Creating Brand-Led Digital Experiences – Premier Manchester Web Design Studio

Overview

MadeByShape is an award-winning digital agency founded in 2010 and based in Atherton, Manchester. The agency is renowned for its creative excellence in web design, branding, eCommerce, and organic SEO. With an in-house team of designers, developers, strategists, and content creators, they deliver custom digital experiences built on technical precision, crafted aesthetics, and deep understanding of brand identity. Their philosophy emphasizes integrity and collaboration—they operate without sales pressure, focusing on meaningful results and long-term partnerships.

MadeByShape’s preferred content management system is Craft CMS and Craft Commerce, differentiating them from agencies relying on WordPress. They are a verified Craft CMS and Craft Commerce partner, underscoring their technical expertise in delivering bespoke, scalable digital platforms.

Location & Global Reach

MadeByShape’s headquarters is located at 1 Gibfield Park Avenue, Atherton, Manchester M46 0SU, England. While their studio sits just outside Manchester’s city centre, they serve clients across the UK—including London, Birmingham, Leeds, and Edinburgh. The team also works with international clients in Europe and beyond. A remote‑friendly approach allows them to collaborate effectively with businesses worldwide, whether startups or major global brands.

Services & Capabilities

Web Design (UI/UX)
The agency delivers visually rich, brand-aligned web designs built around user experience. Collaborative mock‑ups and wireframes are refined through design workshops to create intuitive and engaging digital products.

Web Development
MadeByShape specialises in building websites with Craft CMS and Craft Commerce, alongside mastery of Shopify. Their technical approach includes front‑end and back‑end development, ensuring fully responsive, secure, and fast-loading sites created in-house with no outsourcing.

Branding & Visual Identity
Their branding services encompass logo design, brand strategy, visual guidelines, and identity systems. The brand voice and visual style are crafted to be consistent across web and offline touchpoints, tailored to each client’s audience and mission.

eCommerce
The agency builds high-conversion eCommerce platforms using Craft Commerce and Shopify. From migrations to custom storefronts and CRO optimisation, they deliver stores that reflect brand identity and commercial performance.

SaaS Design and Dashboards
MadeByShape designs intuitive SaaS and dashboard interfaces, focusing on data clarity, usability, and brand cohesion—ideal for fintech, membership portals, or enterprise tools.

Mobile Responsiveness, Accessibility, Speed
Every project is optimised for all devices and tested for performance. The team adheres to accessibility guidelines and ensures fast page load times, improving both user experience and SEO.

SEO‑First Builds & CMS Support
SEO strategy is embedded from the start, with structured content, meta optimisation, clean code, and content strategies designed for growth. Ongoing CMS support and content writing help maintain relevance and visibility.

Maintenance & Post‑Launch Support
After launch, clients receive hosting support, analytics monitoring, bug fixes, performance tuning, and optional retainer-based services. This includes ongoing design enhancements, SEO updates, and content strategy execution.

Design Process & Methodology

Discovery & Strategy
MadeByShape begins with discovery sessions to understand the client’s goals, audience, competitive landscape, and brand identity. This forms the foundation for strategy and project planning.

Wireframing & Prototyping
Initial wireframes and clickable prototypes outline structure and flow. Clients review and refine these early-stage designs before development begins.

User Testing & Iteration
Feedback loops and usability testing guide refinements. The team prioritises real insights early to reduce later revisions and enhance usability.

Development & QA
Designs are built into robust, responsive websites with rigorous internal quality assurance. Compatibility, performance, security, and accessibility are tested across devices and browsers.

Launch & Handoff
Following approval, MadeByShape deploys the website and transfers assets, including documentation and login credentials. Clients receive training and support to manage the platform independently.

Agile Workflow
The agency follows agile principles, offering sprint-based project planning, regular client updates, and transparent timelines. Communication is fostered through Basecamp and weekly check‑ins.

Client Industries & Notable Projects

MadeByShape has worked with a wide range of clients, including:

• Startups and sole traders

• Small and medium enterprises

• Corporate businesses and B2B firms

• Education and learning institutions

• Healthcare and professional services

• Retail, lifestyle and fashion brands

• Property and construction

• SaaS platforms and fintech

Highlighted projects include work for brands like Blackberry, NHS, L’Occitane, Stoneletters, Releve Clothing (Toronto), Inside Out Contracts, and Noramble. These feature eCommerce builds, Craft CMS migrations, and full branding resets. The Gary Neville digital refresh and SferaCare site redesign also stand out as high-profile, design-led engagements.

Why Choose MadeByShape?

• An experienced creative team with over a decade of digital expertise
• Full in-house capabilities across design, development, SEO, and branding
• Craft CMS and Craft Commerce verified partnership offering bespoke site architecture
• Award-winning, design-led portfolio trusted by global clients and small brands alike
• A client-first philosophy with personal attention and minimal revision cycles
• Agile, transparent workflows and post-launch support for scalable growth

MadeByShape’s blend of craftsmanship, technical knowledge, and strategic branding makes them a reliable partner for businesses seeking standout digital experiences.