Pierce Online Media

Q: What's your name and position in the company?
A: James Goulding - Client Relations Manager - PArtner

Q: Describe your company in 5 words.
A: Fresh exiting focused on design

Q: What's your business philosophy?
A: We come from a Graphic Design and IT background, so we focus primarily on the looks, getting the site to look (and interact) as smoothly, efficiently and professionally as possible.

Q: Describe your office environment.
A: We are based in Retail Outlets. No appointment is necessary, although you can make one if you wish. Just pop in for a brew and a chat. There's no hard sell. If we don't think a service is right for you, we'll tell you. No suits, No ties, just casual, friendly and helpful. We enjoy a bit of good banter and love it when we get clients who appreciate the purposefully non-corporate feel our offices have.

Q: Describe how your team interact and work together.
A: We are best friends as well as colleges, and although we may banter at times, we get on really well. We see each other socially as well as professionally, and have excellent working relationships.

Q: What makes you different from other web design companies?
A: We are casual, friendly, but most of all......IF YOU DON'T NEED IT, WE WON'T TRY TO SELL IT TO YOU!!!!

Q: How do you get the majority of your business?
A: We are based within Graphic Design Studios and Computer Retail Outlets, so a lot of our customers arrive through the door. Our other main source of clients is via previous customers telling their colleges and friends about us.

Q: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
A: All our projects are overseen by an assigned Project Manager, who is there to help the client at all stages of the project. They maintain regular contact with designers, coders, administrators and clients to ensure that the process runs as smoothly as possible, and the client receives the best value for money.

Q: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
A: Communication is the most important thing. A client needs to know where you are upto, and that they can call at any time with concerns, additions, queries or just for an update.

Q: How do you manage demanding clients?
A: All clients receive the same level of service. What is and isn't covered within their fee is fully outlined in their contract that they sign upon commissioning a site from us. Be the client demanding or passive, all clients receive the same level of care and attention as each other.

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 recommend they look at their budget, what exactly they NEED their site to do, as well as what they'd want it to do. I would recommend they have a chat with a few companies, avoiding the ones that try the hard sell. I would also recommend them to choose the company that fits best with them personally. It is much easier for a client and designer to work together if they like each other!

Q: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
A: I see Pierce Online Media in 10 years, having a large customer base. A reasonable amount of employees, and to be still at the forefront of technology.

Q: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
A: Web design is going to grow in complexity as technologies enable more intricate things to be performed by a browser. I see the design, and coding sides of the business becoming more distinct, and eventually separate companies or fully separate departments being necessary to handle the vast differences in role.

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

Q: How was your company name chosen?
A: It was chosen by our Founder (Giles Pierce) who wanted a personal flavour to be added to the 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: Keep it up to date, so that visitors come back and your conversion rates will also increase.