What is a successful website?

Simply a website that works, realising ALL your key objectives. I help clients understand exactly what those key objectives are, and then implement this so they have a website that works much harder for them.

My very first website design was in 1999 and won Macromedia Website of the Month (Aug’99) for the ‘V-Event’ virtual company launch event on the web. Since then I have worked on countless website projects and companies in the business (B2B, B2C) sectors.

More than the technical aspect, I am able to effectively convey a company’s true identity in their respective market sector and target audience(s). This is very important for companies if they are to fully convey who they are, what they offer, communicate real brand confidence and provoke a response for sales, leads, customer loyalty and customer referrals.

Fact – More than 90% of the companies I meet are NOT the same company depicted by their company website

It’s true. Most company websites I preview are not properly and effectively communicating their company, products and services (and indeed through most of the company marketing collateral and literature) which will be having a dramatic effect on their business and customer sales potential. I show clients how this has occured and how to rectify this situation, often without requiring wholesale changes and just by implemeting simple improvements. If this is the case, the company will NOT be realising its true maximum business potential and allowing their rivals to gain marketing advantage. Call me to arrange a FREE marketing audit including website review.

Develop or rebuild?

This decision is made entirely by the client but depends largely on just how unproductive and poorly performing the existing website is for the company.

I always start from trying to transform what we have already, and evolve the website from where it is now to where it needs to be.

If agreed a new website is required and the most cost effective route, I create for the client a very clear website strategy document comprising of proposal, flow diagram, budget and concept visuals.

I plan for today and tomorrow, creating for the company a fully prioritised 3-stage development and evolution website strategy – typically a 3 to 5 year plan depending on the key objectives and budget.

My website designs are modular and futureproofed. By planning ahead we save rebuilding wherever possible. I like to keep designs clean, clear and function.

Website design (and all my graphic design)

My rule is simply ‘Never place anything on the page or screen unless their is a good reason for it’. Just because ‘it looked good’ is not enough. This effective design rule minimises workload, minimises cost, and increase the ability for the key messages to be communicated and received.

Websites MUST be customer focused and marketing-led ~ not design-led

My websites are designed for the target audience, and for your key objectives at the forefront of my website strategy. At the end of the day, a website is pointless and a waste of budget if it just looks good – but doesn’t deliver what is required to take your business forward.

Call to Actions (CTA’s)

Based on over 25 years design, marketing and PR experience, CTA’s and other sales generators are integrated strategically throughout the website with key location to activate the required response(s) and call to action(s) needed.

The website design you need at the right price

Websites can be custom built for special individual needs and for complex functionality and features – or very effectively template adapted, saving clients significant time and cost.

For example, there could be a ready-made WordPress or Joomla template existing that can be downloaded, installed and adapted for your exact requirements – saving time and cost.

Websites that are simple to understand, access, update and edit

It’s as simple as that and once the website is live, there is training for key staff to understand exactly how to access the website and how to perform any function they require. I set administration rights according to their website management role. A website user manual can be provided. Ongoing technical and maintenance support is available 24×7.

Clever websites

I always have lots of ideas how your website can stand apart and head an shoulders over your rivals and provide you with a competitive edge over your rivals. This is particularly important for companies who need to convey superiority because they are market leaders in their respective market sectors. There are ways this can be done – and should be done.

Integration

Your website should be an important corporate component in your overall business marketing and communications mix – fully integrated into your brand, online product/service information facility and efficient functionality to facilitate customer convenience and meet their needs – as well as expectation. Most websites I come across just provide an online (digital) information leaflet role and could (should) be much more productive.

Hosting, Domain Registration

I can provide full secure website hosting including domain registration using 1and1.uk. My websites have been 100% secure for the past 6 years and I continue to recommend 1and1 to clients. Call me for more hosting information and click the 1and1 link below for 1and1 hosting information -

Your domain name is very important from both a branding position but most importantly from a search engine optimisation standpoint, if online searches can find you via their search engine key words. I am happy to advise you on this point.

Ongoing

Websites need to continually be evaluated and evolved in accordance with continued changes in the business market and with your customer’s needs. About every 6-12 months we can review your website reports (stats, analytics) to ensure your website is valid, fresh and working harder for your business.

How I Work

I can work effectively however best suits you – as website designer, copywriter and website developer with overall responsibility for delivering the website – or B2B marketing communications consultant working with you and your existing website company.

I work with carefully selected ‘website engineers’  who could be a developer (or different developers) with particular skills for your particular needs, or an agency team for larger, custom build, or more complex websites.

I’m sorry but the vast majority of website design companies I have met do NOT understand – 1) your business, products, services, etc; 2) don’t understand marketing, PR, etc; 3) do not understand your target audience(s) and customers, demographics, etc; 4) your business objectives; 5) your brief. They ONLY Understand website design.

I work with carefully selected website design companies and website developers I trust to do an excellent job for my clients.

YOU know your business – I KNOW the marketing, PR, brand, communications and strategy – Website developers, website engineers and website teams are brilliant at making what is required to work – work. In my experience, this is a very strong website development team and partnership that brings success.

MACROMEDIA WEBSITE OF THE MONTH 1999 for the Vacon ‘V-Event’ – The world’s first ever online virtual company launch event using a website and the internet.

A few examples of website development projects

General Engine Management Systems (GEMS) – performance motorsports and industrial electronics and technology – Rebrand and new logo, sales literature, press and PR, exhibition stand and new website

EIS-Axon – electrical engineering company – Rebrand and new logo, sales literature and new website

SUSSEX CAST IRON RADIATORS WEBSITE for SUSSEX BLAST CLEANING GROUP – Low budget simple design and development providing easy client access with as required ongoing website updating and maintenance support. This website was also created, completed and online within a week.