Octopi Design

Q: What's your name and position in the company?
A: Dave Boon - Technical Director

Q: Describe your company in 5 words.
A: Skilled, Creative, Detail, Reliable, Value

Q: What's your business philosophy?
A: We aim to exceed expectations every time and endeavour to build long-term relationships that are based more as a partnership than a traditional client / agency relationship, as we feel this is a more productive way for us to be able to help our clients to develop their business. We believe that we can differentiate ourselves by providing exceptional service and experience, being both friendly and professional, whilst remaining competitive on price.

Q: Describe your office environment.
A: Relaxed & casual, with flourishes of creative genius when required.

Q: Describe how your team interact and work together.
A: We work together using each of our skillsets to the best use for each particular project – an approach that’s worked well for us over the years.

Q: What makes you different from other web design companies?
A: Octopi Neuro Design is the UK's first Neuro Design creative agency. Being specialists in Neuro Web Design means we understand the research behind what goes on in our heads - it's very apparent that to help you engage with your website visitors, we need to activate all 3 areas of their brains. This means having a deep understanding of what makes your visitors tick ... and indeed what makes them click!

Q: How do you get the majority of your business?
A: Word-of-mouth - people like to recommend us based on their experience of using us ...which we're delighted about!

Q: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
A: From the very first client contact, we ensure that all communication is dealt with clearly and effectively.

Q: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
A: Communication, honesty and transparency ...and nice biscuits at meetings!

Q: How do you manage demanding clients?
A: We treat all of our clients the same - we don’t have favourites. Sure, some are more interested in how we do things, or maybe suggest their own ideas - this is the joy of working in a creative industry. Everyone has their input on projects - our job is to ensure that all the best ideas come to fruition.

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 say whoever you feel most comfortable talking to (assuming the shortlisted companies all have the required skills for the job). Over the course of a project, you may spend quite a bit of time interacting with this person – it’s a lot easier if you’re happy talking to them and can bounce ideas around comfortably.

Q: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
A: Hopefully exactly where we are now - we don’t want to own a vast open plan office with hundreds of employees. All we’re currently looking for are 2-3 new clients to join up with us who we can look after really well - quite simple really.

Q: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
A: Changing a lot!! Can you imagine 10 years ago that we’d be so smart phone orientated - who knows what the next 10 years has waiting for us?!

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: We like the calming influence of the sea so used that as the basis for where our name would come from. We saw a fascinating video about the mighty Octopus - a very clever, quick and good looking creature (much like us!!) so looked to incorporate the name in to something we could use going forward - Octopi, the name everyone is curious about, but can’t pronounce correctly!

Q: If you were to give your clients one tip on how to get the most from their website what would it be?
A: Be honest and clear with yourself and also your creative agency by providing a clear written brief they can work with and reference when required throughout the project - this will help everything run smoothly and communication (plus the project!) will thrive as a result.