E146: Content, crisis, customization, and the value of simplicity with Michael Reynolds

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President/CEO of Zephyr. Solving small business website design by helping agencies avoid profitability traps like over-thinking design, paying too much for development, and getting stuck in plug-in hell.

Episode highlights:

• How Zephyr managed to successfully create a CMS as an agency when so many try and fail.
• Problems that agency owners commonly have. Can you relate?
• Why Michael is trying to get people to think more simply—especially in these crazy times.
• Why websites are essential right now—and how website revenue is increasing.
• Why content is so important, and how Zephyr approaches it.
• What efficiency has to do with custom design vs using a theme.
• Best advice received: Follow your dreams.
• Habit that contributes to success: Hyperfocus on productivity and organization.
• Recommended tools: Microsoft To-Do and Lastpass
• Recommended book: Dave Ramsey books, Taylor Larimore’s Boglehead’s Three-Fund Portfolio, and Storybrand by Donald Miller
• Run time: 35:04

Links:

• ZephyrCMS.com – book a demo online
• Microsoft To-Do and
•  Lastpass
• Dave Ramsey books
• Boglehead’s Three-Fund Portfolio
• Storybrand by Donald Miller

Quotes:

• “We just weren’t really happy with what’s out there.”
• “On a mission to bring it to agencies everywhere.”
• “The key point….is we have an extreme focus on simplicity.”
• “We want the system to get out of your way.”
• “They want content to be easy to manage.”
• “We live in a world where integration has become easier.”
• “Utopia hell.”
• “Website services are showing their stickiness—in a good way.”

Takeaways:

• Don’t assume customization is the answer. Many businesses would fit a simple theme much better.