Two-minute guide
Who are you?
We are a consultancy specialising in effective use of the web.
What do you do?
Help organisations ensure that their websites are doing the jobs they should be as well as they could be. Think of us as architects: we do not build houses, but by understanding the needs of the owner and the capabilities of the builders, we ensure that the structure does everything it should, and does it well.
Do you build websites?
No
Who are your clients?
In the past two years, BP, Shell, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Roche, HSBC, ING, Deutsche Bank, The World Bank, The Coca-Cola Company, Unilever, Nestle, Cadbury Schweppes, Foreign & Commonwealth Office (London), Lyondell Chemical Co, Arup, SITA, BAT, Philip Morris, as well as other organisations we are unable to name.
Why do we need this type of consultancy?
Because we bring a business perspective to the web – essential whether or not yours is a commercial organisation. Because we are totally independent, with no interest in selling websites, software or any other third-party service. And perhaps most important, because we help you create a sustainable web presence. By transferring our knowledge and analysis to you the site owner, you can alleviate the rebuild-degrade-rebuild cycle that is the resource-draining curse of so many large sites.
Our understanding of the ways in which the web can be harnessed to improve business and organisational processes is unmatched. We have a huge and constantly-updated database of best practice. And we understand the stresses the medium can put on existing structures. Our 10 years’ experience analysing e-business and the web allows us to complement and support your communications, design, and IT resources in a way that adds great value.
Where’s the return on investment?
We pay for ourselves by saving reworking costs and by helping the web generate all the benefits it can – financial or otherwise. The proof of the value is that most of our clients come back to us with further projects. A cost-effective route into our services for major corporates is our results-sharing benchmark ‘club’, which is linked to a networking group.
At what stage should we use you?
Before relaunching your site, to develop a solid and sustainable web strategy.
After launching a site, to ensure that it is as effective as it can be and does not degrade over time.
At any time, to get to grips with the current state of your site.
When you have a specific need, to analyse particular issues.
What are your methods?
They vary according to the project but there are two invariable elements. First we spend time getting to grips with the client’s needs. Second, we identify relevant best practice through benchmarking and/or other techniques.
Beyond this we have a range of methods, including in-depth interviews, online surveys, investigation of web analytics and the application of our own experience and expertise. We work alongside partners to provide specialist services such as usability testing, market research and brand compliance monitoring.
Will our existing website consultant not offer the same services for less money?
In theory, possibly. We add three things.
First, independence – we are not trying to sell services on the back of advice, and never have conflicts of interest in benchmarking, for example.
Second, expertise – because we do nothing else, we have built up a far deeper and broader pool of best practice than anyone else.
Third, understanding of business processes. We have great experience across a wide range of industries and sectors, and can bring that to bear in both the private and public sectors.
So you position yourself against website builders?
Not at all: we often work closely with them. It is a matter of division of skills, as happens in any industry as it matures. Some things we can do better; others things they can. By respecting each others’ strengths we can provide an unbeatable service for site owners.
Do you help with intranets?
No.
What do you cost?
We charge by the day at a standard consultancy rate, and will quote a firm price for a project in advance.
What do you deliver?
Usually detailed reports with recommended actions, but we are often also asked to make a presentation and take part in a discussion or brainstorming.
We carry out one-off projects or provide support over time.
Where do I find out more?
- Click on the Services link to the left to find out about our consultancy services. If you are responsible for the web presence of a large corporation, click on For large corporates.
- Send an e-mail to Dan Drury
- Call Dan Drury on +44 (0)7786 707434
Interested in picking up more ideas? Check out our 2008 Website Effectiveness conference