7 things I love about designing websites

Writing this blog has allowed me to explore exactly what it is about designing websites that I really love.

Web design is completely aligned with my passions and values, which reminds me how lucky I am to be doing something that I love.

I hope I manage to portray my feelings when it comes to the whole design process, it would be great to hear what it is about your business or job that you love.

1. Getting to know you

I love learning about different people and what they do.

It’s one of the reasons I studied Psychology at Uni, understanding why people make certain choices.

Starting with an informal meeting, usually with lots of coffee and cake, I ask tried and tested questions that get to the very heart of your business.

Taking time to understand who your clients are, what information they need and why they choose to work with you are essential components of any website.

As an objective outsider, I often pick up on nuggets of information, that you might overlook, that make your business special. Then I list all the benefits of working with you and your team.

I find what other people do fascinating. Understanding how different businesses work, their processes and strategies are all vital to displaying the relevant information to your clients. My clients often enjoy this part of the process too. I've been told I'm a good listener, easy to talk to and non judgmental.

As you can see from our previous web design projects, I work with a diverse range of businesses from architects and specialist restoration builders to IT companies and craft cider makers. Whether you need a brochure site to highlight your fabulous work with fantastic photography and case studies, or an e-commerce site that outranks your competitors, we can help.

Your business is unique and it’s up to me to represent it in its best light and that's exactly what I do.

2. Turning a problem into an opportunity

"There no such thing as problems, only opportunities"

People usually start thinking about a new website when something isn’t working with the old one. Whether it’s out dated and no longer represents their business, or it’s too cluttered and hard to use, or simply isn't getting ranked in the search engines.

I love getting to the heart of the problem and putting it right.

Choosing the right strategy is essential to make it work effectively. You might need a new keyword strategy, new case studies, modern photography, video testimonials or a re-brand to refresh and update your overall style, whatever it is, I can help.

My clients are always delighted with the end result, they have a fresh new website they are proud to start promoting, that’s easy to use and delivers the information their clients need.

3. Creative Freedom

Every new website is a brand new challenge.

I always start with a blank piece of paper. There are no templates and fixed models that I tweak to fit your business, each and every website is designed from scratch with your business aims and your clients as the focus.

Thinking of what designs and colour combinations best represent your business, making you stand out from your competitors and appeal to your clients, are all part of the process.

I am constantly gathering inspiration and creative ideas.

Whether it’s from designers I admire and styles that I like, from books and magazines or simply from walking and observing. I like to follow the Pantone colour trends, and get loads of inspiration from interior design magazines.

4. Learning something new

Every business is unique.

What it stands for, the people who work there and the difference they make. Every new website, I get to understand the bare bones of a business, it’s people, what’s important to them and what makes them special.

Every website is unique.

Every web project throws up a new challenge. There's always a new app, form, back end system, process or whatever presents itself.

There's always a solution, it's just a matter of finding it! This opens up the opportunity to learn something new.

It's great overcoming obstacles and learning new styles and techniques and these always come in handy for the next web project.

5. Helping it grow

Web design is a creative process.

Starting with a plan, gathering information, building and tweaking until you reach the end result.

It is also a collaborative process between the designer and the business.

It's essential the main contact really understands the business and how it works.

Regular communication is key. Usually a weekly online meeting to check progress and ensure the information gathering is going according to plan is enough.

Working with a small group of trusted partners, marketing strategists, graphic designers, professional marketers, SEO gurus and copywriters, together we build your website, piece by piece until you are 100% happy with the end result.

6. Hearing people’s reactions

Seeing the final website live and working across all devices, is always a thrill.

But, hearing people's reactions, is when you know you've got it right.

Most websites take about 8 weeks to build. Throughout this time we work really closely. Asking lots of questions about what they do, getting a better understanding of their clients needs and uncovering some real gems that are worth highlighting, it's only natural that we start to build a business friendship.

During the development process it's only me and the client who have seen the new design. It's only when it's been launched and live the real test comes, hearing the feedback from my clients customers.

7. Working together

I've been working with many of my clients for years

Some I knew a long time before they decided to have a website built and they knew they wanted to work with me when the time was right.

After we've launched their website, I recommend monthly marketing coaching.

This involves a monthly on-site meeting where I coach and support someone in the business to effectively update and market the website.

During this time, we can tweak pages, write some blogs, post social media posts, set up email signatures, send newsletters, you name it we can do it.

This ensures the website is really working effectively and delivering the results the client needs.

Whilst working together to improve their website and their overall marketing, we start building a really great working relationship. Hopefully, they know that I really want the best for their business, and I'll help them and coach them to start doing this for themselves.

In summary...

I'm really thankful that I've found a job that I love.

I hope this blog goes a little way to explain what it's like to work with me.

If your website needs a little TLC, please do give me a call.

I'll get the coffee and cakes!