Benfell Design

Q: What's your name and position in the company?
A: My name is Keith Benfell and I am the proprietor of Benfell Design

Q: Describe your company in 5 words.
A: small energetic friendly professional approachable

Q: What's your business philosophy?
A: Same as my life philosophy. Keep things simple. Stay happy. Give where you can. Be good and see what happens.

Q: Describe your office environment.
A: Well I work from home and we have six kids, so sometimes it's hectic. But more often than not it's just me in a sunny room

Q: Describe how your team interact and work together.
A: I collaborate with a number of other designers. We work well together and often meet socially as well as professionally.

Q: What makes you different from other web design companies?
A: I offer a friendly and professional service that feels tailor made to the needs of my clients. In over ten years I've not lost a single one yet. Most of my clients are small businesses or sole traders and, as a small business owner myself, they have a sense that I understand their needs quite well. I think it's the sense of personal service that sets me apart. from the competition. My clients feel well looked after, so they remain loyal to me in return.

Q: How do you get the majority of your business?
A: Word of mouth mainly, right from the start, back in the mid 90's I never had to pay for ad space. As I got more clients I got more recommendations. Now I have to turn work down or pass it on.-

Q: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
A: Lots of customer contact is crucial, so that they feel very much a part of the process from start to finish.

Q: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
A: Good communication!

Q: How do you manage demanding clients?
A: Gentleness, patience, and humour. If that doesn't work then I sack them :)

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: I would suggest they go with their gut feeling on which one feels right for them.

Q: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
A: I'll hopefully be retired and living in the sun by then :)

Q: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
A: More dynamic, media based.

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: Its my family name

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 that everyone about it. Promote it at every opportunity to everyone who will listen.