FreshSpark Creative
UK > East Midlands > Buxton
We design and develop websites ranging from small info sites to large bespoke web systems.
FreshSpark Creative is made up of a dedicated team of graphic designers, web developers and internet marketers. Due to our wide ranging skill base we are capable to not only deliver the exact web system our clients require, but also to make sure our clients concept is an online success. Our other services include, Search Engine Optimisations (SEO), Advertising Campaign Management, Rich Media Production, Online & Off-line Marketing, Web Hosting, Training (SEO, PPC, Viral Marketing, .etc) and Design & Marketing Consultancy.
Clients and Projects
Industry Sectors:
Retail, Other, Food & Drink, Educational, Entertainment, Professional Services, Building & Construction
Tends to work with:
Startups, Entrepreneur, Private Companies, SMEs, Corporations / Public Companies
General location of clients: UK
Latest Project
Fran Halsall
Fran Halsall is an award-winning professional landscape photographer who was looking to upgrade her eCommerce website. We provided a fresh design and layout that allows her photography "room to breath".
What We Have Achieved
Latest Review
18 November 2010
Mister Hope at Mister Hope Illustrator
I gave the Fresh Spark team my design ideas which involved a series of hand drawn pictures, which would make the overall website look hand drawn. They were all very helpful and the end result was wicked...
read more
Interview
WWDC:
Describe your company in 5 words.
FreshSpark Creative:
”Fresh, Innovative, Free-Thinking, Creative, Reliable”
WWDC:
Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
FreshSpark Creative:
”I would love to see FreshSpark with multiple international offices serving a happy world wide client base.”
WWDC:
How was your company name chosen?
FreshSpark Creative:
”We chose our company name as it emphasised exactly what we want to do - Adding a "Fresh Spark" of creativity into the web design industry.”
What We Do?
- Branding
- Content and Copy
- Hosting
- Online Marketing
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
- Video Production
- Development
Technologies Used:
CSS, (X)HTML, JavaScript, mySQL, PHP, , Java
CMS Used:
Open Source, Own Brand
We offer a wide range of CMS solutions, from free open source sites powered by Wordpress to fully Bespoke CMS Systems, designed to our clients requirements.
Company Overview
Languages Spoken:
English,
No. of Employees: 1-5
Established: 2009
Joined WWDC: 14 March 2010
We Recommend
Accountant:
Layton Lee
Lawyer:
Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand
Printer:
Jam Jar Print
SEO expert:
FreshSpark Creative
Hosting company:
FreshSpark Creative
Fran Halsall
- Development
Fran Halsall is an award-winning professional landscape photographer who was looking to upgrade her eCommerce website. We provided a fresh design and layout that allows her photography "room to breath".
Languages: English
Project type: E-commerce
Organisation category: Entrepreneur
Industry: Professional Services
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: This eCommerce website is based on the Zen Cart system and has full eCommerce capability's (E.g. Customer database, Content management, Stock control, Order management etc.)
Online Payment System: Paypal
Number of people who worked on this project: 3
Technologies used: CSS, (X)HTML, JavaScript, mySQL, PHP
Completion date: November 2010
Writing Matters
- Development
Anstey Spraggan, in her own words, is a gifted novelist, published writer, talented teacher and dreadful poet.
Languages: English
Project type: Basic (Static)
Organisation category: Entrepreneur
Industry: Educational
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, (X)HTML
Completion date: September 2010
Ciara Janson
- Branding
- Hosting
- Online Marketing
- Video Production
- Development
Ciara Janson is a well known British TV actress who came to us with a heavily outdated and unattractive website. Our brief was to create a design that put Ciara at the forefront but also allowed her fans to interact with her.
Languages: English
Project type: Content Managed
Organisation category: Entrepreneur
Industry: Entertainment
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: The CMS allows Ciara to update her Blog, Media "Gallerys" and Public Pages.
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 7
Technologies used: CSS, (X)HTML, JavaScript, mySQL, PHP
Completion date: September 2010
Dtlls.co.uk (Joan Patterson Associates)
- Branding
- Hosting
- Development
Joan Patterson Associates is a Derbyshire based training provider working to improve the performance of both organisations and individuals through the achievement of recognised qualifications and bespoke training.
Languages: English,
Project type: Online application
Organisation category: SME
Industry: Educational
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: This is a bespoke Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) that allows the clients management team to run distance learning courses.
This includes;
*A CRM system,
*The ability to manage all aspects of the courses,
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 4
Technologies used: CSS, (X)HTML, Java, JavaScript, mySQL, PHP,
Completion date: March 2010
CharacterKit.co.uk
- Hosting
- Video Production
- Development
Character Kit is one of the UK's largest "Live Action Role Play" (LARP) e-Retailers. For this project we converted their current (technically outdated) website and created a new e-commerce solution that fitted their needs and budget.
Languages: English,
Project type: E-commerce
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Entertainment
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: This is a highly modified CubeCart install using a totally bespoke skin and requested third-party modifications.
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 3
Technologies used: CSS, (X)HTML, JavaScript, mySQL, PHP,
Completion date: March 2010
Mister Hope - Illustrator
- Hosting
- Development
Mister Hope (real name Thomas Hope) is an up coming illustrator from Buxton, Derbyshire. For this project we converted his own sketches into a fully working wordpress template. To finish off the modified wordpress site we used Javascript to convert all headings into his own handwriting in an SEO friendly way.
Languages: English,
Project type: Content Managed
Organisation category: Entrepreneur
Industry: Other
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: A Modified Wordpress Install
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 3
Technologies used: CSS, (X)HTML, JavaScript, PHP,
Completion date: February 2010
TheFencingShop.co.uk
- Branding
- Content and Copy
- Hosting
- Online Marketing
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
- Video Production
- Development
The client, a start-up e-retail outlet for sword fencing equipment, needed an easy to use ecommerce solution that would grow alongside their fledgling business. Due to their modest budget we decided to employ a open source code base which we highly modified and then "skinned" with a clean, eye catching, design. As well as managing the sites SEO, PPC, Video Production, Web Hosting and Copywriting, we have also been involved with this company's Branding and general Marketing Strategy.
Languages: N/A
Project type: E-commerce
Organisation category: Startup
Industry: Retail
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: A highly modified CubeCart 4.0 install.
Online Payment System: Standard Paypal integration.
Number of people who worked on this project: 3
Technologies used: CSS, (X)HTML, JavaScript, mySQL, PHP,
Completion date: November 2009
Le Fer a Cheval
- Branding
- Content and Copy
- Hosting
- Development
Le Fer a Cheval is a Restaurant, Bar and Shop located in St. Pierre du Lorouer, in the rural Sarthe (Payes de la Loire) region of France. This client required a small "info site" to allow English tourists to find them during the planning stage of their visit.
Languages: English, French
Project type: Basic (Static)
Organisation category: Private Company
Industry: Food & Drink
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, (X)HTML,
Completion date: October 2009
High Peak Gasline
- Branding
- Hosting
High Peak Gasline are one of our long standing print & off-line marketing clients who wanted to get a professionally email address. To keep this in-line with their corporate identity we provided a FREE holding page.
Languages: English
Project type: Other
Organisation category: Private Company
Industry: Building & Construction
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, (X)HTML
Completion date: May 2009
Price: 0 GBP
Reviews
I gave the Fresh Spark team my design ideas which involved a series of hand drawn pictures, which would make the overall website look hand drawn. They were all very helpful and the end result was wicked ! Every problem i have (usually of my own making!) is resolved within 24hours.
Everything they did for me was reported via email and i was kept upto date very often. I have recently enquired about changing the layout slightly, Mike told me that it would be no problem to change !
I am extremely pleased by the end result and have had over 5,000 unique pages since it's activation back in February !
The work on the website was done on time and matched our specifications. We went through several different designs and they were always willing to make the correction we needed. We were allways kept abrest of the progress, and when delays did occour we were always given good reasons for them.
After the site was live they have helped us with several minor issues and added on some minor aditional content (aditional languages). All of this was done promptly and with little fuss.
Communication was fine, though in some cases swifter responses could have been forthcomming.
Overall I was pleased with the finished product and am happy to keep taking my web design problems to them.
FreshSpark were able to listern to what we wanted and bring forward mock ups for us to respond to. During the construction of the Virtual Learning Environment aspect of the project, they worked hard to understand the purpose of the site and at that point brought forward additional ideas for functionality which wet had not considered. FreshSpark were clear about the cost and complexity of new elements of the project as it developed.
As with all large projects not all the deadlines were hit, but they were always available, and once the site went live have offered very good ongoing support.
David Bowyer
Creative Director
The creative guy, responsible for making sure all projects undertaken by FreshSpark Creative look even better than the previous one.
Edd Burgess
The Developer
The Tech Guy, Responsible for making sure all projects are created and work as they should. (usually found in a darkened room late at night looking into the "matrix")
Michael Howe
Managing Director
The big cheese, responsible for making sure all projects are done to the high standard you expect from FreshSpark Creative.
(Photo By: Dunkr)
WWDC:
What's your name and position in the company?
FreshSpark Creative:
”Michael Howe - Managing Director”
WWDC:
Describe your company in 5 words.
FreshSpark Creative:
”Fresh, Innovative, Free-Thinking, Creative, Reliable”
WWDC:
What's your business philosophy?
FreshSpark Creative:
”Create functional solutions that solve problems and look nice.”
WWDC:
Describe your office environment.
FreshSpark Creative:
”We have just moved into a new "loft" office on the High Street in Buxton. This has given us an open plan collaboration space that allows us to be more creative and work more efficiently. (We also have some very green walls!)”
WWDC:
Describe how your team interact and work together.
FreshSpark Creative:
”Our team is like a family that doesn't argue. We all work very closely with each other to make sure all projects are completed to a high standard, then "after hours" you can usually find us in the office relaxing together over a few Pizza's!”
WWDC:
What makes you different from other web design companies?
FreshSpark Creative:
”The diverse range of skills ranging from Graphic Design to Business Management to Data Security! I don't think you'll find any other small team with such a large skill set.”
WWDC:
How do you get the majority of your business?
FreshSpark Creative:
”Nearly all of our business comes from word of mouth, but sometime we like to get out of the office and can be found milling around the free food and drink at some local "networking events".”
WWDC:
Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
FreshSpark Creative:
”We like to work very closely with our clients to make sure they are "in touch" with their development throughout the whole process. This is done with a balanced mix of meetings and digital updates (and of course we are always available on the phone).”
WWDC:
What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
FreshSpark Creative:
”Communication... From first contact to the "after sales" support we are constantly available on the phone and via email (even at weekends) to make sure the client is able to ask questions, make changes or just chat about ideas they have had.”
WWDC:
How do you manage demanding clients?
FreshSpark Creative:
”We like working with demanding clients as they are usually the ones that are passionate about their business and have big ideas for their web solution. That said, there's no special treatment, we just deliver the same high quality service every client expects from FreshSpark Creative.”
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?
FreshSpark Creative:
”I would try and judge them all equally. To do this I would create a list of important requirements and then judge each candidate based on these set questions. (I.e. Skill Set, Price, Location, Time Scale, .etc).
That said, if the project is long and complex you will also need to make sure you "gel" and are able to work well with your potential development team.”
WWDC:
Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
FreshSpark Creative:
”I would love to see FreshSpark with multiple international offices serving a happy world wide client base.”
WWDC:
Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
FreshSpark Creative:
”Easy... Mobile! This is where the web is already going but I see it becoming more heavily integrated with our every day lives and actions.”
WWDC:
What computers do you have use in your offices, PCs or Macs?
FreshSpark Creative:
”PC”
WWDC:
How was your company name chosen?
FreshSpark Creative:
”We chose our company name as it emphasised exactly what we want to do - Adding a "Fresh Spark" of creativity into the web design industry.”
WWDC:
If you were to give your clients one tip on how to get the most from their website what would it be?
FreshSpark Creative:
”Update it regularly and use it to distribute free content!... This will not only help with your search engine rankings but also increases the likely hood that potential clients will revisit it more frequently.”