Ruby Fruit Designs

Q: What's your name and position in the company?
A: My name is Claire and I run a freelance web design company in North London

Q: Describe your company in 5 words.
A: Simple creative female fresh designs

Q: What's your business philosophy?
A: To provide the customer with the very best service, without confusing them with science, and making the whole process of getting online as simple and affordable as possible.

Q: Describe your office environment.
A: Its me, a mac and a PC and two sausage dogs. Oh and loads of coffee, the garden just outside my office, and piles of reference books.

Q: Describe how your team interact and work together.
A: The 'team' is just me and the client. Sometimes we speak on the phone, sometimes we actually meet, but more often than not all of my commissions are done through email. I find it much easier to work that way- things can be forgotten in phone conversations and I like to keep track of where we are with an email trail.

Q: What makes you different from other web design companies?
A: I care about my clients and want them to get the very best service- my livelihood is at stake! Most of my jobs are acquired through referral so I want to make sure my clients say nice things about me to other people. Therefore, I go the that extra distance to give them what they want- whether it be image sourcing or working flat out to meet their deadlines. Oh, and I'm female- along with less than 16% of the industry.

Q: How do you get the majority of your business?
A: I advertise on Google, Gumtree and Craigslist, but most of my clients come to me after being referred by other customers.

Q: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
A: I try to establish a timescale and deadline for a project- there's as much work for the client to do to get their copy prepared as there is for me as designer. It gets us both moving! There can be a lot of waiting involved during the design process- if I've sent a draft design to a client I often have to wait for their feedback, so I try to plan my time as effectively as possible.

Q: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
A: Keeping in touch and letting the client see my designs. If a client wants to try something that I don't personally like then, rather than force their hand, I tend to show them both their own version and my own. I don't always win.

Q: How do you manage demanding clients?
A: By making sure I establish a good dialogue with the client and also to make sure they are kept informed of developments all the way through the process. I make sure they know exactly what they are going to get and when they are going to get it.

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: Rapport, professionalism, originality and price. In that order.

Q: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
A: In ten years I hope to be working with a team of designers, all using their own original designing talents, but working under the ethics of the Ruby Fruit Designs umbrella.

Q: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
A: I think that web design companies will become as important and common-place as any print shop and publishing company on the high street,

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: I wanted something bright, original and feminine. Just like me.

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 kept right up to date and gives exactly the right impression of your company. There's no point in state of the art bells and whistles if your copy is out of date. Also, I'm a designer, I design your cover, print the words and publish it; but you have to write the book.