Business Details
17 Years
experience
Your Trusted Web Design & Hosting Partner in Innerleithen
Established in 2009, Digital Essence is a web design and hosting company founded by Hedley Phillips, a professional with over 25 years of experience in IT. Our journey began in Innerleithen, near Peebles in the Scottish Borders, where we focus on delivering high-quality, mobile-responsive websites tailored to our clients' needs. We pride ourselves on our direct involvement in every project, ensuring a deep understanding of our clients' businesses and requirements. Our expertise spans website design, development, and digital marketing, with a particular emphasis on WordPress solutions, SEO, and social media marketing. We serve a diverse range of clients, from local businesses in the Scottish Borders to international clients in London, Kent, Surrey, and the USA. Our commitment to honesty, integrity, and exceptional customer service drives our approach, ensuring that each client receives personalized attention and a solution that aligns with their unique goals. We offer a variety of website packages, from affordable entry-level options to bespoke, handcrafted designs, catering to startups and established businesses alike. Our technical capabilities include performance hosting on SSD virtual private servers, malware monitoring, regular backups, and full admin control panels. We are dedicated to maintaining transparency and ethical practices, ensuring that client data is handled securely and never shared without consent. Our work with organizations such as the BBC, Hutchison 3G, and Cambridge University NRICH Project underscores our technical proficiency and adaptability. We actively engage in community initiatives, including Hedley's involvement with Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue, reflecting our commitment to both local and global communities.
Services
Web Design
E-Commerce
Performance Hosting
Digital Marketing
SEO
Malware Monitoring
Backups
WordPress Development
Served areas
- Tweed Valley, Scottish Borders, Lothian, Edinburgh, Fife
Details
- Year established: 2009
- Employees: 1
Highlights and features
- Web Design
- Web Hosting
- Graphic Design
- Search Engine Optimisation
- Social Media Marketing
Payment methods
- Cash, Debit cards, Mobile payments, Credit cards, Checks
What people say
Absolute professionals
Excellent customer service
Clear and precise communication
Prompt and cost effective
Passionate experts
Services
Web Design
We design mobile-responsive websites tailored to your business needs. Our approach combines aesthetic appeal with functional efficiency, ensuring seamless user experiences across devices. Clients benefit from custom branding, intuitive navigation, and content management systems that simplify updates.
E-Commerce
Our e-commerce solutions enable businesses to sell products online effectively. We implement secure payment gateways, inventory management systems, and user-friendly interfaces. Each store is optimized for conversion rates and integrates with your existing brand identity for cohesive digital presence.
Performance Hosting
We provide SSD-based virtual private server hosting for superior speed and reliability. This service includes daily malware monitoring, automated backups, and 24/7 server maintenance. Clients experience minimal downtime and fast load times, critical for maintaining online visibility and customer engagement.
Digital Marketing
Our digital marketing services enhance online visibility through SEO, social media strategies, and targeted campaigns. We focus on measurable results, improving search rankings and engagement metrics. Clients receive regular performance reports and strategy adjustments to maximize ROI.
WordPress Development
We specialize in WordPress-based websites offering flexibility and scalability. Services include theme customization, plugin integration, and ongoing maintenance. Clients gain access to user-friendly platforms that can evolve with their business needs while maintaining robust security standards.
People
Hedley Phillips
Founder
Hedley has over 25 years of IT experience, including roles at the BBC and Hutchison 3G. He founded Digital Essence in 2009 to provide tailored web solutions. His expertise spans website development, digital marketing, and community engagement through initiatives like Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue.
Questions
What services does Digital Essence offer?
We provide web design, performance hosting, e-commerce solutions, SEO, and digital marketing services tailored to small and medium businesses.
Do you cater to businesses outside the Scottish Borders?
Yes, while based in Innerleithen, we serve clients across the UK and internationally, including London, Surrey, and the USA.
What website packages are available?
Our packages range from the Essentials 399 for startups to bespoke designs, with options for performance hosting and managed services.
How do you ensure website security?
We offer daily malware monitoring, automated backups, and SSD VPS hosting to protect your site and data integrity.
Can you help with existing websites?
Yes, we provide redesigns, performance optimization, and ongoing maintenance for existing websites to improve functionality and user experience.
Reviews (8)
Anna Ashmole
Jun 14, 2019
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Hedley Phillips of Digital Essence has been a huge help to us in developing our business. We are an online violin shop, Martin Swan Violins, and although we were happy with the visual layout of our website we felt the business was vulnerable because we hadnt focussed enough on various technical issues to do with security, backups and search engine optimisation. I asked Hedley to do a review of these issues and he quickly found solutions which have improved the resilience of the business.
Hedley also opened my eyes to the potential for marketing through social media, and helped me to engage effectively with Facebook, Google+, Twitter etc.
I really value our working relationship because we combine my knowledge of the marketing side of the business with his technical expertise, and hes always open to going back to the drawing board if something doesnt feel right from the marketing point of view. When we first engaged Hedley I thought it would be just a one-off health check for our website, but I now think of him as part of the team.
Instead of being overwhelmed by the impossibility of keeping up with all the changes in the online world I feel I can rely on Hedley to spot opportunities which are relevant to our business. I would recommend Hedley to anyone wanting help with a website or online marketing - he really knows his stuff on a technical level and has a practical and realistic approach to working with small businesses.
Hedley also opened my eyes to the potential for marketing through social media, and helped me to engage effectively with Facebook, Google+, Twitter etc.
I really value our working relationship because we combine my knowledge of the marketing side of the business with his technical expertise, and hes always open to going back to the drawing board if something doesnt feel right from the marketing point of view. When we first engaged Hedley I thought it would be just a one-off health check for our website, but I now think of him as part of the team.
Instead of being overwhelmed by the impossibility of keeping up with all the changes in the online world I feel I can rely on Hedley to spot opportunities which are relevant to our business. I would recommend Hedley to anyone wanting help with a website or online marketing - he really knows his stuff on a technical level and has a practical and realistic approach to working with small businesses.
Jamie Birks
Jun 14, 2019
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Great customer service. Hedley went above and beyond when initially transferring hosting from my old (less than helpful) provider.
Bill and Helen Hunter
Jun 14, 2019
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I would absolutely recommend Digital Essence for both web design and for hosting your web site. Hedley and his team went to great lengths to ensure that the end result was exactly what I wanted and they designed a very attractive and easily navigated commercial site for my sewing school. It was easy to manage the site myself but Hedley was always prompt in answering any queries I had, and the server for site hosting was very reliable with no downtime. If you are looking for expert web design then I wouldnt hesitate to go to Digital Essence.
Brian McCrow
Jun 14, 2019
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They supported us very well during the various stages of developing our new web site. Hedley was excellent in dealing with our many requests and changes. He was very tolerant while demonstrating how the new web site operated and how we could update it ourselves. I would have no hesitation in recommending Digital Essence.
Phil Mack
Jun 14, 2019
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I wanted to thank you for providing my business with an outstanding website and re-branding. In the short space of time the site has been live, I have noticed a dramatic increase in phone calls and email enquiries. Our website truly looks professional and exciting, and sets us apart from our competitors.
Ross Phillips
Jun 14, 2019
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Yes, I am very happy to recommend Digital Essence to anyone who needs help with any IT part of their business or home life.
Hamish Campbell
Jun 14, 2019
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Efficient, hassle-free, prompt and cost effective, with excellent customer service. I would recommend Digital Essence to anyone.
Velda Weir
Jun 14, 2019
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Digital Essence really care about their customers needs, they are truly passionate, absolute professionals & experts in their field. Hedley went above and beyond to make sure we got the solution we needed. A gent and a true professional.