Gurney Consulting
Revitalising Gurney Consulting's Digital Presence
Gurney Consulting Engineers Ltd, a well-established structural and civil engineering consultancy founded in 1966, faced a significant digital challenge in 2024. Following their acquisition by new owners, the company needed to modernise their online presence to reflect their expertise and attract their desired clientele.
The existing website, launched in late 2013, had become a liability rather than an asset. Over a decade without meaningful updates had left the site looking severely outdated, creating the impression that the business was inactive. This dated appearance was particularly damaging for a company that prided itself on innovation and cutting-edge engineering solutions.
Beyond aesthetics, the neglected website posed serious security risks and failed to showcase the full breadth of services Gurney offered across residential, commercial, retail, education, healthcare, railway, and defence sectors. The disconnect between their actual capabilities and their digital representation was hindering business growth and failing to attract the high-quality projects they were known for delivering.
The Solution
Working closely with Gurney's new ownership team, I developed a comprehensive digital transformation strategy that would position the company as the modern, innovative consultancy they truly were.
Website Redesign and Development
The centrepiece of the project was a complete website rebuild using Squarespace, chosen for its robust security features, excellent performance, and reliable hosting infrastructure. The new site was designed to be fully responsive, ensuring optimal performance across all devices from mobile phones to desktop computers. The website structure was carefully planned around Gurney's core services and target markets. Rather than simply listing services, the new site tells the story of Gurney's expertise across multiple sectors whilst maintaining focus on their specialised offerings including RAAC consulting, structural inspections, party wall surveying, and expert witness services.
Brand Integration and Visual Identity
Working with the comprehensive branding package developed by the new owners' designer, I ensured every element of the digital presence aligned with Gurney's refreshed visual identity. The brand guidelines informed everything from colour schemes and typography to the overall user experience design.
Logo Animation and Visual Storytelling
A standout feature of the new website is the animated logo sequence at the top of the homepage. Created using Adobe After Effects, this animation overlays Gurney's logo onto a carefully curated selection of looping videos that showcase the diverse industries they serve. This immediately communicates the company's breadth of expertise whilst creating an engaging first impression for visitors.
Search Engine Optimisation Foundation
SEO considerations were integrated from the project's inception rather than being an afterthought. Google Search Console was implemented immediately, providing valuable data that informed both the website's structure and content strategy. This foundation ensures Gurney's improved digital presence will be discoverable by their target audience.
LinkedIn Profile Enhancement
Recognising the importance of professional networking in the engineering sector, I also transformed Gurney's LinkedIn presence. This included designing a custom cover image banner and profile picture that perfectly aligned with their brand guidelines, ensuring consistency across all digital touchpoints. To maintain engagement and showcase their expertise, I created a looping LinkedIn post animation that utilises the main logo animation from the homepage, creating a cohesive brand experience across platforms.
The Results
The transformation has positioned Gurney Consulting as a modern, professional engineering consultancy that matches their actual capabilities and reputation. The new website effectively communicates their years of experience whilst presenting them as an innovative company ready to tackle contemporary engineering challenges.
Enhanced Professional Image
The modern, responsive website now accurately represents Gurney's standing as a quality engineering consultancy with ISO 9001 and RISQS certifications. Visitors can immediately understand the company's expertise across multiple sectors and the comprehensive range of services they provide.
Improved User Experience
The fully responsive design ensures that whether potential clients are browsing on their mobile during a site visit or reviewing services on their office computer, they receive a consistent, professional experience that reflects well on Gurney's attention to detail.
Stronger Digital Foundation
With proper SEO foundations in place and security concerns addressed, the website now serves as a strong platform for future digital marketing efforts. The Google Search Console integration provides ongoing insights to guide content strategy and technical improvements.
Cohesive Brand Presence
The alignment between the website and LinkedIn profile creates a professional, cohesive brand presence that reinforces Gurney's credibility across all digital touchpoints where potential clients might encounter them.
This project demonstrates how a comprehensive digital transformation can revitalise an established company's online presence. By combining modern web development techniques with thoughtful brand integration and strategic SEO planning, even companies with decades of offline success can create digital experiences that truly represent their capabilities and attract their ideal clients.
The success of Gurney's digital transformation highlights the importance of treating web presence as a strategic business asset rather than a static brochure. With the right approach, a company's digital presence can become a powerful tool for communicating expertise, building trust, and driving business growth.
