SOMCOM LTD

Q: What's your name and position in the company?
A: David Pottinger - Project Manager

Q: Describe your company in 5 words.
A: Innovative, Creative, Dynamic, Friendly, Professional

Q: What's your business philosophy?
A: SomCom believe that we can provide a great website experience for our customers regardless of their business sector.

Q: Describe your office environment.
A: We have an open office environment where our developers can collaborate and share ideas. Client visits are encouraged so that we can introduce the team that does the work.

Q: Describe how your team interact and work together.
A: The development team work closely together using Version Control software. Multiple projects are worked on in parallel. All projects are managed through an online tracking tool called JIRA.

Q: What makes you different from other web design companies?
A: SomCom has a strong background in Data conversion and manipulation with many of our original sites containing archive material in excess of 10,000 pages. Due to our Data background we have created many useful tools for Data conversion which assist us when examining the data that new clients bring with them. We have the resource to migrate effectively between different database platforms without loss and have vast experience in Database Design and Implementation.

Q: How do you get the majority of your business?
A: A combination of referrals from current clients and direct marketing.

Q: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
A: With a Dedicated Project Manager and through the use of an online tracking tool.

Q: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
A: Communication and momentum. Constant communication eradicates the chances of assumptions or miscommunication and adds momentum to a project pushing it towards delivery.

Q: How do you manage demanding clients?
A: Each client has their own concerns which will nearly always be related to Cost, Time and Quality. Understanding the clients current situation is of paramount importance if a workable project plan is to be created.

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: Speak with them. Meet with them (face to face is very important Meet the team (those that will do the work) Find out what they have done before

Q: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
A: We want to keep providing a truly bespoke service whilst growing our client portfolio.

Q: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
A: Web design will continue to evolve offering more opportunities for both commercial and non-commercial ventures. The smartphone generation will drive forward improvements in functionality and design ensuring that users find the service, product, venue more quickly. Location based searching will improve considerably which when linked to a users habits and preferences will result in increasingly accurate information being available.

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: SomCom is short for Somerset Computing

Q: If you were to give your clients one tip on how to get the most from their website what would it be?
A: Think of what your website could be doing for you when you are doing something else. If it was an employee what you tell it do? - It could be communicating with your members - Notifying customers that their are new offers available to them - Reminding people to renew their subscriptions