Web Development Agency in Oxfordshire
A professional web development agency near Oxford, we're conveniently based in Thame. We've been making the most of the online world on behalf of our clients since 1996, the early days of the internet when it was more like the Wild West than a reliable marketing medium. As you can imagine, we've seen it all! Our web design, web development and hosting services are popular with local businesses and start ups, SMEs, national businesses and international brands, all of whom enjoy the same expert laser-focus from our friendly team.
The thing is, whatever you make or supply or do, your website is your shop window. It's a customer-facing resource and deserves your best attention. You want your website to be the easiest to use, the most pleasurable, the fastest, most comprehensive, technically sound and contemporary... and stay that way. And that means giving it regular attention. We don't just design sites and run. We stick with our clients and help them develop their online presences over time, keeping ahead of marketing trends and applying the very latest tech.
If you'd like to sample our web development services in Oxford, why not take a look at our Oxford web design services and check out some examples of our work? Or get in touch for an informal discussion - we're always delighted to talk about potential projects.
Brilliant Oxford-based hosting solutions
Plenty of businesses these days are online-only, and that means your website absolutely must be available all the time, fully functioning even if you're fortunate enough to experience a massive spike in visitors. It makes a lot of sense to choose a UK host, someone totally watertight, secure, safe and reliable. Our hosting is exactly that. And we tailor it to our clients' exact needs. In our world, no size fits all. Your business is unique. That's the kind of service you want on your side.
Our Client Stats
We’re very proud of the quality and flexibility of all the various web services we offer, having worked hard to provide these over nearly 30 years now, to a wide ranging array of customers, from small SME (Small to Medium Enterprises) to Blue Chip customers / household names.
1000+
Customers who have used our services over our 30 years in business
300+
Customers actively engaged with us at present
10+
Projects actively being worked upon by our development team at any time
90%
of projects are from existing / happy clients coming back for more !
How we do Web Development in Oxford
Oxford, a city renowned for its academic excellence, is also a hub of creative and technical innovation, particularly in the field of web development. Every project is different, but at the core of most web developments are four key stages: research, prototyping, development, and testing. Each stage is critical to the success of web projects, whether they are small business websites or large-scale digital platforms for educational or business institutions.
Research
The first stage in the web development process involves thorough research. This foundational step is crucial as it sets the direction for the project. Developers and project managers begin by gathering requirements from stakeholders to understand their needs, objectives, and the problems they are trying to solve. Market analysis is also conducted to ensure the project is competitive and relevant.
In addition to these external factors, research in Oxford often involves collaboration with local universities and colleges. This can include accessing cutting-edge studies on user experience (UX) and human-computer interaction (HCI), ensuring that the websites are not only functional but also user-friendly and innovative.
Prototyping
Once the research phase is complete, the next step is prototyping. Prototyping is typically an iterative process, where initial wireframes and mockups are created to visualise the website's layout and interaction. These prototypes are developed using tools such as Figma or Adobe XD, and they provide a tangible way to explore different design approaches and functionalities without the need for full-scale development.
Interactive prototypes are particularly useful as they allow both developers and clients to foresee how users will interact with the website. Feedback is gathered at this stage, and the prototype undergoes multiple revisions to refine usability and aesthetics, ensuring the final product will meet the users' and stakeholders' expectations.
Testing
Testing is a critical phase in the web development process, ensuring that the final product is reliable and performs well under different conditions. Testing is comprehensive and often includes several methodologies like unit testing, integration testing, and functional testing, conducted to ensure each part of the website functions as expected.
Usability testing is also a significant focus, particularly involving potential end-users from Oxford’s diverse demographic. This not only helps in identifying user-related issues but also in understanding how the website will perform in real-world scenarios.
Finally, before launching, the website undergoes performance testing to ensure it can handle the expected traffic and interactions without compromising on speed or user experience.
What our Web Development does
The development stage is where the project starts to come to life. Using the insights and foundations laid during the research and prototyping stages, our Oxford developers use agile methodologies to build the website. This approach supports flexibility and continuous improvement, which is essential in responding to evolving requirements and integrating new technologies.
Intuitiv Digital typically work with a Microsoft .NET / MVC / C# programming languages and frameworks, depending on the project's requirements. We work with a variety of JavaScript frameworks like Vue, React or Angular. This stage also involves integrating databases, setting up servers, and ensuring that the website's architecture is scalable and secure.
Oxfordshire Web development Prices and Packages
Intuitiv Digital work at a standard hourly rate, which is £100 + VAT / hour (as of May 2024). This hourly rate covers any of our design and development services, and includes User Experience, Graphic Design, Website Development, Project Management, Consultancy, and Infrastructure Engineering.
There is not really a standard cost for an entire project, as they all differ depending upon our clients requirements. Below are some examples of previous project costs:
Example 1:
Simple “Brochure Style” website, using our Templated “Small Business Solution”
Design and build of Informational Web pages (typically about 10), with a simple Contact Form:
£2,000 to £2,500 + VAT
Annual Hosting on Shared Hosting Space:
£500 + VAT / annum
Example 2:
Bespokely Designed and built “Brochure Style” website
With advanced Umbraco Content Management System:
£12,000 to £15,000 + VAT
Example 3:
Hosting Packages
Annual Hosting on Shared Hosting Space – for simple informational websites:
£500 + VAT / annum
High Availability / Hardened / Dedicated Windows Server Hosting – for protecting websites collecting, processing and publishing personal / sensitive data:
£6,000 + VAT / annum
Ultra Resilient Network Load Balanced Windows Servers – for when you need to guarantee 100% availability:
from £12,000 + VAT / annum
Oxfordshire Web Development case studies
Oxford Web Development FAQs
What is the difference between a web designer and a web developer?
Web designers focus primarily on the look and feel of a website. They work on the layout, color scheme, typography, and visual elements to create an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly interface. Their role is akin to that of an architect who designs a building, focusing on visual appeal and user experience.
Web developers, on the other hand, take the design blueprints provided by web designers and build a functioning website from them. They focus more on the functionality, using programming languages to create the back-end (server-side) and sometimes also the front-end (client-side) of websites. Their role can be compared to that of engineers who turn architectural designs into real, functional structures.
Is website building in demand?
Yes, website building remains highly in demand across all industries and sectors. This demand is driven by the continuous need for businesses and organisations to establish, maintain, and enhance their online presence.
What are the main steps in the website development process?
These can vary widely, but broadly speaking initial stages are:
- Requirements Gathering
- Site Mapping
- Wireframing
- Prototyping
- Front-End Development
- Back-End & Database Development
- Content Creation
- SEO Optimisation
- Testing (Functional / Performance / Usability / Compliance / Browser Compatibility)
- and finally, Deployment & Launch.
Can you explain the difference between responsive and adaptive design?
Responsive design and adaptive design are both approaches used to make websites look good on devices of all sizes, from desktop monitors to mobile phones. They use different techniques to achieve this flexibility and usability.
Responsive design uses a fluid grid layout that adjusts and reflows content based on the screen size of the device. This approach utilizes CSS media queries to change styles based on the target device, such as its width, height, or orientation. The layout changes dynamically depending on the screen size.
Adaptive design uses static layouts based on breakpoints that don’t respond once they’re initially loaded. It detects the device’s screen size and other features and uses pre-defined layout sizes based on common screen sizes
How much does it cost to develop a custom website?
The cost of developing a custom website can vary widely depending on several factors, including the complexity of the website, the number of pages, the amount of control required from an Administration or Content Management System, and any specific functional features or integrations required. The cost can vary from as little as £2,000 to tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds!
Can you integrate social media into my website?
Yes, integrating social media into your website is a common and effective strategy to enhance user engagement, improve your marketing reach, and provide easy access to your social media content directly from your website. There are several ways we can integrate social media into your website:
- Social Media Buttons / Share Buttons:
- Social Media Feeds & widgets
- Social Proof and Testimonials
- Social Media Videos:
For effective integration, it's important to ensure that these elements blend seamlessly with the design and layout of your website. Also, consider the performance impact—too many social media integrations can slow down your site, so it's essential to implement them thoughtfully.
Will my website be search engine optimised (SEO)?
Yes, ensuring that your website is search engine optimised (SEO) is crucial for improving its visibility and performance in search engine results. SEO involves a variety of strategies and practices aimed at enhancing the likelihood of your website appearing near the top of search results when users search for information relevant to your business, services, or content. Here are the key aspects to focus on to ensure your website is SEO-friendly:
We achieve this with a variety of techniques, including:
- Mobile-Friendly Design
- Page Speed Optimisation
- Using Secure HTTPS
- XML Sitemap and Robots.txt
- On-Page SEO - Keyword Optimisation / Meta Tags / Alt Text for Images
- Off-Page SEO – Backlinks / Social Media Integration / Local Listings
- SEO Monitoring and Analytics:
- Regular Updates and SEO Audits
We provide the basics of all the above, but also work with a number of dedicated Digital Marketing Partners if you require a more comprehensive programme
Here's what our Oxford web development customers say about us
“Having worked on numerous projects with Intuitiv I would give them a glowing recommendation – they have consistently delivered great looking sites exactly to specification, agreed timings and budget. They are fully embedded and engaged throughout the entire development.”
Steve Haynes – Head of E-Marketing, Elsevier
“Intuitiv built the new site with several face-to-face meetings with me for progress. I have been very happy with the quality and integrity of Intuitiv’s advice, their responsiveness and now the result.”
David Dent - Head of Sales and Marketing, Pandect Precision Components Ltd
We'd love to hear from you and we’re always on hand with free, friendly advice to help take your project to the next level.
Drop us a line on hello@intuitiv.net with some more information about your project to allow us to get back in touch with you.
Alternatively, give us a call on 01865 536 656 to have a chat if you're just wanting to get a quick feel for thoughts or options.
We have meeting space in Oxford as well as offices near Thame if you'd like to organise a meeting to discuss your project in more detail.
Intuitiv Digital (Oxford)
The Wheelhouse
Angel Court
81 St Clement's St
Oxford
OX4 1AW
Want to discuss a new project?
Drop us a message and one of our account managers will get back to you super quick.
Do you need help developing your online presence?
If you'd like to have an exciting professional chat with one of the team, we'll be pleased to explore the potential with you.