Sugarcane Web

Q: What's your name and position in the company?
A: Paul Winterman, Managing Director

Q: Describe your company in 5 words.
A: fun, energetic, creative, astute, professional

Q: What's your business philosophy?
A: We produce websites that build relationships and grow businesses. Our belief is that to truly achieve ours and our clients objectives we need to work today and grow together. This leads to successful businesses, growing and recommending us so we can do the same for others.

Q: Describe your office environment.
A: Our office, though quite small, is a home from home. It is welcoming to one and all and is home to our famous Sugarcane sofa. Laughter is often present and on the occasion, albeit rare, there will be a beverage prepared by Development Manager Anthony. We are more than happy to meet our clients at any point and welcome a sit down session at our computers while we work on their project.

Q: Describe how your team interact and work together.
A: We are quite a relaxed team whilst know that deadlines have to be met and met with the correct outcome so there is a time and a place for fun and games. We work together extremely effectively, all knowing our key roles and stay in constant communication on all projects.

Q: What makes you different from other web design companies?
A: We believe we are different from other web companies because we genuinely produce every website with client goals in mind and then follow it up with constant reviews and planning next stages for growing together. All our websites and apps are produced on a blank canvas so nothing feels template based. We also take pride in our clients and take every opportunity to promote them as much as we do ourselves.

Q: How do you get the majority of your business?
A: We get the majority of our business through word of mouth now. We have done the networking scene and focused on delivering our promises during that period and this is coming back to us now with constant referalls and client testimonials leading to the phone ringing almost every day.

Q: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
A: We start by having a chat and a coffee on our famous sofa. We get to know the client and plan the work. Upon quote approval, we'll then design the website or app until the client is happy. Following that is the build, CMS plugin and populating stages. We then go live and arrange to stay in touch regularly. We also help to promote the client every chance we get.

Q: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
A: The most crucial element of creating a good client relationship is honesty. You can have trust without honesty and you can't achieve the right result without honesty. The truth can be tough some times but we will not shy away from saying when we think the client is wrong and encourage that attitude from our clients for the good of the end result.

Q: How do you manage demanding clients?
A: We treat demanding clients the same way as any other client. After all, they just want what is best for their company, just like we do and just like any other client does. If treat with honesty, from the initial meeting, through quotation, design, build and launch then everything will be fine.

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: We would recommend deciding what is important to them, a simple one off transaction that may produce the right result, or an agency that you like, can have a rapport with and know that they will not go away once the work is done and leave you to figure the rest out.

Q: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
A: I see my company growing for the next 5 years in terms of personnel and leveling off to be come extremely profitable for the following 5 years. I would like to think that all of our current clients will still be with us then.

Q: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
A: I see the web industry changing drastically over the next 2-3 years as more people focus on mobile platforms. That is why we already offer Apps as one of our new core products. There will be an increase in DIY web packages but I don't see these replacing anything we do. We offer far more than just a web build.

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

Q: How was your company name chosen?
A: The company name was chosen after a colleague went to Barbados and stayed in the Hotel Sugarcane. The name stuck and we took it on into the business.

Q: If you were to give your clients one tip on how to get the most from their website what would it be?
A: To get the most out of your website, just stay on top of the content. Fresh relevant content is the key. Learn to love it as a key business tool. We are always here to show and guide clients on how to achieve their growth via online media.