Kev’s Fencing: A Case Study

Branding:

The colour palette is usually a good place to start when building a company’s look from scratch.

With Kev’s Fencing we started with a few basic colour schemes the customer had in mind. We worked using those as a base and presented our favourites, and a handful of others to the client, after some coordination we agreed on our favourites.

Then, with colours in mind – we had to move onto the all important logo…

The obvious initial choice that our customer came up with, was to include a graphic of a ‘classic’ fence panel. They were also keen to include their family crest somewhere, because they are a family business.

Following the way we work at BarclayJames, our course of action was to design half a dozen different mockups following this brief.

The mockups used different colours from our agreed palettes, in order to allow for variation. This helps the customer make up their mind.

Then the client had the idea to include a new graphic: A ‘Bob the Builder’ type character to portray ‘Kev’. We started out with a few sketches of different characters and worked from there.

Finally, we had a couple of great ‘mascots’. As you can see from this mockup, we went for a dark and more serious look than before.

We were almost there… Then we got a mascot we were completely satisfied with. Meet Kev:

This mascot allowed us to take the client’s favourite elements from the various mockups; and ‘mix them together’ into a logo that was perfect.

We started with the green from an earlier colour palette…

Then, after ditching the green and making a few tweaks – we had our final logo!

Before even agreeing to start working on your website, we have to totally understand your business.

This essential process allows us to perfectly tailor your website and branding to the relevant markets; giving a competitive edge on the web to increase real business enquiries.

Most web designers will just build your website to look pretty, and include some basic titles. It is crucial your site immediately illustrates exactly what you do to new visitors.

One customer was so blown away by our hands on approach to understanding their business, they actually said: “I didn’t think I was coming on Dragons Den today!”

Our ‘Dragons Den’ approach allows us to determine your main streams of revenue, and what your key ‘Calls to Action’ should be on your site’s most important pages.

It also allows us to determine the risk to your business, and how we can counteract that with your website. For example; a busy market flooded with competitor’s websites would call for a competitive edge, using responsive design, a social media campaign, and custom graphics/photography.

We make an effort to truly ‘get inside’ your business and we think it shows.

For example, with Kev’s Fencing we worked through every nook and cranny.

We spoke to their suppliers and liaised with them, to not only have the correct product details on the website; but to match a consistent look between the product design and the page.

All of this work culminated in a result that perfectly explains what Kev’s Fencing does, no question.

BarclayJames is always coming up with new and original ways to present your business on the web. For Kev’s Fencing we used our new mobile-friendly premium template.

Using our semi-custom templates allows us to get the website up and running quickly, and our customers know exactly what they’re getting.

You’ll find that most web developers will design ‘brand new’ website for you, whilst smugly they are drawing up something that matches a template they made last year.

We are proudly absolutely transparent in our methods, and you can find examples of our templates across our website.

Uniquely, we host all of our websites in-house rather than outsourcing it to large companies based abroad. This means all of our serves are ours, and we can offer immediate support if there’s a problem. Unlike other hosting providers, we also back up your website every night; so if the unthinkable happens and the site breaks, we can immediately restore it.

Also based on our servers is our email service: we are offer simple ‘POP3’ email or a premium business grade email through our partnership with Microsoft. Both are great solutions to business communication. Kev’s team works from our POP3 email, and after help setting it up from us, they’ve had no issues.

On-page SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is our simple and affordable alternative to getting your site at the top of Google. We use a simple tried and tested method with great results: we come first for ‘Web Design Solihull’ and Kev’s Fencing is quickly gaining speed to hit the top spot for ‘Fence Panels Solihull’…

All of this hard work, coupled with a great social media campaign will result in the ultimate web presence for your business to grow and succeed.

Social media allows you to interact with consumers on a more personal level, turning them into loyal customers.

We setup and manage the social media accounts for Kev’s Fencing. Take their Facebook page for example: it stays consistent with proper branding, stays regularly updated with new relevant posts, and contains important contact info.

Read our free social media tips and tricks, here.

Not only does Google love original media on your website, but people love it too.

Media includes photos, videos, and graphics…

Our in-house graphic design team uses top of the range equipment & software to draw up original graphics. A great example of this is the Kev’s Fencing mascot, or his van.

We have an assortment of amazing camera gear to take sharp and clear original photos for your website and social media. Our cameras, lenses, and lights also record full HD video; with quality comparable to television.

We photographed all of the products featured on Kev’s website, as well as some shots of the team at work, and their premises.

For a local business based in Solihull, marketing materials are an essential part of the operation.

Business cards, leaflets, signs – everything must be considered and designed appropriately; all with the goal of prompting good customer enquiries.

Building upon work already done in our branding exercise, BarclayJames were able to deliver a full 360 solution to Kev’s Fencing’s printed materials.

Firstly we designed their Van’s magnetic signs; this process was essential to get right… These signs would be driving around Solihull for a long time, and would act as a huge advertisement.

Once we’d agreed upon a design, we kept a consistent look on leaflets, flyers, A-Board signs, Look Local, etc.

We’re particularly pleased with the A-Board sign, which we attached to two pieces of Kev’s fence panels; this gave a truly eye-catching and unique look to the sign.

The design stage was a lengthy but absolutely necessary process, and the final result successfully drew in a wealth of new customer enquiries.

Finally, we created ‘the perfect business card’: it kept up with the consistent look, included the mascot, and featured all the relevant and necessary contact info.

Our printed materials are sourced through a highly trusted and reliable supplier, who’s key focuses are: Time, Quality, and Price.

Our prints all arrive speedily, are fantastic quality, and are often more affordable than large competitors such as VistaPrint or specialist printers.

Not only do we provide affordable, mobile-friendly websites for your business; but we can proudly offer a tight E-Commerce solution.

Kev’s Fencing is a perfect example of our capabilities: from professional ‘Ebay Store’ advice, through to the development of a completely functioning online store.

Our E-Commerce technology can be added to any of our existing websites (through a menu item or button), or the website can be purpose built (products featured on the homepage).

Our full package allows for the entire business process: from browsing to find the correct product, paying through a secure system such as paypal, right down to receiving custom shipping details via email.

We can also advise on creating a professional Ebay Store, or create one for you. Ebay is a huge and growing marketplace, where you can sell your product to a market of millions. Its important to look the part.

For Kev’s Fencing, we developed E-Commerce directly onto Kev’s website as well as creating a professional Ebay Shop for double the effect. Sales online have steadily grown to an all-time high!

One of our best abilities is customer service. Unlike other web designers, we don’t just build your site and send you on your way…

Once your site goes live on the net, we offer unlimited training here in our offices; because we use mainly use Content Management Systems (WordPress) to house our templates, you can add posts, pages or pictures to your website as easily as editing a ‘Word’ document.

Our training is totally comprehensive: covering everything you’re confident with changing, so you can continually add to your site and grow a flourishing business.

If at anytime you get stuck, you can book in another free training session with us to learn the ropes.

This feeds through into our unparalleled around the clock support. If you’ve got a problem with your site, a change you can’t make, or need help setting up your email; we are always a phone call or email away from finding a solution for you.

With Kev’s Fencing, we trained Kev and his assistant to add new posts and pages to his website. After a couple of hours with our team, they were confident to keep the website updated and active.

We also offered advice going forward with Kev’s social media; assisting in the creation of a ‘Launch Party’ event on Facebook, which was a huge success for the business.