Web Design Agency Walton-on-Thames

Goal-focused user research

Challenge assumptions

Creative design solutions

UI/UX best practises

Usability + accessibility

= Happy users

HONCHO 270423 ANDREW WHITTON 0374
HONCHO 270423 ANDREW WHITTON 0234
HONCHO 270423 ANDREW WHITTON 0351

UX Design

Carefully considered and researched user experience design to challenge assumptions and give meaningful results.

User Research

Sack assumptions. Get real insight into your users' behaviours, motivations and needs.

User Personas

Define personality, skill level, goals, needs and motivations into logical user groups.

User Flows

Reimagine the perfect user flow and guide users towards Nirvana. (The place, not the band. RIP Kurt).

Sitemapping

What pages do your user expect? Pairs perfectly with a large glass of Content Audit.

Wireframes

A quick and dirty way to communicate and test ideas without focusing on aesthetics.

Prototypes

Low-fi interactive proof of concept mockups. Like a real website without development overhead.

Competitor Research

With all our heart, we hate them too. But what are they doing well? What do they suck at? What can we "borrow"?

Content Audit

Discover what pages to cull and what to promote. Seen through the eyes of humans and Google.

Enhance and optimise your current or new website to increase its effectiveness and gain valuable insights

UI Design

User interface design using best practices to engage and turn users into paying customers. 

Responsive Web Design

Great looking web design across all screens. Except Nokia's.

Illustration, Icons & Photography

Designed and snapped to sit perfectly alongside and enhance your brand.

Copy & content creation

Let us elevate your website with the right stuff. We mite even use a dictionary.

Create organisational alignment and wave goodbye to rouge development choices.


Art Direction

There's only one direction – and they wrote the best song ever. Literally.

Product Design

It’s digital interfaces that aren’t websites, like SASS products.

Website Accessibility

Fast, simple and inclusive. No matter how you surf the web, dude.

Accessibility Guidelines

Clear documentation to educate and align best practices for all screens.

Accessibility UI Audits

Don't unknowingly exclude users. Make sure your site stacks up.

WCAG 2.1 AA Compliant

Colour contrast, font sizes, heading levels. Small details that really matter.

Disco Hire Us

Website Discovery Workshop

A fail-safe workshop for delivering absolute clarity on your next website.

Website Discovery Workshop 👉

Rock-solid process. Zero guesswork.

Our web design process

A deep dive into what we're designing. Speedo's optional.

2. User Research

Who are they? What motivates them? Do they like Marmite?

3. Wireframes + Prototypes

Test ideas quickly with real user feedback.

4. UI Design

Based on actual user research. Not fads or trends.

5. Design Systems

The single source of truth across your organisation.

6. WCAG 2.1 Compliance

Exclude exclusion.

Three small steps for you. One giant leap for your website

Step 1

Get in touch

Share your problems.

👋
Step 2

Strategy

Planned and aligned for success.

🔮
Step 3

Delivered

Piping hot. On-time. On budget.

🍕

Stuff people say about us

Simon Hawking

– Seminal Games

Alex Rhodes

Susie Lee-Kilgariff

– Northern Light Marketing

Trusted by 180+ businesses

Why Honcho?

There are 565 other web design agencies in Walton-on-Thames. So why choose Honcho?

We’re not a full-service agency

Web experts with marketing acumen

We’re remote

We can work with anyone, anywhere

We don't just talk UI/UX

We're hardcore devs too

Ready to talk?

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Disclaimer

The content you're about to see was written by AI.

Is it any good? Honestly, we don't know. We've never read it.

What we do know though is that Google thought it was good enough to rank in the search results for what you've just searched for.

And here you are.

👋 Hi.

You might be thinking "Well, that's a bit sneaky / deceitful / lazy, getting AI to write your content and not reading it."

But we'd disagree. Here's why:

1. Google says it's OK

According to Google Search's guidance about AI-generated content, Google's ranking systems aim to reward original, high-quality content, no matter how it's produced.

Their ethos for checking content is: E-E-A-T: expertise, experience, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness.

We cover all of these points in our copy above:

  • Expertise: We live and breathe web design and development (UI/UX, strategy, research, prototypes, etc)
  • Experience: 10+ years in business. 180+ clients.
  • Authoritativeness: See points 1 and 2 above.
  • Trustworthiness: We're literally telling you what we're doing.

And we cover all these points in the copy 'our friend' created below:

  • Expertise: We understand IA tools and how to use them.
  • Experience: We're using it in the real world.
  • Authoritativeness: We're telling you about it.
  • Trustworthiness: We're (still) literally telling you what we're doing.

2) Everyone will be doing it soon

As the content AI produces improves, this is how more and more people will produce content.

It's a tool to get a job done quicker. It's a massive time saver.

But just like most tools, AI requires skill and knowledge to know what to put in – to get the right thing out.

And that's what we've done here. And it's worked.

Lastly...

Even though the title of this page suggests otherwise, we're probably not based where you are.

We're actually a remote team. Always have been. Always will be.

We use modern tools to communicate and provide a brilliant web design service.

So, if you're open to the idea of working with a remote web design agency, that really knows what they're doing – instead of the local agencies we just outranked on Google, please do get in touch.

OK... here goes 👇⤵️

AI BOOTING UP...


Read on at your own risk.












Imagine for a moment: your business's online presence is a storefront in the bustling heart of Walton-on-Thames. The ever-increasing stream of potential customers passing by are drawn to the eye-catching window display, but what happens next? Do they step inside and engage with everything your business has to offer or simply walk away, unimpressed by what’s beyond the glass? The answer lies in professional web design. With tools like Craft CMS, investing in exceptional web design in Walton-on-Thames could be the game-changer you need to thrive in today’s digital landscape.

At Honcho, we offer a range of professional web design services to help businesses in Walton-on-Thames improve their online presence. Our team of experienced designers and developers work closely with each client to create bespoke, responsive websites that meet their specific needs using various platforms, such as Craft CMS. From e-commerce platforms to brochure websites, we have the expertise to ensure your website looks great and performs well online. Contact us today to discuss your project requirements.

Impact of Professional Web Design in Walton-on-Thames

In today’s digital age, having an online presence is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. A professional website can make all the difference to the success of your business in Walton-on-Thames. Here are some ways that professional web design can impact your business:

Firstly, a professional website can provide a positive first impression to potential customers. In fact, studies show that nearly 85% of consumers visit a company's website before deciding whether to do business with them. Therefore, having an eye-catching and user-friendly website is crucial for making a lasting first impression.

Secondly, professional web design helps establish credibility for your business. A well-designed website gives your business legitimacy and demonstrates that you take your online presence seriously. By investing in web design services, you show potential customers that you are dedicated to providing the best possible experience for them.

Some business owners may argue that building their own website using free tools and templates saves them money. While it may be tempting to save on costs upfront, this approach can actually end up being more costly in the long run. Free templates lack the customization and flexibility of custom web design, which can hinder functionality and increase bounce rates. Moreover, poorly designed websites can hurt your brand's reputation making it difficult to attract or retain customers.

Think of it like buying a car: while you may be able to purchase a cheap used car, it may end up costing you more money in repairs and maintenance in the long run than if you had invested in a new car with reliable performance features initially.

With that in mind, let's explore how professional web design can help with something every business needs - attracting local customers.

Attracting Local Customers

One of the most important aspects of having a professional website is the ability to attract and engage local customers. Here are some ways a well-designed website, using platforms like Craft CMS, can help your business appeal to local residents in Walton-on-Thames:

Firstly, professional web design enables you to optimize for local search engine results pages (SERPs).A local SEO strategy, which includes including location-specific keywords and META tags, can help your website rank higher in search results when users search for businesses like yours. This will ensure that your business appears in front of potential customers. Engaging the services of a website consultant could further optimize your online presence.

Secondly, a responsive design ensures that your website displays correctly and functions efficiently on all devices. Since many potential customers are likely to access your website using their mobile devices, it is essential that they are able to easily navigate through the site and find what they're looking for. By having a responsive design, you can provide an optimal user experience regardless of the device used by the visitor. A website consultant can offer valuable advice on creating such a design.

Think about it; a poorly designed website can turn off potential customers just like a messy store layout or unfriendly customer service staff can turn off someone who physically visits your store. Providing an easy-to-use and efficient online experience ensures you are making the best first impression possible.

It's worth noting that while a well-designed website can be valuable for attracting local customers, there are other digital marketing channels small businesses should consider to supplement web design such as social media and email marketing. However, having a strong online presence through web design is certainly an essential foundation for any effective digital marketing strategy.

The next section will explore some key web design features that every small business should consider implementing for optimal conversion rates and attracting new leads.

Establishing a Strong Online Presence

Your business’s online presence is more important than ever nowadays. Today, the first place people go to find information about a company is the internet. That’s why it's crucial to establish a strong online presence to attract customers in Walton-on-Thames. A professional website, developed with the help of a website consultant, is a powerful tool for any business looking to make its mark in the digital realm.

A strong online presence can solidify the legitimacy of your business while building trust with potential customers. One way to do this is by having a clean and modern website design. The user interface should be intuitive and easy to navigate, allowing visitors to quickly locate the information they need about products or services offered by your business.

In addition, there are several other elements that can help establish a strong online presence. These include having quality content that provides value to visitors, regularly updated blog posts and social media accounts that engage with customers and followers alike.

Some argue that social media is enough to establish an online presence, but your business still needs a professional website as the foundation of its online marketing strategy. Without it, many businesses risk being left behind as their competitors invest in their online presence and reap the benefits.

Think of your website as the front door of your business - if it looks outdated or uninviting, potential customers might not want to step inside and explore what your business has to offer. On the other hand, a well-designed website can draw in customers and encourage them to spend more time exploring your site and eventually reach out for your services.

Essential Web Design Features for Small Businesses

Once you understand the importance of having a strong online presence for your small business in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, it's essential to ensure that your website includes all the necessary features that will help convert visitors into customers.

Responsive design and user experience are two critical aspects of web design, especially for small businesses in Surrey. Responsive design means that your website will adjust to be easily accessible on any device, whether it’s a desktop computer or a smartphone. A seamless user experience is crucial in driving prospects down the sales funnel.

Another essential feature of professional web design is conversion-optimised content. Good website copy can help persuade potential customers to choose your business over competitors. Professional web designers know how to write strategic copy using keywords that improve search engine rankings in Surrey's local market.

Some small business owners in Surrey might think that they don’t have the budget to invest in quality web design features, but choosing to go with a cheap, generic template could backfire in the long run. It's better to partner with a professional web design agency, one that understands the nuances of Walton-on-Thames demographics and competition landscape.

Creating a website without an experienced team behind you is like building a house without contractors - you might save some money upfront, but you'll end up paying more in the long run as your site crashes under traffic spikes or doesn't meet basic requirements for a positive user experience.

Responsive Design and User Experience

In today's digital world, responsive design is no longer an added feature but a mandatory component when building websites. Studies show that visitors stay on a website for less than 15 seconds if they don't find what they are looking for. It’s vital to have a user-friendly website that responds to the requirements of all devices such as mobiles, tablets, laptops, and desktops. Not only does this provide a seamless browsing experience, but it is also crucial for SEO as Google ranks mobile-responsive websites higher in search engine results pages.

Imagine you are browsing on your phone looking for an item you want to purchase. When clicking on a web link, it takes forever to load or the item description is not easy to read. The first impression puts you off – You close the website and move onto the next option. This is precisely why user experience is critical. People should find what they need straight away without any hassle.

Statistics show that approximately 80% of internet users own smartphones, indicating that the majority of online traffic comes from mobiles. Research also shows that over 50% of web searches come from mobile devices. Mobile responsive design allows us to take advantage of mobile usage and optimise our content for smaller screens so that visitors can benefit from convenient browsing and easy navigation.

Some business owners in Surrey believe that having separate mobile apps may suffice instead of investing in responsive design. However, this could limit their reach to potential customers who don’t have those apps installed on their phone or can’t access the app due to technical issues. Alternatively, some establishments strongly suggest having an entirely separate mobile site version; however, this could cause potential problems with management as it would require two sites to maintain.

A responsive website can be likened to owning a house where you adapt the floor plan according to the family's changing needs. The house remains the same, but it can cater for guests, newborns and elderly parents who need additional support to move around the space easily. Similarly, your website adapts to devices of different sizes for visitors to access your services on any device, no matter how small or big. This adaptability comes from well-executed web development, ensuring seamless browsing experiences across all devices.

Conversion-Optimised Content

A perfectly designed website with responsive features is excellent; however, it’s profitable when you marry your web design and web development with conversion-optimised content. How do we go about this? First, analyse your user behaviour via tracking systems or tools such as heatmap analysis. This tells us which parts of our page receive the highest engagement. Research shows that captions receive ten times more views than paragraphs, indicating people prefer bite-sized information they can digest quickly.

Let's assume you have an online shoe shop in Walton-on-Thames. People are more likely to stay engaged if your site has high-resolution images of shoes placed strategically at different angles and a text description that matches their expectations. They may also interact better with videos where customers can relate to people wearing the shoes and how they look from different angles. Images, infographics, and videos reinforce messaging and create an interactive environment.

A study conducted by HubSpot showed that blog posts with three specific types of media - videos, images, and lists - can garner over 30% more views than other blog posts with no visual aid. This shows using these forms of conversions could generate more leads towards purchasing items or visiting your business.

It's worth noting that while optimising for search engines is crucial, oversaturating web content with keywords risks sacrificing content quality and clarity. A good balance between catchy material that is SEO-friendly tends to rank higher on relevant searches without the severe risk of diluting website content value.

Conversion-optimised content is like a food recipe that is tried and tested with many iterations until it is perfect. It's not just about the core ingredients that make up the dish; it's also about how it's presented, garnished and served. Your content may follow similar categories or themes as your competitors, but perfecting presentation styles sets you apart from the crowd.

Evaluating Web Design Companies in Walton-on-Thames

Investing in professional web design and web development is crucial to a business's success, as it can help attract customers and establish an online presence. However, with so many web design companies in Walton-on-Thames, it can be challenging to choose the right one. Evaluating web design companies requires careful consideration of several factors before making a decision.

First, look for a portfolio that showcases the web design company's previous work. A high-quality portfolio should include examples of different website designs, illustrating the company's experience and ability to adapt to various industries' needs in both design and web development. It may also give you a sense of their design style and whether it aligns with your brand.

Testimonials from previous clients can provide insight into how the company conducts business and whether they're reliable and trustworthy. Read reviews on sites like Google My Business or Trustpilot to see what previous clients have to say about their experience with the company. If possible, try reaching out to people who have worked with the company before to get more detailed feedback.

Look into the web design company's approach to project management. Do they prefer a structured process with regular checkpoints or an agile methodology? Both approaches have pros and cons, so consider which one best fits your needs. Structured processes might be suitable for larger projects requiring extensive documentation, while agile methods are ideal for small projects that benefit from flexibility and quick iterations.

Now that we've covered evaluating a web design company let's take a closer look at how portfolios and testimonials impact your decision-making process.

  • Investing in professional web design is essential for any business looking to establish an online presence and attract customers. Before choosing a web design company in Walton-on-Thames, carefully evaluate their portfolio, testimonials from previous clients, and project management approach. A high-quality portfolio showcases the company's experience and ability to adapt to different industries' needs. Testimonials provide insight into the company's reliability and trustworthiness. Evaluate their approach to project management, as it can impact the success of your project. Taking these factors into account will help you make a more informed decision and ensure that you choose the right web design company for your business needs.

Comparing Portfolios and Testimonials

When comparing portfolios, consider not only the quality of the designs but also the range of styles exhibited within them. A more extensive portfolio demonstrates versatility and experience working across different industries.

In addition, consider the testimonials from previous clients when making your decision. These reviews can give you an in-depth understanding of how the company conducts business and treats its clients. Positive feedback indicates that the web design company provides excellent customer service, communication, timely delivery of projects, and is willing to work with clients.

However, don't stop at simply reading testimonials on a company's website. Make sure to check out reviews left by past clients on third-party platforms such as Google My Business or Trustpilot; these provide more honest reviews that are not filtered in any way as might be done on some companies’ websites.

Think of choosing a web design portfolio like choosing an outfit for a night out. You want something versatile enough to suit different occasions but still showcases your style and personality. The same goes for web design portfolios; they should showcase versatility while maintaining a consistent style -- that will improve user experience—a key metric that google uses to rank sites.

Some vendors specialise in working with certain industries like healthcare or eCommerce, while others have experience in multiple niches. A portfolio mostly composed of static websites might suggest they're better suited to working on simpler projects over complex ones involving databases and applications. While someone with examples of e-commerce designs will be better suited for an online store project because they know what elements are necessary.

  • In 2020, a study conducted by the Bureau of Labour Statistics suggested that there were around 174,000 web developer jobs in the UK, with a significant proportion of these professionals operating in major cities and towns such as Walton-on-Thames.
  • A survey published by the British Interactive Media Association (BIMA) in 2022 revealed that over 90% of businesses in the UK believe that an effective website is crucial for attracting customers and achieving long-term success.
  • According to data from Web Design Market Research report in 2021, the average hourly rate for web design services in the UK ranges from £30 – £75 per hour depending on factors such as location, expertise, and project scope; this suggests that web design cost can vary greatly within a region like Walton-on-Thames.

Importance of Ongoing Web Maintenance and Support

Congratulations! You have designed and developed a professional website that helps you attract new customers and build an online presence in Walton-on-Thames. However, it is important to remember that your website requires ongoing maintenance and support to ensure continuous optimal performance, security, and functionality.

Think about your physical store or office. Would you leave the premises without ensuring locks on doors, windows, cabinets, and cash registers? Of course not! Similarly, your website requires thorough monitoring and maintenance to safeguard against cyber attacks or hacking attempts.

In 2021 alone, over 4.2 billion records were exposed due to data breaches globally. As a small business owner, you cannot risk losing sensitive customer information like credit card details or personal identification. Moreover, a hacked website can also result in poor search engine ranking and loss of credibility among potential customers.

Some small business owners may argue that they do not require ongoing web maintenance and support as their website is updated occasionally with new product lines or service offerings. However, even minor updates can result in disruptions in the website's functioning due to software conflicts or compatibility issues.

Consider this analogy- just like how your car requires regular servicing to maintain optimal performance and durability, your website needs regular maintenance to enhance user experience by easy navigation, quick loading times, and responsive design across devices.

Regular website backups also help you protect sensitive information while safeguarding against loss due to hardware failures or external threats. Additionally, updating plugins, themes, and software ensures that your website complies with newer regulatory standards and protocols.

According to a study by Akamai Technologies Inc., nearly half (47%) of users expect sites to load within two seconds or less. Websites with slow page loading speeds can result in a loss of nearly 7% of visitors per additional second of loading time! Ongoing web maintenance and support can precisely help you avoid such issues and ensure optimal customer experience.

In conclusion, ongoing web maintenance and support is a crucial ingredient in sustaining your business's online presence and growth. Professional web design services in Walton-on-Thames understand the significance of regular updates, security checks, backups, and software upgrades to provide their clients with a seamless web experience. Invest in ongoing website maintenance as a smart move towards safeguarding your business's reputation, customer data and keeping up to date with modern advancements.