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.

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), 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.

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?

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.

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.

Still can’t see the wood for the trees?

Choose below to see some examples (hover or tap)

Website design Guildford – a large project case study

I recently completed a large project for a company based in Woking that provides analytical services to the oil industry (PetroTrace). Why mention this? Well, this is a great example of what you might experience looking for a web designer, logo designer and digital marketeer around Guildford, Woking and Godalming, or anywhere else in the UK. This project included many of my services. It also shows how a freelancer is great at fitting in with existing teams, or working one to one. PetroTrace had two teams, one at it’s main headquarters in Moscow, and one in Woking.

The quotes

PetroTrace obtained quotes from lots of web developers/designers around Guildford and Woking, Surrey. The people they saw were roughly divided into 4 groups:

• The agency team – they seemed very professional and offered a whole team approach to the project. The down side were the quotes which were very high. Apparently there is a premium for creative services if you work in the oil sector.
• The very cheap – meetings did not inspire confidence. It suggested you paid for what you got… and what you got was not very good.
• The creative farm – discussion revealed black holes. Everything was a ‘yes’, but no creative ideas were offered i.e. the experience driven creative input needed to make the website work as a marketing tool was not in the hands of the person at the meeting. The reality was the project would be farmed off to India, or Eastern Europe with a front man in the UK.
• The freelancers – a mixed bag. One clearly had some great ideas, had all the skills and flexibility to work as part of the team. He had also worked in several other industries which was rare for a creative. The quote was also sensible and unambiguous. I got the job.

Phase I – branding

The Logo: PetroTrace had an established logo, but needed a suite of branding elements for digital and printed media including a new website which would be in Russian and English. There was also a (time critical) trade conference approaching and company had a trade stand to include the new branding. Augmenting existing branding can be a challenge, but the results speak for themselves…

New branding elements were created. The cornerstone design was the green wave based on part of the original logo and main service icons using fixed variations.

PetroTrace original logo could not be changed.

The trade stand sporting the new branding elements used in combination with the original logo at the EAGE Conference in Copenhagen bringing in new business.

Promotional items: I created leaflets/flyers, a calendar, Powerpoint templates, headed paper and business cards as core items, but also many other promotional items (print and digital). Some of these items were only identified during the project. I always build flexibility into any project so this wasn’t a problem. I also published branding guidelines to ensure both Moscow and the UK used their new branding consistently.

Phase II – the website

The new site was then created incorporating the new branding. It was urgent to get this completed before a conference. All targets were hit with buy-in from both the UK and Russian teams. The final site also included translation functionality for Russian and English.

I also trained key people on how to use and update the site for the future. I am always contactable, but it was very important to give PetroTrace everything they need for the future.

Get in touch to discuss your project: 07775 833616.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!