In this article, I share a day in the life of an Inverness web designer producing e-commerce sites & web design projects for my local Inverness clients.
As a web designer based in Inverness, my days are as varied as they are fulfilling. Living and working in the Scottish Highlands brings unique opportunities and challenges that I absolutely thrive on. Designing websites for local businesses here means I’m not just sitting behind a screen—I’m contributing to the local Highland community and helping people showcase their passions to the entire world. Let me walk you through what a typical day looks like for me, an Inverness web designer.
Morning: Starting the Day with Inspiration
I’ve always believed that how you start your day sets the tone for everything that follows. My mornings begin with a cup of strong coffee prepared using my beloved Aeropress. I make sure that I’m already aware of what my main tasks for the day the night before which are saved project template (you can download templates here for almost any purpose) in Notion. As I’m sipping away, I have a wee nosey around inspirational design sites such as Behance, Swiss Miss and Wallpaper to get myself into a creative mindset for the day ahead. Following this, I would normally begin to review feedback from my various clients. The Inverness Design Studio work with clients in both the United Kingdom and the United States, so sometimes emails have arrived in the wee hours of the morning.
Inverness, with its serene environment, is an inspiring place to create—there’s something about the quiet mornings here that makes me feel focused.
Some mornings, I’ll even take a short walk along the River Ness before diving into work. It clears my mind and often sparks creative ideas. I firmly believe that inspiration can come from nature as much as from technology.
Mid-Morning: Diving Into Design Projects
Usually by mid-morning, I’m fully immersed in my web design work. This is the part of the day when I feel most productive and generally satisfied. My creative projects today consist of building out a landing page in Elementor Pro for an immensely talented, Highlands based digital artist called James Abell, working on new stationery design for the University of Highlands and Islands and finishing off with (if I ever manage to get round to it) graphic design for a local whisky startup. I’m at a point now where I find every project I’m involved in around Inverness just so immensely rewarding. Everyday I have to pinch myself and say this is ACTUALLY happening, I’m doing something I feel so passionate about, providing web design or graphic design for some of the biggest Inverness and Highland based companies. It’s hard to convey the feeling when you see these local companies start to make big wins and knowing that as an Inverness web designer, you played a pivotal role in their success.
I always make sure to keep a dialogue going with my clients. Being communicative through all aspects of these design projects is key to succeeding as a web designer, and really enjoy explaining why a certain colour scheme works or how a particular layout improves usability for the end user. It’s one of the reasons I always start off the web development process in Figma, which helps our customers take a hands-on role in the website prototyping process. It’s not just about all the pretty looking visuals; an typical designer from the Highlands needs to understand the basic concepts of market reach and the over-arching design strategy. When one of my clients from Inverness sees our thought process behind the design choices, it helps to build a level of trust that is timeless—and it’s just one the things that makes being an Inverness website designer feel so incredibly rewarding for me as we continue to grow and eat up market share in the Highlands within the creative industries.
Lunchtime: Connecting and Recharging
When lunchtime rolls around (sometimes I skip lunch to spend time with the dogs), I make a point to step away from my desk. If the weather’s nice (only really in the summer), I’ll grab a quick sandwich and head to the Ness Islands. I’ve found that taking just a half an hour to recharge makes me far more effective in the afternoon. One of the best things about being an Inverness web designer is that you have so much in the way of nature, just sitting right there on your doorstep. I think the very nature of living here gives me a form of competitive advantage, people from the Highlands love this town and I’m no exception.
Sometimes, I’ll use this time to check in with some of the local businesses in Inverness. Networking is a big part of being a web designer in a close-knit community like the Highlands. Whether it’s a quick chat with a fellow website designer or discussing potential collaborations with one of the best photographers in Inverness, these connections add so much depth and reward to my web development work.
Afternoon: Tackling Technical Tasks
The afternoons are typically when I roll up my sleeves and tackle the technical aspects of web design. This could mean coding a custom feature, setting up domain and hosting for Inverness companies, integrating e-commerce tools like Woocommerce, or simply optimising a site for search engines using something like Page Speed Insights. While some might find this part tedious, I genuinely find it hugely rewarding and it’s a key part of my job as an Inverness web designer. There’s something that’s just so deeply satisfying about solving technical problems within the web development phase and seeing a website come to life.
When things get tough, I practice gratitude and always remind myself that how many people get to live in the Highlands (arguably one of the most beautiful places on earth) whilst working for an award-winning web design agency, doing everything from logo design to cutting-edge websites and also getting paid for it?
Late Afternoon: Client Meetings and Collaboration
As the day progresses, I usually have meetings with our Inverness clients or design team members. These might be virtual on Discord (yup, we use Discord not Zoom), but occasionally I’ll meet someone in person if they’re based in Inverness. I prefer this direct interaction; it’s easier to gauge their reactions and build a strong rapport when you’re face-to-face.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that being a successful Inverness web designer is all about managing expectations, which is as important as delivering results for our clients. I always aim to balance listening to my clients’ needs with gently guiding them towards what works best for their goals. Sometimes, a client will insist on a feature that I know isn’t practical, and it’s my job to explain why another approach might be better. This can be tricky, but I really enjoy that side of the collaborative process.
Evening: Wrapping Up and Reflecting
I like to wrap up my day by reviewing what I’ve accomplished and setting priorities for the following day. This is also when I reflect on the bigger picture. Being an Inverness web designer isn’t just about building and developing beautiful looking websites—you need to create something meaningful and results oriented for local business owners who care deeply about the success of their businesses. Businesses in the Highlands have high expectations and big goals, so as the designer it’s important I also see their vision with the same scope and scale.
When I see a client succeed because of the work I’ve done, it’s incredibly satisfying to the say the least. Whether it’s a startup in Inverness gaining traction or building an e-commerce website for a historic retailer like Mortimers of Speyside who have been around for almost a century, knowing I’ve played a huge part in their story is the part I ultimately feel most rewarding.
By Doug Mackay
An Inverness web designer and founder of the Inverness Design Studio
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative in Inverness? Connect with me on LinkedIn and share your story.
FAQs About Being a Web Designer in Inverness
1. What’s unique about web design in Inverness?
Inverness has a distinct character, blending tradition with modernity. Designing here often involves highlighting the unique stories of local businesses, which I find incredibly fulfilling.
2. How do you stay inspired?
Inspiration comes from everywhere—nature, local culture, and even the challenges of each project. Walking around the Highlands is a great way to reset and think creatively.
3. What’s the hardest part of your job?
Balancing client expectations with practical design solutions can be tough, but it’s also what makes the job so rewarding.
4. How do you manage your time effectively?
I use a mix of digital tools and good old-fashioned lists. Staying organised is crucial when juggling multiple projects.
5. What advice would you give aspiring web designers?
Focus on building strong relationships. Design skills are important, but the ability to connect with clients and understand their needs is what sets you apart.
6. Why do you love web design?
For me, it’s the perfect mix of art, technology, and human connection. Every project tells a story, and I love being part of that.
