A show for people who build websites. A podcast on modern frontend web design where we look at what we can build today with minimal dependencies and skills. We're building this website as part of the show.
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On the podcast today, we’re diving into the “rule of least power”, a cornerstone idea from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) that’s shaped how we build for the open web. The conversation focused on why you should often choose the simplest, least powerful technology for the job. The episode starts with a practical introduction: the rule’s roots in the thinking of Tim Berners-Lee (the often-cited founder of the web), Occam’s razor, and the ever-relevant KISS (“Keep It Simple, Stupid”) principle. One concept discussed was how the rule of least power encourages us to reach for HTML and CSS first
On the podcast today, we’re diving into the world of modern web standards and what it means to build truly resilient, future-proof sites. The conversation focused on the foundations of web standards, what they are, why they’re essential, and how they shape the way we build sites now. Starting off with a look at the evolution of web standards, from the early days of the W3C and the chaotic browser wars, the discussion explored how we could easily have ended up with a far more closed and proprietary web, and just how fortunate we are that open standards prevailed. We also got into the ongoing im
On the podcast today David Waumsley and Nathan Wrigley dive into the world of agile development, focusing on how websites can, and perhaps should, be treated as living products that evolve over time, rather than as static, one-off deliverables. David and Nathan unpack what agile development really means for web designers and website owners, explaining the mindset shift needed to move away from the “perfect launch” mentality and toward an approach built on small, continual improvements. We start by hearing about the core principles of agile, starting with a minimum viable product, iterating in
On the podcast today we have a conversation all about inclusive design. In this episode, we break down what inclusive design is, why it matters, its historical evolution, core principles, and how website owners and designers can apply it to their own projects. We begin by discussing the fundamental nature of the web as a platform where, unlike the offline world, inclusivity can often be achieved at minimal cost simply by following standards, an opportunity the industry has too often overlooked. David shares insights from the Website Owner’s Manual, describing the “five pillars” behind building
What Is Content Design? It's a discipline created by Sarah Richards (now Winters) while transforming GOV.UK from hundreds government websites into a single resource. It has been adopted by other governments such as the US, Australia, and New Zealand. Meta (Facebook) formally switched to content design, embedding content designers across every product team. Companies like Shopify, Atlassian, Apple, Google, and Microsoft have followed. Why It Matters. Most websites are written inside out - reflecting what the organisation wants to say. Content design flips that and starts with what users are act
On the podcast today we have David Waumsley and Nathan Wrigley. David and Nathan are diving into the world of website owner’s manuals, a concept inspired by Paul Boag’s influential book, but brought firmly into the present day, with a focus on everyday website owners, small businesses, and web designers who care about empowering their clients. Drawing on decades of experience building and managing websites, David has crafted an in-depth, living document inside Canva (but designed to be platform-agnostic) that aims to give website owners a comprehensive guide for project management, strategic p
UntitledAre you a small business owner thinking about getting a website? In this episode, David Waumsley and Nathan Wrigley break down the real traps and trade-offs of using no code website builders versus hand coding your site. - How the commercial website builder market is taking over—and what that means for business owners - The surprising decline of hand-coded websites and why HTML still matters - The hidden costs and limitations of using platforms like Wix and Squarespace - A practical walkthrough of building a simple one-page business site from scratch - Why simplicity, clear messaging,
This episode looks into how platforms lure us in, lock us down, and extract value from everyone and how small, independent websites can push back. What this episode covers The 3 stages of Enshittification (Cory Doctorow’s framework applied to web platforms) Real‑world examples: Facebook, Amazon, Google How interoperability was intentionally broken and antitrust was weakened The hidden human labour and exploitation behind “AI magic” The rise and hangover of vibe coding (Karpathy, YC, GitClear findings) Why AI‑generated codebases are brittle and hard to maintain Tim Berners‑Lee, the fight to kee
On the podcast today we have David Waumsley and Nathan Wrigley. David and Nathan have been helping local businesses build websites for years, gaining insight into the world of digital marketing and the challenges faced by small business owners, from vets and accountants to electricians and therapists. In this episode, they turn their attention to Google Ads, demystifying pay-per-click advertising for those new to it. With the rapid shift from traditional marketing, think local papers and radio, to digital options, spending your marketing budget wisely is more important than ever. David begins
Nathan Wrigley and David Waumsley are the hosts of the No Script Show, and in this episode, they’re diving into the vast topic of website forms. Forms, as they point out, are what make the web interactive, without them, you can’t do things like search, comment, shop online, or even book an appointment. But adding forms, especially to static websites, can be a lot more involved than it first appears. They start by sharing their personal journeys and frustrations with forms, both as web developers and as people helping clients with website interactivity. They discuss the explosion in the number
This is the fourth episode in our ongoing series about the different components that make up a website, and today we’re diving deep into the world of testimonials, block quotes, pull quotes, and the cite element, and why so many of us are probably coding them all wrong. Nathan and David take a look at how these quote elements are handled from technical, design, accessibility, and SEO perspectives. Inspired by resources like Kevin Powell’s “Is HTML the Hardest Language?” and the work of Hayden Pickering, they set out to demystify the (often confusing) specifics of semantic HTML, particularly ar
This is the third episode in the series exploring the different components that make up a website, and today’s focus is on the often-overlooked but vitally important head element in HTML. Nathan and David kick things off by admitting that, like many web professionals, they haven’t thought deeply about the head for quite some time, despite its massive impact on performance, accessibility, and SEO. Drawing from their own experiences as CMS users and enthusiasts, they dig into what the head is, the key tags you can (and must) use, and which practices are still essential in modern web development.
On the podcast today, we’re joined by Paul Lacey. Paul has been working in web design and development since 1999, and in that time he’s witnessed the evolution of the industry from the early days without CSS, through the dot-com boom, to the modern era of design systems. He’s put together his own design systems for professional and client work, and brings first-hand, practical experience to our chat. Paul joins our regular hosts, Nathan Wrigley and David Waumsley, to help demystify what “design systems” actually are, and why they might matter to all of us, not just the largest organisations. W
On the podcast today, David and Nathan are back with the second episode in their new series, where they break down the key components that make up a website. Today, they’re talking about website navigation, and asking the surprisingly sticky question: why is it so bloody awful? David has done a deep dive into the ins and outs of navigation, putting together an exhaustive list of all the pieces involved. Nathan admits he used to take a much simpler approach, just add the top-level links and hope Google did the rest, but David’s research proves there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface. Th
On the podcast today we have the usual suspects - Nathan Wrigley and David Waumsley. This is the first in a new series where Nathan and David take a deep dive into different website components - today’s focus is on accordions. You know the ones: those hide-and-show sections you often see on FAQ pages, product details, or anywhere there’s a need to tidy up lots of information into collapsible panels. But what makes an accordion actually a good solution for your site, and when does it start to get in the way? Nathan and David kick things off by defining what an accordion is (with a nod to the UX
On the podcast today David Waumsley and Nathan Wrigley discuss some of the things that they've done well, and not so well over their 20 years as web site builders. David kicks off by reflecting on some common missteps: not fully understanding the nature of the web, getting distracted by new tools and dependencies, and forgetting the basic tenets of good markup and accessibility. He and Nathan talk about the importance of simple, semantic HTML first, focusing on communication before aesthetics, and the recurring struggle with over-complicating even the most basic sites. From there, they examine
On the podcast today Nathan and David explore changes in the world of web technology, with a particular focus on CSS and front-end development. They’re taking a step back to look at where CSS is heading, and in particular, how the rise of “programmatic CSS” is shifting the landscape for developers, designers, and anyone building for the web. If you feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of new CSS specifications, features, and ideas, things like inline if statements, new functions, and increasingly dynamic capabilities, then you’re not alone. David shares his experience coming from a more tradit
On the podcast today, we have Paul Lacey, an experienced UK designer deeply entrenched in the world of WordPress. With years of experience working with agencies and clients, Paul will help us tackle the question: should we be offering clients a Content Management System (CMS)? Paul brings a wealth of knowledge, having transitioned from a small agency owner to a freelance web consultant. He focuses on building websites and consulting, steering clear of marketing but fully embracing the technological side. We delve into the challenges and decisions surrounding the use of CMSs like WordPress, how
On the podcast today, Nathan and David are exploring the fascinating world of the Indie Web, which presents itself as a people-focused alternative to the corporate-controlled web. This episode delves into what the Indie Web movement is all about, and why it might be the right choice for those concerned with the current state of internet ownership and privacy. Nathan talks about how the Indie Web prioritises individual ownership of content and domain usage as a primary online identity. David gets into how owning your online presence can be more aligned with a people-first approach. We also disc
On the podcast today, we’re diving deep into a crucial discussion for website developers and enthusiasts alike: the considerations between static and dynamic content-heavy websites. I’m joined by our hosts, Nathan Wrigley and David Waumsley, who will unravel the complexities of these two approaches. Throughout their conversation, Nathan and David explore various facets of website architecture, starting with the fundamental concept of atomizing components like headers and footers for efficient management. They delve into the resurgence of a more code-centric web development practice as opposed
In this episode of No Script Show, Nathan Wrigley and David Waumsley dive into the evolving landscape of frontend development, focusing on the divide between UX designers and JavaScript specialists. Join us for a detailed discussion on the complexities and dynamics of modern web design. The role of Google and Meta in open source and their impact on project stability. Evolution of CSS and JavaScript, including trends like using CSS as a programming language. The growing complexity and specialisation in frontend development and its effects on newcomers. Insights on the divide within WordPress de
Join Nathan Wrigley and David Waumsley as they dive into the latest W3C report on AI and its impact on the web, exploring the future of AI standards and ethical considerations. Discover the potential and challenges AI brings to web browsing, creativity, and data management. Discussion on environmental costs and sustainability of AI technology. Concerns about AI over-hype and its impact on creative and entry-level jobs. Insights into the W3C's proposed AI standards for transparency and data control. The debate over AI's ability to understand the context in creative tasks. Potential regulatory r
In this episode of No Script Show, Nathan Wrigley and David Waumsley delve into the intricate world of web typography and its evolution. From historical practices to modern advancements, they uncover the elements that shape today's web design. - Transition from pixels to rems and its impact on accessibility - Exploring new features in web typography like font loading and background clipping - Importance of fluid typography and tools like Utopia CSS generator - Challenges and beauty of typography for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean characters - Benefits of chromatic fonts, CSS columns, and underu
Welcome to the no script show about modern web design where we look at what we can build today with minimal software and skills. Today we are talking about web images. We’ll cover technological changes such as new optimised formats and CSS properties. And talk about the challenges of creating a fast and eco-friendly experience whilst also trying to make visually attractive designs for devices that range from wrist watches to 4k TV screens. In this episode of No Script Show, hosts David Waumsley and Nathan Wrigley dive into the latest advancements in web images and their impact on design, perfo
Explore the future of web design with our latest episode of No Script Show, where we delve into the emerging CSS media features that cater to user preferences. Join us as we discuss how these features reshape the online experience. - Learn about the new CSS media queries that enable unique user-centric web experiences. - Discover statistics on user adoption of features like dark mode and the expectation for automatic application on websites. - Examine the technical challenges and potential solutions involved in implementing toggles for various user preferences. - Discuss the pros and cons of i
