Smarter Online Business - Tech, Tools & Truths for Websites that Sell
Struggling to turn website traffic into real sales? It's such a common thing we see client struggle with until we start helping them.Welcome to Smarter Online Business, the podcast for course creators, coaches, and eCommerce entrepreneurs who want their websites to actually work for them.Each week, you’ll get practical advice to help you boost conversions, simplify your tech, and attract the right customers without burning out or overcomplicating things.Hosted by Carrie Saunders, tech strategist, website conversion expert, and founder of BCSE, this show blends 20+ years of hands-on experience with real talk and simple strategies that work.If...
More Visibility Isn't Always the Answer: Are You Fixing the Wrong Problem?
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You can have a lot of followers, post consistently, and feel like you’re doing all the right things to get visible...
and still wonder why that visibility isn’t turning into clients.
Being seen isn’t really the end goal.
What matters is what happens next: the conversations you start, the relationships you build, the people who join your email list, and ultimately the people who decide they want to work with you.
Today I’m talking with visibility and client acquisition strategist T...
You Probably Don’t Need More Ideas for your Online Business
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I have a feeling a lot of business owners listening to this do not have an idea problem.
You have plenty of ideas.
New offers you could create.
New software you could try.
New marketing strategies.
New content ideas.
New things you could add to your website.
And a lot of them may actually be good ideas.
The problem is that every good idea does not need to become a project right now.
So today, I...
Overcoming imposter syndrome and showing up authentically
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Have you ever had one of those moments in your business where you KNOW you're qualified...
You know you have the experience.
You know you can help someone.
And yet there's still that little voice saying, "Who am I to do this?"
I know I have—and I've been running my business for almost 25 years.
So why does imposter syndrome keep showing up, even after we've done the work and logically know better?
Today, we're going beneath the surface...
Which Software is Perfect for your Online Business
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How many pieces of software are you paying for in your business—and do you actually know what all of them do?
In this episode, we’re talking about why it’s so easy to get caught in the cycle of buying the latest tools, apps, and software recommendations, only to end up with a more complicated business and a pile of monthly subscriptions.
Instead of buying software because someone else says you need it, we’re shifting the focus to a much more important question: What pr...
Your Website Should Be Working Harder Than You
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Have you ever felt like you’re doing all the work in your business? You’re posting on social media, sending emails, answering the same questions, explaining your services, chasing leads, and following up...while your website is just sitting there. But here’s the thing: your website shouldn’t just be an online brochure. It should be one of the hardest-working members of your team. Your website should be helping you educate potential clients, build trust, answer questions, generate leads, and guide people toward the next step—even when you’re busy...
Traffic vs. Conversion: What Should You Focus on First?
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If your business isn't growing, there's a good chance you've asked yourself one of these questions:
"Do I need more traffic... or do I need a better website?"
More SEO?
More social media?
More ads?
Or should I be improving the website I already have?
The problem is, if you focus on the wrong one first, you can waste a lot of time—and a lot of money.
Today, I'm going to help you figure out which...
Why Great Courses Never Get Finished (And How AI Can Help)
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Have you ever started creating a course, felt excited about it for a few weeks, and then watched it slowly stall out?
Maybe you've got folders full of outlines, half-finished lessons, sticky notes, and big ideas that never quite made it across the finish line.
Most courses don't fail because people lack expertise. They fail because course creation is often as much a psychology challenge as it is a business challenge.
Today's guest is Dr. Stephanie Thrower, a psychologist, business coach, and AI...
Do I Need A Website for my Online Business?
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A few weeks ago, someone asked me a question: "Carrie... do I even need a website anymore?"
With social media, link-in-bio tools, online marketplaces, AI, course platforms, and Facebook groups, it's a fair question. Is a website still necessary? My answer may have surprised them because it wasn't automatically "yes."
In this episode, we're going to talk about when you really need a website, when you might not, and the role a website should play in your business today.
Rat...
How to make AI less overwhelming as a Business Owner
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Every single day, there’s another AI tool, another AI feature, another AI newsletter, another AI prompt, and another AI “game changer.” But I think a lot of business owners are exhausted. Not because AI is bad—I actually use AI almost every day—but because somewhere along the way, we’ve started asking, “What can AI do?” instead of, “Should AI be doing this?”
Today, I want to talk about why I believe your biggest competitive advantage in the future isn’t AI. It’s being human.
...
How to run a healthy newsletter without overwhelm with Andrea Pearson
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Have you ever felt like you should be sending a newsletter... but every time you sit down to write one, you overthink it?
Maybe you're wondering:
How often should I email? What should I even talk about? Am I emailing too much? Am I not emailing enough? And am I accidentally breaking some newsletter law I don't know about?A lot of business owners make newsletters far more complicated than they need to be. I do as well!
We have a specia...
The Business Advice I Ignore (And Why)
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If you've been in business for more than five minutes, you've probably heard advice like:
"Done is better than perfect."
"You need to be everywhere on social media."
"Hustle harder."
"Automate everything."
While each of those ideas has a little truth to it, I've learned over the last 24 years of running a business that the best advice isn't always one-size-fits-all.
Success comes from knowing when to follow conventional wisdom—and when to do things differently.
In this ep...
The Words Your Website Is Missing with Josh Hull
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Have you ever looked at your website and wondered why it isn’t converting?
Maybe people are visiting and sticking around for a bit, but they’re not clicking, buying, or booking.
Often, the problem isn’t your design. It’s your messaging.
Today’s guest, Josh Allen Hull, is a coach, messaging strategist, and storyteller who helps business owners craft words that move people to action.
In this conversation, we discuss why so many websites fail to convert...
How to Find the Perfect Developer
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Hiring a developer can feel a little like dating. Everyone looks great on paper, everyone says they can help, and everything sounds promising in the beginning. Then, six months later, you find yourself wondering, "How did we get here?"
Maybe the project is over budget.
Maybe it's behind schedule.
Maybe you're frustrated, they're frustrated, or you've ended up paying twice because someone else now has to fix what went wrong.
The reality is that hiring the wrong developer can be cost...
The Hidden Costs of Choosing the Wrong Tech Stack
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Have you ever chosen a piece of software because it was cheaper, someone recommended it, your coach used it, or it simply looked easier to use? Most of us have, and sometimes those decisions work out just fine.
But other times, the most expensive software decision isn't the software itself. It's everything you have to fix later. Choosing the wrong tech stack can quietly drain your business through lost time, wasted money, stalled growth, reduced team productivity, and a whole lot of frustration.
Today, ...
DIY Is Smart Until It Becomes Your Bottleneck
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DIY can be incredibly smart in business.
In fact, most entrepreneurs have to DIY in the beginning.
You learn your audience. You figure things out. You stretch your budget. You wear a lot of hats because that's what it takes to get your business off the ground.
But there comes a point where DIY quietly shifts from being resourceful to becoming expensive.
Expensive in time.
Expensive in growth.
Expensive in...
Why Being Great at What You Do Isn’t Enough (And What to Do Instead)
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If you’ve ever felt like…
You’ve done the work…
You’re really good at what you do…
But somehow, the less qualified people are getting the opportunities…
This episode might hit a little close to home.
Because today, we’re talking about something most experts don’t realize until it’s too late:
👉 Being great at what you do does not mean people will find you.
And in fact… if you’re not actively building visibility, someone else will take your plac...
The Tech Debt Problem Nobody Talks About in Online Business
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Have you ever added a tool “just for now”…
created a workaround…
skipped fixing something because things were mostly working…
and told yourself you’d clean it up later?
That might be tech debt.
And it’s one of the most expensive hidden problems in online business.
Because tech debt doesn’t usually show up as one giant disaster.
It shows up as messy systems, random workarounds, duplicated effort, and that constant feeling of…
“Why is this harder than it should...
Are You Talking About Yourself Too Much on Your Website?
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Let me ask you a quick question: when someone lands on your website, is it mostly about you or about them?
This is one of the most common issues I see with websites. They look great, sound professional, and list all the right credentials, yet they still struggle to convert visitors into customers.
The reason is often surprisingly simple. The website is talking about the business owner just a little too much.
In this episode, we’re breaking down why this happ...
How to Get Started with Ads (Without Wasting Money)
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What if ads didn’t feel complicated… expensive… or like a total gamble?
Because for a lot of business owners, that’s exactly how ads feel.
You’ve probably wondered:
Should I be running ads?
When is the right time?
And how do I even get started without wasting money?
In today’s episode of Smarter Online Business, I’m joined by Paul and Melissa Pruitt, who help entrepreneurs use ads as a growth tool in a way that actually makes...
SEO vs AIO: What Actually Matters for Your Website Now?
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Is SEO dead?
Or is it just… different now?
Because if you’ve been paying attention lately, it feels like everything is changing.
People are asking questions in ChatGPT instead of Google.
AI is summarizing answers instead of sending traffic to websites.
And it leaves a lot of business owners wondering:
“Is SEO even worth it anymore?”
Or maybe more importantly…
“What should I actually be focusing on now?”
In this episode, we’re breaking...
Should You Put Your Prices on Your Website?
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Should you put your prices on your website… or not?
This is one of those questions that sparks a lot of opinions.
Some people will tell you:
“Always show your prices.”
Others will say:
“Never show your prices—get them on a call.”
And it’s very common to feel stuck somewhere in the middle.
In this episode, we’re breaking down the real answer—because it’s not as black and white as most people make it.
...
Why People Don’t Buy From Your Website (Even If It Looks Good)
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You’ve invested in your website.
It looks good.
It feels professional.
You’re proud to share the link.
But… it’s not bringing in the leads or sales you expected.
And that’s where a lot of business owners get stuck.
Because if it’s not the design… then what is it?
In this episode, we’re breaking down why people don’t buy from your website—even when it looks great… and what actually needs to change.
And I’ll share...
How can YouTube help Propel your Online Business with Jerry Potter
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What if the real secret to time freedom in business is not better time management… but building high leverage assets that keep working even when you are done for the day?
Today’s guest is one of my favorite people to learn from on that exact topic - Jerry Potter.
Jerry teaches online entrepreneurs how to run their business in half the time by focusing on assets like YouTube channels and podcasts. He’s the host of the Done By Lunch Entrepreneurs podcast, has grown a...
How Many Pages Do You Really Need on Your Website?
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One of the most common questions I get from business owners is surprisingly simple.
“How many pages should my website have?”
And usually that question comes with a little bit of stress behind it.
Should it have five pages?
Ten pages?
Twenty pages?
Do you need a blog?
A resources section?
Landing pages?
Or maybe you are wondering if your website is too small or too big.
The good news is there is no...
3 Things to Clarify Before You Touch Your Website
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Have you ever sat down to build or redesign your website… and suddenly realized you have no idea what should actually go on it?
So you start choosing colors.
Maybe picking a theme.
Maybe even hiring a designer.
But the problem with most websites is not the design.
It is the lack of clarity behind them.
Today we are talking about the three things every business owner should clarify before they touch their website.
Because when these things are uncle...
20 Minutes a Week to Emails That Actually Sell? With Liz Wilcox
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What if I told you that you only need 20 minutes a week to write emails that actually make money?
Not 20 minutes a day.
Not hours of storytelling.
Just 20 focused minutes.
Today, I’m joined by the Fresh Princess of Email Marketing herself, Liz Wilcox.
Liz is an email strategist and keynote speaker who helps small businesses build real relationships and real revenue through email. She’s turned a $9 offer into multiple six figures without ads, sold a blog, and created a simple fr...
Show, Don’t Just Tell: Using Visual Trust Signals to Increase Conversions
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You can tell people you’re trustworthy.
You can say you’re experienced.
You can list your credentials.
But online?
Words alone aren’t enough.
If your website doesn’t visually reinforce trust, visitors hesitate. And hesitation kills conversions.
In this episode, we’re talking about how to use visual trust signals to increase conversions without rewriting your entire website.
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What a ‘Smart Sales Tool’ Website Actually Looks Like
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You’ve probably heard me say this before…
Your website should be your smartest sales tool.
But what does that actually mean?
Because a lot of websites look good.
A lot of websites exist.
But very few actually work.
In this episode, I’m breaking down what separates a brochure website from a smart sales tool… and how to know which one you have.
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Do You Actually Need a Funnel and a Website?
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You’ve probably heard this before:
“You don’t need a website. You just need a funnel.”
Or maybe the opposite:
“Funnels are scammy. Just build a solid website.”
So which is it?
Do you actually need both?
Or is one enough?
In this episode, I’m breaking down the real difference between a funnel and a website, when you need one, when you need both, and how to make them work together instead of competing.
Ra...
How to Scale your Online Business with Umut Aslan
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Ever wonder why some businesses scale with ease while others stall out despite having great products or services?
In today’s episode of Smarter Online Business, I’m joined by Dr. Umut Aslan, a business strategist, educator, and Certified Scaling Up Coach who’s spent years researching exactly what makes companies thrive.
From selling his own company to pursuing a doctorate in strategy, to now coaching mid-market companies around the world—Umut blends real-world experience with data-backed frameworks to help you scale smarter.
We talk about...
They Clicked the Link But Didn’t Buy - What Went Wrong?
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It’s one of the most frustrating moments in online business:
You send the email.
They click the link.
And then… nothing.
No sale. No signup. Just silence.
In this episode, we’re unpacking why that happens and how to fix it—so more of your clicks actually convert.
This one’s especially for you if you’re sending traffic to sales pages, lead magnets, or product links—and getting crickets.
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Small Business Finances: Year-End Moves and Fresh Starts with Michelle Mitchell
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Money mindset, messy books, missed reports—sound familiar?
Whether you're wrapping up your year or planning ahead, financial clarity is the move for smarter business growth.
In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle Mitchell—financial strategist and founder of Mitchell Consulting—who’s known for helping powerhouse women stop being the bottleneck in their business.
Michelle doesn’t sugarcoat when it comes to money. She’s here to share real talk on:
✅ What to do before the year ends
✅ How to set yourself up financi...
Using Visual Trust Signals to Increase Website Conversions
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You can say you’re trustworthy.
You can say you’re experienced.
You can say you’re great at what you do.
But if your website doesn’t show it visually, visitors hesitate.
And hesitation kills conversions.
In this episode, we’re talking about how visual trust signals work, why they matter so much, and how small changes to your website can make visitors feel safer, more confident, and more ready to say yes.
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How to Use Facebook to Grow Your Business - Without Ads or Burnout
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What if you could grow your audience and email list every single day...
…without spending a dime on ads or being chained to social media 24/7?
Today’s guest, Tracy Beavers, is here to show us how.
Tracy is a business growth coach, speaker, and creator of the Business Visibility Made Easy course. With over 20 years of experience and hundreds of entrepreneurs helped, she’s mastered how to grow your visibility through organic marketing—especially using Facebook the smart way.
In this episode, Tra...
Your Website’s First 5 Seconds: What Visitors Decide Before They Even Scroll
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You’ve worked hard on your website. You’ve got great offers, solid content, even testimonials.
The problem is—most visitors never scroll.
In fact, studies show your audience decides whether to stay or leave in just 3–5 seconds.
So if your website doesn’t immediately answer the right questions and create instant clarity, they’re gone—no matter how great your content is below the fold.
In this episode, we’re talking about how to make those first 5 seconds count.
What Makes a Website Launch Successful (And What Usually Goes Wrong)
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Most people think website launches are just supposed to be messy:
The broken buttons.
The last-minute changes.
The “surprise” tech issues.
But what if I told you that it doesn’t have to be that way?
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what actually makes a website launch successful—and what usually causes things to go sideways.
I’ll also share one of the smoothest launches we’ve ever done and why it worked so well—so...
Why No One’s Clicking Your CTA (And How to Fix It)
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You’ve created your offer. You’ve got your pages built.
You’re even getting some traffic…
But no one’s clicking your “Book Now,” “Buy Now,” or “Learn More” buttons.
The problem? It’s probably your CTA—and that’s great news, because it’s one of the easiest things to fix.
In this episode, I’ll walk you through:
Why people might be ignoring your calls to action What makes a CTA clear, clickable, and compelling And small tweaks that lead to big results <...Traffic Or Conversion: Fix The Right Problem
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If your website’s not making the sales you hoped for, the first instinct is usually…
“I just need more traffic.”
But what if traffic isn’t the problem?
In this episode, we’re asking a smarter question:
Do you really need more visitors?
Or do you need your current visitors to actually convert?
I’ll walk you through how to tell the difference, what signs to look for, and how to stop pouring...
The One Ad That Works: Run Winning Facebook Ads Without a PhD in Advertising
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Have you ever opened the Facebook Ads dashboard and your eyes glazed over?
It can feel overwhelming, expensive, and like you need a degree in digital advertising just to get started.
But today’s guest is here to change that.
I’m talking with Leo Tabibzadegan—an ad strategist, course launch expert, and all-around marketing simplifier.
He’s helped course creators and coaches generate 6- and 7-figure launches using a straightforward ad strategy that works—even if you’re brand new to ads and short on...
What is the best software for SEO?
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“What’s the best website platform for SEO?”
It’s a question I hear constantly—and today, I want to bust the myth.
Most modern website platforms already support good SEO.
So if you’re spending hours comparing tools hoping one will magically get you to page one... you’re focusing on the wrong thing.
In this episode, I’m breaking down what actually matters for SEO —and why your content and structure are doing more heavy lifting than you...
