Icon Internet

Q: What's your name and position in the company?
A: John Barratt - UK Marketing Manager

Q: Describe your company in 5 words.
A: Quality and value without comprimise

Q: What's your business philosophy?
A: It doesn't matter how many times you fail. It doesn't matter how many times you almost get it right. No one is going to know or care about your failures, and neither should you. All you have to do is learn from them and those around you because... All that matters in business is that you get it right once. Then everyone can tell you how lucky you are.

Q: Describe your office environment.
A: Small, intimate and friendly working environment with classical music to provide the relaxing undertones that help to ignite creativity, caressed by the warming sensation of the coffee cup that rests within the hands of our staff at any given time. We forbid the consumption of cookies at work because a single crunch could break the atmosphere and help to shorten the lifespan of the beautiful creativity that we have in our team.

Q: Describe how your team interact and work together.
A: Usually, our staff work via email or collaborate using Basecamp productivity software. We have a select few who are regarded as 'Iconites' - those who are specialists in their field and provide exceptional support to customers on the phone or by live chat.

Q: What makes you different from other web design companies?
A: What differentiates us from other run of the mill web design companies is that we; a) Operate a full working environment from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday. Not many other companies do. b) Spend time on site with business clients and observe them to gain a clearer understanding of how we can work specifically to help them develop and grow their business from a web media perspective. c) We also offer a full one-stop service as well as IT Support, Telecoms & Broadband.

Q: How do you get the majority of your business?
A: We promote our business using social media, Google sales campaigns and Facebook Adverts but the majority of our business comes from positive direct referrals - the only true way of knowing that we are as good as our word.

Q: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
A: Confirm appointment with the customer, ascertain requirements and collect 50% deposit, complete and sign off the work order.

Q: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
A: It's all about being a people person. Businesses buy from people more than the actual product you are selling, therefore being upbeat about what you have to offer and knowing your product inside out is key to sealing the deal.

Q: How do you manage demanding clients?
A: We ask what the problem is and what they expect. We then move heaven and earth to meet or exceed their expectations always.

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: Don't go for the company who charges the lowest prices because you think that you are getting a bargain. Ask relevant questions, request existing client references, arrange a meeting and request to view their portfolio, as well as ensuring that they are registered with Companies House.

Q: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
A: Icon Internet is moving up fast in this ever changing industry and we see the company expanding into Ireland and overseas, continuing to champion their mission to be the world's best web media all rounder for the indefinite future ahead.

Q: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
A: With more and more high street businesses closing their doors and resorting to internet commerce, it's a given fact that there will always be a need for web design. This is the only recession-proof industry in the world.

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

Q: How was your company name chosen?
A: Icon because we represent everything positive about web media, Internet because that is the home of our 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: Make sure your website is W3C compliant and that you have a well defined SEO strategy in place. Don't send hundreds of tweets or use heavy promotion if you only have a few likes on Facebook. Your reputation will be torn to shreds overnight. My own words of choice are "Aim small, miss small". The rest is up to you.