Q: What's your name and position in the company?
A: Lawrence Tilley - Freelance Web Designer
Q: Describe your company in 5 words.
A: Experienced, Friendly, Professional, Honest, Reliable
Q: What's your business philosophy?
A: Never compromise on quality or service.
Q: Describe your office environment.
A: Working for myself, I have to be very organised and disciplined. I enjoy all of the rewards it brings.
Q: Describe how your team interact and work together.
A: As I am a sole trader this is not applicable.
Q: What makes you different from other web design companies?
A: As an independent freelancer, I advise my clients on the best value products and solutions, tailored for their business. Other web design companies recommend certain products/platforms because they have already invested in specific technologies or partnered up with a hosting provider. With my experience of small and large web projects, I can cater for your needs, rather than giving you a blanket solution.
Q: How do you get the majority of your business?
A: Word of mouth does help in business. With the internet producing so much competition, it's hard to find good advice. I make sure my website includes testimonials from my customers, which has proved to be a big success in gaining new clients.
You'd be amazed to hear how many people I meet who say 'I need a Web Designer' and I'm always at the ready with my business card. The world really is a small place.
Q: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
A: With an initial consultation on the client's project, I would then pull together a contract (based on their brief / requirements). Once agreed and signed, then the design and building of the website / project is under way. The client is provided with a number of changes which they can make during this process and updates on the work are frequent. Once the work is completed, if necessary the client is provided with training and support on using the site (updating content, new pages, etc). Handover is then made on completion. Queries or support down the line are always be responded to promptly.
Q: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
A: Honesty is the best policy. If your website brief appears to be heading over budget, I'll establish that from the beginning and provide the best alternatives to meet your budget if it won't stretch. If I'm truthful from the beginning, I usually find that my client is honest in return, creating a strong relationship.
Q: How do you manage demanding clients?
A: I am always very accommodating with my clients, so I would expect them to appreciate this fact without them demanding too much from me. If a client is very demanding, then I would explain professionally that as much as I am willing to help them, I can only achieve so much in the time-frame allocated and they can trust that I am keeping their best interests at heart. I always want to keep my clients informed and happy, so hopefully it never gets to this stage.
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: Look at the quality of the work from these web design companies and what budget you are working with. Be realistic as well at the end of the day. You may get lots of companies bidding for the work but if the price is too good to be true then it usually is. Many clients I've met have previously been given a website for an unbelievable price but then either not given any information/support to run the site or they find that the site was made in a hurry or from a boiler-plate template design. They also find that when something goes wrong the company or individual ignores them.
Q: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
A: Continuing to grow steadily, ensuring that the standards I set are always adhered too. With the internet changing so much in the last ten years, I expect it to continue to grow and I am always looking ahead to new technologies and improvements, to not only benefit my work but the clients I represent.
Q: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
A: The 'cloud' has everyone salivating at the moment. Depending on how technology advances and the economy, the web cloud really could be the way forward. Designing under the cloud network should be exciting for the web design industry, since essentially everyone will have access to the same computer specifications. Web Designers won't have to accommodate for new and old browser versions or prompt users to update to the latest Flash version. The cloud technology will enable Web Designers to streamline their work and concentrate more on revolutionary designs.
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: It is my own 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: Think ahead. Give your website a five year plan. Look at the latest web technologies today and see how they could affect your website in the future. Many clients contact me saying 'Can I just add a RSS feed to my site?', or 'My CMS won't allow Flash content, can you add this function for me?'. It's still possible to add new functions to an existing site, but you would've saved yourself a lot of time and money if these technologies had been incorporated or considered when you first built your site.
Latest Work
