Andrew Backhouse
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drewadesigner.bsky.social
Andrew Backhouse
@drewadesigner.bsky.social
🇪🇺🇬🇧 Fenman turned Tyke | Based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire 📍 Radio enthusiast 🎙 | Founder of Harrogate Community Radio | Professional web designer | Certified UX Writer // MCSD 🌐 Find out more at andrewbackhouse.design/learn-more
For short thoughts on web design, technology and running a small business, whilst trying to make technology work for as many people as possible, look for a podcast called "A web designer in Harrogate did what?!" - The trailer is on your favourite platform.
January 23, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Most forms fail for small reasons, not big ones.

Tweaks that often lift enquiries:

• Fewer fields, only what you need
• Clear button text that says what happens next
• One short line that reduces worry or doubt

I track clicks and enquiries in Fathom Analytics so I know what changed and why.
January 21, 2026 at 2:12 PM
There may be something that takes your fancy in my weekly email - sign up at www.andrewbackhouse.design/news - if there is nothing in it you like then there is the option to unsubscribe in each one.
January 16, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Can I send you and email choc full of tech and accessibility news every Friday? Sign up at www.andrewbackhouse.design/news and I will be in touch.
January 9, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Many Harrogate businesses lose people on their homepage. Most visitors skim and want a clear story fast.

Say what you do, who it is for and why it helps. This simple fix builds trust.

What part of your homepage feels unclear to customers? DM me if you want a free 15 minute fit chat.
December 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
I am part way through a course teaching me how to write accessible content. If you are interested, you can find it here: www.contentdesignhub.com.au
Content Design Hub | Where content meets design
Content Design Hub is a marketplace for individuals and companies to access content design training, strategy and digital content services.
contentdesignhub.com.au
December 9, 2025 at 10:01 AM
About 1yr ago, I rebuilt julianvarley.com to help people understand his offer and send an enquiry with less effort. He is now getting steady leads. Clear pages and an easier way to contact him helped. A simple reminder that small fixes can help local SMEs in Harrogate and North Yorkshire.
November 26, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Woohoo! W/E!

Time to catch up on my reading…
November 21, 2025 at 5:25 PM
I have jumped on Affinity's bandwagon. happy to have cancelled my Adobe Cloud subscription and become "one of them" - you can read a bit about how Affinity are 100% free here; https://backhouse.link/ujh
Affinity reveals how it’s able to go 100% free with "no catch"
"How is that even possible?"
backhouse.link
November 18, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Choice overload is real.

Three simple checks: work, fit, value.

Ask for 3 live sites, process, and a clear price.

Local help from a freelance web designer in Harrogate.

DM for a free 15 minute fit chat.

📍Harrogate 📍North Yorkshire
November 12, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Why do small design jobs cost big? I found this article about the Government's rebrand; https://backhouse.link/32y - you may find it interesting.
The “£532,000” dot job: Why small design changes cost big
Why did a tiny logo change cost GOV.UK so much?
backhouse.link
November 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I wrote a blog post about Chunking content so that you can implement some pointers; https://backhouse.link/o7s
Chunking: When to simplify information | Andrew Backhouse
My blog covers Chunking: when to simplify, and when to let information breathe with clear, practical web design advice from Harrogate.
backhouse.link
November 5, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Bluesky reaches 40M users - still way behind The Other Place, but we are getting there… https://backhouse.link/p3q
Bluesky Reaches 40M Users — So Should Your Brand Be on It?
Bluesky has a growing community of dedicated, knowledgeable users.
backhouse.link
November 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM
I found an art search engine that uses modern language models to help users find existing works of art rather than generate images. https://www.semantic.art/ It is really rather quite good.
Search With Your Imagination | Semantic.art
Explore and discover artworks from words, ideas, emotions, poetry, images, and more.
www.semantic.art
November 4, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Reposted by Andrew Backhouse
October 17, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Reposted by Andrew Backhouse
🌟 Introducing our New Chat Messaging Service!🌟

We’re excited to announce our brand-new chat messaging service, making it easier than ever for you to communicate with your favourite presenters! 🗣️✨
February 16, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Simon's radio show never ceases to delight. We are lucky to have it broadcast on our community radio station and you can listen to it in the link below.
This is Ep 72 of To Etherea and Beyond - Mass Octave Turbulence. The show broadcasts on @harrogateradio.bsky.social at 9am this Sunday 16th Feb and is then available via the Listen Again button, and here: ssyncc.com/toethereaand...

harrogatecommunityradio.online/shows/to-eth...

#shoegaze #music
February 14, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Reposted by Andrew Backhouse
February 7, 2025 at 9:05 PM
My radio show was broadcast last night, past your bed time. But, you can catch up with it at backhouse.wtf/orbiting-a-d...

w/ A Certain Ratio, Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire, Hawksmoor, Laurie Spiegel, Hieroglyphic Being, 400 Lonely Things, and more.

For fans of experimental music.
Experimental Radio Show: "Orbiting a Different Star #045"
Orbiting a Different Star #045 is an experimental Music radio show broadcast on Harrogate Community Radio. Playing the best of the avant garde.
backhouse.wtf
February 6, 2025 at 11:48 AM
If you are a fan of experimental and Free music, you may like my radio show, Orbiting a Different Star - the latest episode is here: harrogatecommunityradio.online/shows/orbiti...

w/ Jo David Meyer Lynse, Joseph Young, Gabriel Paiuk, Pietro Zollo, Pucemoment, Ida Dueland, David Wallraf + more!
Orbiting A Different Star Is An Experimental Radio Show
Orbiting a Different Star is an experimental music radio show broadcast on Harrogate Community Radio by self-confessed radio geek Andrew Backhouse.
harrogatecommunityradio.online
January 30, 2025 at 8:56 AM
I have been looking at watches, again - one of my vices. Mrs Backhouse has given a firm 'No' to the idea. But this is what I would certainly have bought - mrjoneswatches.com/products/m1
M1
Take a trip down memory lane with the eye-catching M1 watch. Created in collaboration with British design icon Margaret Calvert, M1 is a playful twist on the serious business of road safety and signag...
mrjoneswatches.com
January 29, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Reposted by Andrew Backhouse
Toot Toooot! Thought Bubble Festival will take place from 10-16 November 2025 across Leeds and the whole of Yorkshire!

Our HUGE Comic Convention will be on 15 & 16 November 2025 at Harrogate Convention Centre!

Comic Convention tickets are on sale right now: thoughtbubblefestival.com/tickets
January 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM