8th May 2025
“…I really appreciate the guidance you’ve given me, particularly as this is my first website and there are a lot of decisions to be made…. and you’ve taken the time to explain everything in a way that makes sense and has left me feeling confident editing and adding to my site going forward.”
Check out the full client testimonial at the end of this article.
A new website starter serviceThis year, we have seen a growing number of clients seeking guidance on how to get started with their websites. Most small businesses and individuals want a professional online presence that reflects the quality of their service or product. However, they often find themselves in an 'in-between' position: they want to keep costs down and learn to manage their own websites, but the initial setup and build can feel overwhelming.
At this stage it can be tempting to turn to a website builder service that promises ease and simplicity. But there are many more benefits that you can gain by hiring a professional web designer to get you started.
Because of recent demand, we are now offering the creation of a small starter website as a service. Let us tell you about some of the key benefits.
Starting up involves installing and configuring your website software, applying the necessary security features, actioning accessibility, creating a responsive design and adding structural features that won’t very often change. This is the technically most difficult stage of a website’s life and done correctly will only need to be carried out once for quite a few years. The question is, why take time out of your business to learn this step when we could do it for you?
Once your starter website is built you don’t need to worry about unexpected costs. Whereas website builder services typically increase monthly costs with the addition of simple features. Additionally, once your website is created on a website builder platform it is locked into that service’s hosting and can’t be moved elsewhere. A website at our Green Hosting isn’t only powered by renewable electricity but it is also ‘moveable’ to an alternative hosting provider if you wish to do that at a later stage.
Having a web designer support you in taking your website forward after the initial launch is incredibly valuable. We guide you through good practice, content preparation and website editing so that your website can stay as fresh and professional as it did at initial launch.
Web design is so much more than placing words and pictures on a screen. Use our expertise of over 20 years building more complex websites to help you solve your initial puzzles. This may be around navigation and content structure, look and feel, choice of software, meeting required legislation and so on. You don’t know what you don’t know, right? It’s our job to know.
Do you know about all the responsibilities and legal requirements that come with owning a website? We can guide you when it comes to accessibility, usability, sustainability, security and privacy.
One of our recent starter website clients sums up this service so beautifully and encapsulates everything we aim to achieve:
"I love what you do, your ethics and your approach to the work - the process has been fantastic. From initial ideas to the final published site, you’ve kept me informed at every step, making it clear what was happening and when. I really appreciate the guidance you’ve given me, particularly as this is my first website and there are a lot of decisions to be made. I also appreciate your patience - whilst I’m broadly tech-savvy, there’s so much more to building a website than you first think, and you’ve taken the time to explain everything in a way that makes sense and has left me feeling confident editing and adding to my site going forward.
I’m blown away by the finished result. It looks far smarter and more professional than I would have achieved by myself or with a website builder, and you’ve given me something that’s such a great fit, but that I would never have arrived at alone. For the service, the outcome and the skills I’ve gained for the future - the price is incredibly competitive too.
Thank you 😊"
If this article resonates with you, if you’re looking to get started with a professional website but are not sure how, then get in touch with us at [email protected].
1st May 2025
At the end of a recent video call with one of our web design clients, they signed off by saying, "Thanks for being human!"
That simple comment meant a lot. It’s exactly the kind of thing we look for in a company and it’s something we've always made a conscious effort to bring to our work. We also value this quality in our clients, those who communicate openly and naturally, without any assumptions about how to talk to "I.T. people."
Positive feedback about our approach and process is just as meaningful as praise for the finished website. That's because genuine, human interaction between collaborators is what leads to the best results. In fact, it's such a vital part of any project that we thought it was worth breaking down exactly why 'being human' matters so much in a web design partnership.
Human-centred design goes together with human-centred communication
We don't expect clients to know the lexicon of web development or UX (user experience) - but they do know their aims, why they need a website, their stakeholders and their own resources. These are the things we ask them about. Speaking in clear language encourages better discussion and more useful feedback. This sets the tone for the whole design process, which is about people, not pixels.
Approachability builds trust
Clients may understandably feel vulnerable when commissioning a website. It can be a big investment tied to their business or personal brand. Being approachable and providing gentle leadership helps reduce anxiety and creates a safe space for questions and honest input. Trust and confidence in the web developer leads to a smoother project process that's enjoyable for everyone.
Translating tech into tangible outcomes
Clients shouldn't have to care about the technical details of their website. They care about their goals and calls to action their web users should take, such as accessing support, finding information, booking events, buying a product and so on. Stripping away the tech speak allows us to focus on discussions about outcomes and because we choose to work with organisations and individuals who are making a positive difference, their outcomes are all the more important to us.
How we feel makes all the difference
We want clients to come away from a web development project feeling respected, heard and understood and we want to feel that way too. Positive experiences like this are more likely to lead to long-term working relationships and potentially more opportunities for both parties.
6th Feb 2025
On June 28th 2025 the European Accessibility Act (EAA) comes into force. The Act aims to ensure equitable access to online digital services (including websites) and products for users in the European Union. It applies to any business that provides products and services to consumers in the EU, wherever the business is based. This means that it applies to UK businesses.
See our previous article 'Website accessibility - what, why and how' for more details on what web accessibility means, why it is important and ways to make your website more accessible.
Previously, legislation based around website accessibility has been aimed mainly at Public Sector bodies but the EAA focusses on the private sector. It applies to businesses who trade in the EU, who are based outside of the EU but sell products and services within the EU and who have at least 10 employees and a turnover of €2 million.
Whilst the EAA may not apply to some smaller businesses and individuals, we believe that all website owners should be working towards a more accessible internet. As in other areas of society, many people are disadvantaged in the digital world due to unequal access to information, services and products. Older people, disabled people and those without access to fast internet services will all benefit from websites that are designed and created to accessibility standards.
Find more detailed information about the European Accessibility Act at:
European Union
European Commission
Ability Net
Gov.uk - understanding accessibility requirements
13th Dec 2024
For Christmas break, we will be closing our office at 5pm on Friday 20th December 2024 and re-opening on Monday 6th January 2025.
We will be taking some time to rest, spend time with loved ones and enjoy the festivities. For any non urgent website or hosting queries, please e-mail us as usual and we will get back to you on our return. We also have lots of helpful guides for common questions relating to billing, e-mails and managing your website hosting in our support section.
If you have any urgent support queries during that time, please use our urgent support helpdesk.
A huge thank you to all of our clients and colleagues for your support. This year was a big one and our 20th anniversary! We look forward to working with you next year and beyond!
12th Dec 2024
So here it is, our last client appreciation post of 2024 and a great one to end the year…
Ethical Revolution
26 steps to a better world
ethicalrevolution.co.uk
We Make Our Way
Woodworking studio, classes and workshops
wemakeourway.co.uk
The Nyika Vwaza Trust
Environmental & wildlife conservation in Malawi
nyika-vwaza-trust.org
Eleanor Minney
Psychotherapy and wellbeing
eleanorminneyresource.co.uk
SEDA
Scottish Ecological Design Association
seda.uk.net
Derby SENDIASS
Special Education Needs and Disabilities Information & Advice
derbysendiass.org.uk
Elizabeth Skinner
Confidence coach for women in tech
elizabethskinner.net
Heads Up
Supporting young people to develop skills for life
headsupmha.com
BodyIntuitive by Britt
Holistic health therapist
britt.dk
Sustainable Haltwhistle
Reducing the impact of the community on the environment
sustainablehaltwhistle.org.uk
Bring Back Euro Trains
Campaign to reinstate Kent’s Euro trains service
bringbackeurotrains.com
Meadow Lodge
A tranquil cabin in Devon
meadowlodgedevon.com
Image descriptions:
1) A grid of images showing (clockwise) Eleanor Minnay, Sam Attard, Martin Sommerville, A team of researchers from The Nyika Vwaza Trust 2&3) Logos of the brands listed in this post
Photo copyright – The individuals and organisations listed in this post
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