Clear Blue Designs
Clear Blue Designs are dedicated to providing a range of quality web, graphic and database design solutions in Edinburgh, Scotland at an affordable price. We love to design, and enjoy a challenge. Working hard to us is not a problem because we love what we are doing.
Clients and Projects
Industry Sectors:
Health & Beauty, Not for profit / Charity, Tourism & Travel, Entertainment, Educational, _Other
Tends to work with:
Individuals, Non-profit Organisations, SMEs, Private Companies
General location of clients: Edinburgh
Latest Project
Beth Cumming
Beth was looking to move away from a Mr Site website and implement a new website with a professional and modern new design. It was important that the website was easy to maintain to allow Beth full control of her content
What We Have Achieved
Latest Review
15 January 2010
Jamie Fraser, Director at Wild Packs Ltd
I appreciate that this is going to sound like rather contrived sales pitch, most likely written from someone within Clear Blue designs, but I can assure you it is not.
Running a business these days requires...
read more
Interview
WWDC:
Describe your company in 5 words.
Clear Blue Designs:
”professional, friendly, helpful, passionate, affordable”
WWDC:
Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
Clear Blue Designs:
”Providing a range of new solutions to all sizes of companies. Offering start-up advice and solutions. Expanding into further marketing areas, including email marketing tools for clients”
WWDC:
How was your company name chosen?
Clear Blue Designs:
”It took me 3 weeks and the help of 6 friends to come up with Clear Blue Designs. I had an idea of making everything clear and easy with the good feeling of a clear blue sky.”
What We Do?
- Branding
- Content Management System (CMS)
- eCommerce Solutions
- Graphic Design for Print
- Graphic Design for the Web
- Hosting
- Logo Design
- Online Marketing
- Printing
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
- Web Page Maintenance
- Website Design
- Website Development
Technologies Used:
ASP, CSS, JavaScript, XHTML, , mySQL, PHP, ,
CMS Used:
Open Source, Own Brand
We use a combination of CMS systems dependant on the clients needs. We will create a bespoke system for our clients if their project requires it. If a bespoke system isn't appropriate we use open source software called CMS Made Simple, Drupal or Wordpress
Company Overview
Languages Spoken:
English
No. of Employees:
Established: 2007
Address:
Edinburgh
Contact:
Tom Bathgate
Phone: 0845 094 9065
info@clearbluedesigns.co.uk
www.clearbluedesigns.co.uk
Joined WWDC: 1 March 2008
We Recommend
Beth Cumming
- Content Management System (CMS)
- Graphic Design for the Web
- Hosting
- Website Design
- Website Development
Beth was looking to move away from a Mr Site website and implement a new website with a professional and modern new design. It was important that the website was easy to maintain to allow Beth full control of her content
Languages: English
Project type: Content Managed (Dynamic)
Organisation category: Individual
Industry: _Other
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: This website is base on Wordpress and utilises various wordpress plugins including Contact Form 7, Robots Meta, All in One SEO Pack, and Breadcrumb NavXT
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: CSS, mySQL, PHP, XHTML
Completion date: January 2010
Wild Packs Scottish Summer Camps
- Graphic Design for the Web
- Hosting
- Web Page Maintenance
- Website Design
- Website Development
Wild Packs were looking for a mini site to help with a marketing campaign. They wanted a site that was a little different from their usual designs. Sprocket Dog Design came up with a catchy visual design, which we then developed
Languages: English
Project type: Basic (Static) website
Organisation category: SME
Industry: Tourism & Travel
Content managed (CMS): No
CMS Description: N/A
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 1
Technologies used: CSS, mySQL, XHTML
Completion date: July 2009
Wild Packs Summer Staff Training
- Graphic Design for the Web
- Hosting
- Web Page Maintenance
- Website Design
- Website Development
Wild Packs were looking for a mini site to compliment their main site and to help drive traffic to the main site. They wanted to retain an element of their branding and style on the design so that is was recognisable as part of the Wild Packs family of websites. This site was designed by Sprocket Dog Designs and developed by us
Languages: English
Project type: Basic (Static) website
Organisation category: SME
Industry: Tourism & Travel
Content managed (CMS): No
CMS Description: N/A
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 1
Technologies used: CSS, XHTML
Completion date: July 2009
Eileen Nugent
- Branding
- Content Management System (CMS)
- Graphic Design for Print
- Graphic Design for the Web
- Hosting
- Logo Design
- Printing
- Web Page Maintenance
- Website Design
- Website Development
Eileen wanted a elegant and stylish website that would compliment a recent photoshoot she had done with a Edinburgh photographer. We created a stunning and simple website and logo design which compliments her work beautifully. The site has an easy and uncluttered content management system that allows Eileen to have full control over her content.
Languages: English
Project type: Content Managed (Dynamic)
Organisation category: Individual
Industry: Health & Beauty
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: The website is based on CMS Made Simple and makes use of the form builder, TincyMCE and File Manager modules as well as the core CMS Made Simple Modules. A mailing list system is designed but not implemented at this time.
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: CSS, mySQL, PHP, XHTML
Completion date: April 2009
Home Education Forums
- Content Management System (CMS)
- Graphic Design for the Web
- Logo Design
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
- Web Page Maintenance
- Website Design
- Website Development
The Home Education forums is a large community of home educators who required a community site to connect their users. The site constists of a community site, a forum, a blog, a latest news section, a mailing list manager and a newsletter system and a business directory, all of which the client is able to maintain and manage through the content management system. The site will also have a e-commerce section added to the project at a later date.
Languages: English
Project type: Community website
Organisation category: Non-profit Organisation
Industry: Educational
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: This site is based on CMS Made Simple. The site includes a latest news functionality, a blog, a business directory, a mailing list manager, a newletter system, a rotating banner module, and a vbulletin forum.
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 1
Technologies used: CSS, JavaScript, mySQL, PHP, XHTML, Vbulletin Forum, OpenX Banner System
Completion date: March 2009 (on-going)
Wild Packs Scotland
- Content Management System (CMS)
- Hosting
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
- Web Page Maintenance
- Website Development
Wild Packs Scotland is a new venutre in Scotland that were looking for a unique design for their website that was managed for them to take away the stress of updates and content management
Languages: English
Project type: Content Managed (Dynamic)
Organisation category: SME
Industry: Tourism & Travel
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: CMS Made Simple. The site has full content management facility as well as form building modules to allow registration form and contact forms to be easily constructed.
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 1
Technologies used: CSS, JavaScript, PHP, XHTML, Highslide Photo Gallery
Completion date: December 2008 (on-going)
Third Sector Forums
- Hosting
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
- Web Page Maintenance
- Website Design
- Website Development
Third Sector Forums is a friendly online community for UK charity professionals, volunteers and social entrepreneurs. The forums are a place for people to network, learn, debate and discuss third sector issues. Clear Blue Designs are proud sponsers of the forum and provided web design, web hosting and technical support to the owner of the forums.
Languages: English
Project type: Community website
Organisation category: Non-profit Organisation
Industry: Not for profit / Charity
Content managed (CMS): No
CMS Description: N/A
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 1
Technologies used: CSS, mySQL, PHP, XHTML, Vbulletin Forum, OpenX Banner System
Completion date: November 2008
Islander Ceilidh Band
- Graphic Design for the Web
- Hosting
- Logo Design
- Web Page Maintenance
- Website Design
- Website Development
Islander Ceilidh Band wanted a unique affordable website to showcase their services to potential customers with a gallery option for the future to allow them to upload samples of their music and pictures.
Languages: English
Project type: Basic (Static) website
Organisation category: Private Company
Industry: Entertainment
Content managed (CMS): No
CMS Description: N/A
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: CSS, XHTML
Completion date: November 2008
Africa Centre Scotland
- Content Management System (CMS)
- Graphic Design for the Web
- Hosting
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
- Web Page Maintenance
- Website Design
- Website Development
A new and fresh look for the Africa Centre Scotland that would allow them to present their information and events in a user friendly design
Languages: N/A
Project type: Community website
Organisation category: Non-profit Organisation
Industry: Not for profit / Charity
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: CMS Made Simple. The system has a news system and content management. It also utilises a form building system for a membership form and contact form
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: CSS, PHP, XHTML
Completion date: October 2008 (on-going)
the beauty works
- Branding
- Content Management System (CMS)
- eCommerce Solutions
- Graphic Design for Print
- Graphic Design for the Web
- Hosting
- Logo Design
- Online Marketing
- Printing
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
- Web Page Maintenance
- Website Design
- Website Development
This client required a website re-design with content management system and a full secure e-commerce solutions integrated with World Pay. They has enlisted another web design company to complete the work but after 9 months had got no where. We took over and completed the work to their specifications. The e-commerce system also allows the user to maintain products availabel through the store as well as pulling statistics
Languages: N/A
Project type: E-commerce website
Organisation category: Individual
Industry: Health & Beauty
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: The site has a custom CMS system that allow the website owner to maintain all the pages on the website.
Online Payment System: The online store is integrated with Worldpayt
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: ASP, CSS, JavaScript, XHTML, MS SQL
Completion date: December 2007
Mobile Reflexology
- Branding
- Graphic Design for the Web
- Logo Design
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
- Web Page Maintenance
- Website Design
- Website Development
Tao Reflexology wanted a calming new website, that was inviting to potential and existing clients. We created a warm calming themed website that allows the user to find information about treatments and the benefits of reflexology We also designed a booking form for the client allowing their customers to book appointments easily through the website
Languages: N/A
Project type: Basic (Static) website
Organisation category: Individual
Industry: Health & Beauty
Content managed (CMS): No
CMS Description: N/A
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 1
Technologies used: CSS, XHTML
Completion date: July 2007
Reviews
I appreciate that this is going to sound like rather contrived sales pitch, most likely written from someone within Clear Blue designs, but I can assure you it is not.
Running a business these days requires a professional looking, well designed and easily navigable website. When I went to university, we were taught nothing in regards to how to develop or understand a website, hence the huge amounts of stress that begin to arise when you realise what you need to do, but have no idea how to do it or who you can trust.
I can whole heartedly recommend the team at Clear Blue. They have been simply outstanding from the outset and for any company, large or small, these guys you can trust.
They talk in a language that us mere mortals can understand. Work is carried out promptly and always delivered to the level that you desire. Edits are made without fuss nor complication and the rapport with the head designers is truly a rare and cherished thing.
Clear Blue Designs do not have some overinflated opinion of themselves or operate and quote under illusion of grandeur. This is the team you want if you need your website not only built, but to make you money.
This company could not be without them.
Five star rating across the board!
by Beth Cumming at Beth Cumming Training Facilitation & Coaching
www.bethcumming.com
The whole process of getting my website up and running was painless. Clear Blue Designs took time at the beginning to find out what I wanted to use my website for and to get a real feel for what I wanted it to look like before starting out. I was consulted with and kept in the loop during the whole process and always felt that their priority was to produce a website that I was absolutely happy with. Nothing was ever too much bother for them and the end result is that the website was finished on time, on budget and I an delighted with it.
I appreciate that this is going to sound like rather contrived sales pitch, most likely written from someone within Clear Blue designs, but I can assure you it is not.
Running a business these days requires a professional looking, well designed and easily navigable website. When I went to university, we were taught nothing in regards to how to develop or understand a website, hence the huge amounts of stress that begin to arise when you realise what you need to do, but have no idea how to do it or who you can trust.
I can whole heartedly recommend the team at Clear Blue. They have been simply outstanding from the outset and for any company, large or small, these guys you can trust.
They talk in a language that us mere mortals can understand. Work is carried out promptly and always delivered to the level that you desire. Edits are made without fuss nor complication and the rapport with the head designers is truly a rare and cherished thing.
Clear Blue Designs do not have some overinflated opinion of themselves or operate and quote under illusion of grandeur. This is the team you want if you need your website not only built, but to make you money.
This company could not be without them.
Five star rating across the board!
The brief for this project involved the integration of public and private access community forums and a business directory with bespoke graphics into a multi-page information portal site, all with a user-friendly content management system.
Clear Blue Designs have designed a site with which I am absolutely delighted and have always gone the extra mile to meet my (sometimes unreasonable!) demands and changes of mind as the site has evolved through beta testing to final format. Users have been unanimous in their positive feedback on the site, with particular praise for the business directory design.
Tom has remained in constant touch throughout the site build and has responded promptly to any queries and implemented suggested changes. I am pleased he will be offering ongoing support as I learn the content management ropes and embark on another steep technical learning curve.
Clear Blue Designs has been a joy to work with and I have no hesitation in recommending this company to other SMEs, most especially social enterprises and non profits due to their inside knowledge and experience of the sector.
The forum design of Third Sector Forums is uncluttered, modern, simple to use and totally user-friendly. Pretty much everything we were after!
We've had tons of positive comments from users on the design and the fact that we've attracted such huge levels of traffic to the site is no doubt down to its sheer usability. The advice from Clear Blue Designs on the technical aspects of the design was second to none. We've ended up with a forum which looks totally unique.
I'd also like to say thanks for responding to our many emails so quickly. It made a difference having a designer who listens for a change!
Clear Blue designs is exactly the type of company that any small or start up firm wants to come across. I count myself very fortunate to have engaged their services pretty much from the outset of our ever developing empire.
Tom, the main designer, breaks the technical jargon down into a format that anyone can at least appreciate even if sometimes we can never really understand it. He goes out of his way to make sure that we are satisfied with the end product and keeps in regular contact. He is a rare find in this industry, a web designer with good interpersonal skills!
If I was to give any constructive criticism it would simply be that they are increasingly busy and as such a rushed project may have some detail elements sacrificed in order for the pages to go live on time. Give them plenty of time to work and develop your project and don’t expect them to be at your beckon call.
I would also recommend you request information from them on their recommended graphic designer. For examples of their work, simply check out our web site, www.wildpacks.com
No team members uploaded.
WWDC:
What's your name and position in the company?
Clear Blue Designs:
”Tom Bathgate, Director”
WWDC:
Describe your company in 5 words.
Clear Blue Designs:
”professional, friendly, helpful, passionate, affordable”
WWDC:
What's your business philosophy?
Clear Blue Designs:
”Making quality and affordable websites for all”
WWDC:
Describe your office environment.
Clear Blue Designs:
”A creative space where we create our clients projects, often getting carried away with projects and forgetting to go home!”
WWDC:
Describe how your team interact and work together.
Clear Blue Designs:
”We love to chat! Talking is extremely important between us. Its essential to communicate when working on projects to make sure we are all on the same page”
WWDC:
What makes you different from other web design companies?
Clear Blue Designs:
”We listen to our clients and provide them with what they ask for. We don't sell them anything they don't need and we don't bog them down with technical jargon! We only bill for the work we do, there are no hidden extras!”
WWDC:
How do you get the majority of your business?
Clear Blue Designs:
”Word of mouth recommendations from our happy clients and via our website.”
WWDC:
Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
Clear Blue Designs:
”We try to be organised, efficient and on top of all the client’s needs ensuring we are in constant contact with the client.”
WWDC:
What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
Clear Blue Designs:
”Providing exceptional service, and giving a client what they are looking for. Nobody wants to be bamboozled with technical jargon, so we keep it simple and don't try and oversell someone things they don't need. An open and honest relationship with a client is the way forward!”
WWDC:
How do you manage demanding clients?
Clear Blue Designs:
”We treat all our clients exactly the same, with respect! Clients are the lifeblood of our businesses and they deserve respect. We ensure that all clients get their calls, and emails answered as quickly as possible, no matter how many there may be!”
WWDC:
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?
Clear Blue Designs:
”Unfortunately in the current climate, there are many cowboys out there promising the world for peanuts. A good web designer will be open and honest about their costs, but you have to bear in mind all jobs are different so costs are unique to each job. Just because a company are cheaper, or the cheapest it doesn't mean you are getting best deal.”
WWDC:
Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
Clear Blue Designs:
”Providing a range of new solutions to all sizes of companies. Offering start-up advice and solutions. Expanding into further marketing areas, including email marketing tools for clients”
WWDC:
What computers do you have use in your offices, PCs or Macs?
Clear Blue Designs:
”PC”
WWDC:
How was your company name chosen?
Clear Blue Designs:
”It took me 3 weeks and the help of 6 friends to come up with Clear Blue Designs. I had an idea of making everything clear and easy with the good feeling of a clear blue sky.”
WWDC:
If you were to give your clients one tip on how to get the most from their website what would it be?
Clear Blue Designs:
”content is king! If you want to get traffic and people to keep coming back to your website you have to give them something in return! Add articles, blog posts, new content, reviews, what ever it is you do that will keep people coming back. You want people to regard your website as a useful resource! ”
Clear Blue Designs, Marketspan Ltd, IceBomb, Mark Palmer, PaleGallery Design, Channel 6 Digital, Gravitational FX Web Design, Swan Web Solutions, Tigerchick, Tommedia, Web Sandwich, johnthayne.com, Tartan Cactus Web Design, Ahgwan Media, Copland Creative, Digital Face, Rarity Web-Designs, 39steps, Edinburgh Web Designs, Cazinc Web Design & Management, Amberfly - Interactive Studios, Edinburgh Websites, CallamFletcher.com, Deko Limited, ex-nihilo, Chris Howard Web Design, TextualContent, THE WORD DEPARTMENT, EWMultimedia Ltd, Tribalogic Ltd, One O'Clock Gun, Evolution Design, Net Resources Ltd, Universal Internet Solutions Limited, Interquire Web Design, Work Interactive, Website Design Edinburgh, Klaklak Communication