The PixelForge

Q: What's your name and position in the company?
A: Jon Warner, Proprietor

Q: Describe your company in 5 words.
A: eager, energetic, diverse, sometimes unusual

Q: What's your business philosophy?
A: There's no getting away from the fact the bills need to be paid - that's why we all work - but I love what I do and I try to make that apparent in everything I do.

Q: Describe your office environment.
A: A home from home - oh, wait - I work from home!

Q: What makes you different from other web design companies?
A: I won't over sell to clients. I try to ensure they get exactly what they need - no expensive or unnecessary gadgets or gizmos.

Q: How do you get the majority of your business?
A: Word of mouth

Q: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
A: I like to start with an initial chat, preferably face to face, but over the phone if necessary. Once a list of requirements has been developed I'll ask the client to show or describe things they've seen that really struck a chord with them, design-wise. I've found this a good way to get specific ideas of what the client is after. A contract is issued for signing. Whilst the client is doing this I'll construct a technical brief - outlining the specifics of our discussion; the purpose of the project, the target market, the functionality required and how I intend to achieve this. Depending on the type of project it may include initial database table designs. Once this has been approved and we've established the look and feel the client is after I'll draft some designs - as diverse as possible. We can then discuss likes and dislikes, pros and cons so I can develop the final design. Once the final design is approved, work begins on the final project, with regular (often daily) updates until completion within an agreed time frame. Again, once approved an invoice is issued and the website is deployed. On receipt of payment all access to server and website is handed over.

Q: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
A: Communication, honesty and reliability. This is a two way street.

Q: How do you manage demanding clients?
A: Exactly the same.

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 to them. Read reviews. Check out their work Don't be impressed by a portfolio loaded with bells and whistles used just for the sake of it. The main purpose for a website is to promote the company named at the top and not as a showcase piece for the designer. If the design and functionality help identify the client with their target market and make the products/services they offer easily recognisable then fantastic. Unfortunately though this is not always the case.

Q: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
A: If I win the lottery I'll be checking in on a daily basis from a laptop on a beach in Thailand or a yacht anywhere its hot. Otherwise I'd like to work near the coast here in Blighty.

Q: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
A: As clients get more savvy we can expect to see higher quality across the board. The best place for a client to learn? Ask web designers. As many as feasible to get different opinions. You'll son learn to weed out the cagey, less honest ones.

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

Q: How was your company name chosen?
A: I wanted to portray a dynamic sense of the work that I do - forging pixels into finished artwork.

Q: If you were to give your clients one tip on how to get the most from their website what would it be?
A: Know your target market. Having a website is little different in a marketing sense to a brochure or advertisement. It needs to be specifically targeted. Insisting that a website be aimed at everyone will mean it lacks the punch and clarity needed to attract individual demographic groups and possibly at the risk of alienating more niche markets. However, unlike with an advert - you have the option to have specifically targeted webpages, each with their own keywords and phrases. Running differently targeted newspaper/magazine or television advertisements could cost a fortune in comparison.