Building a Web Design Agency in Leicester

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How it all started

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Creativity was always at the forefront of my life. I built my first website at the age of 15 and continued to explore computer science and website development throughout my years in education. Over time, my early interest in web design turned into a fascination with the internet and how it worked. As I progressed through my education I went on to study business and finance as well. That profound curiosity of how ‘things’ worked, combined with an interest in business, eventually led me to my passion today - and something that I can proudly say is my job. 

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Throughout those early years, I was developing websites from the ground up, learning new technologies, and starting to understand computer systems, algorithms and the way the internet functioned, connecting consumers and businesses all over the world. 

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Fast forward to 2024, I was working as a business accounts executive at a UK retailer while studying at the University of London - London School of Economics. I managed client accounts and payments for local companies on the weekend, while freelancing with my web design on the days that I had free time. Talking with business owners daily helped me understand the local market, and gave me the confidence I needed to start my own business. Our conversations often turned to their websites, marketing and budgets. Those chats planted the seed that grew into Martin Digital.

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I realised most local web design companies in Leicester were still using outdated systems and producing generic templates. Many of the sites I saw lacked personality, strong branding, or even basic user experience principles - even the actual agency's sites themselves were quite plain. They didn’t reflect the businesses behind them, and I knew I could do better.

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I was looking into a platform to use to develop websites for local companies, and I discovered Webflow. It struck the perfect balance between creative control and efficiency - the ability to design a full stack site if needed, but with enough flexibility to build faster for small businesses that didn’t need complex databases or API-heavy systems. After a few months of learning about Webflow and testing my process, I decided to go all in and officially launch Martin Digital, a Web Design Leicester agency built around modern frameworks, bespoke design and high quality SEO.

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Why I Started Martin Digital

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When I started Martin Digital, my goal was clear - to create websites that truly reflect the quality and ambition of the businesses behind them.

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Our mission is to develop high-quality, bespoke websites that not only capture your brand’s identity but actively drive leads and growth. I want to empower business owners to showcase their work through unique designs, tailored functionality, and visuals that engage and convert. That approach has helped Martin Digital become known for modern website design in Leicester, focused on structure, design, and growth.

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What frustrated me most about traditional web design agencies, especially here in Leicester, was how outdated and uninspired so many websites had become. Most followed the same templates, the same design patterns, and often used systems that hadn’t innovated in years. The result was a mediocre site that on paper just looked “fine”. I believe your website is your business’ shopfront - it should have character, confidence, and clarity. It should represent who you are as a business and show off your projects accordingly. 

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That belief shaped how I built Martin Digital. Every client knows what to expect, every project is handled with care, and every design is made to deliver results.

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To make high-quality design accessible to more businesses, I developed three packages designed to meet different needs and budgets: Business Essentials, Business Standard, and Business Bespoke. Each tier keeps the same design quality and UX standards, but allows every business, no matter its size or budget, to get a website that looks and feels truly professional.

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Martin Digital was built on the idea that great design and user experience shouldn’t be a luxury, it should be the standard.

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The Journey So Far

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My first project came through someone I’d met while working. From there, everything grew organically. I built strong relationships with that client, delivered results, and started getting referrals through word of mouth and connections in the local business community.

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Those early months taught me a lot. Pricing projects was one of the biggest challenges - I had no real benchmark for what agencies were charging, and every project felt like a new experiment - and trust me, a good few projects were lost because of this. I also learned the importance of having proper systems and processes in place. At first, I focused purely on developing sites and providing an excellent end product, but I quickly came to realise that structure, clear communication, reporting, and consistency were just as important. Implementing solid internal systems completely changed how I worked, improving both efficiency and client experience. 

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Over time, I refined my offering. Initially, I only provided bespoke website packages, but I realised that not every local business had the budget for a fully custom build. I then developed my three-tier structure - Business Essentials, Business Standard, and Business Bespoke - giving every company a way to access high-quality design, regardless of size or budget.

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One of my early milestones was a project for a refrigeration company, a full design, development and advertising campaign for a growing service company in Leicester. It was one of my first large-scale builds, from design and UX to project management and client communication. You can see the full case study here.

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What’s Next

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Building Martin Digital has been one of the most rewarding challenges of my life. What started as a personal goal to build better websites while at university has become a growing business that helps local businesses across Leicester stand out online.

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Looking ahead, I’m focused on continually improving, refining my website packages, developing smarter systems, and strengthening our SEO and digital advertising services. I’m also working quietly on a new lead-generation platform that will expand what Martin Digital can offer in the future for particular industries.

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What excites me most is seeing how the websites I’ve built are actually making an impact - helping clients grow, win new projects, and take pride in their online presence. As the business evolves, I hope to keep scaling that impact through larger projects and even more strategic work.

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If you’re a business owner looking to launch a new website or upgrade an existing one, I’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch here by booking a free website consultation - let’s create something you’re proud to present!