16 Years in Business. So, What's Changed?

A lot apparently. From the COVID-19 Pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the viral #MeToo Movement and, of course, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. Global events like these have altered how we live, work, and do business. 

However, while technology, processes, and client expectations have evolved over time, the principle behind our agency to help ambitious businesses succeed has always remained the same. 

And now, as we embark on a new phase of growth with Pixel 2.0, it’s time to reflect on how far we’ve come, what’s changed along the way, and what the future holds for our little corner of Manchester. 

From a Two-Man Team to a 50-Person Studio

Let’s turn back the clock to 2010. Smartphones were only just taking off, social media was finding its feet, and having a website was enough to put many businesses on the map. 

That same year, Ben and Matt came up with a simple idea over a pint of beer: build digital products properly, in-house, for a vast range of established businesses. That idea soon became a reality. What started as two founders and a desk, has turned into a team of around 50 people (and counting), five specialist teams and three office moves. 

Today, our designers, developers, marketers and project managers work as one, helping clients turn their ambitions into meaningful results. We love what we do, unafraid to challenge the norm, and do what it takes to make a real difference. 

How Much Has the World Changed? 

If you want to see how much the world has changed, look at the cost of everyday life.

According to Nationwide, the average UK house cost around £163,500 in January 2010. Nowadays, average house prices are considerably higher at £272,611, based on the UK House Price Index.  

The average weekly food shop for a UK household has also gone from £31.36 in 2018/19 per person to spending around £107 (according to ClearScore), reflecting the rising cost of living. 

Moving on to technology, a decade ago you could easily get online with a straightforward brochure site. Currently, it can cost between £2k and 6k for a small business website built by a regional agency, covering integrations, mobile-first design, accessibility, security, analytics, and ongoing optimisation. 

Naturally, not every website requires every single feature. But, the expectations people have placed on digital products to work seamlessly, wherever and whatever device they’re using, has certainly raised the bar for what a website or app needs to deliver.

Making Digital Work Harder 

Clients and their customers want fast, intuitive websites, simple online shopping, useful mobile apps and experiences that make their lives easier. 

Overall, it’s about doing more than looking the part. They need to generate enquiries, support sales, connect with existing systems and provide useful information about services and products. 

That is exactly how we approach projects. The brief is still important, but so is the commercial intent behind it. Who are you trying to reach? What do you need them to do? And how should it work? 

There are plenty of possibilities but knowing what to build, why to build it and how to make it work for your business matters. 

Enter Pixel 2.0

Over the last 16 years, we’ve taken on a huge range of projects, from custom, technically-sophisticated websites to intuitive, feature-rich apps and scalable eCommerce platforms. 

During that time, we’ve also built lasting relationships with some brilliant clients, including The Times, Parfetts, British Airways, and SmartTrace, celebrated the big wins, and learned a few lessons too. 

Now, as part of the next step in our journey, we're bringing digital marketing into the mix, so clients can make even more use of our services through paid, organic search, and social media. 

Afterall, launching a website is only the beginning. People need to find it and be given every reason to get in touch, make a purchase or keep coming back for more. By combining web design, development, apps, eCommerce, marketing and support under one roof, we can give clients everything they need to thrive. 

So, got something in mind for your business? Whether it's a new website, an app, a digital marketing campaign or you're not quite sure where to start, let's have a chat.