Web Savvy: Website development by the Bache Brothers

We figured it’s about time we featured some web buddies from our hometown, Pietermaritzburg (a.k.a “the sleepy hollow”). But don’t  be fooled. The Bache brothers don’t mess around. In fact, with people like the Baches operating the way they do in PMB, we’re surprised it still has a reputation as the sleepy hollow.

The Baches are ‘true web buddies’ for us in the sense that we haven’t yet got to know them in person, but rather exclusively by means of online interaction (strange given that we’re from the same place – maybe PMB isn’t that small after all…). We admire their initiative and entrepreneurial spirit, and we respect their desire to create and add value to the online sphere. We caught up with them recently to hear their insights on web development and online trends.

Names: Tyron & Quintin Bache

Age: 22… yes we are twins… since the 20th of March 1988.

Family: Father: Grant, mother: Lynda and sister Rachelle

Hometown: Pietermaritzburg

How did you end up with your own company Smashing Web Development?

Well it’s an awfully long story but we have always wanted to start our own business and we were lucky enough to be given the opportunity to do so. We work for a business systems company in Pietermaritzburg, The BlueBox. They have a partner program that is designed to create and support a business partnerships with individuals and organisations that actively promote their products.

We remember the day very clearly as if it was yesterday, the 8th of Feb 2010, that was the day when we decided to call our business Smashing Web Development. We searched for the domain www.smashing.co.za and saw it was available so we bought it and haven’t looked back since.

What are the main things to keep in mind when developing your own website?

First of all before you even touch an code or design anything you need to define your business/website objectives. That is what you would like your website to achieve. For example our website objective is to generate high quality leads.

Next is content! You need to focus on your content you would like to show your visitors.

Finally design. You need to design a website that matches the personality of your brand.

 

For the uninitiated, what’s the most effective and cheapest way to get a website or blog set up?

The easiest way by far to have a web presence is to start a tumblr blog and then set up a twitter account and start creating and sharing remarkable content. This is easy, effective and free.

How is the online sphere changing and what can we expect to see more of across the board on the web in the next five years?

Wow that is quite an open question, no one knows what the next Facebook or Twitter will be. Five years ago we had just finished school and knew nothing about the web. Five years later we are barely even scratching the surface.

South Africa has growing infrastructure around broadband and a burgeoning IT industry. Is there anything in particular that you are excited about for the future here when it comes to web development and the internet in general?

Cheap broadband and for the international market to start taking South Africa seriously with regard to IT. We have the skills and willingness to learn. Brands and businesses have just started to realise the power of Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms. I am keen to see where they take it in making a remarkable experience for the consumer.

What does a typical working week consist of for Smashing Web Dev?

Visiting clients, coffee, strategy sessions, coffee, designing, reading, content scoping sessions, client training, tweeting, emails, phone calls, coding, gym (every now and then) and more coffee but never in the same order and ever since we started we haven’t had two weeks the same.

 

Who or what is the most important thing to you?

Who: Jesus Christ. What: Focus.

Describe your ideal weekend.

The south coast for a long weekend, beach cottage, pizza, family, girlfriends and friends. In that order.

 

 

 

COMPETITION:

We’d like to run a simple competition. On offer is a complete download of our latest album On The Edge. All you have to do is leave a comment telling us who is who in the picture directly above. The first person to respond correctly will be the winner!