Where Creative Web Design Meets Coastal Business
It would have been hard to imagine a century or so ago that the bustling but traditional seaside town of Torquay might become a centre of design, tech and creative industry. With its stunning location on Devon’s English Riviera, Torquay has long been a top holiday destination, attracting visitors from across the UK and beyond. But its more recent transformation into one of the country’s most promising creative centres has taken a few by surprise. But it’s not really that surprising. With its busy harbour, iconic palm trees and sandy beach, is it any wonder that it has been a draw for creative talent or fostered the creative imaginations of local people? With an excellent quality of life, superb dining options and an upmarket marina, creative people looking for the ideal place to live and work would be hard-pressed to find a better location.
Creativity and coastal charm
Unlike some of the major cities across the UK that have traditionally been the draw for the major creative industries, Torquay offers a more sedate coastal charm. But it is exactly this downshift from major urban areas that many creative people have been looking for. As technological advancements increased the possibility of remote work (further enhanced by the pandemic), creative people like web designers realised they no longer had to be in urban creative hubs, where rents were astronomical and quality of life low. They soon began flocking to more pleasant, affordable parts of the country. And, top of many people’s lists was Torquay and the wider South Devon region.
However, rather than finding sleepy coastal resorts populated by half-empty B&Bs and retirement homes, they found a buzzing community of creative talent and small businesses. This small, local and cooperative approach is reflected neatly in the evolution of creative web design in Torquay. As people moved away from the larger template web design platforms they began to look for more local, personal and unique approaches to web design – this chimed perfectly with the growth of the design community in the area. Supply and demand grew in harmony, creating something really special in the area.
For those who don’t know, a template website is designed on a platform using standardised layouts, frameworks and functions. Of course, these cheap and cheerful web designs serve a purpose, but if you have ever wondered why so many websites seem to look and work in exactly the same way, now you know. Beyond the basic functionality, they are generally uninspiring and lacking in innovation. A custom or bespoke website, on the other hand, is designed and built from scratch using a combination of coding and aesthetic design. They can be created to work in specific ways and with formats to suit the personality and function of the business.
Why choose a bespoke website?
There are several good reasons why choosing a bespoke design over a template makes sound financial sense, above and beyond the original cost. Bespoke sites allow greater use of SEO, a marketing tool that can help drive traffic to your site and boost search engine rankings. A bespoke design also helps to build trust with the customer, as they can see the time and effort that has gone into the site. These days, web-savvy customers can easily spot a template design.
With a designed site it is also easier to maintain brand consistency across all pages and social media sites. That can help build loyalty and engagement with customers. And there is also the user experience to think about. With an uninspiring template site, customers are less likely to make a return visit, especially if this is accompanied by poor performance, when there will be a real drop off in conversion rates and, ultimately, revenue.
Bespoke websites rely on innovation, creativity, flexibility, skill and enthusiasm to achieve – so in many ways, it’s a good reflection of the creative community in Torquay.
The mirror of quality design
As you can see, the creative web community and the geographical beauty of Torquay go hand in hand. But it is also this combination that is being used to further boost small business and tourism in the region, further improving the conditions for local businesses. It’s a positive feedback loop. Attractive conditions bring creative people who utilise their web design skills to further enhance the Torquay area. South Devon marketing and creative web design in Torquay currently find themselves in a very healthy state.
There’s plenty for web designers to work with. The area has been designated a UNESCO Global Geopark, meaning it is a unified geographical area with sites and landscapes of international significance. There is also a focus on protection, education and sustainable development. It is also part of the UK’s Seafood Coast, with some of the country’s finest fish restaurants and eateries. The rich maritime history and lively nightlife also add scope for growing local businesses.
As creative people increasingly move away from centralised locations, taking advantage of both the tech possibilities and the increased quality of life this allows, regions like South Devon and Torquay are feeling the benefit. With so many natural advantages to draw the very best creative minds, this further boosts the local economy and drives further improvements in web design, social media and other digital marketing.
Here at it’seeze Exeter, we like to think of ourselves as at the forefront of this wave of creative web design in Torquay, Exeter and the surrounding area. To find out more about what we do, why we love this region and how our innovative web design services are powering local business, get in touch with a member of our team.
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