Helen Potter

WWDC: What's your name and position in the company?
WebMuggle: ”I am a sole trader”

WWDC: Describe your company in 5 words.
WebMuggle: ”Professional, honest, knowledgeable, creative, fun”

WWDC: What's your business philosophy?
WebMuggle: ”Websites should be beautiful, based on solid technical foundations and supported by a strong marketing plan.”

WWDC: Describe your office environment.
WebMuggle: ”I work from home.”

WWDC: Describe how your team interact and work together.
WebMuggle: ”I work alone, but I belong a number of online communities where I can bounce ideas around.”

WWDC: What makes you different from other web design companies?
WebMuggle: ”I come from a marketing / website owner background. I understand what clients need because I used to be one!”

WWDC: How do you get the majority of your business?
WebMuggle: ”Social networking”

WWDC: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
WebMuggle: ”I start by listening and asking lots of questions about your business. I take care of all of the technical details, whilst you can get involved with the design and the copy as much as you like, with me there to guide you. ”

WWDC: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
WebMuggle: ”Taking time to understand client requirements and explain how they will be met without using jargon!”

WWDC: How do you manage demanding clients?
WebMuggle: ”Clients that are demanding of design brilliance and technical wow factors are just what I want! I can't work with people that expect me to be on the phone 24 / 7, as I have a small child.”

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?
WebMuggle: ”Go with your gut instinct. You will be spending quite a bit of time communicating with these people, so make sure they are on your wavelength. Check out their portfolio to see what kind of work they have done in the past.”

WWDC: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
WebMuggle: ”Probably still a freelancer, but with larger companies and working with a network of other well respected freelancers. I'm hoping that some of these larger companies will be the small businesses I provide websites for this year!”

WWDC: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
WebMuggle: ”In this economic climate I think a lot of freelancers will drop out of the industry to enter full time work.”

WWDC: What computers do you have use in your offices, PCs or Macs?
WebMuggle: ”PC”

WWDC: How was your company name chosen?
WebMuggle: ”I get so many Harry Potter jokes....”

WWDC: If you were to give your clients one tip on how to get the most from their website what would it be?
WebMuggle: ”Spend some time before you even start talking to a web designer working out what your business goals are and how your website can support them.”