How did Cyber Dream start? What are the thoughts about the web in general? Do we brow beat clients to accept our work? Read on to find out a little more about Cyber Dream in this interview.

Creator of Cyber Dream, John Lesz, opens up with a brief chat......

Q   What did you hope to achieve when you started Cyber Dream?

A "When I started Cyber Dream I wanted to give customers real and quantifiable value for money, a truly individual website for their business, not just fobbing them off with some pre-used money-for-nothing template.

I think it's vital that when a client gets a website from us, whether they've had a web presence before or not, that they get what they're paying for and are genuinely happy with their outlay."

Q   Have you had much experience with computer related work?

A "Yes. I worked for, what was at the time, Europe's biggest computer company for about eleven years, so you could say I've gained a little knowledge over time! I then worked freelance for some large multi-national OEMs whilst I accumulated even more computer experience and honed my website production and marketing abilities."

Q   Do you think we should all have big zappy websites to attract customers?

A "No I don't. Your website is your online brochure and very often your clients-to-be just want to get a feel of your business and the services you offer. And a brochure of just a few pages is more than enough.

At Cyber Dream we produce designs that are simple and to the point. Websites should advise, inform and provide a means of contact and I believe that's exactly what our designs and packages allow our clients to achieve."

Q   Who do you think should have a website these days?

A "Every business. It's a hard fact that in today's harsh economic climate having a web site is an absolute necessity. Not simply for credibility but also to sustain business growth.

Today times are harder, competition stiffer with clients and customers wanting not only better value for money but they are also seeking credibility and instant information on their potential suppliers."

Q   Do you expect all your clients to be quite good at computing and website savvy?

A "No not all. We get asked to produce websites by some clients who don't use computers much, if at all. This just shows that most of our clients are more marketing than computer savvy."

Q   Was Cyber Dream a long held dream for you? How did you start up?

A "It certainly wasn't a long held dream! I had been working on and producing websites since 1997 but had never thought of doing it commercially. It was much more of a hobby and my websites were mostly for family or friends who were starting up businesses. Then my sister in law started going on about a site I'd done for her and why don't I do this for a living? Well, I did nothing about it so she started making suggestions again and I guess that's when I gave it a bit more thought."

Q   What do you think of other website designers and their products?

A "There are some fantastically capable people out there producing superb sites, designs and layouts, but there is also a huge mount of dross. My heart really sinks when I surf the web and see what can only be descibed as incompetent rubbish. Some so called designers and site producers should be locked up for what, as far as I am concerned, is conning their clients. I know that I wouldn't want my name associated with a lot of the work that I've seen."

Q   Why do clients accept such shoddy work, do you think?

A "I can only presume that it's the same principle as not complaining about bad service in a restaurant. I think we expect too little as a nation and when something bad comes along it just seems to be accepted as the norm."

Q   So how do you know if your clients like your work?

A "I never presume that they will do, that's the first thing . When I have a meeting with them to discuss ideas, layouts, design presentation etc. I always tell them that if they don't like what I've done for them they must never, never say that they actually do like it or that it's fine. After all, it's their business image I'm working with and they've got to be 100% happy with what they've got and feel that their customers will be happy with their image as well."

Q   Do you have any tips for someone planning to have a site?

A "Don't think big, whizzy, all singing, all dancing. That's a major mistake. Think about what you want your website to do for you. Is it just for contact, as an online brochure, is it for public relations, is it for existing or new customers? Either take some good pictures for your site or invest in a good photographer. And have a clear idea of what you want to say in the website. Clear and easily readable content is of paramount importance."

Your next step? Phone 01425 616387 to talk about your website.