Web designer achieves lifetime ambition

Mar 11 2010 by Iain Laing, The Journal

A SELF-TAUGHT Northumberland web designer has achieved a lifetime’s ambition by starting his own business helping other small businesses to improve their presence on the internet.

Gary Cochrane, 44, from Bedlington previously worked as a service manager in the IT sector before redundancy saw him change careers which led to a position working on the factory floor at a large Northumberland plant.

Having previously spent the majority of his career in customer service, Gary harboured a desire to start his own business but time and circumstances prevented him from achieving his ambitions.

Instead, Gary did whatever he could to improve his business and entrepreneurial skills by researching business methods and reading books by entrepreneurs like Duncan Bannatyne and Richard Branson. In addition, he invested his spare time and efforts into learning about web development and search engine optimisation.

Recently, voluntary redundancy has enabled Gary to put all his new skills to the test by prompting him to start his own web consultancy business, Biz Web Design Ltd.

Already he has attracted a number of clients including a security firm, a children’s adventure playgroup, a business training consultant and a furniture business.

One of the main skills that Gary uses in his new business venture is his customer service knowledge. “Over the years I’ve seen a lack of support and customer service from other web designers,” he said.

“Most attitudes were “here’s your website get on with it. What I do is train my clients how to amend pages themselves which is a much more cost efficient way to maintain their website.”

He is looking at new technology and web design to enhance the service he gives to ensure that customers receive the best possible service and support.

“Gone are the days when websites were just another way to contact a business. During recent times, those businesses which have actively marketed their products and services via their website have, on the whole benefited,” he said.