The Typehouse

Q: What's your name and position in the company?
A: Owner and main designer, although I sub-contract work to a photographer

Q: Describe your company in 5 words.
A: Personable, approachable, open, positive, fun!

Q: What's your business philosophy?
A: Strongly ethical (we won't work with companies or people who exploit other people or the environment). We bank with the only high street back that has high ethical principles. We try to be environmentally sensitive (from recycled paper to green hosting).

Q: Describe your office environment.
A: Compact. We can almost see the Trossachs from the main window.

Q: Describe how your team interact and work together.
A: Although Alistair is a sole trader, he works with a professional photographer, a proofreader and a group of website testers to ensure a rounded approach to the task.

Q: What makes you different from other web design companies?
A: Hmm, that's tricky. Like the best designers, we are exploring and using the latest standards (including HTML5 and CSS3). As for what makes us different: being a musician, Alistair not only claims to listen, he hears what the customer wants; being a typesetter, he has a got eye for what looks right on the "page", and is able to make it so.

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

Q: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
A: We use Trello to keep track of the different stages of the project.

Q: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
A: Communication.

Q: How do you manage demanding clients?
A: Maintain clear communication and shared goals.

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: 1. Go with your instinct. 2. Give the small business an equal opportunity to prove themselves.

Q: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
A: Wow – what a question! It's hard enough to imagine 2 or 3 years, technology's moving so fast. Hopefully regardless of all the gadgetry and technology that will be available we'll still be small enough to keep the personal touch to our work, as human relationships are infinitely more important! Perhaps our office will be based on Mars, or some other galaxy – or perhaps that's just my chocoholic mind working overtime again!

Q: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
A: The use of mobile technology (smartphones and tablets, smartwatches etc.) is the main way that people will access the web (indeed it's happening already…).

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

Q: How was your company name chosen?
A: Our love for typography and clean design, originally in music typesetting, then branching out into book design, naturally led into web design.

Q: If you were to give your clients one tip on how to get the most from their website what would it be?
A: Make sure you address your customers' needs. People come to a website as an individual wanting their needs met, not to read about how good you are!