Ollie Ford & Co.
UK > South East > Chelmsford
Ollie Ford & Co are a team of creative professionals hell-bent on making your business look wonderful.
Ollie Ford has been involved in the web industry since 2003 and has serious issues with the dreary drudgery that's passed off as web 'design' these days.
He vows to rid the world of lazy layouts and oh-so-predictable design cliches riding his trusty steed into the darker corners of the world wide web and won't return until he's immensely satisfied.
To put it into layman's terms and perhaps a little less fantastic, he heads a hard working team of creative professionals that come together to provide the complete creative package.
Clients and Projects
Industry Sectors:
Not for profit / Charity, Manufacturers & Engineers, Professional Services, Media & Communication, Food & Drink, Building & Construction, Retail, Sports & Leisure, Other, Educational, Health & Beauty, Automotive
Tends to work with:
Non-profit Organisations, Corporations / Public Companies, Startups, Entrepreneur
General location of clients: Essex
Latest Project
Tickety Boo
We are a family business – we really care about each other as a team and we care about our customers!
Our mission is to make your visit to Tickety Boo (on and off line) unusual and memorable. We so welcome your feedback on our goods/services.
What We Have Achieved
Latest Review
27 May 2011
Paul Raymond at ansell & sons
Ollieford & Co service from start to finish was first class. As a relative novice in this area I found the service very informative to my needs but not overbearing or condescending in any way. I am very...
read more
Interview
WWDC:
Describe your company in 5 words.
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”Young, hungry, creative, (very), professional”
WWDC:
Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”At the top of our game. We aim to continue to serve our clients to an excellent standard. If we offered poor service and no value for money we'd be nowhere in 10 years time. Providing high quality work, an approachable attitude and sensible pricing should ensure our future.”
WWDC:
How was your company name chosen?
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”We had a shortlist of 2 and conducted some market research in order to find the most suitable. We felt Ollie Ford & Co was more personable and enduring than other ideas.”
Company Overview
Languages Spoken:
English
No. of Employees: 1-5
Established: 2005
Facebook: show page
Twitter: @olliefordandco
Joined WWDC: 19 May 2011
We Recommend
SEO expert:
Speedy SEO
Hosting company:
Heart Internet
Tickety Boo
- Hosting
We are a family business – we really care about each other as a team and we care about our customers! Our mission is to make your visit to Tickety Boo (on and off line) unusual and memorable. We so welcome your feedback on our goods/services.
Languages: N/A
Project type: E-commerce
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Other
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: customer database, content management, stock control, order management, image editing, product editing, featured product control
Online Payment System: Paypal, Sagepay
Number of people who worked on this project: 3
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, JavaScript, mySQL, PHP
Completion date: October 2011
AMP Group Ltd
- Branding
- Hosting
- Development
The AMP Group, based in Colchester and London, provides a high level of service for all of your construction needs throughout Essex and the South East. AMP strives to deliver your project on budget and on time, providing the expertise and professional services to construct quality projects – no matter the size, cost or duration.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Content Managed
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Building & Construction
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: Content Management
Gallery Management
Image Manipulation
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, JavaScript
Completion date: July 2011
KEMP Healthcare Ltd
- Development
KEMP Health is a PLC based in London. Our overriding mission is to improve access worldwide to outstanding quality and best value care. We work closely with selected hospitals to support patients traveling to the UK for treatment. We also aim to support hospitals across the world to continuously drive up the standards of quality and safety.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Content Managed
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Health & Beauty
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: Wordpress
Content Management
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP
Completion date: June 2011
Envirowall
Envirowall is an award winning panel-product made from either waste straw or recycled paper that provides a cost-effective eco alternative to MDF, chipboard and plasterboard. Pre-finished to a high quality, Envirowall wall panels, fixtures and fittings are delivered ready for installation with no on site decoration required, saving you time and money by eliminating traditional wet trades on site.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Other
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Manufacturers & Engineers
Content managed (CMS): No
CMS Description: N/A
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 4
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS
Completion date: May 2011
EOR Heating
- Content and Copy
- Hosting
- Development
EOR Heating has for many years been relied upon by a long list of high profile housing trusts, property management companies and landlords to deliver a professional, high quality heating repair and installation service. We also deal directly with private homeowners, offering an emergency boiler repair call out service, servicing and maintenance and new boiler and heating system installation.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Content Managed
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Professional Services
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: Content Management
News
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 4
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, PHP
Completion date: May 2011
Iceberg Digital
Iceberg Digital is a concept thought up by Mark Burgess. Having started his career as an estate agent himself and worked as editor for publications such as Sqm Magazine, The Estate Agency Times and letsfocus, Mark has a huge knowledge and passion for this industry and believes that estate and letting agents can really take advantage of their situation by working with Iceberg Digital.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Other
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Media & Communication
Content managed (CMS): No
CMS Description: N/A
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, JavaScript
Completion date: April 2011
Ann Skippers
- Hosting
- Development
Ann Skippers is a chartered town planner with over twenty years experience in a career that has spanned local government, academia and private consultancy. As President of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) in 2010, Ann represented the professional institute’s 23,000 members at various events in the UK, USA and Canada.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Content Managed
Organisation category: Startup
Industry: Professional Services
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: Wordpress managed website
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Wordpress
Completion date: April 2011
Sparkly Smile
- Development
Behind every Sparklysmile there’s the Blackheath Village Dental Practice, a family-run affair that’s right at the heart of the local community, in every sense. It was established in 1967 by Jo Eisenberg, whose progressive methods, sympathetic approach and positive programme of preventative care won him the respect and friendship of generations of patients. In 1988, his son Phil qualified from Guys’ and joined the practice.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Content Managed
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Health & Beauty
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: Joomla
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 3
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, mySQL, PHP
Completion date: February 2011
Strawberry Design & Marketing
- Hosting
Strawberry Design & Marketing Ltd. specialise in the design and importation of Novelty Stationery ranges, offering Pencils, Sharpeners, Erasers, Memos, Stationery Sets, and other specialised items. We sell in bulk into the High Street Multiples and other volume buyers in the Mail Order, Charity, Wholesale, and Educational/Book sectors.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Basic (Static)
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Retail
Content managed (CMS): No
CMS Description: N/A
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP
Completion date: January 2011
Eco Sense
- Hosting
- Development
In 2008, having explored all the available options for controlling the use of air conditioning in our rental accommodation, we decided a new approach was required. We needed to create a device that would give our clients access to the air conditioning as and when they needed it, but at the same time, preventing empty rooms being kept like fridges!! Eighteen months, numerous prototypes and patency applications later, Ecosense 2000 was born.
Languages: N/A
Project type: E-commerce
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Manufacturers & Engineers
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: Joomla managed
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, PHP
Completion date: January 2011
Buy Give Live
- Branding
- Hosting
BGL is the brainchild of a small community of dreamers and weavers who come together under the name of Viralise. We create web based propositions that offer charities and non profit organisations the opportunity to communicate and fundraise online. We charge no fees; our services are always free to charities and other organisations. Instead we take a very small proportion of the revenues our services generate. This enables us to maintain and grow our services in line with current web trends and standards.
Languages: N/A
Project type: E-commerce
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: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, PHP, Shop Window
Completion date: December 2010
The Classic Coachwork Company
- Branding
- Hosting
- Development
At The Classic Coachwork Company we don't see why 'traditional' has to mean 'old fashioned'. From our base in North West Essex, five miles from Stansted Airport, we serve clients from all over the UK and indeed Europe. Why not call or email us to discuss your particular requirements.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Content Managed
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Automotive
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: N/A
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, mySQL, PHP
Completion date: November 2010
Ansell & Sons
- Hosting
At Ansells we pride ourselves on our warm welcome, the finest quality meat and excellent value for money. We are a high quality family butchers, based in the market town of Maldon in Essex since 1928 - supplying the local community and businesses over nine decades.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Content Managed
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Food & Drink
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: Content Management
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, PHP
Completion date: November 2010
Gareth Barton
Chelmsford based photographer Gareth Barton works with charities and NGOs to help communicate their stories with gripping photojournalism. Private clients enjoy being involved in the creative process and seeing the realisation of compelling personal photographs.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Basic (Static)
Organisation category: Entrepreneur
Industry: Professional Services
Content managed (CMS): No
CMS Description: N/A
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, Flash, JavaScript
Completion date: November 2010
Fed Up Bloating
- Hosting
- Development
Fed Up Bloating provides all the help, information and support you need to reduce stomach bloating and beat a candida overgrowth,enabling you to improve your figure and health, easily and permanently.
Languages: N/A
Project type: E-commerce
Organisation category: Non-profit Organisation
Industry: Food & Drink
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: Stock Control
News
Content Managed
Order Management
Customer Database
Subscription Packages
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, PHP, Wordpress
Completion date: October 2010
GK Networks
- Hosting
GK Networks specialise in the installation and maintenance of fibre optics, structured cabling systems for industry and business. Our core business is supplying value-for-money high quality networks and, designed to meet our clients’ current and future requirements.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Content Managed
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Professional Services
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: Content control
News Page
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 3
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, Flash, PHP
Completion date: September 2010
Mute Soundproofing
- Branding
- Hosting
- Development
Mute designs and installs bespoke soundproofing systems; servicing the public, residential and commercial sectors.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Content Managed
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Building & Construction
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: Wordpress
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, JavaScript, mySQL, PHP
Completion date: August 2010
Y Fumble
- Hosting
Your Y-Fumble is a simple pocket worn on the upper or lower arm, that allows you to carry your valuables with you wherever you are, whatever you are doing. A vital accessory for keen sports people, travellers and commuters.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Basic (Static)
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Retail
Content managed (CMS): No
CMS Description: N/A
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP
Completion date: August 2010
Cleantech NRG
- Hosting
Cleantech NRG is more than just a supplier of Solar Panels. Our business philosophy and long term vision, is to provide renewable energy schemes that deliver unique financial benefits, whilst adding value to our customers company.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Basic (Static)
Organisation category: Corporation / Public 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: 3
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, Flash, JavaScript, PHP
Completion date: May 2010
EK Jewellers
- Content and Copy
- Hosting
- Development
As a family run business established for over 36 years, we have developed a strong reputation for quality of workmanship. This, combined with reliability, a personal service and realistic prices, means our customers return to us even after they have moved away.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Basic (Static)
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Other
Content managed (CMS): No
CMS Description: N/A
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS
Completion date: April 2010
Down Hall Care
- Content and Copy
- Hosting
- Development
For many families it is an anxious time when they have to entrust the welfare of elderly parents or relatives to people outside the family. At Down Hall we recognise that what is needed is a home from home, where our residents have the care they need at hand, 24 hours a day, while they have the freedom to retain whatever independence they are capable of and wish to have.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Content Managed
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Professional Services
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: Joomla
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, mySQL, PHP
Completion date: February 2010
Serious Carping
- Hosting
- Development
A small but fast growing Essex based company. All products are exclusive to us and bear either 'The Air Dry Boilie Bag Co' or 'Serious Carping' brand labels. Our aim is to provide top quality products at sensible prices with excellent before and after sales service. Where we can we innovate. Where we can't, we improve upon the design of products already in the market place.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Basic (Static)
Organisation category: Startup
Industry: Sports & Leisure
Content managed (CMS): No
CMS Description: N/A
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, JavaScript, mySQL, PHP
Completion date: September 2009 (on-going)
Design by Dukes
- Development
Innovative creativity; innate commercial understanding and crisply fresh ideas: just a handful of the many benefits you’ll enjoy working alongside Design by Dukes.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Basic (Static)
Organisation category: Entrepreneur
Industry: Media & Communication
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: from Scratch
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, mySQL, PHP
Completion date: August 2009
Grantley
- Development
A Surrey based estate agency selling top market properties.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Content Managed
Organisation category: Corporation / Public Company
Industry: Professional Services
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: Joomla
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, mySQL, PHP
Completion date: May 2009
acanteen
- Hosting
- Development
Funky deli in Chelmsford
Languages: N/A
Project type: Basic (Static)
Organisation category: Corporation / Public 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: (X)HTML, CSS
Completion date: April 2009 (on-going)
The Cathedral School, Chelmsford
- Development
We provide every child in our care with opportunities and experiences that ensure they can fulfil their potential and achieve success. The Christian ethos helps every child to develop the spiritual values of integrity, honesty and respect. Children leave us as thoughtful, responsible citizens, proud of themselves and their achievements.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Content Managed
Organisation category: Non-profit Organisation
Industry: Educational
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: Joomla
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, mySQL, PHP
Completion date: March 2009
Karen Jones
- Hosting
- Development
Karen Jones is an experienced, talented artist who creates dark and beautiful paintings touched with a modernist, thought-provoking twist. Her works are story telling images for the 21st century.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Content Managed
Organisation category: Entrepreneur
Industry: Other
Content managed (CMS): Yes
CMS Description: Joomla
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, mySQL, PHP
Completion date: January 2009
Zero Point Two
- Hosting
- Development
zpt provides a design-led interior refurbishment service. Projects are governed by the same rigorous values as a as a zpt furniture commission; design which is responsive to the client's practical and aesthetic specifications combined with meticulous build and finish.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Basic (Static)
Organisation category: Corporation / Public 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: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS, Flash
Completion date: June 2008
LM Flooring
- Hosting
- Development
Our aim is to provide you with the best service and products at affordable prices. Having no retail premises ensures that no expensive overheads are absorbed into the cost of your flooring. We are able to assist you with any flooring project be it large or small and all our flooring installations are of the highest standards and come fully guaranteed.
Languages: N/A
Project type: Basic (Static)
Organisation category: Entrepreneur
Industry: Building & Construction
Content managed (CMS): No
CMS Description: N/A
Online Payment System: N/A
Number of people who worked on this project: 2
Technologies used: (X)HTML, CSS
Completion date: October 2007
Reviews
Ollieford & Co service from start to finish was first class. As a relative novice in this area I found the service very informative to my needs but not overbearing or condescending in any way. I am very happy with all aspects of the finish product. Also the ongoing relationship is excellent. I would not hesitate to use them again in the future or recommend them to anyone.
I wanted an angler friendly site that was easy to use yet innovative and visually interesting.
Ollie Ford grasped this very quickly and produced exactly what I wanted, on time and at a sensible price.
I could not ask for more and certainly recommend their services to anyone looking for a web site.
We approached Ollie Ford + Co as a start-up company back in 2007, and now, almost 4 years down the line, we regard their contribution as integral to our progress and key to our future development.
In 5 points - What we value most about Ollie Ford + Co:
1. They work really hard to understand and capture the vision we have for our company.
2. They’re never stumped by a problem. They will work through it until everyone’s happy with the outcome.
3. They’re quick to embrace new methods, which keeps our web-site and marketing material (and therefore our company) looking fresh and relevant.
4. They’re incredibly reactive to our requests – no matter how minor or seemingly unimportant – in short, they understand the importance of detail.
5. They are friendly and personable. It’s always a pleasure speaking with them.
Excellent service for a very reasonable price.
Friendly, helpful people with great ideas.
Always felt included and was spoken to in English.
I didn't realise what you can do with movement in what was a low priced product.
I am expecting to add more items and ideas and am happy that they will come up with the goods.
The guys at Ollie Ford & Co are a fantastic mix of creative and technical talent. Always friendly and flexible throughout the evolution of a project, they have never let me down. I'm a very demanding client and they have produced 3 sites for me now, all to my absolute satisfaction. Work was done on time, to a high standard and they took it on themselves to research the required technologies needed for the various site elements. I highly recommend Ollie Ford & Co for all your design and development work.
The designer listened carefully to my requirements and ideas for the website and gained a good understanding of what was needed for me and my industry sector. Very quickly we came up with some ideas and lots of things I would never have thought of had I simply be doing it myself. We worked well in a collaborative way which was good fun and very productive. In the end we developed a website which exceeded my expectations, works very well for me and has been given the thumbs up by my colleagues and peers. Having achieved the website, incidentally working to a very tight deadline and budget which I had set, there were one or two teething problems which were immediately sorted out. The website is now up and running and I'm delighted with the end result.
Dominic Leonard
Lead Designer
Coming Soon.
Faye Ford
Keeper of Purse Strings
BACKGROUND: A born and bred Essex girl, Faye left the bright lights of Basildon at the age of 7 to live in the middle of the countryside and very nice it was too. Pimms on the lawn and Croquet and all that jazz. Super. With Wham and Take That posters covering her walls, she blossomed into a lovely young thing, spending most of the weekends drinking Archers and Lemonade whilst enjoying the Dukes Experience. And then came her stint of working in London which threw her accidentally into the working world of Export. Later, now enjoying a glass of red instead of Alcopops, she worked for ten years as an Export Office Manager in Ware & Stansted until the time came where she found the best job in the whole wide world. Being a Mummy.
EDUCATION: Always in the top sets but her school reports always said that she could be better. However with 11 GCSEs in the bag, half an A-level (only half thanks to an appendix which made an appearance during exam time), a Business GNVQ, an A-level in Law (which she studied at evening school when she split up with a former boyfriend) - she's done all right. Could have done better but still pleased with what she got. She'd like to go back to school and enter the world of Midwifery one day. That is, when there's 36 hours in a day.
ATTRIBUTES: Honest, fair, cooks a good dinner.
PUNCTUALITY: If she left the house when she had planned to, she would always be on time. Fact.
SAMPLE QUOTE: Look after the pennies and the pounds will buy her a new Land Rover Discovery.
FINEST MOMENTS: Giving birth to her children. Being given an iPhone 4 for Christmas.
MOST LIKELY TO: Make chocolate brownies. Point out moo-cows and quack-quacks to anyone, regardless of age. Order a vegetable masala. Go on a diet. Order a vegetable masala. Go on a diet. Tell her husband to shave.
Ollie Ford
Creative Director
BACKGROUND: The son of a novelty pencil sharpener magnate and a chef, with a posh education at a minor public school, Ollie was ejected into the real world with no idea of what he should do with his life. Early experimentation with the catering industry (trained at Westminster College) and then a spell in sales bore little fruit until a chance encounter with the toy trade led to initial tinkerings with the interweb. This in turn unleashed Ollie's hunger for design and creativity which consumed him wholly and spat him out into a world of typefaces and pixels. This is where he's resided ever since, and it's somewhere he doesn't intend to leave.
EDUCATION: Never quite reaching the upper echelons of the academic world, being too busy making chalk artworks on common room walls this self taught designer has learnt more through the power of collaboration and experience than he ever did at school. A short education at Cambridge (alas, not the university) proved he knew what he needed to know and he has powered on ever since, armed with that uncommon blend of technical ability and creative dexterity.
ATTRIBUTES: Competitive; loyal; diplomatic.
PUNCTUALITY: Would rather be an hour early for a meeting than five minutes late but strangely never on time for personal events. This befuddles Mrs Ford.
SAMPLE QUOTE: Something to do with classic Land Rovers and their rightful place in the universe.
FINEST MOMENT: Realising they sold Ringwood's 'Old Thumper' in Morrisons.
MOST LIKELY TO: Ride a bike to work. Drive a classic Land Rover to work. Change his mind about the appearance of the company's websites. Go to a beer festival. Build something. Grow a beard.
Sarah Mac
Copywriter
BACKGROUND: A true workhorse by nature, Sarah had her first sniff of the joy of earning her own dough in the Brownies with bob-a-job week. Several paper rounds, babysitting stints and a Saturday job in the Happy Shopper shop later, she landed her first ‘proper job’ in a small cosmetics and hair care firm as a sales administrator. This lasted about a week until the marketing manager left and the boss, a real dynamic entrepreneur, took her under his wing and mentored her for four years until she had learnt everything he knew about PR, sales promotion and the power of good words, which was rather a lot. She went into the job a sales caterpillar, and emerged a marketing and copy writing butterfly! And then fluttered off to run another company’s marketing department! Well, it’s called career progression. And it’s a career that has lasted some 18 years. For someone who had not a clue what they wanted to do in life after school, that’s not half bad.
EDUCATION: Sarah was a bit of a bright spark and was reading and writing well before she started school. She always loved learning and people who remember her will say she was a bit of a swot. English was her favourite subject and she was always given the narrator’s job in all the school productions. Now whether that was because she was a good reader, or a bad actor, is not known. Whilst it looked as though Sarah would head for uni, after 15 years, 10 GCSEs and 2 A-Levels, she’d seen enough of the inside of a classroom and felt it was time to set sail into the world of work and start earning some proper mullah.
ATTRIBUTES: Always offers an honest opinion; writes a good bit of copy; good listener.
PUNCTUALITY: Always on time for meetings, never on time for family stuff. Hang on, just replying to this last email.
SAMPLE QUOTE: Where there’s a shoe shop, there’s a Sarah Mac.
FINEST MOMENT: Handing in her notice on her last ever employed job.
MOST LIKELY TO: Go for style over comfort. Send wine back in a restaurant if it’s not to her liking. Drop everything to watch Top Gear. Be miserable if she doesn’t get her daily heavy rock music fix.
WWDC:
What's your name and position in the company?
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”Ollie Ford, Managing Director/Creative Director”
WWDC:
Describe your company in 5 words.
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”Young, hungry, creative, (very), professional”
WWDC:
What's your business philosophy?
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”To provide clients with gold standard quality and service at a fair price. It's a cliche but it's true. We refuse to peddle cheap, sub-standard work in order to make a fast buck. Quality is king!”
WWDC:
Describe your office environment.
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”Relaxed”
WWDC:
Describe how your team interact and work together.
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”Our core team consists of myself and 2 designers. We work closely together often pooling resources for branding ideas. Website designs are usually drafted following initial concept exploration and then the HTML build by the same designer (to exacting standards of course).”
WWDC:
What makes you different from other web design companies?
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”We actually care about a client's business. We want them to succeed and will advise if we think their ideas are off track. Whilst we always remember that it's the client's business, we know they've employed us to offer our own advice and thoughts which is exactly what we do. We will not sit in front of a screen while a client tells us what to do with our mouse. This is not how it works.”
WWDC:
How do you get the majority of your business?
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”Word of mouth.
Google organic results.”
WWDC:
Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”client brief - research - concept - mock ups - artwork - revisions - final artwork sign off - coding - testing - tweaking - sign off - amazing website”
WWDC:
What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”Understanding the client's needs and managing expectations. We need to learn about the client's business and where they're taking it. Complete openness from both sides is crucial.”
WWDC:
How do you manage demanding clients?
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”Demanding is fine, encouraged even. As long as the rules are laid down at the start the client will get what he or she's expecting and probably more.”
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?
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”They absolutely must find a company that they feel they can have an ongoing relationship with. Websites are not a one time thing; they often need ongoing support. If you find that the company is keeping things from you or not answering all your questions it's time to move on. ”
WWDC:
Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”At the top of our game. We aim to continue to serve our clients to an excellent standard. If we offered poor service and no value for money we'd be nowhere in 10 years time. Providing high quality work, an approachable attitude and sensible pricing should ensure our future.”
WWDC:
Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”Awash with pirates while then poor client has to fight through them to find the few shining beacons of quality web design work. Unfortunately ever improving technology allows home web design to increase and make it easy for a business' staff to build a site. Whether the result has any real design merit or is coded correctly is a very different matter. Oh, and SEO. The way Google's carrying on with sponsored listings well below the fold the definition of SEO will change considerably. ”
WWDC:
What computers do you have use in your offices, PCs or Macs?
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”Mac”
WWDC:
How was your company name chosen?
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”We had a shortlist of 2 and conducted some market research in order to find the most suitable. We felt Ollie Ford & Co was more personable and enduring than other ideas.”
WWDC:
If you were to give your clients one tip on how to get the most from their website what would it be?
Ollie Ford & Co.:
”Keep it updated. Stale content suggests stagnant company, definitely not that you're too busy. Tell people about it. Shout it from the roof tops. Make people want to come back to it time and time again and buy into your brand.”
Ollie Ford & Co., Yellow Duck Web Design, IFAW Ltd, Freid Creations, SEO Positive Limited, Top Draw Media, Switched On Media, Enovate Design