Blue Signal Design

Q: What's your name and position in the company?
A: Mike Chesworth, Owner and Front End Developer

Q: Describe your company in 5 words.
A: Honest, Bespoke, Usable, Accessible, Friendly

Q: What's your business philosophy?
A: Our philosophy is to create simple and easy to use websites. We believe that every site should be professional, accessible and user friendly. We provide an affordable service to every customer and we don't believe that a affordable product should mean an inferior product. We think that every site should be high quality without the high cost, and no corners should be cut just to be affordable.

Q: Describe your office environment.
A: Casual, friendly and comfortable.

Q: Describe how your team interact and work together.
A: We believe in a collaborative where every member of the team has an important part to play. There are no wrong answers or silly ideas just ideas to explore. Constant input and communication is the key, every member has an valid opinion.

Q: What makes you different from other web design companies?
A: We think that the most important person in the process is the customer. Every customer is treated the same and we are not scared to say no to a customer if it's not the right thing to do or if something that is not required in the process. We like to keep it simple and jargon free.

Q: How do you get the majority of your business?
A: Word of mouth and Social Networking

Q: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
A: Initial Discussion, Information Gathering, Mockup Approval and Design, Content completion, User Testing and Browser Testing, Final Approval, Handover to client, 3 month website review after completion.

Q: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
A: We believe in keeping the client involved in 100% of the process, and allow them to make the important decisions, while having all the information readily available. Keep it simple.

Q: How do you manage demanding clients?
A: Be honest and diligent. Keep them involved and informed of every step of the process.

Q: If a client was trying to decide between a shortlist of web design companies, how would you recommend they go about selecting the right one for them?
A: Ensure that they know their area. Check their blog, if they are not writing about the services they provide then how do they know the technical challenge of building a website. Ask about costs, sometimes the cheapest is not always the best. If you are provided with a quote ask them why they are different to another company. Don't be scared to ask you're designer questions.

Q: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
A: Creating even more great websites. We believe in staying small, and that small businesses prefer the personal touch that a big company can't provide.

Q: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
A: Better browsers, and more interactive services being provided. Every browser will have better accessibility and usability.

Q: What computers do you have use in your offices, PCs or Macs?
A: Mac

Q: How was your company name chosen?
A: It was just a choice of random words that came together.

Q: If you were to give your clients one tip on how to get the most from their website what would it be?
A: A website is not something that you should build and forget about. A website should be treated as an ongoing project that is constantly refined and monitored.