Website Design

[Escape Vapourettes]

Hi,

I am looking for recommendations for a website designer. I am not looking for quotes from website designers in this thread. I would just like to hear from anyone who is very pleased with a website that has been designed for them and would recommend the designer.

The site that we are looking to have designed is to advertise a service, we will not be selling anything on the site. And we are on a fairly limited budget.

Thank you

 

[AllUpHere]

When you say fairly limited budget, what roughly are we talking about?

 

[HazelC]

I use Geek Designs - they're based in Peterborough, really well priced and honest too! I have recommended them to loads of people and I've never regretted it! They're about £350 for a 1-5 page website?

 

[ethical PR]

If you are on a limited budget why not look at doing it yourself on Wordpress and then you just pay to host and for any templates.

 

[quikshop]

Give Steve a call at www.web-updater.co.uk, he creates professional looking websites for a few hundred pounds and offers ongoing maintenance and support options.

 

[fisicx]

Don't ever use anyone who charges for x number of pages. A modern CMS (like wordpress) will let you have as many pages as you like.

If you just use a modern responsive theme you need a developer rather than a designer

 

[Ian J]

There are a number of web designers who are active members of this forum so there is no need to look elsewhere and fisicx (above) has a good reputation in this regard

 

[Escape Vapourettes]

Thanks for your replies. I would still love to hear some recommendations from people who feel that someone has created a great website for them that functions correctly and they would be happy to recommend them.

 

[Paul Murray]

I can't recommend anyone personally, but it's worth having a shop around. Even someone who comes recommended might not be the best match for your particular business.

Check out portfolios (including live examples of sites if possible) and try to speak to the designer/studio directly to see if they're right for you. Also, and I know this is easy to say as a designer myself, but never pick a designer based solely on price. You get what you pay for, so make sure you only have to pay for it once!

 

[Ian J]

Thanks for your replies. I would still love to hear some recommendations from people who feel that someone has created a great website for them that functions correctly and they would be happy to recommend them.

Take a look at mine ( www.factoringsolutions.co.uk ) which was designed by forum member Webgeek http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/members/webgeek.49835/

I'm very pleased with it

 

[Tin]

I'll second Webgeek, with his extensive knowledge you'd be in safe hands.

 

[Mad Frog]

Don't ever use anyone who charges for x number of pages. A modern CMS (like wordpress) will let you have as many pages as you like.

Agreed, no decent design company would ever make an offer like that, it's not how websites are created. One man bands will also tend to be cheaper than agencies, the trade off being that an agency will have specialists in graphic design, branding and coding. As mentioned above, you get what you pay for.

 

[Quickpacksupplies]

Another place to check is a freelancer website like odesk?

 

[Yaham_barry]

I think the two designers they recommended above with lot of experience can give you some suggestions on your website.

 

[Escape Vapourettes]

Thanks for all your replies.

We would now like to hear from any designers/developers, perhaps just with a link to your site so we can have a look at your portfolios, and or with an idea of cost for the following:

Contemporary design, fairly minimalist, fully responsive, full content management and around 25 pages.

Thank you.

 

[fisicx]

The big problem with you selection process is the portfolio. Your site is not my site, the targets are different as will be your marketing. So you may find a portfolio site you really like but it may be the wrong one for your business.

The layout (design) of a website is one of the lease important features. It seems contradictory but umpteen tests have proven that the content, navigation, calls to action and trust marks are what makes site effective not the theme.

 

[zigojacko]

We wouldn't be able to help as we already have a client in your niche (conflict of interest).

One site we have just designed, built and launched is this one...

 

[Mad Frog]

The layout (design) of a website is one of the lease important features. It seems contradictory but umpteen tests have proven that the content, navigation, calls to action and trust marks are what makes site effective not the theme.

All true, the design and look is there to supplement everything once all this is in place. Although I'd also add content layout/presentation is important as well, one of our designers is an ex-art director for a well known magazine publishing company which have carried out extensive research into this area.

 

[InternetMarketingPlatinum]

http://www.webdesignstogo.com is inexpensive for what you get.