How One Google Search Turned Into a Chain of Website Rebuilds (and Why Word of Mouth is Everything)
When you run a small business, there’s nothing better than a happy client telling someone else about you. And sometimes, all it takes is one connection to spark a whole chain of projects.
For me, it all started with Steph from Signature Spaces. Steph was looking for help with her website. She’d started on Wix but wasn’t loving it. A quick Google search later (thank you, SEO!) and she found Made by Markham.
We worked together to create a site that actually felt like her brand. Steph was thrilled with the end result, and that’s when the magic of word of mouth kicked in.
One Happy Client = A Domino Effect
Steph recommended me to the main builder she works with, Ground Up Homes. They’d built their own site but wanted it to look more professional, so I jumped in to give it a proper refresh.
Not long after, they told Russell Properties all about me. Next thing I know, I’m fully rebuilding their site from the ground up.
All of that, from Signature Spaces to Russell Properties, came from one Google search and one happy client.
Why Recommendations & Reviews Matter So Much
For small businesses like mine (and Steph’s!), recommendations are pure gold. When someone you trust says “you need to talk to this person,” it builds instant confidence.
Google reviews work the same way. One good review can make a stranger feel like they already know you. You can even check out what other small business owners have said about working with me on my Google Business Profile.
That’s why every time you recommend a small business, whether it’s your favourite café, a local tradie, or a web designer like me, you’re helping more than just that business. You’re helping an entire community grow.
The Rebuild Theme (and What’s Coming Next)
Lately, I’ve noticed a bit of a theme. Website rebuilds. Taking a site that isn’t quite right and turning it into something that truly reflects a business is one of my favourite things to do.
(Scroll down for some before-and-after screenshots. It’s amazing what a fresh set of eyes and a bit of design love can do!)
And the story doesn’t stop there. Russell Properties also run the Churton Park Community website (on Squarespace), and they’ve now asked me to give that a makeover too. So, watch this space. That project is coming soon!
Signature Spaces Squarespace Website Build
Ground Up Homes Squarespace Website Rebuild – Wellington NZ
Before & After: Squarespace Web Designer Full Site Rebuild for Russell Properties
A Personal Thank You
To Steph, thank you for trusting me with your website and for sharing my name. You kicked off this whole chain of projects, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
To everyone else who’s ever recommended Made by Markham or left a review, you’ve helped turn one Google search into a growing web design journey, one happy client at a time.
Thinking About a Website Rebuild?
If your site feels a bit tired, hard to update, or you’ve outgrown a DIY build, you’re not alone. A lot of my favourite projects start exactly that way.
I work with small businesses all over New Zealand, helping them with everything from quick fixes to full Squarespace website rebuilds. If you need a hand getting your website working the way it should, I’d love to chat.
