Design never stands still, and any brand investing in a new site wants it to look and feel contemporary. But the philosophy behind website design should stand the test of time.
At BFM, we have a clear philosophy: websites should combine human-centered design and strong storytelling with a clear focus on supporting business goals and driving action.
We believe that discovering and serving the needs of human users – your brand’s audience – is the single most valuable thing a website design company can do for you as a partner.
But to be clear, we don’t believe in putting feel-good interactions ahead of the bottom line.
Brands are increasingly competing on customer experience even more than price or product. Our job is to deliver that great experience and keep you competitive. But it’s also our job to combine the art of great design with the science of driving conversions and encouraging the right actions at the right time.
We know you’re not just looking for an amazing designer (although we have those). You’re choosing a partner to help guide you through the process and realize your business goals. And we’re passionate about a collaborative process that uncovers your brand’s story and ensures that story told in the most compelling way possible.
That just leaves the question: are our designs good? While you’re here, check out our case studies and decide for yourself.
We want to hear from you.
A People-Centered Philosophy
Design trends come and go. BFM has been around long enough to see skeuomorphic design, flat design, parallax, long scroll pages, brutalism, drop shadows, mobile design, Flash animation, and the rise and fall (and rise again) of the gradient. We keep up with the trends, but we try to see past them and focus on people.
Before we’ve even designed a pixel, we’re seeking to understand our users and make decisions based on how they think and what they want. That means audience research and a robust digital strategy is an integral part of our web design process.
As a web design agency, we know how easy it is to be so focused on selling your wares that your audience gets sidelined. But if you’re going to ask people to reach deeper into their pockets or take a chance on your brand, meeting them on their terms is how you get there. That’s why now more than ever, any brand needs a website that caters to the user and provides real human experiences.
A Story-Driven Approach
When we’re designing for people, it’s important to remember people are storytellers. Sharing and listening to stories is part of what makes us human, and all great brand experiences begin with storytelling.
What does it mean to tell stories in a visual context? Storytelling is much more than writing lengthy copy or clever one-liners. Every aspect of a website, from design language and image selection to content and user experience, comes together to either tell the story or distract from it.
Every brand has its own story, but at the heart of every brand story is the brand’s promise to its customers. Are you promising fun and excitement? A safe pair of hands? From that core promise, every picture, every icon, every page, and every point of interaction needs to advance that perception and develop your story.
Best practices are important and our gifted designers know them backwards – especially the usability standards required to achieve Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. But even if best practices drive a conversion, but they won’t truly create a relationship. Real customers are made when their loyalty is earned. If your brand isn’t giving users that kind of experience, your competitors get the chance to pick up the slack.
A Partnership Mentality
BFM started out as a web design agency many years ago, and we’ve designed websites for big brands and rising startups alike. We’ve seen the evolution towards more audience-focused websites – and helped brands move with these changes as they happen.
Whether you’re building a website for a new business or you’re ready for a redesign, our team of web designers can help you show off your brand. We live in a mobile-first world, and we wouldn’t dream of starting a website without responsive designs for mobile, tablet, and desktop.
We get that redesigning a website is a big step for many businesses. There are big design decisions to make and many stakeholders’ views to consider. How you’re guided through the process is almost as important as what’s ultimately designed.
We take an iterative, dialogue-based approach to design, exploring ideas and directions and leaving ample time and space for feedback and refinement. You’ll get a clear sense of what your options are and how they affect the overall design. And we’ll help guide the conversation to generate the most valuable, relevant feedback possible from your wider team.
BFM is more than an award-winning website design company. We’re a true digital partner who helps brands make deeper connections with your audience and accelerate growth.
