Conlon Flay Creative

09/08/2026

One of the biggest mistakes we make when talking about LGBTQIA+ communities is reducing them to Pride, nightlife or rainbow logos.

Communities aren’t built once a year. They’re built every day.

They’re built by cafés where people feel comfortable meeting. By charities doing quiet work that rarely makes the headlines. By freelancers, bookshops, hairdressers, accountants, therapists, tradespeople and hundreds of other businesses that become part of people’s everyday lives.

The problem isn’t that every business needs to be LGBTQIA+ owned - the problem is that the businesses and organisations that are often remain invisible.

If you can’t find them, you can’t support them.

I wrote this because I think we’ve been having the wrong conversation. Visibility isn’t about virtue signalling. It’s about making it easier for communities to support themselves, strengthen local economies and help brilliant businesses thrive.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and if you want £50 knocked off of the £99 price of an annual business directory listing you can find the code at the bottom of the article.

Discover why stronger LGBTQIA+ communities depend on visible, discoverable businesses rather than symbolic support. Explore how local businesses, charities and organisations help build thriving communities.

03/08/2026

I’ve lived in a lot of places. Some have great q***r scenes. Some are wonderfully multicultural. Very few manage to make both feel completely ordinary.

Glasgow’s Southside does.

I wrote about why this corner of the city has become one of the most interesting places I’ve lived. From Queen’s Park and Category Is Books to community noticeboards, independent cafés and the everyday moments that make somewhere feel like home.

It’s also made me think differently about why I’m building Hosting at Mine and what genuine community looks like, both on the street and online.

I’d love to know if you agree, especially if you live in the Southside.

Read the full article:
https://www.hostingatmine.co.uk/blog/glasgows-southside-feels-like-the-future

28/07/2026

Good businesses deserve to be found so here’s a head start.

I’m giving 10 businesses a free year in the new Hosting at Mine LGBTQIA+ Business Directory; usually it’s £99 - for the next 10 sign-ups, it’s £0.

Use LISTME100 at checkout. Literally no catches.

If you’re LGBTQIA+ owned, a charity, community organisation, or an inclusive business that actually backs the community rather than just changing a logo every June I’d love to have you on board.

Offer ends tomorrow at 11:59pm or when all 10 places are gone. Quick!

Discover LGBTQIA+ owned and inclusive businesses in the Hosting at Mine Business Directory. Join today or find trusted businesses across the UK.

27/07/2026

For the past few months I’ve been building Hosting at Mine, a website hosting platform designed specifically for LGBTQIA+ businesses, charities and community organisations.

One of the things I’m most excited about is the business directory. The idea is simple - make it easier for people to discover and support LGBTQIA+ owned and inclusive organisations while giving businesses another way to be found online.

Originally the directory was only going to be available to businesses hosted with Hosting at Mine. Before launch though, I wanted to open it up to everyone.

For a limited time you can join the directory for £99 for a full year, with no requirement to move your website or hosting.

Your listing includes everything someone needs to find and contact your business including your description, images, website, contact details, social links, opening hours, accessibility information and more. You’ll also be able to update your listing whenever you need to.

This is the introductory launch price while I grow the directory and the wider platform.

If you run an LGBTQIA+ owned business, charity or community organisation, or you’re an inclusive business that wants to reach more LGBTQIA+ customers, I’d be delighted to have you involved.

Click the link to find out more and sign up!

Discover LGBTQIA+ owned and inclusive businesses in the Hosting at Mine Business Directory. Join today or find trusted businesses across the UK.

17/05/2026

How much SHOULD a website cost in 2026? I'll tell you...

How much should a website cost in the UK? A practical guide to pricing, what you’re really paying for, and how to avoid wasting money on a site that doesn’t convert.

17/05/2026

“How much should I pay a graphic designer?”

I’ve written a new article answering that question properly, from the perspective of somebody actually working in the industry every day.

I cover why cheap design often becomes expensive, what businesses are actually paying for and why good design builds trust. I also set out realistic pricing expectations, the problem with template culture, Canva and AI branding and the biggest red flags I see from clients and designers alike.

Good design is not decoration. It’s commercial confidence!

How much should you pay a graphic designer? Glasgow designer Conlon Flay explains realistic design pricing, why cheap design often costs more long-term, and what businesses are actually paying for when they hire a professional designer.

12/05/2026

Let's talk about web design.

AI isn't making you look good and the folk offering you websites for £20 are risking your reputation. Canva is not a design tool and the results show.

Your website is your shop front and you do not want to represent yourself like you don't care.

Invest in your business. It matters.

https://www.conlonflay.co.uk/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=group&utm_campaign=are-you-stupid

27/04/2026

I was asked recently how much a website build costs and when I mentioned the price they told me they'd been quoted £20 by somebody else - so I wrote a blog post about too-good-to-be-true web design costs...

How much should a website cost in the UK? A practical guide to pricing, what you’re really paying for, and how to avoid wasting money on a site that doesn’t convert.

21/04/2026

FRIENDS! I’ve started offering something alongside the websites and graphic design I do that a lot of people actually need more than the design itself.

I’ll just run the website for you. Easy breezy just-do-it-for-me hosting. Hit me up with your hosting needs! 🚀

Fully managed website hosting with updates, security, backups and support handled for you. One contact, one monthly cost.