This March marks 15 years of It’seeze Web Design Bristol.
Fifteen years of websites.
Fifteen years of working with businesses from Bristol and the surrounding areas.
Fifteen years of learning things I could probably have used knowing at the start.
So, here are 15 things that 15 years in business has taught me.
Sales
If I look back to before I even began, I was terrified of sales – I decided it would be one of the things I was least good at and that I would always dislike. This was predominantly due to the fact that I disliked being “sold to” - particularly being asked questions that I considered patronising and manipulative by aggressive salespeople.
So here I am 15 years later, and sales don’t bother me anymore. Why? Well, here is what I have learned:
Listen! Early on, I thought my job was to suggest - now I know my job is to listen first. The start of any sales process for me is to find out about the business that wants a website. What are their challenges? What are they hoping a website will do for them? I love finding out about them and matching our services rather than “selling”. Also, when clients feel heard, the whole project runs smoother — and the website ends up being exactly what they need.
Being honest is not bad salesmanship. I always ask myself if we are a good fit for the potential client I am talking to. And if the answer is “no” then I’d rather not take the money for a job that I cannot do properly as it damages two businesses – mine and theirs.
Clear communication beats blinding people with science. Many of my clients have felt overwhelmed by the idea of creating a website and are worried the process will not be accessible. Talking in English and not jargon make the process less stressful for them – and when the client is happy, I’m happy!
So fundamentally, what I’m saying is that relationships matter – and that in essence is what my sales are, forming a relationship and seeing if we can help. I want to earn the trust of the people I work with and many of the businesses I work with today have been with me for well over a decade. Not because of flashy design or clever features, but because they know we’ll pick up the phone, explain things clearly, and be there when they need help. That trust is worth far more than any sales pitch.
Being in Business
Being self-employed can feel initially feel terrifying as well as exhilarating after you’ve jumped off the corporate ladder and handed the company car back! I loved the flexibility and autonomy, but the responsibility for my family and lack of security was more than a little overwhelming at times.
However, over the years I have realised:
We all have highs and lows. Try and accept the lows knowing they will pass and the highs will return. Even 15 years later I have months which are quiet and I worry about where the next sale is coming from, but these days I’ve learned to accept that this is almost inevitable and will pass.
Systemise everything. For me, organisation is the key to making sure everything runs smoothly. Since I systemised everything we do about 6 years ago, I waste less time “deciding what to do next” and things no longer slip through the net as they were prone to do in early days when I was busy. This was also vital when taking on staff – turning sometimes chaotic processes that were only in my mind into streamlined, efficient procedures allows them to know what is expected too.
Don’t let fear hold you back. This is a rather personal one for me, but I’m sure I’m not on my own here. For years I was happy as a one-man band and had no intention of taking on any staff. When I had coaching I was challenged about the reasons for this and after some digging I realised it was because I was afraid it would not work and I would feel like a failure. I stepped out of that comfort zone and a few years on I would not be without my colleagues Pam and Sarah for all the world – I sometimes wonder how I ever managed on my own.
Then and Now - Technology
Technology has moved on leaps and bounds over the last 15 years. From improvements in mobile phones and entertainment to gaming and music – the list is endless. I’ve benefitted from improvements in laptops and internet speed amongst others, but these are the three things that I’ve not so much “learned” as “learned about” and collectively they have changed how I work and the services I offer.
Responsive web design. Back in 2011, businesses often ran separate mobile sites to make pages readable on phones — while desktop sites on small screens meant endless pinching and zooming. As smartphones became the primary way people browsed the web, this split approach quickly became clunky to manage and inconsistent for users. The shift to responsive design solved this by allowing one website to automatically adapt to any screen size, creating a smoother experience across devices. When mobile traffic overtook desktop and Google’s 2015 update began rewarding mobile-friendly sites with better rankings, responsive design moved from a nice idea to an essential standard — improving usability, simplifying maintenance, and boosting search visibility all at once.
Zoom - other video conferencing systems are available! In 2020 Covid hit and I became a Zoom expert in a matter of a few days after lockdown, and “you’re on mute” must have become the most commonly used sentence in meetings for the next couple of years. Nearly 6 years on and Zoom is still invaluable to me. It’s allowed me to work with clients in other countries (one client shares his time between Bristol and the Galapagos Islands – I’m only slightly jealous!), and the ability to share screens to explain something can be infinitely more helpful than just a phone call. Having said this, face to face meetings are invaluable for forming bonds and relationships. Personally, I would never want to go back to the “Zoom only” world that I inhabited for a number of months.
Artificial Intelligence. Where do I begin? I’m sure I could write multiple blogs on the impact of AI on my industry. However, I’ll just answer one question – “do you worry that AI will take your place”, and the short answer is no, I don’t. The sort of businesses I work with value the relationship we have and what I bring to their website project as a human being. Does AI have its place? Absolutely. It certainly can automate repetitive tasks and speed up workflows so I think it will not be “AI versus Website Agencies” but AI powered agencies delivering faster more efficient results.
Looking back, the real lesson isn’t about the tools themselves, but how they’ve quietly reshaped the way I work and the service I can offer. Responsive design changed how we build, Zoom changed how we connect, and AI is changing how we create and deliver. Each shift has brought new opportunities as well as new challenges. I guess the key is not to resist the change or be swept along by it, but to use it thoughtfully. When technology is used with intention, it enhances what we do rather than replaces it — helping us work smarter, stay connected, and ultimately give clients a better experience.
Networking
Over a third of my business now comes from networking, and 15 years ago I had never heard of, let alone visited, a networking group. There are a multitude of groups in Bristol and different groups suit different people. Personally, I belong to a BNI group and I love it. The commitment of working with the same members gives me real relationships that last long beyond the time we network together. So, what gems have I learned about networking?
Educate and help — don’t hard sell. Networking works best when it doesn’t feel like networking at all. Pushing for business puts people on the defensive, but sharing what you do, who you help, and why it matters makes it easy for others to understand and remember you. When you focus on being useful — offering insight, advice, and support without expecting anything in return — people naturally want to reciprocate. That’s when referrals happen. Not because you asked for them, but because you made it simple for others to spot opportunities to introduce you where you can genuinely help.
Networking builds credibility with clients. Being part of a trusted circle of professionals means you’re never working in isolation. You can confidently connect clients with reliable support — from copywriting and social media to IT and beyond — knowing they’ll be well looked after. That ability to recommend the right people adds real value and reassurance. And when you collaborate within the same network, others get to see first-hand what you’re like to work with, which quietly strengthens your reputation without you having to say a word.
Show gratitude. A simple, genuine thank you goes a long way in networking. When someone makes an introduction, offers advice, or sends work your way, acknowledge it — and let them know the outcome — this strengthens the relationship far more than you might think. Gratitude shows people that their support matters and that you don’t take it for granted. Over time, this builds trust, goodwill, and a network of people who feel appreciated and are even more inclined to help again in the future.
Personal
As well as learning lessons about technology, networking groups and sales, I’ve also started to appreciate that I need to look after myself as well as the business, because without me there isn’t much of a business.
Being in business can be tough at times, but the following have helped me through.
Remember your “Why”. What made you start your business in the first place and what is it that makes you get up in the morning? I started off wanting the flexibility to structure the week as I wanted and still be able to look after my children who were of primary school age at the time. In the last 15 years life has changed shape around me - school runs became nightclub collections and school became university and then careers, and suddenly the little people who once needed lifts everywhere don’t need lifts at all. I’ve also got married, and so my “Why” has shifted – I still want the flexibility, but that now includes opportunities to travel and time with my husband. Having that perspective keeps everything in work in proportion - it reminds me what actually matters.
Take time out. I used to think pushing through was the answer. It turns out that being brave enough to step away at times is more powerful. A walk, a proper break, a holiday where the laptop stays closed — these aren’t indulgences, they’re essential maintenance for me. Distance brings perspective. Problems shrink. Ideas appear when you’re not staring at a screen. I’ve learned that rest isn’t the opposite of productivity; it’s what makes productivity possible.
Reflecting on what I’ve grown — and how I’ve grown with it. There’s something very satisfying about having created something from nothing - and seeing it make a difference to other people. Not just in terms of turnover or milestones, but in the clients I’ve businesses I’ve helped, the people it’s supported, and the confidence it’s given me along the way. Remembering what I’ve achieved definitely helps on the days I’m doubting myself.
Conclusion
When I designed my very first website, I thought this business was all about technology. It turns out, it’s mostly about people.
What hasn’t changed is simple. People still want clarity, trust and support.
A lot else has changed — the technology, the speed, the expectations, the tools. But the foundations haven’t moved: trust, good communication, reliability, and web design that actually works. The business has grown, but so have I — in experience, resilience, patience and perspective. And I love that the thing I built has quietly helped others build their own things too.
From day one, I’ve worked with businesses in Bristol and the surrounding area – being local matters to me. I genuinely enjoy seeing a client’s business grow — taking on staff, opening new premises, or simply feeling more confident because their website finally reflects who they are — this never gets old. I still enjoy this work just as much as I did when I started, probably more, because my experience has bought confidence, and confidence makes everything feel a little more achievable.
Fifteen years feels like a big milestone, so this feels like the right moment to say thank you. To the clients who have trusted me, to the local business community, and to everyone who has recommended, supported, and encouraged me along the way.
And a special thank you to the head office team, especially Pam and Sarah, because I definitely couldn’t do it all on my own.
Then… it’s back to creating websites collaboratively with my clients.
Because that’s still the part I love most.
Share this post: