Web Design Guildford

Bespoke web design Guildford – logos, branding, SEO without the agency fees.

Need a freelance web designer based in Guildford?

Welcome to Martin Abel Design. I could have chosen a quirky name for my creative business, but I much prefer to say it like it is. I am a freelance web designer based in Guildford, Surrey. Essentially I am one of those rare people who has web developer and graphic designer skills. Searching web design Surrey or web design Guildford is often how I am found online. However, I have clients right across the UK.

PLEASE NOTE:
I only build bespoke websites
and I only design bespoke logos.

It is important to emphasise this. There are many ‘web designers’ and ‘logo designers’ out there who will simply throw together a template and download a stock logo. You want to avoid anyone who doesn’t invest in your project. Your offering must be unique.

My work splits into two main areas, namely building dynamic responsive websites for clients locally around Guildford, Surrey, but also right across the UK and also creating stunning logos and associated branding. I specialise in digital and printed marketing and most of my clients need both. In addition to the main marketing materials, I have extensive experience and offer services covering search engine optimisation (SEO), social media integration and advice, online advertising, business cards, stationery, leaflets, and poster design. Unlike many creatives, I have A LOT of experience across a wide range of industries and also provide FREE sensible advice. Your website and branding are a marketing tool. They cannot be created by someone who doesn’t understand the market and doesn’t have significant experience across several businesses.

Do you need help? Then call me: 07775 833616

Who to hire?

You have two choices:

An Agency?

Hire a creative agency. You should get your project sorted. Different people working on multiple projects. What about the overheads? Hourly rates?

Budget needed

Me?

Hire a freelancer. Receive an excellent one-to-one service to deliver your project on time with no hourly rates. Enjoy great support and no-nonsense advice… and don’t pay the earth.

Budget needed

Top Tip – Web Design Guildford, Surrey

It’s important to know what you might get from an agency or freelance web designer around Guildford, Surrey or anywhere else in the UK.

Here’s a SIMPLE top techy tip to give you an idea what that company or freelancer is offering.

What Folk Say

“Martin stepped in at short notice when we needed to take our existing branding to a new level, and then used it to create a beautiful fit for purpose website for The Oaks Childcare CIC. The quality of the work and communication throughout was excellent. We now have a fully editable, modern future proof site, just in time for the opening of another wrap around care club. Martin also did our signage and stationery. Basically he sorted the whole package. Very pleased.”

Bella Mehta – Strategy and Community Director and Chair of Directors, The Oaks CIC
theoakschildcare.co.uk

logo, branding, website, signage, stationery

“As a retailer in Guildford we have been through some hard times recently with lock down. Martin initially created a fabulous site for Corkage, then more recently he worked again on the site to build a full e-commerce platform for us to sell our extensive range of wine online. This included significant work creating dynamic search functionality so anyone who isn’t a full wine aficionado can find the perfect wine to match any occasion. Delivered within budget was on hand to patiently assist with operational queries post-delivery. Absolutely brilliant. Highly recommend.”

Andy Dore – Director/Owner, Corkage
corkage.co.uk

logo animation, website, e-commerce and SEO

“We hired Martin Abel to update our very tired and out of date website back in July. He has proved so useful, knowledgeable and professional that apart from our website, we’ve had him design an advertising campaign, our corporate Christmas cards, our corporate calendar, flyers and have had him sitting in on discussions on booth design for a major oil and gas exhibition we are organising in June. He has also prepared our branding guidelines including business cards, letter heads and PowerPoints.” read more >>

Katherine Harington-Foulkes – Office Manager, PetroTrace
petrotrace.com

logo augmentation, branding, website (bi-lingual), stationery & more…

“I’ve used Martin a number of times including website design. He is always great to work with, helpful, creative and rigorous. That, I think, is a rare combination. He knows his stuff whether it’s with design, building or delivery. He is always willing to advise and add value and explain things simply. I always enjoy working with him and he is always my first port of call.”

Lizzie Palmer – Fundamental Business Success
lizziepalmer.co.uk

websites, promotional digital & printed media

“Dear Martin, I wanted to let you know two things that I thought you might like to hear. One is that I have just successfully managed to edit my website, to add on some reviews of the Ken Clarke book. The other is that I got a new and very exciting project last month, and the authors who chose me did it largely on the basis of my website. Thanks Martin!”

Deborah Crewe – Professional Writer/Ghostwriter
deborahcrewe.com

logo, branding, website

“Thank you Martin, I’m now ranking in the top 3 on Google and totally booked up! Guildford and Surrey generally has a great many professionals competing to do Brow Microblading / Powder Brows / Brow Lamination / Lash Extensions / Lash Lift & Tint, so ranking well with a website is critical. Just Beauty is now on page 1 for critical searches. Martin took an old website and made it incredible! The whole feel/look totally fits the ethos and professionalism and that has directly converted into new business. I’m run off my feet! Highly recommend.

Justine Balmer – Director/Just Beauty Guildford
justbeautyguildford.com

website, animation, SEO

Still can’t see the wood for the trees?

Choose below to see some examples (hover or tap)

A new website

From choosing a domain to the finished package

A new website

A  new website is an exciting prospect. It is the key marketing tool that needs to exceed expectations.  You have only 3 seconds to capture your audience.
Did it?

Find out more

A new logo

Yours and only yours. Totally bespoke design

Logo & Branding

You have to ask “does the key fit?” A great logo and branding opens lots of doors. It is critical to look the part and it doesn’t cost the earth!

Find out more

Leaflets and stationery

From business cards to stationery and leaflets

Printed Media

I can use your branding to create a suite of stationery and other promotional items. Or just one item. Anything goes. I can also recommend good printers.

Find out more

Posters & ad campaigns

A simple local advert or a full campaign.. not a problem

Posters and ads

I have a lot of experience in both digital media and printed media and know how best to use them. Don’t gamble your money on bad tools.

Find out more

SEO and advice

Demystify. It's not rocket science. It's common sense

Searches and Advice

From built in Analytics, ad campaigns, conversions and key search terms to good quality honest advice. Chat to me first.

Find out more

Helpful Advice

I need help

Not sure what to do?

Honest Sensible Advice

Choices for web design can be bewildering. Get in touch for sensible honest advice.

Find out more

The Catreus Private Aircraft Charter website is now live.

CATREUS now live

I love jets. I particularly love the amazing beauty of private aircraft with their silk carpets, leather and walnut interiors, and ability to transport their clients anywhere in the World. What a life! Catreus is based at Farnborough and offers incredible private aircraft charter and management services. Their attention to detail is second to none, and the website I built for them had to be the same.

The Priory Primary School website is now live.

The Priory Primary School website is now live

I love working with schools. They have some amazing ideas and capturing the ethos of the school is very rewarding. This project involved taking numerous historical versions of their logo to create defined branding and decent vectors to use moving forward. The website includes some excellent photography and functionality and the back end is incredibly easy for the school to update. As always, what the stakeholders needed was critical to the design (parents, staff, governors, and prospective parents). The perfect look with the perfect tools for the job. Set up for the future.

The British Tags new website is now live.

The British Tags new website is now live

One of the most long-established companies in the UK producing high-quality bespoke promotional labelling, tags, trims, and packaging to high-caliber clients across the country. A website built to match their excellent reputation and standards.

The Clandon Churches website is now live.

The Clandon Churches website is now live

It’s great to help with a community-based project. The Clandon Churches are now fully set up with the right hosting, the right platform, and the best tools to run their own website. Apart from paying me to build a bespoke site, their overheads are now minimal and everything simply works. If you have a community-based project or are a registered charity, then get in touch. You get free hosting too.

The Hive-Logic website is now live.

The Hive-Logic website is now live

With a head office in Basel, Switzerland, Hive-Logic work with leading Life-Science companies across the Globe. Their founder/director Philip Atkinson has been a pleasure to work with. A man full of great ideas and professionalism.

The Just Beauty Guildford website is now live.

The Just Beauty Guildford website is now live

Be careful what you wish for! Some SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) magic was included with this project and the site is now dominating the Google rankings for eyebrow searches in Guildford. Justine is run off her feet and taking on staff.  Just Beauty Guildford is a rapidly expanding hugely successful business and very professional service. Good luck Justine! :)

Cambridge Carbonates website now live

Cambridge Carbonates website is now live

We need to use less carbon and find ways to optimise the resources of our planet to the best we can. CC are doing their bit to ensure we have the knowledge and expertise to make the transition. A great site to include stunning animated graphics.

“We engaged with Martin through a recommendation from a business colleague, and it was the best decision ever! From start to finish, Martin was exceptionally professional, very articulate in making suggestions for our new website, and made “web-talk and SEO talk” manageable for even the most lay of people (like myself), and provided fantastic creative flair to the project. Martin resurrected our old website from the ashes to create an awesome new website, which has had amazing feedback from our clients. I am now not embarrassed to direct my clients to our website, and that is all down to Martin! Thank you!”

The Silverheels Entertainment Website is now live.

The Silverheels Entertainment website is now live

This site was great fun to build, the acts are amazing! Great to integrate video/audio and portfolio items. If you want to book an act (we all need cheering up!), then visit the site.

Sandfield Primary School website is now live

Sandfield Primary School website is now live

A brilliant local primary school in Guildford. If your school needs a website that is future proof and has very few overheads, then get in touch. I offer special community rates for schools and charities.

Website design Guildford – case studies

I have worked with many businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals, schools and individuals around Surrey. Here are a few website examples. Most of these projects target customers and audiences around Guildford, Woking and Godalming and include SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), logo design and branding. I also work with clients right across the UK from Scotland (lomondosteo.com) to Wales (brynteghouse.com).

UK Defence Networks website

UK Defence – Systems Professionals

UKDN – UK Defence Networks required a straight forward website to act as landing site for prospective clients. Due to the sensitive nature of the systems UK Defence Networks deliver (e.g. for HMS Queen Elizabeth – our new aircraft carrier) this site isn’t filled with detail for obvious reasons.

This project included logo/branding, website and printed items. The website combines actual Armed Forces footage with stock items. This is because it is impossible to use actual defence project imagery openly on the web.

Combining Premier Pro Video edited footage overlayed with animation of other media is a great way to create a dynamic first impression.

Dynamic website for a wine bar and wine shop in Guildford

Corkage is the only wine bar in Guildford. They also offer a wide selection of exceptional wines which they sell through the shop.

I created a dynamic responsive website which includes e-commerce and online booking functionality for Corkage. They are a relatively new company but already have a great reputation for excellent wine and a fabulous evening out.

Retail is hard. Corkage has made a great impression in Guildford and is a destination wine bar for many great customers. They really do have some exceptional wines… and a great website!

Wine Bar Guildford Website
The Laindons Website Hastings

A Five Star Guesthouse in Hastings

The Laindons Website was a joy to create. Their bed and breakfast accommodation and breakfasts are simply fab! Karen and Malcolm purchased the business a few years ago, and have made it (probably) the top destination for guests wanting to stay in Hastings.

The Laindons website needed to fully promote the high standard of the rooms and food, and really sell the location as a complete and exceptional experience. The reviews and awards speak for themselves.

I continue to assist Karen and Malcolm with site updates for awards, reviews and SEO.

Professional executive/celebrity voice coach

Lisa Akesson is a professional voice coach and business/executive training specialist. She works Globally training clients at a high level and runs empowerment workshops and associated executive training. Lisa needed a new logo and website. I designed a crisp new logo and branding including all associated training materials together with a new dynamic website to showcase her portfolio of services.

Another client I have worked with from London. Many clients are based around the capital, but use feelancers like myself based in Surrey because the agencies in town are extortionate. Better service, cheaper rates.

Lisa Akesson Website
Abacus Agriculture Website

Surrey based UK wide agricultural consultancy

Abacus Agri is a top consultancy for agriculture. They are based in Guildford, Surrey, but have consultants based across most of the UK regions.

Abacus needed a logo and website to promote their broad range of services. It is relatively simple, but effective. Most of their clients are farmers checking the site on the move on a tablet or smart phone. This site fits the bill.

Abacus have since asked me to create leaflets, new consultant business cards, posters and much more.

Ace Bicycles (shop) in Guildford

Ace Bicycles took over a highly successful bike shop from Cycleworks. They needed a brand new slick website.

Ace already had their branding and a wealth of stunning bike images for mountain biking, road cycling, commuting and cutting edge electric bikes. This project is ongoing but will go live very soon.

The website can be easily expanded in any direction for the business in this highly competitive and rapidly changing area. WordPress with possibly the best integrations on the market is very easy to adapt and updates continuously for the future. Ace probably won’t need my services again…. unless I take my bike in for some excellent service!

Ace Bicycles Guildford Website
Calm and Tidy Website now live

Declutter – Organise – Simplify

Calm & Tidy is run by Ana. She is a professional Organiser. Based in Surrey, Ana helps people to organise their homes and offices.

This project included full branding and a bespoke website. It promotes Calm & Tidy’s main services which include home organising and decluttering, office organising, moving/downsizing, and specialist services around life-changing events and helping seniors to move.

A professional builders in Guildford

Stallwood Building Services build and upgrade some stunning properties. They are a high end builder well known around Guildford, Surrey for excellence. This means they work with established architects and other professionals and in the higher end of the market.

Stallwood already had a logo, but needed a dynamic website to present their portfolio of images. This site hits the mark and helps prospective clients decide if that want to hire them for their project.

Stallwood Building Website