Free WordPress themes sound like a great deal — until they start hurting your brand, slowing your site, and costing you sales.
In this episode, Charly explores why “free” often comes with hidden costs and what to consider when building your website.
📌 Here's what you'll learn:
✅ Common issues with free themes: poor mobile design, slow speed, lack of support
✅ Why outdated code can break your site after updates
✅ The hidden SEO risks of built-in links and developer credits
✅ How premium themes and page builders like Thrive can reduce risk and boost ROI
🔗 Recommended: Thrive Themes – https://askcharlyleetham.com/likes/thrivethemes
(Charly receives a commission for purchases made from this link)
🛡️ Build your site with purpose, not just pretty colors
🛡️ Keep accessibility, conversion, and future updates in mind
🛡️ Weigh the real cost of time lost troubleshooting vs investing upfront
If your website is part of your business, this episode could save you time, stress — and money.
📢Join the discussion in my community: https://askcharlyleetham.locals.com
Follow us:
Locals:
https://askcharlyleetham.locals.com
Rumble:
https://rumble.com/askcharlyleetham
Odyssey:
https://odysee.com/@askcharlyleetham:4
YouTube:
https://youtube.com/askcharlyleetham
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/askcharlyleetham
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/yourbizmgr
Instagram:
https://instagram.com/ask_charly_leetham
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/charlyleetham
LinkedIn Company:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ask-charly-leetham/
Spotify:
https://askcharlyleetham.com/likes/rise-and-shine
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-charly-leetham-online-business-manager/id1659738721
iHeartRadio:
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-ask-charly-leetham-online-105944212/
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/662f1e44-115d-4094-862b-efe9307e0df4/ask-charly-leetham-online-business-manager
https://rumble.com/v70d34k-is-that-free-wordpress-theme-secretly-costing-you-customers-2025623.html
Life is busy and there's just so many things to remember. What tools do you use to help you keep on top of ALL the things?
Your laptop could die, get stolen, or you might just forget to take it with you - and if you do not have a plan for what comes next, you could be in trouble. Without your laptop, you lose access to the very systems you need to run your business.
In this episode, Charly covers:
✅ Why losing your laptop means losing access to the systems your business runs on
✅ The critical difference between a dead laptop and a stolen one
✅ What to do in the first hour if your laptop goes missing
✅ How your downtime can grind your entire team to a halt
✅ The mindset shift needed to build a real continuity plan
Stop guessing and start planning - because the worst time to figure this out is when it has already happened.
Book a Free 30 minute Breakthrough Session: https://askcharlyleetham.com/book-me
(1 per person only)
Follow us:
Locals: https://askcharlyleetham.locals.com
Rumble: https://rumble.com/askcharlyleetham
Odyssey: https://odysee.com/@askcharlyleetham:4
YouTube: ...
You installed a free VPN to protect your privacy, but what if it is actually doing the exact opposite? Most free VPN providers need to make money somehow, and if you are not paying with your wallet, you are almost certainly paying with your data.
In this episode, Charly covers:
✅ Why running a VPN service is expensive and how free providers cover those costs
✅ How free VPNs collect and sell your browsing history, habits, and behavioural data to brokers
✅ Why “no logs” marketing claims cannot be trusted without independent audits
✅ Why a free VPN is worse than other dodgy apps - because ALL your traffic flows through it
✅ Three practical steps: uninstall, change passwords, and budget for a paid provider
Stop being the product. A decent paid VPN costs less than a coffee a month and keeps your data where it belongs - with you.
✅ Free VPN 101 Course: https://askcharlyleetham.com/business-tech-boost/vpns-101/
(No signup required - Charly built this so you can sort it yourself)
✅ Get up to 3 months ...
Struggling to add a Gravity Forms form to a page builder that does not have a built-in connector? If you are using Divi, Thrive Architect, or another WordPress page builder without native Gravity Forms support, there is a simple workaround you need to know about.
In this episode, Charly covers:
✅ Why Gravity Forms is worth using over built-in form builders for better spam protection and integrations
✅ How to find and copy the Gravity Forms shortcode from the embed button
✅ Using the custom HTML or custom code block in your page builder to display the form
✅ Tips on customising the shortcode options like hiding the form title
This technique works across most page builders - if it has a custom HTML or code block, you can use it. Stop wrestling with missing connectors and get your forms on the page the easy way.
Book a Free 30 minute Breakthrough Session: https://askcharlyleetham.com/book-me
(1 per person only)
Follow us:
Locals: https://askcharlyleetham.locals.com
Rumble: ...