Saying hello to a better future

There has been an idea in my mind which pre-dates my move to Switzerland eighteen years ago. It formed into a definite decision this year. Too much time and too much budget is lost through inefficiency.

I want to be able to have direct control over the projects I deliver and how I work. I want to spend more time on getting the most out of my experience and ability, and spending as much time as possible doing what I love.

That’s why I’m moving to Swiss web agency Say Hello as partner, client consultant and full-stack developer from January 2019.

Although every project comes with its own technical challenges, it isn’t all that hard to make small to medium-sized websites and simple web applications. It isn’t about the tools, the automation, or the code. Tools are there to be combined with experience, which helps a developer focus on the real goals: visitors, users and content.

I don’t just want to deliver modern projects, but ones which make maximum use of current and upcoming principles to be a step ahead of the curve. I can’t bear websites which follow the herd to produce formulaic and instantly forgettable experiences. I want to show clients how much more they can achieve, without investing any more than they’d originally planned. Budgets should be used for productive purposes, not for administrative chores.

I’ve had several discussions with Nico, whom I’ve known for a couple of years through the Swiss WordPress community, and we feel that we’ve found the perfect solution. Based in Spiez, Nico’s say hello combines the best approaches from other exemplary agencies. Nico has the same goals as I do. To make modern websites and web applications by using a simple, agile process. To cut out as many unnecessary overheads as possible and focus on the essentials. To work where it makes sense to be: whether that’s in the company office, remotely, or even with the client in their own office.

I’ve spent twenty-two years working on a sufficient range of web projects to know that the best solution is the one which matches the project’s individual requirements. Although Nico and I love working with WordPress, and WordPress will remain our primary focus, we recognise the importance of choosing the best technology for every project.

That can be a classic WordPress installation using the new “Gutenberg” Block Editor, a headless CMS implementation, a standalone piece of development, or a combination of various technologies, content management systems and APIs. Seventeen years’ experience as a CMS developer – for WordPress, TYPO3 and my own solutions — has given me the scope and ability to develop better solutions than those offered by single-track agencies.

Say Hello has the experience and know-how to be able to help other agencies and developers to increase their knowledge and expertise. In the web community, everyone and their clients benefit from the open exchange of ideas and expertise – especially when the exchange happens across company boundaries. No single agency can be a master of all trades, which is why collaborations make so much sense: working as part of a group of experts in design, programming, marketing, SEO, and multiple CMS like WordPress and TYPO3.

The answer to all these plans is to join with Nico at the beginning of January. I’ll be jointly running the business and working with the team and third-party specialists on projects for local, national and even international clients. I’m tremendously excited about what the future holds and you’ll definitely be reading more about our work.