Our Journey

We've been running businesses together on and off for over 10 years now, and we've been married for 13 years this year. Back when we started our first business, we were only 22 and barely adulting properly! We were newlyweds trying to figure out marriage whilst simultaneously learning how to run a business without a boss telling us what to do.

Those early days were tough but also pretty wonderful. We got to spend heaps of time together - café breakfasts, beach walks whilst everyone else was at work (definitely pre-kids!). But we struggled with time management and switching off from work for ages.

When we launched The Digital Brew, we were older, had two kids, and crucially, we'd figured out what roles we each played best.

Our Top Tips for Working with Your Spouse

1. Set Goals Together

Have really good reasons for going into business together that you're both committed to. Whether it's financial goals, flexibility for family, or career opportunities - these will carry you through the tough spots.

2. Play to Your Strengths

Don't assume who should do what based on stereotypes. We initially thought Angela would be the creative one and Stewart would handle admin and finance. Turns out Stewart's rubbish at admin! Now Angela handles the upfront project work and ongoing admin/finance, while Stew focuses on long-term client management and support.

3. Give Each Other Space

We split our tiny office down the middle with a divider. Sounds dramatic, but it's brilliant! We can still chat about projects, but we're not constantly interrupting each other.

4. Set Boundaries

Use tech systems to keep work conversations contained. We use Twist for async work chats and Todoist for task management. No more work talk over dinner (the kids quickly shut that down anyway!).

5. Always Do Your Best

The beauty of working with your spouse is seeing the full picture of what they're dealing with. Support each other through the ups and downs.

6. Marriage First

Marriage is forever - business might not be. If your marriage goes sideways, chances are your business will too. Prioritise your relationship above all else.

What's Next?

This wraps up season two of our podcast! We're taking a little break but we'll be back with season three and loads of fresh episodes already planned.

Thanks for listening, and if you've got your own experiences or tips about working with your spouse, we'd love to hear them!

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What We Cover

Defining High Quantity Content

We break down what "high quantity" actually means by looking at it two ways:

• Platform-specific comparisons (like one LinkedIn post per week being average)
• Industry-specific benchmarks (B2C vs B2B posting frequencies)

For context, we paint a picture of what extreme quantity might look like for a small B2B service provider - daily blogs, multiple social posts, and loads of stories content. Sounds exhausting, right?

The Five Pillars of Quality Content

Angela walks us through what makes content truly quality:

1. Usefulness - Does it actually deliver on its promise?
2. Uniqueness - Your own spin, not just copy-pasted AI content
3. Accuracy - Research thoroughly and back up your claims
4. Experience - Proper formatting, grammar, and user-friendly presentation
5. People-focused - Created for humans first, not just algorithms

Why Quality Wins Every Time

When you focus on quality over quantity, brilliant things happen:

• You build a reputation people actually trust
• Followers stop scrolling and start engaging
• Search engines love your stuff and rank you higher
• You have time to build real relationships with other creators
• You create work you're genuinely proud of

The Quantity Trap

On the flip side, we discuss what happens when you prioritise pumping out loads of mediocre content:

• Your brand values get lost in the noise
• People start seeing you as someone who cuts corners
• Engagement drops and algorithms punish you
• You might even start hating the work you do

Our Take

Look, we're not against using AI tools - they can be brilliant when used properly. But if your team is suddenly producing heaps more content with the same resources, that's a red flag. Always double-check that your content still ticks those quality boxes.

For most small businesses, the reality is you can't have both quality and quantity without a massive investment. And that's okay! We'd rather see you create one piece of great content than ten pieces of rubbish.

Bottom line: If you're not in a position to produce content consistently, choose infrequent good content over frequent mediocre content. Your audience (and your sanity) will thank you for it.

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Content Creation & Writing

Google Docs - Angela's go-to for pretty much everything writing-related.

AI Transcription Tools - We've used Otter AI, Temi, and Happy Scribe to turn client calls into content gold.

Claude AI - Our favourite for development help and content brainstorming.

Website Building & Design

WordPress - Still our CMS of choice.

Bricks Builder - Our current visual builder. Great balance of flexibility for us and simplicity for clients.

Figma - Where all our designs start.

Productivity & Project Management

Todoist - Our task management lifesaver.

Twist - We ditched Slack for this gem.

Zoom - Still our reliable choice for client calls, especially with that handy Google Calendar integration.

SEO & Analytics

Mangools - Our budget-friendly SEO toolkit.

Google Analytics & Search Console - We use them, but let's be honest, GA4 is a bit of a pain compared to the old Universal Analytics!

Technical Tools

WP Umbrella - Keeps all our WordPress sites monitored, updated, and secure.

GridPane - Our WordPress hosting management panel that makes server management actually enjoyable.

Gmail + MXroute - Our clever email setup that gives us Google's interface without being locked into their ecosystem.

Client Collaboration

UserBack - Absolute lifesaver for getting website feedback.

Fluent CRM - Our WordPress-based email marketing solution.

ScreenPal - Perfect for quick how-to videos and client walkthroughs.

Design & Graphics

Canva - Essential for quick graphics when you're not a full-time designer.

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Whether you're managing your own website or just curious about what your web team actually does behind the scenes, we've got you covered with practical tips and real-world insights.

What We Cover

Uptime Monitoring - We start with the absolute basics. Set up monitoring to ping your site every few minutes and alert you if anything goes down. We recommend Better Stack (10 monitors free) or Uptime Robot (50 monitors free). Don't forget SSL and domain expiration monitoring too!

Backups (The More, The Better!) - Never rely on just your host's backups. We recommend at least two backup methods, ideally three or more. Make sure your backups are stored off-site - you don't want all your eggs in one basket if your host implodes.

Broken Link Checking - Nobody likes hitting a 404 page, and Google doesn't either. Regular checks of your internal and external links keep both users and search engines happy.

Software Updates - The golden rule of security: keep everything updated. We chat about using staging environments, checking changelogs, and why major version updates need extra caution.

Vulnerability Checks - Stay ahead of security threats with systems that compare your plugins against vulnerability databases. We mention Patchstack's clever "virtual patching" feature.

Form Testing - Simple but crucial. Test your forms regularly because there's nothing worse than missing leads due to a broken contact form.

Google Search Console Monitoring - Set it up and monitor those notifications. Most are noise, but that 1% of genuine issues can be goldmines for fixing ranking problems.

Visual Checks - Nothing beats good old-fashioned human eyeballs. Jump on your site in incognito mode every few days to make sure everything looks and works as it should.

The Bottom Line

If you're feeling overwhelmed by all this (and fair dinkum, it is a lot!), remember that many web agencies handle all these maintenance tasks for you (check out our website hosting and support plan!). Sometimes it's worth investing in professional help so you can focus on running your business.

Got questions about website maintenance? Drop us a line - we'd love to help!

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What We Mean by "Too Fancy"

We're talking about websites that break away from what users expect - unusual navigation placement, strange scrolling behaviour, creative image and video usage that leaves visitors thinking "that looks cool, but how do I actually use this thing?"

Our Biggest UX Pet Peeves

Hijacked Scrolling

Two main culprits here that drive us absolutely mental:

• Forced smooth scroll - when your page swooshes down instead of moving normally
• Snapping sections - where one scroll wheel movement jumps you to an entirely different section, often before you've finished reading

Overused Animations

We're not anti-animation, but not every element needs an entrance animation! Use them sparingly and tastefully, and always respect users' reduced motion preferences for accessibility.

Pointless Loading Screens

Unless you're showcasing a massive portfolio with tens of megabytes of content, there's no excuse for a loading screen on a business website. If your site loads that slowly, fix the performance issues instead of slapping a preloader on top.

Autoplay Everything

Just don't. No autoplay video, no autoplay audio, and definitely no background music (especially if users can't pause it). It's not the MySpace days anymore!

The Common Thread

All these issues share one problem - they take control away from users. When people feel uncomfortable or confused on your website, they're more likely to leave.

Our Advice

Keep it simple and within standard expectations. Menu and logo at the top, easy-to-scan headings, plenty of breathing space, and straightforward navigation. You don't have to make it ugly - just make it normal and user-friendly.

Remember: function first, creativity second. Always ask yourself if your fancy ideas will negatively impact what you're trying to achieve with your website.

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What We Cover

Domain Hosting: The Must-Knows

Pricing Traps to Avoid: Those tempting $1-3 first-year deals? They're designed to hook you in. Always check renewal pricing first! We share a sneaky way to take advantage of cheap first-year prices indefinitely.

DNS Hosting: We explain what DNS hosting actually is (those A records and MX records) and why we recommend keeping your domain and DNS separate. It makes switching providers much easier down the track.

ID Protection: Essential for stopping spammers from accessing your contact details through WHOIS lookups. Worth getting if it's available for your domain type.

Our Domain Provider Recommendations

1. Venture IP - Our Aussie favourite with solid support and no dodgy upsells
2. Cloudflare - They charge exactly what ICANN charges (zero profit!) hoping you'll use their premium services later
3. Namecheap - Decent experience with competitive pricing
4. Pork Bun - Silly name, solid service with good ongoing rates

Website Hosting: Three Main Types

Shared Hosting: We're honest - we don't really recommend this anymore. Your site shares resources with hundreds of others, which can cause performance issues.

Cloud Hosting: The sweet spot between shared hosting and managed WordPress. Better performance, less hand-holding. Cloudways is our pick for beginners.

Managed WordPress: Premium option that focuses solely on WordPress sites. More expensive but includes security management, updates, and even malware cleanup.

Hosting Recommendations

• Shared: SiteGround (reputation a bit tarnished lately) or Venture IP
• VPS/Cloud: Cloudways for beginners, or try RunCloud/ServerAvatar/xCloud for more control
• Managed WordPress: Kinsta or WP Engine are the big names

The Fourth Option

Don't forget - you can always work with a designer/developer who manages hosting for you! It's part of our care plans, so you can sleep easy knowing we'll handle all the technical stuff.

Bottom Line: There's no one-size-fits-all solution. Consider your technical comfort level, budget, and support needs when choosing.

Thanks for listening to our podcast where we talk about websites and digital marketing for small businesses. Visit thedigitalbrew.com.au/podcast for more episodes, detailed show notes, resources, and our newsletter.

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What We Cover

How we're actually using AI tools

We talk about our preferred AI tools (spoiler: we both like Claude) and how we use them in our daily work. Angela shares her approach of treating AI like an enthusiastic intern – helpful, but you've got to check their work carefully.

The current state of the copywriting market

We discuss how the industry has changed, especially for entry-level writers. The work has slowed down, but highly skilled writers are still in demand. We explore whether this is temporary or a permanent shift.

Why we don't trust AI with the big picture

Angela explains why she only gives AI small, specific tasks instead of entire projects. We talk about the importance of maintaining quality standards and why straight AI content can damage brands.

The Canva comparison

We draw parallels between AI writing tools and design tools like Canva – they make things more accessible, but professional expertise is still irreplaceable.

What the future holds

Our predictions for the next few years include an explosion of written content, the growing importance of "proof of humanity," and why storytelling will become even more crucial.

Key Takeaways

• AI is unavoidable but not a replacement for professional writing
• Quality content will stand out more as AI-generated content floods the market
• Brands need unique data, stories, and human perspectives to differentiate themselves
• If you can't be bothered to write your content, why should your audience bother reading it?

The landscape is shifting quickly, so whether you're a writer or a business owner, staying informed about AI developments is essential. But remember – being cautious is just as important as staying current.

Thanks for listening to our podcast where we talk about websites and digital marketing for small businesses. Visit thedigitalbrew.com.au/podcast for more episodes, detailed show notes, resources, and our newsletter.

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What We Covered:

🎯 Microanimations

We discuss the shift from overwhelming "macroanimations" to subtle microanimations that enhance user experience without being disorienting. These small, purposeful movements can draw attention to important elements or add personality to your site. Remember to respect users who prefer reduced motion by implementing the right CSS media queries!

🌈 Bold Colours

Many websites are getting creative with their colour palettes in 2025, moving beyond the traditional 2-3 colour schemes. However, we emphasize the importance of intentional colour choices that align with your brand rather than random rainbow explosions. Working with a professional brand designer can help you define your colour strategy effectively.

📝 Mixed Typography Styles

We explore the trend of intermixing different typography styles within the same headings or sentences. This technique can draw attention to specific words and add personality to otherwise conservative websites. It's a subtle way to make your content more visually interesting while maintaining readability.

📣 Giant Typography

Oversized words are making a statement in 2025! While not suitable for every brand, strategically placed giant typography can create impact when used sparingly. This approach works best when you have few words but want to make a powerful impression.

🖼️ Enhanced Stock Images

We talk about how adding custom illustrations to photography or stock images can help your website stand out. This technique transforms generic stock photos into unique visual assets that better reflect your brand identity.

🚫 Less Intrusive Pop-ups

Pop-ups are becoming less aggressive and more purposeful. We share when it's appropriate to use them (like announcing limited-time offers) versus when they become frustrating for users.

⏳ Timeless Design Principles

We reflect on how websites built with clean, purposeful design principles can remain effective for years. Many of our sites from 2014-2016 still look great because they prioritize white space, clear structure, and intuitive navigation over trendy gimmicks.

Key Takeaways:

• Focus on strategy and intention rather than cramming in trendy elements with no purpose
• Be cautious about jumping on short-lived design trends that could quickly make your site look dated
• Remember that accessibility should never be sacrificed for visual appeal
• Well-built websites with good structure can remain effective for many years with only minor updates

Thanks for listening to our podcast where we talk about websites and digital marketing for small businesses. Visit thedigitalbrew.com.au/podcast for more episodes, detailed show notes, resources, and our newsletter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What we covered:

The WordPress Drama Explained

Matt Mullenweg (co-founder of WordPress and founder of Automatic) accused WP Engine (one of the largest WordPress hosting companies) of not contributing enough to the open-source WordPress ecosystem.

Matt then banned WP Engine from accessing wordpress.org resources, preventing their customers from updating WordPress or plugins.

WP Engine responded with a cease and desist followed by a lawsuit.

The conflict has caused significant tension in the WordPress community, with staff leaving Automatic and longtime community members abandoning the project.

Automatic has reduced its investment in WordPress, cutting major version releases for 2025 down to just one.

Should You Be Worried About WordPress?

Despite the drama, we don't think there's a real reason to panic about WordPress's future.

WordPress powers 43.5% of the internet, including major organizations like TechCrunch, Sony, CNN, Spotify, Microsoft, and yes, even Taylor Swift's website.

The massive financial investment in WordPress from large companies means it won't disappear overnight.

Being open-source means that even if current leadership falters, others can pick up the torch (just as WordPress itself began as a fork of B2/Cafe Log).

Security updates will continue regardless of the situation.

The real power of WordPress comes from third-party developers creating plugins and themes, not just from the core team.

Closed Source vs. Open Source

We believe closed-source platforms like Squarespace or Webflow actually pose a greater long-term risk than WordPress.

Closed-source platforms can change pricing or terms overnight, as Webflow demonstrated recently by significantly increasing costs for some users.

With WordPress, you can always move your site to a different host if needed.

Our Take:

The "WordPress situation" makes for interesting gossip but doesn't represent a significant risk for businesses using or considering WordPress. The open-source nature of WordPress provides a level of security that closed-source platforms simply can't match.

Have thoughts or lingering concerns about WordPress after listening to this episode? We'd love to hear from you!

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Episode Highlights:

• We're back after approximately four years away from podcasting - expect us to be a bit rusty!
• Our kids have grown so much (now 9 and nearly 8) and seem to have doubled in size since our last episode
• We bought a house and have been slowly renovating it (it's about as old as we are and "slightly falling apart, just like we are")
• We refreshed our brand from "The Digital Brew" to simply "Brew" (because as Australians, we have to shorten everything!)
• We recently switched from a .com to a .com.au domain
• We briefly tried out a new service offering before removing it (the timing wasn't quite right)
• We survived preparing for Brisbane's first cyclone in over 30 years, which fortunately turned out to be a non-event for us

Looking Forward:

We're recording a bunch of episodes and plan to release them weekly for the next little while. Expect website industry updates, tips, tools, and whatever else we think might be useful and interesting for small businesses.

Thanks for listening to our podcast where we talk about websites and digital marketing for small businesses. Visit thedigitalbrew.com.au for more episodes, detailed show notes, resources, and our newsletter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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