Small Business Owners

A Guide to SEO Basics for Small Business Owners

by | Oct 19, 2024 | SEO

In today’s digital landscape, having a strong online presence is crucial for small businesses. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is one of the most effective strategies to increase visibility, drive traffic, and boost conversions. However, the term “SEO” might seem overwhelming for small business owners new to digital marketing. This beginner’s guide will break down the essentials, providing SEO basics for small business owners and practical tips to help you get started.

 1. What is SEO, and why is it important for small businesses?

SEO, or Search Engine Optimisation, is optimizing your website to rank higher on search engines like Google. For small businesses, this means appearing in search results when potential customers are looking for products or services similar to yours. A strong SEO strategy can lead to more traffic, more leads, and, ultimately, more sales. Understanding how to start SEO is the first step towards tapping into this potential.

2. Understanding SEO basics for small business owners

Before diving into advanced tactics, it’s important to familiarise yourself with a few key SEO concepts:

  • Keywords: People type these terms and phrases into search engines. Targeting relevant and localised keywords (like “plumbing services in New York”) can significantly improve small businesses’ visibility.
  • On-page SEO refers to optimising elements within your website, including meta titles, descriptions, headers, and keyword usage within your content.
  • Off-Page SEO: Off-page efforts, like building backlinks, help establish your website’s authority. They involve actions taken outside your site to improve its credibility.
  • Technical SEO ensures that your site is structured so search engines can easily read and index it, such as having a mobile-friendly design and fast loading speeds.

 3. How to start SEO for small business owners: the essential steps

If you’re wondering how to start SEO, follow these foundational steps:

  • Research Keywords: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to find keywords related to your industry. Focus on those with high search volumes but low competition to get the best results.
  • Optimise Your Website: Ensure your site has clear, relevant content that matches your target keywords. Pay attention to meta tags, headers, and URLs to make them SEO-friendly.
  • Create Quality Content: Regularly publish blog posts, articles, or guides that provide value to your audience. This attracts visitors and helps establish your site as an authority.
  • Build Backlinks: Connect with local businesses or industry influencers to create high-quality backlinks to your site. This is a vital aspect of any SEO strategy for beginners.

4. Small Business SEO Tips to Keep in Mind

Here are some additional small business SEO tips to ensure you stay on track:

  • Monitor Your Progress: Use tools like Google Analytics to track your website’s performance. See what keywords are bringing traffic and identify areas for improvement.
  • Focus on Local SEO: If you have a physical store, make sure your business is listed on Google My Business and other local directories. Optimizing for local searches increases your visibility in your area.
  • Stay Updated with SEO Trends: SEO is constantly evolving, so it’s essential to stay informed about the latest updates. Follow SEO blogs or digital marketing experts to keep up with changes.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your SEO Strategy for Beginners

Starting with SEO can be challenging, but knowing what mistakes to avoid will save you time and effort:

  • Keyword Stuffing: Avoid cramming keywords unnaturally into your content, as this can lead to search engine penalties.
  • Ignoring Mobile Optimisation: Many users access websites via mobile devices, so ensure your site is mobile-friendly.
  • Not Tracking Results: Without monitoring your SEO efforts, it isn’t easy to know what’s working and what isn’t. Check analytics regularly to stay informed.

Conclusion

SEO for small business owners doesn’t have to be intimidating. By understanding the basics, taking strategic actions, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create an effective SEO strategy for beginners that boosts your online visibility and attracts more customers. Start small, remain consistent, and watch your business grow in the digital space.

What is an SEO Audit, and why does your small business need one?

What is an SEO Audit, and why does your small business need one?

by | Oct 8, 2024 | SEO

As a small business owner, you need an evident digital presence to attract new customers and stay competitive. Enter  Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). SEO plays a significant role in helping your website rank higher on search engines like Google. But how do you know if your SEO efforts are paying off? The answer lies in an SEO audit.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what an SEO audit is, why your small business needs one, and how it can help boost your website’s performance.

What is an SEO audit?

Think about it when you search for something on Google. The first few pages are websites listed at the top of the SERPS.  If you want to be there, then you need to know this: whether you use an online tool or a digital marketing service offering SEO services, the goal is to review critical elements like:

  • Website structure & navigation: How easy can users and search engines navigate your site?
  • On-page SEO: Are your keywords, meta descriptions, title tags, and headers optimised effectively?
  • Off-page SEO: What does your backlink profile look like? Are there enough high-quality links pointing to your site?
  • Technical SEO: This includes page load speed and mobile optimisation. Another way to check is whether search engine bots crawl it.
  • User experience (UX): Is your site designed to engage visitors and provide a seamless experience?

An SEO audit provides a detailed report highlighting your SEO strategy's strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. It will help identify issues preventing you from ranking higher on search engine results pages (SERPs).

Why does your small business need an SEO Audit?

If you're wondering whether your small business needs an SEO audit, here are five key reasons why an SEO audit could be the key to unlocking your website’s full potential:

1. Improved search engine rankings

One of the main benefits of an SEO audit is the opportunity to improve your search engine rankings. By identifying technical errors, poor content structure, or missing optimisation elements, you can make quick adjustments that lead to better rankings on search engines. When your site appears higher in search results, you get more visibility—and more traffic.

2. Cost-effective analysis for small businesses

Before spending large sums of money on paid audits or hiring an agency upfront, you can look for services that provide a free SEO audit. A free SEO audit offers small businesses a budget-friendly way to assess their website’s SEO performance. This allows you to make data-driven decisions to improve your SEO without breaking the bank. Afterwards, you can decide whether to hire an expert to optimise your website.  

3. Discover and fix technical issues

Technical SEO problems, such as broken links, slow-loading pages, or 404 errors, can severely impact your rankings. A free SEO audit will flag these issues so you can fix them before they hurt your site’s performance. Ensuring search engines can easily crawl and index your site is essential to improving your rankings.

4. Better user experience

Optimising your website for SEO also improves the user experience. An SEO audit can highlight areas where visitors may need more support, whether due to confusing navigation, slow page speed, or poor mobile optimisation. By addressing these issues, you’re improving your rankings and making your site more enjoyable to use, which can lead to higher conversion rates.

5. Stay ahead of competitors

An SEO audit lets you stay competitive in a crowded online market. If your competitors perform better in search results, it’s likely because their website is optimised in ways yours isn’t. The audit will show you where you can improve and where your competitors may have an edge, allowing you to adjust your strategy and reclaim valuable traffic.

How to get a free SEO Audit for your small business

Many SEO tools and digital marketing agencies offer free SEO audits. These audits often come with no obligation, providing small businesses an excellent opportunity to receive a detailed website evaluation without the upfront cost. Enter your website’s URL into an audit tool or sign up with an SEO service to get your personalised report.

Here are a few ways to get a free SEO audit:

  • Online SEO tools: Platforms like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Google’s Lighthouse offer free versions of their SEO audit tools, which can analyse your site’s performance. These tools provide insights into technical and on-page SEO issues, helping you identify areas that need improvement.
  • SEO agencies: Many SEO agencies provide free audits for their marketing outreach. These audits can often be more comprehensive, including expert analysis and tailored recommendations, but they may also include a pitch for additional paid services.
  • Contact me for a free SEO audit: I offer a free, no-obligation SEO audit customised to your small business's unique needs. I will review your website, provide a detailed report on its SEO health, and offer actionable recommendations to boost your rankings. Unlike automated tools, my audit gives you expert insights and tailored strategies that will help your business grow.

Reach out today for your free SEO audit and discover how to improve your website’s performance!

Next steps: SEO Monitoring and long-term Success

Once you've completed your free SEO audit and made the necessary improvements, what's next? SEO monitoring is crucial to ensure ongoing success. SEO is not a "set it and forget it" strategy—search engine algorithms change, competitors update their content, and your website evolves.

 SEO monitoring involves regularly tracking your site's performance, analysing keyword rankings, traffic patterns, and potential issues affecting its visibility. Proper monitoring lets you stay on top of new problems and optimise your site to maintain strong rankings.

Introducing my SEO services

In addition to providing a free SEO audit, I offer comprehensive SEO services to help your business grow. From ongoing SEO monitoring to keyword strategy development, content optimisation, and technical fixes, I provide the support your business needs to stay ahead of the competition.

With my tailored approach, you can ensure your website ranks higher and delivers a seamless user experience. Whether you need a one-time audit or long-term SEO management, I’m here to help.

Get your free SEO Audit today!

Ready to unlock your website's full potential and start driving more traffic? I offer a free SEO audit that will give you a quick look into how your website is performing and what improvements can be made.

With my personalised audit, you'll receive:

  • A report on your website’s SEO health.
  • 3 actionable insights to fix any technical, content, or structural issue so you can help your small business improve search rankings and increase traffic.

Contact me today for your free SEO audit and take the first step toward boosting your online presence. Let’s work together to optimise your site and help your business grow!

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