Progressbydesign.co.uk Review

Based on looking at the website progressbydesign.co.uk, it appears to be a legitimate online presence for a graphic designer offering web design, logo creation, and branding solutions. However, a comprehensive review reveals some areas where it could enhance its trustworthiness and transparency for potential clients.

Here’s an overall review summary:

Overall Legitimacy: Appears legitimate as a freelance graphic designer’s portfolio and service offering.
Trustworthiness: Moderate. Lacks essential information for a business website, which impacts trust.
Ethical Considerations (Islamic Perspective): Generally permissible, as graphic design services for legitimate businesses are acceptable. There are no clear indicators of impermissible services.
Clarity of Services: Clear on the types of services offered (web, logo, branding).
Portfolio Strength: Features selected work with brief case studies.
Contact Information: Provides an email address and links to social media.
Pricing Transparency: Lacks any pricing information.
Terms & Conditions/Legal Pages: No discernible links to comprehensive terms and conditions, privacy policy (beyond a click-through pop-up), or other legal disclaimers often expected from service providers.
About Us/Team Information: Limited personal information about the designer (“Hi, I am a graphic designer”). No team details.
Customer Testimonials/Reviews: None visibly present on the homepage.

While progressbydesign.co.uk presents itself as a professional service provider, the absence of crucial elements typically found on established business websites raises questions about its full operational transparency. For businesses seeking design services, especially those prioritising ethical dealings and clear contractual understanding, the lack of detailed legal pages, explicit pricing, and substantial client testimonials might be a point of concern. A trustworthy service provider, particularly in the digital realm, usually provides comprehensive information to build client confidence and ensure clear expectations.

Here are some best alternatives for web design, logo, and branding services that offer more robust features, transparency, and a proven track record:

Fiverr: A global marketplace for freelance services, offering a vast array of graphic design, web development, and branding professionals.
- Key Features: Wide range of services, diverse talent pool, project-based pricing, buyer protection.
- Average Price: Varies widely based on service and freelancer, from £5 for basic tasks to thousands for complex projects.
- Pros: Huge selection, competitive pricing, clear project deliverables.
- Cons: Quality can vary, requires careful vetting of freelancers, communication sometimes challenging across time zones.
Upwork: Another leading platform connecting businesses with freelancers for various services, including design and development.
- Key Features: Hourly and fixed-price projects, robust freelancer profiles, secure payment system, direct communication tools.
- Average Price: Hourly rates range from £10-£150+, fixed-price projects vary.
- Pros: Access to highly skilled professionals, project management tools, secure transactions.
- Cons: Can be more expensive than Fiverr, some administrative fees, competition for top talent.
99designs by Vista: Specialises in logo design, web design, and branding through design contests and direct hiring.
- Key Features: Design contests (multiple designers submit concepts), direct 1-to-1 projects, wide range of design categories.
- Average Price: Logo design contests from £249, website design from £599.
- Pros: Get many design options, high-quality results from professional designers, money-back guarantee.
- Cons: Contests can be time-consuming, not all concepts may fit your vision, less ideal for ongoing projects.
DesignRush: A B2B marketplace to find, compare, and hire agencies for web design, digital marketing, and branding.
- Key Features: Curated lists of top agencies, detailed agency profiles, client reviews, project matching service.
- Average Price: Varies significantly based on agency and project scope (typically agency rates).
- Pros: Connects you with established agencies, transparent agency information, good for larger projects.
- Cons: Geared towards agencies, might be more expensive than individual freelancers, less suitable for small projects.
Canva Pro: While primarily a DIY design tool, its Pro version offers extensive templates and features that can empower small businesses to create their own branding materials and basic web graphics.
- Key Features: Drag-and-drop interface, vast library of templates, stock photos, fonts, brand kit, background remover.
- Price: £10.99/month or £99.99/year for Pro.
- Pros: User-friendly, cost-effective for basic needs, quick turnaround, empowering for non-designers.
- Cons: Limited customisation compared to professional design software, not for complex web development, might lack unique branding.
Toptal: Connects companies with the top 3% of freelance talent, including web developers and designers.
- Key Features: Rigorous vetting process, highly skilled professionals, flexible engagement models, dedicated account manager.
- Average Price: Typically higher rates due to the elite talent pool.
- Pros: Guaranteed top-tier talent, excellent for complex or high-stakes projects, rapid team scaling.
- Cons: Premium pricing, minimum project size requirements, less suitable for small, quick tasks.
Bespoke Local UK Design Agencies: Searching for local agencies within the UK offers the benefit of face-to-face meetings and understanding the local market.
- Key Features: Personalised service, local market understanding, often offer full-suite digital services.
- Average Price: Varies widely by agency size, reputation, and project scope.
- Pros: Direct communication, accountability, potential for long-term partnership.
- Cons: Can be more expensive than freelancers, availability might be limited in smaller areas, requires thorough research to find the right fit.

Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.

IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.

Table of Contents

Progressbydesign.co.uk Review & First Look

Upon initial review, progressbydesign.co.uk presents itself as the digital storefront for a self-employed graphic designer based in the UK. The homepage is clean, professional, and visually focused, which is a good sign for a design-oriented business. It immediately communicates the core services: web design, logo creation, and general branding solutions. The site’s aesthetic aligns with modern design principles, featuring ample white space, clear typography, and a showcase of past projects.

Website Design and User Experience

The layout is intuitive, guiding the visitor through a logical flow. The “Hi, I am a graphic designer” introduction personalises the experience, while sections like “My Approach,” “Clients,” and “Selected Work” provide context and demonstrate capability.

Visual Appeal: The design is minimalistic and modern, effectively highlighting the designer’s portfolio. The use of large imagery for case studies draws the eye.
Navigation: The primary navigation seems to be through scrolling, with clear sections. However, there isn’t a persistent navigation bar at the top, which might make it harder to jump between sections on longer pages.
Responsiveness: The website appears to be responsive, adapting well to different screen sizes, which is crucial for modern web presence. According to statistics from Statista, mobile phones accounted for approximately 56.4% of global website traffic in the first quarter of 2023, emphasising the importance of mobile responsiveness.

Initial Impressions on Transparency

While the site looks good, a deeper dive reveals some areas where transparency could be significantly improved. For a service-based business, especially one operating online, comprehensive information is key to building client trust.

Contact Information: An email address is provided ([email protected]), which is a direct channel. Links to social media (Facebook, Behance, LinkedIn, Instagram) are also present, though clicking them on the homepage just refreshes the page, indicating they might be placeholder links or inactive. This is a significant red flag.
About the Designer: The personal “Hi, I am a graphic designer” is a good start, but there’s no dedicated ‘About Us’ page providing a deeper background, experience, or qualifications. This omission can make it challenging for potential clients to assess the designer’s expertise beyond the showcased projects.
Legal & Terms: Crucially, there are no readily accessible links to terms of service, a detailed privacy policy, or a refund policy. While a ‘Privacy Policy’ link appears in a pop-up after interacting with a non-functional case study link, it doesn’t appear in the footer, which is standard practice. The absence of these legal documents on a business website is a major concern, as they outline the rights and responsibilities of both the service provider and the client. This lack of legal clarity could deter businesses seeking formal agreements.

Progressbydesign.co.uk Cons

While progressbydesign.co.uk showcases a good design aesthetic and highlights the designer’s work, there are several notable shortcomings that significantly impact its credibility and trustworthiness from a professional business standpoint. These ‘cons’ are critical for any potential client to consider before engaging with the service.

Lack of Essential Business Information

A fundamental aspect of any legitimate and professional online business is the clear provision of comprehensive business information. Progressbydesign.co.uk falls short in several key areas.

No Physical Address or Phone Number: The absence of a physical business address or a contact phone number can be a significant red flag. In the UK, many businesses, even sole traders, provide at least a registered business address for transparency and legal compliance. While an email is present, a phone number offers immediate, direct communication and signals a greater level of accessibility and commitment.
Limited ‘About Us’ Detail: The site provides a brief personal introduction but lacks a dedicated, detailed ‘About Us’ page. This would typically include the designer’s professional background, years of experience, specific qualifications, or a more in-depth philosophy. Clients want to know who they are working with and what makes them uniquely qualified.
No Registered Company Information: There’s no indication of whether ‘ProgressbyDesign’ is a registered limited company or a sole proprietorship. For a professional service, this clarity is often expected, especially for larger projects where invoicing and legal agreements might be involved. Businesses often look for a Companies House registration number for verification.

Absence of Pricing Transparency

One of the most immediate concerns for potential clients is the complete lack of any pricing information on the website.

No Pricing Tiers or Packages: The site does not offer any indication of service costs, whether through fixed packages, hourly rates, or even a starting price range. This forces potential clients to initiate contact purely for a quote, which can be a barrier for those simply researching options.
Unclear Quote Process: While it’s common for design projects to require custom quotes, the website doesn’t clearly outline the process for obtaining one. Transparency in pricing, even if it’s “contact for a custom quote,” is crucial for setting client expectations. According to a 2022 survey by HubSpot, pricing transparency is a key factor for 90% of consumers when deciding to trust a brand.

Missing Legal Documentation and Policies

This is arguably the most significant drawback for progressbydesign.co.uk, raising concerns about legal compliance and client protection.

No Accessible Terms and Conditions: Comprehensive terms and conditions are essential for any service provider. They define the scope of work, payment terms, intellectual property rights, dispute resolution, and limitations of liability. Their absence leaves both parties exposed and without clear guidelines.
Inaccessible Privacy Policy: While a ‘Privacy Policy’ link appears to exist within a pop-up (after attempting to click a case study link), it is not consistently linked in the website’s footer, which is standard practice for GDPR compliance in the UK and EU. A clear and easily accessible privacy policy is a legal requirement for handling user data.
No Refund or Revision Policy: Design projects often involve revisions and, in some cases, cancellations. Without a clear policy on revisions, refunds, or project termination, clients have no recourse or clear expectations should issues arise.

Limited Social Proof and Testimonials

Building trust in a service business heavily relies on social proof and positive client experiences.

No Client Testimonials: The website does not feature any client testimonials or reviews. This is a missed opportunity to showcase positive feedback and build credibility. Potential clients often rely on the experiences of others before committing to a service.
Inactive/Placeholder Social Media Links: The social media icons in the footer and main content area (e.g., Facebook, Behance) link back to the homepage or simply refresh the page. This suggests either inactive social media profiles or placeholder links, which undermines the site’s professional image and ability to engage with potential clients on other platforms. Active social media presences can provide further insights into a designer’s work and client interactions.

Generic Placeholder Content

The presence of ‘Lorem ipsum’ placeholder text in key service descriptions (Identity & Logo, Branding) is unprofessional and suggests an incomplete website. Carspring.co.uk Review

Unfinished Content: Using ‘Lorem ipsum’ for service descriptions under “Solutions” is a clear indication that the website is not fully developed or that the content has not been updated. This undermines the credibility of a designer who is selling content creation and branding services. It conveys a lack of attention to detail and professionalism.

Progressbydesign.co.uk Alternatives

Given the identified shortcomings of progressbydesign.co.uk, especially concerning transparency and comprehensive business information, it’s prudent for businesses in the UK to explore more robust and well-established alternatives for their web design, logo, and branding needs. These alternatives offer greater reliability, clear terms, and often a broader range of options or dedicated client support.

Freelance Marketplaces: Fiverr and Upwork

For businesses seeking flexible, project-based design work, Fiverr and Upwork remain two of the most popular and reliable global platforms.

Fiverr: Ideal for smaller, more defined tasks (“gigs”) such as logo design, social media graphics, or simple website fixes.
- Features: Buyers browse “gigs” offered by freelancers, set fixed prices, and project scopes are often clearly defined. Reviews and ratings for freelancers are highly visible.
- Benefits: Cost-effective, quick turnaround for many services, vast pool of diverse talent, built-in payment protection.
- Considerations: Quality can vary, so careful vetting of freelancer portfolios and reviews is essential.
Upwork: Better suited for larger, more complex projects that might require ongoing collaboration, hourly rates, or more extensive project management.
- Features: Connects clients with freelance professionals (designers, developers, marketers) through a robust bidding and proposal system. Offers hourly contracts with time tracking and fixed-price projects.
- Benefits: Access to highly skilled and vetted professionals, comprehensive project management tools, secure payment system.
- Considerations: Higher administrative fees compared to direct hiring, requires more active client involvement in managing the project.

Design-Specific Platforms: 99designs by Vista

For businesses specifically looking for logo design, branding, or full website design with a competitive element, 99designs by Vista offers a unique approach.

Contest-Based Design: Clients create a brief and launch a contest, where multiple designers submit concepts. The client then chooses their favourite design and works with that designer to finalise it.
- Features: Guarantees multiple design options, provides a wide range of creative styles, offers money-back guarantee if unsatisfied.
- Benefits: Exposure to diverse design ideas, high-quality results from professional designers, efficient for quick conceptualisation.
- Considerations: Can be more expensive than hiring a single freelancer directly, managing multiple submissions can be time-consuming, not ideal for highly complex, ongoing projects.

Agency Directories and B2B Platforms: DesignRush

For businesses seeking established design agencies rather than individual freelancers, platforms like DesignRush serve as valuable directories.

Agency Vetting: DesignRush curates lists of agencies based on their expertise, client reviews, portfolios, and industry focus.
- Features: Detailed agency profiles, client testimonials, case studies, and a project matching service to connect businesses with suitable agencies.
- Benefits: Connects clients with reputable, professional agencies, suitable for larger projects with comprehensive requirements, greater accountability and scalability than individual freelancers.
- Considerations: Generally higher costs compared to freelancers, less flexibility for small, ad-hoc tasks, requires a significant budget.

DIY Design Tools: Canva Pro

For very small businesses or startups with limited budgets who need basic branding elements and simple graphic design without hiring a professional, Canva Pro can be a powerful tool.

User-Friendly Design: Offers a drag-and-drop interface with thousands of templates for logos, social media graphics, presentations, and even simple websites.
- Features: Extensive library of stock photos, fonts, brand kit functionality (save brand colours, logos), background remover, collaboration features.
- Benefits: Extremely cost-effective, empowers non-designers to create professional-looking visuals, quick turnaround for basic needs.
- Considerations: Limited customisation compared to professional design software, not suitable for complex web development or highly unique branding, can lead to generic designs if not used creatively.

Elite Freelance Platforms: Toptal

For businesses requiring top-tier talent and complex projects, Toptal stands out for its rigorous vetting process, connecting clients with the top 3% of freelance talent globally.

Vetted Professionals: Toptal screens freelancers for technical proficiency, communication skills, and project management abilities.
- Features: Provides highly skilled freelancers in web development, design, finance, and product management. Offers flexible engagement models and a dedicated account manager.
- Benefits: Access to elite talent, guaranteed quality, suitable for mission-critical or complex projects, faster hiring process than traditional recruitment.
- Considerations: Premium pricing due to the calibre of talent, typically requires a larger budget, not suitable for small or one-off tasks.

Local UK Design Agencies

For businesses preferring a more personal touch, face-to-face meetings, and a strong understanding of the local market, engaging with a bespoke local UK design agency is an excellent option.

Personalised Service: Local agencies can offer tailored solutions, better understand local market nuances, and build long-term relationships.
- Features: Often provide a full suite of digital services (web design, SEO, branding, marketing), offer project management, and provide direct accountability.
- Benefits: Direct communication, physical presence, often more comprehensive service packages, support local economy.
- Considerations: Can be more expensive than individual freelancers, range of expertise varies widely, requires thorough research and consultation to find the right fit.

How to Assess Design Portfolios Ethically

When evaluating a graphic designer’s portfolio, whether it’s progressbydesign.co.uk or any other alternative, an ethical approach focuses on the quality of work, suitability for your business needs, and the demonstrable impact of their designs. This isn’t about judging the individual, but rather their output and its relevance to your goals, while also ensuring the projects themselves align with Islamic principles.

Evaluating Design Quality and Suitability

A strong portfolio should speak volumes about a designer’s skill, versatility, and understanding of design principles. Wonderspins.co.uk Review

Visual Cohesion and Aesthetics: Look for consistency in design elements, pleasing colour palettes, appropriate typography, and overall visual harmony. Does the work reflect a clear understanding of balance, hierarchy, and contrast?
Problem-Solving Approach: Good design isn’t just about pretty pictures; it’s about solving business problems. The case studies should explain the client’s challenge and how the design solution addressed it. For example, if a website was designed, did it improve user experience or conversion rates?
Versatility: Does the designer demonstrate a range of styles and an ability to adapt to different brand identities and industry requirements? A diverse portfolio suggests broader expertise.
Attention to Detail: Small details matter. Check for pixel perfection, consistent spacing, and well-executed elements. This indicates professionalism and thoroughness.
Relevance to Your Needs: Does the designer’s past work align with the type of project you need? If you need e-commerce web design, look for examples of successful e-commerce sites in their portfolio.

Understanding Case Studies and Project Impact

Case studies are invaluable as they provide context to the design work. They should go beyond just showing an image of the final product.

Client Challenge: A well-presented case study should clearly articulate the problem the client faced. For instance, “Client needed a brand refresh to appeal to a younger demographic.”
Design Solution: Explain the specific design choices made and why they were chosen. “We opted for a minimalist logo and a vibrant colour palette to reflect modernity and energy.”
Scope of Work: Detail what services were provided (e.g., logo design, full website development, brand guidelines).
Project Outcome/Impact: Most importantly, what was the measurable success or positive impact of the design? This could include increased website traffic, improved brand recognition, higher conversion rates, or enhanced user engagement. Data points, even if anecdotal, add significant weight. For example, “The new website design led to a 15% increase in online inquiries within the first three months.”

Ethical Considerations in Portfolio Review

From an Islamic perspective, when assessing design work, it’s crucial to ensure that the content and purpose of the designs align with ethical guidelines. This means avoiding anything that promotes or supports impermissible activities.

Content and Purpose: Review the clients and projects featured in the portfolio. Are they from businesses or organisations involved in halal and permissible activities? For example, if a portfolio prominently features designs for gambling sites, alcohol brands, or music labels, it would be a red flag. Conversely, designs for educational institutions, charities, small businesses selling permissible goods, or community initiatives would be ethically sound.
Imagery and Messaging: Ensure the visual elements and messages conveyed in the designs are modest, respectful, and free from anything that could be considered explicit, deceptive, or promoting immoral behaviour. This includes checking for inappropriate imagery, misleading claims, or content that contradicts Islamic values.
Intellectual Property: While not directly visible in a portfolio, a reputable designer will respect intellectual property rights. If you are hiring a designer, ensure their contract specifies that the final designs are original and that you will own the intellectual property rights upon completion and full payment.

By carefully evaluating these aspects, businesses can make informed decisions about hiring a graphic designer, ensuring both professional quality and ethical alignment.

How to Cancel progressbydesign.co.uk Subscription (Not Applicable)

Given that progressbydesign.co.uk appears to be a freelance graphic designer’s portfolio and service website, offering bespoke design solutions rather than a subscription-based product or platform, the concept of “cancelling a subscription” or a “free trial” is not applicable here.

Understanding Service-Based Engagements vs. Subscriptions

Service-Based Engagements: When you hire a graphic designer like the one behind progressbydesign.co.uk, you typically enter into a project-based agreement or contract. This involves defining the scope of work, agreeing on deliverables, setting a timeline, and establishing payment terms (e.g., an upfront deposit, milestone payments, or full payment upon completion). Such an engagement concludes once the project is delivered and paid for, or if the contract is terminated by either party according to agreed-upon terms.
Subscription Services: These usually involve recurring payments for access to a service, software, or content over a period (e.g., monthly, annually). Examples include Netflix, Adobe Creative Cloud, or a SaaS platform. These services typically have clear cancellation procedures outlined in their terms of service.

Project Cancellation Procedures (General Guidelines)

Since progressbydesign.co.uk does not provide explicit terms and conditions on their website, if you were to engage their services and later wish to cancel a project, the process would generally involve direct communication and negotiation.

Review Your Agreement: If you have already engaged the designer, refer to any written agreement, proposal, or email exchanges that outline the terms of the project, including payment schedules, milestones, and cancellation clauses. A professional designer should provide these.
Direct Communication: The first step would be to contact the designer directly via email ([email protected]) to discuss your desire to cancel the project.
Negotiate Terms: Depending on the stage of the project and the work already completed, you might be liable for a portion of the agreed-upon fee.
- Work-in-Progress: If significant work has been done, the designer would likely charge for the hours or milestones completed up to the point of cancellation.
- Deposits: An upfront deposit might be non-refundable, especially if it covers initial consultation or research time.
- Kill Fee: Some contracts include a “kill fee” which is a pre-agreed amount payable upon cancellation to compensate the designer for lost opportunity or work started.
Formalise in Writing: Any agreement reached regarding cancellation and outstanding payments should be documented in writing (e.g., email confirmation) to avoid future disputes.

Important Note: The lack of clear terms and conditions on progressbydesign.co.uk’s website makes it difficult to ascertain their specific cancellation policies. This further reinforces the importance of ensuring a formal, written agreement is in place before commencing any project with a freelance designer or agency. For future engagements with any service provider, always insist on clear contractual terms that cover cancellation, revisions, payment schedules, and intellectual property.

Progressbydesign.co.uk Pricing (Not Disclosed)

Based on the current state of the progressbydesign.co.uk website, there is no discernible pricing information available for any of the services offered. This includes web development, identity and logo design, or general branding solutions.

The Impact of Undisclosed Pricing

The absence of pricing is a common characteristic of bespoke service providers, particularly in creative fields where each project is unique. However, it can be a significant barrier for potential clients during their initial research phase.

Lack of Transparency: Many businesses and individuals prefer to have a general idea of costs upfront to determine if a service aligns with their budget. Without any pricing, clients are forced to engage in a back-and-forth communication process just to get a quote, which can be time-consuming and inefficient.
Budgetary Planning: Businesses operate on budgets. Not knowing the potential cost of a design project makes it difficult to assess feasibility and allocate funds. This can lead to clients discarding the service provider before even making contact.
Competitive Disadvantage: In a competitive market, clients often compare services based on price and value. Providers who offer some level of pricing transparency (e.g., “packages starting from £X,” “hourly rate of £Y,” or clear project tiers) often make it easier for clients to evaluate their options quickly. According to a 2021 survey by KPMG, 86% of consumers want more transparency from businesses.

Why Pricing Might Not Be Disclosed

For custom design services, there are valid reasons why pricing might not be immediately available:

Bespoke Nature of Work: Each project is unique, with varying complexities, requirements, and deliverables. A simple logo design for a startup will cost significantly less than a complex e-commerce website with custom features. A fixed price might not accurately reflect the effort and value for every client.
Scope Variability: The scope of work can change based on client needs, revisions, and additional functionalities. Providing a general price upfront might be misleading.
Value-Based Pricing: Some designers prefer to price based on the value they provide to the client’s business rather than just the hours spent. This often requires a deeper understanding of the client’s goals and desired outcomes.
Competitive Strategy: Some designers prefer not to disclose pricing publicly to avoid being undercut by competitors or to allow for negotiation based on specific client needs.

How to Obtain Pricing Information

If you are interested in engaging progressbydesign.co.uk for a project, you would need to: Customloft.co.uk Review

Initiate Contact: Use the provided email address ([email protected]) to inquire about services.
Provide Project Brief: Be prepared to provide a detailed brief of your project. This should include:
- The type of service required (e.g., logo, website, branding).
- Your business industry and target audience.
- Specific functionalities or features needed (for websites).
- Your timeline and budget expectations (even if approximate).
- Any examples of designs you like or dislike.
Request a Detailed Proposal: A professional designer should then provide a custom proposal that outlines the scope of work, deliverables, timeline, payment schedule, and terms. This proposal should clearly state the cost for your specific project.

While it’s understandable that bespoke services may not have fixed prices, the absence of even a “starting from” price or an explanation of the quote process on the homepage means potential clients must take an extra step to get basic information, which could lead to missed opportunities.

Ethical Web Design in the UK (General Considerations)

When considering web design services in the UK, it’s not just about aesthetics and functionality; it’s also crucial to ensure the service provider adheres to ethical business practices and the resulting website aligns with ethical guidelines, especially from an Islamic perspective. This encompasses data handling, content, and transparency.

Data Protection and GDPR Compliance

In the UK, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a cornerstone of data privacy. Any reputable web designer must ensure that the websites they build are compliant.

Privacy Policy: Websites must have a clear, accessible, and comprehensive privacy policy that explains what data is collected, why it’s collected, how it’s used, and how users can exercise their rights (e.g., right to access, rectify, or erase their data).
Cookie Consent: Websites using cookies (almost all do) must obtain informed consent from users before placing non-essential cookies. This often involves a cookie banner or pop-up.
Secure Data Handling: Designers should implement secure forms for data submission (e.g., contact forms, e-commerce checkouts) using SSL certificates (HTTPS). They should also advise clients on secure data storage practices. According to the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office), GDPR fines can be up to £17.5 million or 4% of annual global turnover, whichever is higher, highlighting the importance of compliance.

Content Ethics and Islamic Principles

From an Islamic standpoint, the content and purpose of the website being designed are paramount. A Muslim client should ensure that the designer will not create or contribute to platforms promoting impermissible activities.

Halal Business Focus: The website should be for a legitimate business or organisation that deals in permissible goods or services. This means avoiding any involvement with businesses related to alcohol, gambling, riba (interest-based finance), pornography, music (if strictly viewed as impermissible), or other haram activities.
Modesty and Respect: The visual content (images, videos) and textual content should be modest, respectful, and free from anything explicit, misleading, or blasphemous. This includes ensuring that any human imagery adheres to principles of modesty.
Truthfulness and Transparency: Websites should present information truthfully, without deceptive practices, false advertising, or misleading claims about products or services. This aligns with the Islamic emphasis on honesty in transactions.
No Promotion of Immorality: The website should not be used to promote or facilitate immoral behaviour, injustice, or anything that contradicts Islamic teachings.

Transparency in Business Practices

An ethical web designer demonstrates transparency in their own business dealings.

Clear Contracts: Provide clear, detailed contracts or proposals outlining the scope of work, deliverables, timelines, payment schedules, intellectual property rights, and revision policies. Ambiguity can lead to disputes.
Communication: Maintain open and honest communication throughout the project lifecycle, providing regular updates and promptly addressing client concerns.
Fair Pricing: While pricing may be custom, it should be fair and justifiable based on the value, effort, and expertise involved. Avoid hidden fees.
Intellectual Property Transfer: Ensure that upon full payment, the client receives full ownership of the intellectual property rights to the final designs.

By adhering to these ethical considerations, a web designer in the UK can not only build legally compliant and effective websites but also ensure their work aligns with the higher moral and ethical standards important to Muslim clients. For businesses, vetting a designer on these points is as important as evaluating their design prowess.

Key Elements of a Trustworthy Freelance Designer Website

For any freelance designer or small agency, their website is their primary shop window and a critical tool for building trust with potential clients. A trustworthy website goes beyond just showcasing a portfolio; it provides reassurance, clarity, and professionalism. Here are the key elements that progressbydesign.co.uk (and any other similar service) should ideally feature to enhance its trustworthiness.

Comprehensive Contact Information

More than just an email address, a professional website should offer multiple avenues for contact, signalling accessibility and legitimacy.

Dedicated Contact Page: Beyond just an email link, a dedicated page with a contact form, phone number, and perhaps a physical address (even if it’s a registered business address, not necessarily a walk-in office).
Phone Number: A professional contact number demonstrates readiness for direct communication and can be crucial for urgent inquiries.
Business Address: For UK-based freelancers or small agencies, providing a registered business address (even a virtual office address for sole traders) adds a layer of official legitimacy.

Detailed ‘About Us’ Section

Clients want to know who they are entrusting their brand to. An ‘About Us’ section is essential for building rapport and credibility.

Personal Background and Experience: Share the designer’s journey, relevant education, years of experience, and any specific areas of expertise.
Philosophy and Approach: Articulate the designer’s unique approach to design, their values, and what drives their work.
Team Information (if applicable): If there are collaborators or a small team, introduce them to give a sense of the collective expertise.
Mission and Vision: What does the designer aim to achieve for their clients and in their field?

Transparent Pricing or Clear Quote Process

While bespoke pricing is common, a complete lack of any pricing information can be a deterrent. Soulflower.co.uk Review

Pricing Tiers or Packages: If possible, offer broad pricing tiers for common services (e.g., “Basic Logo Package starts from £X,” “Standard Website Design from £Y”).
Hourly Rates (if applicable): If billing by the hour, state the hourly rate or a range.
Clear Quote Request Process: Clearly outline the steps for getting a custom quote, what information is needed from the client (a brief), and the typical turnaround time for a proposal.

Robust Legal Pages

These are non-negotiable for any business operating online, protecting both the service provider and the client.

Terms and Conditions/Service Agreement: A comprehensive document outlining the scope of services, payment terms, intellectual property ownership, revision policies, cancellation clauses, dispute resolution, and limitations of liability. This should be easily accessible from the footer.
Privacy Policy: A clear and GDPR-compliant privacy policy detailing data collection, usage, storage, and user rights. This must be a distinct, linked page, not hidden within pop-ups.
Cookie Policy: Often integrated within the privacy policy or as a separate document, explaining the use of cookies and how users can manage their preferences.
Refund/Revision Policy: Specific details on how many revisions are included, what constitutes an extra charge, and any refund conditions (e.g., non-refundable deposits, partial refunds for work completed).

Strong Social Proof and Testimonials

Authentic feedback from past clients is powerful in building new client confidence.

Client Testimonials: Feature quotes from satisfied clients, ideally with their name, business, and perhaps a link to their website (with permission). Video testimonials are even better.
Case Studies with Impact: As discussed previously, detailed case studies that explain the problem, solution, and measurable results.
Client Logos: A section showcasing logos of past clients can lend credibility.
Active Social Media Links: Ensure that any social media links actually lead to active, professional profiles where the designer engages with their audience and showcases recent work. Placeholder or inactive links undermine trust.

By integrating these elements, any freelance designer or small agency can significantly enhance the perceived trustworthiness and professionalism of their online presence, making it easier for potential clients to make informed decisions.

FAQ

What is progressbydesign.co.uk?

Progressbydesign.co.uk appears to be the online portfolio and service website for a self-employed graphic designer based in the UK, offering services such as web design, logo creation, and branding solutions.

Is progressbydesign.co.uk a legitimate business?

Based on the website, it presents as a legitimate freelance design service. However, it lacks several standard elements of a fully transparent business website, such as comprehensive legal documents, detailed ‘About Us’ information, and clear pricing.

What services does progressbydesign.co.uk offer?

Progressbydesign.co.uk explicitly mentions offering web development, identity & logo design, and branding solutions.

Does progressbydesign.co.uk have a physical address?

No, the website does not list a physical business address. It only provides an email contact.

How can I contact progressbydesign.co.uk?

You can contact progressbydesign.co.uk via email at [email protected]. There is no phone number provided on the website.

Does progressbydesign.co.uk have a phone number?

No, a phone number is not listed on the progressbydesign.co.uk website for direct contact.

Is there any pricing information on progressbydesign.co.uk?

No, the website does not disclose any pricing information for its services. You would need to contact the designer directly for a custom quote. Wheelshonda.co.uk Review

Does progressbydesign.co.uk offer a free trial?

No, as it’s a bespoke service-based business, there is no concept of a free trial for its design services.

Can I cancel a project with progressbydesign.co.uk?

While there are no explicit cancellation policies on the website, project cancellations would typically be handled through direct communication and negotiation based on any prior agreement or work completed.

Does progressbydesign.co.uk have a privacy policy?

A ‘Privacy Policy’ link appears in a pop-up after interacting with a non-functional case study link, but it is not consistently linked in the website’s footer, which is standard practice for easy access.

Are there terms and conditions on progressbydesign.co.uk?

No, comprehensive terms and conditions or a service agreement are not readily accessible or linked on the progressbydesign.co.uk website.

Does progressbydesign.co.uk showcase client testimonials?

No, the website does not visibly feature any client testimonials or reviews on its homepage or other accessible sections.

Are the social media links on progressbydesign.co.uk active?

Based on testing, the social media links (Facebook, Behance, LinkedIn, Instagram) in the footer and main content area appear to be inactive placeholder links that refresh the page rather than leading to actual profiles.

What kind of projects does progressbydesign.co.uk showcase?

The website showcases selected work through case studies, including “Spectrum Graphics” (Website Design), “Data Recovery” (Website Design), and “The Actives Challenge” (Website Design).

How long has ProgressbyDesign been operating?

Is progressbydesign.co.uk suitable for large businesses?

While the designer states they “solve business problems,” the limited transparency and information on the website might make larger businesses seeking more formal and comprehensive engagements consider alternatives with more established digital presences.

What makes a design website trustworthy?

A trustworthy design website typically includes comprehensive contact information (phone, address), detailed ‘About Us’ sections, transparent pricing or clear quote processes, robust legal pages (T&Cs, privacy policy), and strong social proof (testimonials, active social media). Paellabyantonio.co.uk Review

Are there better alternatives to progressbydesign.co.uk for design services?

Yes, alternatives like Fiverr, Upwork, 99designs by Vista, DesignRush, and local UK design agencies generally offer more robust platforms and transparency.

Is graphic design permissible in Islam?

Yes, graphic design for legitimate purposes and businesses is generally permissible in Islam, provided the content being designed (e.g., logos, websites) does not promote anything forbidden or immoral.

How can I ensure ethical graphic design for my business?

To ensure ethical graphic design, verify that the designer will create content for halal and permissible businesses, use modest and respectful imagery, adhere to truthfulness in messaging, and provide clear contractual terms regarding intellectual property and service scope.