The top 10 questions that we get asked

Web design is the art and science of creating visually appealing and functionally effective websites. It comprises a broad range of skills and disciplines, including: Visual design: This involves the overall aesthetics of the web design, including the layout, colour scheme, typography, and imagery. A good web designer should have a strong sense of design principles and be able to create a visually attractive website consistent with the brand it represents.

User experience (UX) design is the art of making your website accessible and enjoyable. A well-designed website should be intuitive, with clear calls to action and easy-to-find information. UX designers must consider user needs, accessibility, and usability testing.

Information architecture: This involves organizing the website's content logically and hierarchically. A good information architecture will make it easy for users to find the information they need, regardless of their technical skills or prior knowledge of the website.

Technical skills: While web design isn't primarily about coding, a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is often helpful. This allows designers to communicate their ideas more effectively to developers and troubleshoot any technical issues.

Search engine optimisation (SEO) involves optimising your website so that it ranks higher in various search engine results pages (SERPs). While not strictly a design element, understanding SEO principles can help ensure the website is visible to its target audience.

Mobile-friendliness: In today's world, websites must be optimised for mobile devices. This means designing your website to be easy to read and to navigate on smaller screens.

Web design continually evolves, driven by technological advancements and changing user expectations. However, the core principles of good design remain the same: create a beautiful and usable website that communicates an amaizing message to your target audience. This explanation gives you a good overview of what web design is! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Yes, SEO can definitely help your website in several ways! Here are some of the benefits:

Increased website traffic: By optimising your website for relevant keywords and phrases that people are looking for, you can increase the chances of your website appearing higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). This can lead to more organic traffic, which is the traffic that comes to your website through search engines without you having to pay for it.

Improved brand awareness: If your website is ranking higher for relevant keywords, people are more likely to see it and become familiar with your brand. This can lead to increased brand awareness and trust, which can lead to more sales or conversions.

Better user experience: A well-optimised website is not only easier for search engines to read, but it is also easier for users to navigate. This can lead to a better user experience, which can keep users coming back to your website and increase engagement.

Long-term benefits: Unlike paid advertising, the benefits of SEO can last for a long time. Once you have optimised your website for relevant keywords, you can reap the benefits of increased traffic and brand awareness for years to come.

However, it's important to note that SEO is not a quick fix. It can take time and effort to see results, and the effectiveness of your SEO strategy will depend on a number of factors, such as the competitiveness of your industry and the quality of your website. Here are some things you can do to improve the SEO of your website:

• Do keyword research: Find out what keywords and phrases people are searching for that are relevant to your website.
• Optimise your website content: Make sure your website content is of high quality and relevant to your target keywords.
• Build backlinks: Get other relevant websites to link to your website.
• Submit your website to search engines: Make sure your website is submitted to major search engines like Google and Bing.
• Use social media: Promote your website on social media platforms.

While WordPress is a popular and robust platform, there might be better choices for some situations. Here are some reasons why you might consider alternatives:

Potential downsides of WordPress:

Bloated software: WordPress has many features you might not need, making it heavy and requiring more resources. This can lead to very slow loading times and higher hosting costs.

Security concerns: WordPress is a very popular target for hackers due to its widespread use. It can be vulnerable to malware and data breaches if not updated and properly secured.

Plugin dependence: Many powerful features require third-party plugins, which can introduce compatibility issues and security vulnerabilities. Finding reliable and consistently updated plugins can be time-consuming.

Limited design flexibility: While themes offer customization, achieving highly bespoke designs can be challenging. Developers might find working with the core code restrictive.

Maintenance overhead: Keeping WordPress updated, plugins checked, and security vulnerabilities patched requires ongoing effort. This can be frustrating for users with limited technical expertise.

Not ideal for static websites: A static site generator might offer better performance and security if your website mainly displays static content and doesn't require frequent updates.

Alternatives to consider:

Static site generators: Ideal for brochure websites, portfolios, or blogs with infrequent updates. They offer faster loading times, better security, and more straightforward deployment. Examples include Gatsby and Hugo.

Headless CMS: Provides a content management system without a front-end interface. Great for developers who want complete control over the website design and functionality. Examples include Contentful and Strapi.

Custom web development: Offers the most flexibility and control but requires upfront investment and technical expertise.

Remember: The best platform depends on your specific needs and technical skills. Consider what features you need, your budget, and your comfort level with maintenance before choosing a system.

This information helps you decide whether WordPress is the right choice for you.

Whether hiring a web designer is expensive depends on several factors, making it difficult to give a simple yes or no answer. Here's a breakdown to help you understand the cost range and factors influencing it:

General Cost Range:

• Freelance Designers: £30 - £150 per hour (median around £75)
• Web Design Agencies: £500 - £50,000+ for a project (depending on complexity)

Factors Affecting Cost:

• Project Scope: A simple website will be cheaper than a complex e-commerce platform.
• Designer Experience: More experienced designers typically charge more.
• Location: Rates can be higher in major cities compared to smaller towns.
• Additional Services: Maintenance, content writing, SEO, etc., add to the cost.
• Delivery Timeframe: Rush jobs often come with higher rates.

Alternatives to Hiring a Designer:

• Website Builders: Affordable templates and drag-and-drop tools (Wix, Squarespace).
• Content Management Systems (CMS): Platforms like WordPress offer flexibility and plugins for design.
• DIY Resources: Tutorials and free design assets can help with basic website creation.

Cost-Effectiveness Comparison:

• Hiring a designer: Saves time, ensures professional quality, and offers expertise.
• Alternatives: Cost-effective for simple websites, good for learning, but require significant time and effort.

Ultimately, the "expensive" tag is subjective. If you value your time, prioritize a professional look, and need complex features, then hiring a designer is an investment that can bring long-term benefits. Alternative options might be more cost-effective for a basic website with limited features.

To determine if hiring a designer is right for you, consider:

• Your budget: Be very realistic about what you can afford to pay a web designer.
• Your website needs: Complexity, features, and desired visual impact.
• Your technical skills: Comfort level with website building tools.

By understanding the factors involved and weighing up your options, you can make an informed decision about whether hiring a web designer is the right investment for your website and budget.

As many as it takes. We do not limit you to a set number of revisions as we are only happy when you are. Because of our design process we are confident that we can get your design signed off by you quite quickly without the need for numerous revisions.

Answered by Stuart B, Director of 32 Digital: Personaly, I have over 26 years of design experience in graphic and web deign. I started near the start of the internet and have been designing websites for my clients ever since.

Absolutly. Simply go to our Website design page and you will find our most recent work.

If you ask this question of a web designer and they say no then you can take that as a red flag. The first thing that we do at 32 Digital when asked for our services is to check your existing website. This gives us a very good understanding of what it is that you do and where any ellements of your existing website that we feel could be used in your new design, such as content.

At 32 Digital we do all of our web design and graphic design work in-house. This gives us complete creative control of our work and peace of mind for you. We do use a prefered print partner for our print to your door service.

We offer a full graphic design solution including print to your door services, as well as SEO (search engine optimisation) solutions.